An Unleashed Passion: Outer Worlds Passion series, #2

By Evelyn Lederman

As a castoff bride, she had no future.  He was a hybrid-human who believed he was beneath her.

Laurel Brayton was raised to be one thing, a contracted bride. When her groom married another, her future appeared bleak. Victimized, she was determined to take control of her life despite the odds.

Gerard Holmes was in love with a woman he could never possess. When she came to him in desperation, he had no choice but to succumb to her wishes. Every decision she made placed her in greater danger, causing Gerard to reach deep inside himself and overcome his past insecurities.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evelyn Lederman
• Release date: Nov 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386610670

Book preview

Prologue

At the dawn of the twenty-third century, mankind had depleted most of Earth’s natural resources. Humans ventured to planets within their own solar system to extract the resources that made corporations rich and governments topple.

Eventually, colonies were created in the outer worlds. Space stations were built, worlds terraformed, and colonies founded where planets existed with nitrogen-oxygen rich air.

Earthlings discovered humanoids who lived on the planets they explored. After generations of living and working with the aliens, offspring were produced between mixed couples. These children were referred to as hybrids.

After centuries of renewal, Earth became a paradise. Sparsely populated, only the ultra-rich could afford to live on the planet. To support their lifestyles, Earth couples sold their genetically-engineered daughters to wealthy men who lived off-world. If the contract between the daughter and the groom was broken, the woman would be considered a castoff bride and her future considered bleak.

Chapter 1

Laurel Brayton wore her revealing uniform like a medieval knight wore armor. Although the low cut dress was revealing, she didn’t feel exposed. She was someone else when adorned in the costume.

At times like this, she no longer felt like a castoff bride. A genetically-enhanced Earth female dependent on her former groom Clay Wilson and his new wife Syd, a female soldier who had been her bodyguard. Here she felt independent for the first time in her life.

She’d been sold by her parents to a man who owned an outer world space station and mining operation. The human race had ventured to the stars when Earth no longer had the natural resources to provide energy or raw materials. Now she was stranded on the space station orbiting the planet Zeta.

The thirty-first century offered little opportunities for a woman in her circumstances. Bred to marry a rich man, she had few skills available to support herself.

She approached a table of miners identifiable by their purple skin. They were all hybrids. Half she could identify the origins of their parentage, the others she wasn’t sure. Until recently, she hadn’t met one. Now she was surrounded by them. Everything she’d been brainwashed to believe about them was wrong. They were hard working, didn’t expect handouts, and certainly weren’t dangerous.

Hey, beautiful, the Marvellian hybrid said. We’ll take a round of your best whiskey. We’ve got something to celebrate.

Marvellians were easy to identify because of their remarkable violet eyes. With the discoloration of his skin, he was striking. Her best friend on the station was one-quarter Marvellian. She could get lost staring into Gerard Holmes’s eyes.

Laurel didn’t have to write down their order. Although she had recently learned to read and write, her audible recall was extraordinary. It was a talent she always possessed but had little opportunity to use.

What are we celebrating? Laurel enjoyed visiting with her customers. In a strange way, they were the friends she never had on Earth. She didn’t have the heart to tell them even the establishment’s best whiskey was foul stuff.

Management will be testing the dome’s air tomorrow, the only woman among them reported. We’ll finally be able to prove breathing the treated methane gas seeping through the force fields is doing more harm to our bodies beyond discoloring our skin.

The Marvellian leaned forward. I’ve heard we have to thank Clayton Wilson’s former bride for our windfall.

She left the miners to fill their drink order. Her reddened complexion would give away she was the one they were talking about. Although Syd had been the one who suggested they tie the testing of the air within Clay’s breach of contract agreement. It’d been her perseverance that got the language included. The achievement gave her great pride, but something she couldn’t communicate.

Harry, the bartender, filled the order without delay. He received a percentage of the tips based on how quickly he poured the drinks. There was good money to be made if they worked together. She needed every credit she earned.

When she passed a table of new arrivals, one of them grabbed her ass. The bar’s bouncer made quick work of kicking him out. Repeat customers knew they could look, but not touch. Someone paid the bouncers to look after her. She figured it was Gerard who was her guardian angel, but he’d never admit it. Every positive aspect of her life since she arrived on the space station was because of him.

The evening flew by. She loved when McAffrey’s was busy. There was an energy to the place that lifted her spirits. The area was loud with the pounding beat of the music. For the first time in her life, she was happy.

