Scarlet Venom

By Jei Anders

Fact 437 - Allie was a piss poor bootlegger.

It was laughable that her blackmailers expected her to create a truth serum. If they’d done their homework, they would’ve known her brewing capabilities were nil, she flunked chemistry, and her moonshine was on the toxic side. So for once in her unlucky life, luck was on her side… until she almost blew up the lab. Unfortunately, singed eyebrows were the least of her concern.

Fact 543 - Aliens don't understand personal space.

Nothing was off limits. If they weren’t asking about her heat cycle, males were sniffing her for compatibility. One cocky Av even tried to claim her as his mate, but that wasn’t happening, no matter how good looking he was. But staying immune to his antics proved more difficult than Allie expected. Kind words, gorgeous eyes, and wicked grins were always her weakness.

Fact 678 - The line between loathe and love easily blurred.

It was just one kiss… maybe two.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Renegade Publishing, LLC
• Release date: Sep 24, 2018
• ISBN: 9781732442023

Jei Anders

International Bestselling Author Jei Anders was dound in the forest when she was young, and raised by aliens, monsters, and troll princes. She's been kidnapped by space pirates twice and liberated countless worlds from the clutches of evil while managing to write epic romantic sci-fi and fantasy stories. If you adore true love, enemies to lovers, mates, thrilling action, found family, grey characters, and diversity; her books are for you! She claims ownership to the bestselling sci-fi series Mixologists and Pirates packed with snark, adventure, and slow burn romance. Mixologists and Pirates 1 - Amber Vial 2 - Emerald Bane 3 - Scarlet Venom 4 - Cyan Toxin 5 - Onyx Elixir 6 - Indigo Alloy

Book preview

1

Blackmail and Espionage

You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.

Allie rubbed her damp palms against her legs. You and I both know that’s not an option, Jer.

The redhead crossed her arms and glared into the night. Well, I thought it would be nice to hear at least.

Allie eyed the incoming Av with trepidation. It didn’t help. Her jaw set as he jerked his chin in her direction, a command to come to him. What. A. Jerk. What am I? Chattel?

"You are well and truly owned by the Av Lock sector. So, yes. Yes, you are."

Jer, ever honest. Sometimes too honest.

Thanks, Jer, she grumbled, adjusting her bag strap so it no longer bit into her shoulder. I guess I should get going. She shifted her weight and winced as pain raced up her calves. Her feet were killing her after her long shift at the Scarlet Kiss.

Jer stepped closer and tapped their wrist comms together. I had Lily design a program, so we can track each other. I’ll know where you are no matter where they take you, she said in a low tone. It’s undetectable to anyone but us.

Allie stared at her friend in awe. Techy stuff might as well be black magic to her. That’s amazing! I didn’t know Lily designed programs. I’ll have to thank her.

Yeah, she’s uber smart. Behind those lilac glasses is a mastermind.

A whistle pulled their attention to the brooding Av glaring in their direction.

It’s too bad the creep couldn’t be a little uglier, Jer growled. It’s a waste if you ask me.

Allie pursed her lips as she stared at Coal. He was attractive in an I’m-bad-for-you-yet-you-want-me-anyway kind of way. One that made you want to forget all of your mama’s warnings.

I guess…

Jer scoffed. I know you’re not blind.

I’m not blind, but I’m not stupid. It didn’t matter how good-looking he was when he had the personality of a honey badger.

Her friend flashed a smile. And that’s why I’m letting you ride off into the sunset with him.

She snorted. There’s no sunset, Allie said as she strode away.

Smart aleck.

She glanced over her shoulder and grinned. You wouldn’t have it any other way.

Yeah, yeah, Jer called, waving her away.

Allie wiggled her fingers at Jer and jogged toward Coal, scanning the motorhover. She skidded to a stop. There wasn’t a sidecar. Where am I supposed to ride? she drawled.

He rolled his eyes and scooted forward a little. On the back, he said, like it was an explanation, not a death sentence.

He wanted her to ride on the flying contraption…without any security straps?

Are you insane?

She remembered what it was like the last time. She’d barely made it home alive, and that was riding in a sidecar.

What, Human? he sneered. You don’t want to be seen on the back of an Av’s hover?

