Survivor Planet Series 2-Book Box Set (16 page)

I smiled back. So, what was it to be? Life on the run on Earth, or a life of adventure zooming around the universe? Who knew what was destined for me next? This time, however, I would be the one deciding my fate. No longer would I be a pawn in anyone's game. The thought was frightening. Terrifying actually. But look at what I'd already faced and still come out alive. Plus I wasn't alone anymore. At my side would be the man I'd grown to love. Together we could do anything.

“I'll go with you.”

“You won't regret it, Amanda. I'll keep you safe,” he vowed.

And as he hugged me tight, I somehow knew he'd keep his word.

by

Juliet Cardin

Being clandestine was imperative. And since the blasted curtain in the living room was practically see-through, I'd have to make do peeking between the slats of the blinds in the bedroom. Upstairs I rushed, my breath beginning to puff more from excitement than exertion while I got into position. My vantage point was perfect. From here, the entire block laid spread out before me like a smorgasbord. My eyes fastened on my neighbor's house. It was just after midnight and everything was dark and eerily quiet. Scanning the sky, far off in the distance I detected a tiny bluish light. The closer it came, the more it grew in size. My gaze flashed between the house and the light in anticipation. Almost as if there was a large beacon on the roof, the light aimed straight and true to its destination. Now as it approached, I could make out the circular shape of the object emitting the light. Indeed, the entire craft seemed haloed by the iridescent glow. I'd seen the ship several times, but never did it fail to awe and amaze me. Such power!

My tongue flicked out over my dry lips while I held my breath and watched. I reached down to rub my sweating palm on my jeans. My other hand clenched, steadily holding the blind just enough for me to peek.

Not much longer now.

The ship had come to a complete standstill, practically right over my neighbor's backyard. Mesmerized, I watched as a wide beam of light suddenly pierced the night sky and shined through the window of the house across from mine. Moments later, a shape emerged. Transcending the house, my neighbor floated in the beam of light which slowly drew him upward. Toward the ship he moved, slowly and helplessly, still unaware of the danger. And then, awakening from his slumber, his body bowed and thrashed about. His head darted back and forth between the ship and the safety of his bedroom, no doubt in disbelief. His mouth opened as though to yell, or curse, or cry, but no sound emerged. Seconds later he disappeared. The ship, done with its dark deed, sped off into the night sky and disappeared.

For a moment or so I watched and waited. The street remained silent and unaware of the dastardly event. One of its own had been snatched away, right from his home, his bed, and none was the wiser.

In the morning, his wife and teenage daughters would awake and find him gone. The police would arrive, an investigation would be launched. Everyone would have their own theory. When questioned, most of the neighbors would report the man as being mean, petty, and vindictive—growing more so over the years. When they asked me, as I knew they would, I'd be ready. Ready and willing to tell them how miserable and unpredictable my neighbor was. As time went on and nothing surfaced, he'd be suspected of running off, as disgruntled husbands tend to do. Or maybe someone had a grudge and lured him away? Who could say?

Not I.

I let go the blind and padded out of the dark room, a broad grin stretched across my face. My quarterly quota had been safely delivered into my nemesis' hands. My safety was assured...at least for another three months. It being just the middle of October, I had a little time before I must seek out another.

And seek I would.

I would find the perfect candidate to play specimen for the Akkadians—creepy, green, long-armed, long-fingered malevolent beings. Just the thought of their big, black, soulless eyes made me shiver.

Tomorrow being Sunday, I'd relax. Monday would be soon enough to start casting out my net in search of another. Someone who was mean, and cruel, or just someone I didn't like, or who was in my way—someone who had it coming.

Better them than me.

I didn't feel guilty. There'd be no sleepless nights for me. The ones I chose would better serve humanity as living, breathing guinea pigs for a superior race. The Akkadians were satisfied to take my offerings and leave the rest of the population alone.

And as for my neighbor and the other misbegotten souls I'd sent to suffer...they could rot for all I cared.

After a dreamless night, I awoke to a sunshiny day. Brisk, but bright—just the way I liked it. It was Sunday, and generally I'd sip my morning coffee in my jammies, but considering guests may soon be arriving, I put on a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. Sure enough, an hour later two cops arrived next door. I guess old what's-his-name was missed after all. As I expected, they did a routine check of the neighborhood and interviewed the surrounding neighbors. When one of them came to my door I was more than ready for him. My face was set to display the shock and concern I should dutifully feel when confronted with the fact that someone from my street had disappeared right out of his bed in the middle of the night.

But when I answered the knock at my door and was greeted by a tall, handsome hunk of sexy muscles in a uniform, I was only capable of gawking in surprise.

"Sorry to bother you, Miss," Mr. Hotness began, "but my partner and I are talking to the neighbors of Mr. and Mrs. Rainey. Sometime during the hours of eleven and seven this morning, Mr. Rainey went missing."

"What? Oh...no," I stammered.

"I understand this may be distressing for you, Miss. You know the Rainey's, I presume?"

"Ah, yes. I do. How...terrible."
Stop staring and act disturbed, dolt!

The officer smiled at me with beautiful, even, white teeth that sparkled against the glow of his bronzed skin.
How the hell does anyone get a tan this time of year?
Wow, he was super cute, and tall—at least six-four, seeing as he was about a foot taller than me. His hands were big with long, tapering fingers that were wrapped around a pen and a notepad. His head tilted to the side while he seemed to ponder me, seeing if I'd break down in fretful tears. On his head rested a police cap, under which I saw dark hair in a buzz-cut. A snug, blue, unzipped jacket revealed a massive chest barely restrained beneath the blue uniform shirt. My gaze lowered, feigning sadness, and checked out his tight pants—blue as well—tucked into calf-high black boots. He was rocking that uniform.