She’d even become accustomed to the rank smell in the bar. When she arrived each afternoon, the bar reeked of disinfectant. By the time her shift was over, the smell of stale beer, tobacco, and body odor was prevalent.

A man brushed past her, shoving a piece of paper into her hand. It’s from your brother, he said before disappearing into the crush of people on the dance floor.

Her heart slammed into her chest, it beat so fast. The space station had been on lockdown for a week searching for her brother. He’d badly beaten Syd and attempted to kill Clay.

Should she read the note or throw it away? No good could come from aiding her brother Jeffrey. He’d nearly killed Syd. The outer worlds needed law and order. Her brother should be arrested and be made an example of.

She’d spent two days sitting next to Syd while she recovered. Guilt consumed her each time the poor woman moaned. Jeffrey had taken his revenge on the two people who betrayed her. She’d been ignorant of his presence on the space station until after the attacks. Had she known, she would’ve begged him not to harm either of them.

She moved to clean a table at the rear of the bar and unfolded the piece of paper.

---

Meet me at the bar’s back entrance at 2 a.m. Come alone, Jeffrey.

---

Laurel looked at her timepiece. She had twenty minutes if she was to meet him. Her curiosity was piqued. In good conscience, she’d have to hear him out. They’d once been close. He’d hired Syd to protect her with good intentions. Who would’ve anticipated her groom would fall in love with her scar-faced bodyguard?

The rear entrance was only used for deliveries. Jeffrey must have scoped out the comings and goings of employees over the past several days. He knew her shift was over at 2:00 a.m. and the area would be deserted.

After debating with herself, she decided to meet with her brother. There was too much activity near the rear door for her to leave on time. She didn’t want anyone witnessing her exit. Unusual behavior during a lockdown would raise too many questions and the possibility the authorities would be contacted. Every minute felt like an eternity as she waited for an opportunity to leave.

What took you so long? Jeffrey asked when she finally joined him. There was an edge to his voice.

The rear passage area was littered with boxes and pallets. There was no one in sight to witness their meeting. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves, inhaling recirculated air.

His harsh delivery put her on the defensive. He’d always treated her with respect and guarded words. The past week in hiding had taken its toll on him. She barely recognized her brother.

He’d changed so much since she left Earth barely two months ago. Her typically clean-shaven brother had a full beard, several shades darker than his golden blond hair. His blood-shot eyes were dull as if he’d given up on life.

Why had he taken Clay’s abandonment of her so hard? He had a secure future with the Middleton Corporation. Hers was questionable at best. She’d taken control of her life while his went off the rails.

I didn’t want anyone becoming suspicious of my movements, Laurel replied to his earlier question. Everyone’s nerves are on edge being on lockdown. Only shuttles to the surface are operating to transport employees.

Jeffrey glared at her. This wasn’t the brother who doted over her when she was younger. A crazy stranger stood before her. There was madness reflected in his eyes. For the first time in her life, she feared him.

The Harper Corporation ship will be leaving for Earth tomorrow, he informed her. I need you to help me board the ship after the last inspection.

He was out of his mind. How am I supposed to do that? Laurel knew Clay’s chief of security Monte Simpson wouldn’t so much as allow a space flea to leave on that ship.

His eyes roamed down her body. The hunger in his eyes caused a shiver to run up her spine. She unconsciously crossed her arms over her chest. She felt dirty being this close to him.

You’ll act as a distraction. Her brother licked his lips.

Horrified, Laurel backed away. His reflexes were too quick. Jeffrey wrapped his fingers around her neck and slammed her against the wall.

You’ll do as you’re told, Jeffrey growled.

His digits dug into her flesh, impacting her ability to breathe. This was the second time she’d been attacked and she didn’t put up a fight on either occasion. Her hands instinctually wrapped around Jeffrey’s forearms attempting to release his hold on her.

Jeffrey, she managed to cry when his fingers loosened their grip.

Her brother’s eyes widened when some sense of reason returned. He immediately released her. Laurel turned, coughing. The blaring music from inside the bar drowned out the possibility of anyone hearing her and investigating what was wrong.

At noon today, be at slip four, Jeffrey commanded, not making eye contact with her. Wear something revealing and distract the men around the ship. You owe me.