She colored. Leave it to him to suggest she was the racist when he clearly hated Humans. That’s not it at all! I am… She trailed off, biting her lip. Stars above, this was humiliating. No one wanted to admit their fears, let alone one as asinine as the fear of flying when everything flew.

You’re what?

Her eyes narrowed. "You know what." He knew how badly she’d reacted the last time they traveled together. The jerk just wanted her to say it again.

A lazy grin stretched across his face as he crossed his arms. I really don’t. I don’t have the faintest idea why you won’t get on the hover.

He was really going to make her say it. Allie gritted her teeth and forced the words out: I’m afraid of flying, she growled. A fact you’re well aware of.

Coal shrugged, grinning, and grasped the handle bars. That’s not my problem, Human. Get on the hover, or don’t. But if you renege on your deal, we renege on ours.

Are you threatening me? What a great way to start their partnership.

Well, her forced duty at least.

Another shrug. Just a reminder.

She didn’t have a choice. She had to get onto the hover for the sake of her friends. They didn’t deserve punishment for her actions. She stepped closer, her hands shaking and her breath coming out in pants. She could do this. What was a little drive compared to lifetime imprisonment on an alien planet?

Allie lifted her leg over the seat and sat, her whole body trembling. She glanced around for something to grab on to, but there was nothing. How was she going to hold on?

You’ll have to wrap your hands around me if you don’t want to fall, Coal said.

Allie readjusted the strap of her bag so it crossed her chest and tentatively wrapped her trembling arms around the Av. I’m ready, she said, her voice wobbling. She was so not ready.

He tipped his head back with a sigh, his black and white hair dangling in front of her face.

Ridiculous, he muttered under his breath.

E-excuse m— she stuttered as he reached around and hooked his arm around her waist. An embarrassing squeak squeezed out of Allie when he yanked her forward so she was flush against his back. Allie tried to backpedal, but his arm tightened, holding her in place.

You’ll fall off if you aren’t close, and you need to hold on tightly. I don’t want to explain to my brother why you died when I came to get you.

How magnanimous of you, she said dryly, trying to battle her fear from pulling her into a full freak-out.

He pulled his arm away and twisted forward. Her panic increased a notch as he revved the engine, and her teeth began to chatter. He paused and craned his neck, his brows furrowed as he scanned her face.

Are you cold?

No, she said. My teeth chatter when I’m scared or excited. It’s adrenaline.

Humans, he muttered, shaking his head, before turning around. Hold on tight.

One breath was all she managed before the death machine left the ground behind them with such speed she almost tumbled off. Her arms clenched around his waist; the breath in her lungs seized; panic and nausea swirled in her stomach as the Av wove around, under, and over hovers, coming recklessly close to clipping one of the other machines.

Her fingers knotted in Coal’s jacket. This was how she would die. Allie was certain of it. If by some miracle she didn’t plummet to her death, her heart would surely give out. There would probably be permanent damage to his garment from her nails, but he deserved it for how he was driving.

She closed her eyes and pressed her face against the Av’s back. Maybe if she didn’t look at the surrounding mayhem, it would be easier. He stiffened at the contact, but she couldn’t bring herself to care. If he wanted to drive like a maniac, he had to deal with the consequences of a Human clinging to him.

It didn’t help.

She didn’t know what was worse: not being able to see horrors coming, or the unexpected movements of the hover. Her breath hissed out as the hover slowed to a stop, softly vibrating beneath them. Allie slowly turned her face to the side, her cheek pressed against his jacket.  

Are we there? she whispered. Was the ride of torment over?

Silence. Of course he wouldn’t answer her.

Allie grumbled underneath her breath and cracked one eye open, then the other. A Kiterran toddler smiled from inside a hover next to them, waving his chubby little hand. She forced a smile on her face for the sake of the child. But without permission, her gaze dropped down…and down…and down. Even the dark night couldn’t hide how far above the ground they were. Lights and signs below her swirled, turning into a giant kaleidoscope of colors. The world lurched and so did her stomach.

Aaaaand the sense she was falling slammed into her.

A callused hand smoothed over her clenched fingers, snapping her from the nightmare below and the vertigo that promised to tip her over the side of the motorhover. She plastered