"Would you mind answering a few questions?" he asked, his voice deep and utterly masculine.

"No. Not at all. Please, come in." I moved back from the door to allow him into the entranceway. He seemed uncertain, as though he should just get my statement and move on, but seeing him hesitate, I fanned a hand before my face. "I think I need to sit down."

A wonderful look of concern crossed his face. "Of course," he agreed. He tucked away his pen and pad and reached out to take my elbow, helping me down the short hallway to the living room. Once he had me settled comfortably on the couch, he sat down beside me. "Would you like a glass of water?" he asked, as though entertaining a guest.

I waved off his concern like a trooper. "Oh, no. I'm fine, really. You were saying my neighbor disappeared? Do you suspect foul play?" I arched a practiced brow.

"We're not ruling anything out as yet. However, we've uncovered no signs of forced entry or a struggle."

I dropped my head a little and looked up at him conspiratorially. "I'm not one to spread gossip of course. But I'm sure you must have heard some
things
about Laric, my neighbor?"

He shrugged
noncommittally. "What can you tell me about him?"

"Well." I pretended to be properly shocked. "I've heard he's somewhat of a player."

"You mean he likes women? Steps out on his wife, does he?"

My lips turned down in mock disgust. "Not just women I've heard."

Mr. Hottie raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

I nodded.

"Though his wife will deny it, I'm pretty sure this isn't the first time he's
disappeared
."

"Hmm."

Now I had his full attention. And seeing the way his eyes slipped ever so slightly to appreciate my full breasts, I intended to keep it.

His name was Ariston—a little funky, but it suited him. After his shift ended this afternoon he was going to pick me up and take me out for dinner. What an unexpected bonus handing over this quarterly quota had turned out to be.

"Thanks, dip-wad," I said, peeking out the bedroom window at the now silent street. While my neighbor's wife undoubtedly wrung her hands in worry, I knew deep down I'd done the woman a favor. No more would the dolt stand in his big picture window, hands on hips, glaring at anyone who dared park their car in front of his house. No more terrible online tweets about how big the assholes in his neighborhood were. No more false waves and questions about how my day was, when I knew he'd been pacing a hole in his floor swearing about how one of my dates arrived blaring music from his car stereo. I silently hoped they'd probe him till his ass fell clean off.

Three outfits littered my bedroom floor before I finally decided to go semi-casual with a pair of nicely cut black pants and a v-neck long-sleeved blue shirt. My bra and panties were matching black silk—just in case Mr. Hotpants decided he wanted to frisk me later. I tidied up my house and re-hung my clothes, not wanting him to think I'd given a considerable amount of time to prepping. My long, dark brown bouncing curls hung almost to my waist and my face was lightly made up when the clock struck six and my date arrived promptly.

"Hi, Danni. You look great," he said, rewarding me for my efforts.

"Thanks. You too." My expression was welcoming, but also displayed just the right amount of restraint considering the circumstance that brought us together. He stepped in the entranceway, and as I closed the door I saw he'd arrived in a sleek black car. He wore snug black pants, a dark gray button down shirt, and a black leather jacket.
Sweet.

In fact, he looked so good that I regretted agreeing to go out for dinner. I should have played Susie Homemaker and insisted I make him dinner instead. Not that I could cook, but I knew a kick-ass restaurant that delivered delicious food right to your door.

"Would you like a drink before we go out? Unless you made a reservation." Being a cop he may decline, but I took the chance anyway.

"Ah, no. I didn't actually. A drink sounds good." He shrugged out of his jacket and folded it over the back of one of the chairs as he trailed me into the living room. He took a seat on the couch while I wandered over to the portable bar.

"What'll you have?" I asked, hoping I had what he liked.

"Whatever you're having is fine."

I poured us each a drink and handed one to him while I took a seat beside him. "Hope you like red wine."

"Sure." There was a moment of uncomfortable silence while we both sipped our drinks. He cleared his throat. "So, how're you making out?"

He was talking about the disappearance. My gaze lingered on my glass of wine while I decided on the right words and facial expression. "Oh, it's been hard. I haven't been able to bring myself to go over there yet. I know that's terrible. I should have gone right after you left. But I didn't know what to say."
Fragile Concerned Girl—good choice.

He set his glass down on the coffee table and looked at me. "Don't beat yourself up over it. Situations like this are difficult. It's hard to know what someone else needs; whether they want to be comforted or left alone. I'm sure if you go by tomorrow, maybe bring a casserole or something, the family would appreciate it."

I smiled.
Yeah, like that was gonna happen.
"An excellent idea." I dropped my gaze and put my glass down next to his. "I feel bad for them, but at the same time, situations like this reinforce how uncertain life is. It makes me want to grab hold of life with both hands and seize every moment."
Actually, I'd like to grab hold of you with both hands...
"You must know what I mean, especially in your line of work."

"Ah, yeah. Sure. I get it." He was trying hard not to look at my breasts.

"Doesn't something like this make you want to just do something wild and crazy?"
I should have worn a skirt.

He swallowed, picked up his glass, and took a couple big gulps before setting it down again. When he leaned back on the couch, I reached for his glass intentionally and took a sip right from the place where his lips had been. I stared at the glass and then at mine on the table and blushed prettily. "Oh, sorry." I set his glass back down next to mine so that they were touching. Then I leaned back on the couch as well and closed my eyes.

"Ariston?" I said.

"Yeah?" he croaked.

I opened my eyes and turned my head to gaze at him solemnly. "I suddenly don't feel much like going out."