Those three words made her blood boil. For the first time in her life, she wanted to do physical harm to another being. I don’t owe you a thing, she spat. You had our parents’ love. My sisters and I were merely commodities. They didn’t even bother to make contractual obligations to see us or our children in the future.

Jeffrey’s face reddened. All you had to do was lie on your back and pretend to enjoy it. She’d never heard her brother talk in this fashion.

Another shiver ran up Laurel’s spine. She could still feel both doctors penetrating her with their fingers to validate her virginity. First by her father’s physician and then by the slavers while she was their captive. It had been painful and embarrassing. Her emotions were too raw to respond to her brother.

I was forced to join the militia and scrape for everything I have. Her brother took a step closer. It’s not my fault your fiancé didn’t want you.

Laurel slapped her brother so hard, the cracking sound startled her. Rather than feeling ashamed by her behavior, she felt exhilarated. Adrenaline coursed through her body.

Her brother ran his hand over the red mark she left on his cheek. The sides of his mouth contorted to create a leering smile. You better be there. Her body shuddered at the threat.

Without another word, he ran down the hall. She didn’t move until he disappeared into the shadows. Now alone, she was drained of energy.

Laurel slipped back into the bar. No one witnessed her reenter. There was a fight between several patrons near the bar that captured everyone’s attention.

She wanted to return to her quarters and take a long, hot shower, and then crawl into bed. It was doubtful she’d get any sleep. There was Jeffrey’s ultimatum to consider.

Gerard Hughes loitered at McAffrey’s entrance waiting for Laurel. It wasn’t unusual for her to work past the end of her shift. When she finally made her way toward him, it wasn’t her beautiful face he noted, but the angry bruises around her neck.

What the hell happened to you? Anger brewed within him as he got a closer look at the finger impressions. How had she been attacked without the bouncers intervening? He’d paid them a fortune to protect her. Did a customer do that?

Laurel’s eyes surveyed the floor before her. She paled rather than blushed like she was prone to do. All color drained from her face. She was more than physically injured; the girl was petrified.

There was only one man he figured who would assault Laurel. Did your brother do that?

Her continued fascination with the bar’s floor told him everything he needed to know. He pulled out his remote comm device and contacted Monte. If their security chief was asleep, that was just too bad. Brayton had assaulted his sister and Monte’s top notch security force hadn’t been able to locate him. As far as he was concerned, Laurel needed to be confined to her quarters until her brother was apprehended.

What are you still doing up, Gerard? Monte was aware of everyone’s habits. Until recently, Gerard retired early and returned to work after six hours of sleep. His routine changed after Laurel arrived.

Jeffrey Brayton attacked his sister, he reported.

Is she all right? Monte had changed over the last several years. Once upon a time, he wouldn’t have asked after the health of the victim.

Gerard’s eyes scanned Laurel’s face. She was fair to begin with, possessing perfect porcelain skin. Her bewitching blue eyes were cast down still looking at the floor. His fury rose as he once again looked upon the angry marks on her swan-like fragile neck.

She’s bruised, but otherwise, appears fine. He hoped his observations were correct and she wasn’t more traumatized than her behavior indicated. We’re still at the bar.

Monte didn’t immediately answer. Gerard figured he was having a discussion with his men. He wouldn’t want to be a member of Monte’s security force at this point. A fuming Monte was a frightening sight to witness. The hulk of a man’s muscular structure expanded when he was angry. It was a characteristic of the Terrellian species.

I’m heading for the security checkpoint near the bar. Meet me there. Monte’s irritation with the situation coated his delivery.

Laurel stood by Gerard’s side while he talked to Monte, she hadn’t made a sound. She was flanked on either side by her now visible security team. Heads were certainly going to roll tonight. If he wasn’t so concerned about Laurel, he would’ve enjoyed the show.

There were seven walkways between the outer ring and the terra-formed sphere. The extensions allowed people to travel between the two areas and maintained the station’s orbit above the planet Zeta.

Monte was present when they arrived at the security checkpoint. His muscular arms were pulsating. It was a sight Gerard hadn’t seen in several years.

Shit, Monte said under his breath as he examined Laurel’s throat. We’ll have Doc Phillips meet us in Gerard’s quarters.

Gerard was taken aback. My quarters?

I don’t want her alone for an instant. Monte leaned forward and lowered the volume of his voice. I’d have her bunk with Clay and Sydney if I didn’t believe that would be extremely awkward.

He liked the idea of Laurel living in his apartment a little too much. He’d