Pirates, Princes, & Payback

By Frost Kay

Fact 384 - Pirates aren't princes, they're extortionists.

I never claimed to be perfect, so when the feds showed up, there was only one choice. Run.

Turns out my plan wasn't fool proof. One tiny, little, accidental murder lands me in hot water not just with the human government, but with the elven equivalent of the CIA. No one ever said I was lucky.

Shipped off planet, blackmailed, and forced to bootleg for a secret organization is the least of my problems compared to the sexy villains hot on my heels.

They don't know it yet, but I'm going to take them down. Messing with a southern belle with a criminal past was their first mistake. Their second? Giving me a weapon.

Fact 451 - Don't get made, get even.

If you can't get enough of books by K.F. Breene, Annette Marie, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Jaymin Eve, Laura Thalassa, Marissa Meyer, T. A. White, Pippa DaCosta, Leia Stone, Kelly St. Clare, and Michael Anderle then dive into the COMPLETE series Aliens and Alchemists.

Aliens and Alchemists series:
- YA Sci-Fi Fantasy
- Enemies to Lovers
- Alpha Males
- Alien Romance
- Space Pirates
- Paranormal Agency
- Space Opera

• Language: English
• Publisher: Renegade Publishing, LLC
• Release date: Mar 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9781732442030

Frost Kay

Frost Kay is a USA Today bestselling author of fantasy, pulse-pounding adventures, thrilling action, swoon-worthy anti-heroes, and slow-burning romance books. She is the author of multiple bestselling young-adult series, including The Aermian Feuds, The Twisted Kingdoms, Dominion of Ash, and Aliens and Alchemists. For more information, visit FrostKay.net.

Book preview

Part One

One

The Beginning of the End

How did something that big fly?

Allie Sai gaped in shock at the immense silver alien airship. She’d only ever seen them on the tube screen. The longer she stared, the harder her heart pounded. People pushed around her, some chattering excitedly about their trip, others staring wide-eyed at the colossal monstrosity in awe.

Come on, Allie. You can do this. Just move forward.

Nothing. She glared at her stubborn feet. The darn things wouldn’t budge. She sucked in a deep breath and lifted her hand to push her troublesome hair out of her face. She paused, holding her shaking hand out, and scowled at it. God, she hated flying. Just the thought of it gave her hives. It shouldn’t be possible for that much metal to soar through the sky. It was downright unnatural to be thousands of miles above the ground, let alone traveling through the stars at a speed the Human mind couldn’t fathom. Goosebumps erupted on her arms; her stomach clenched at the thought of being trapped in the metal death box. It might be massive, but it was still a steel coffin.

Coffin.

Death.

Blinking, she snuck a glance at the metal airship, hoping it had disappeared.

Nope, it was still there in all its horrendous glory.

Never taking her eyes off the ship, she began to backpedal. Why did she have to go? Her eyes darted to the people flowing past, paying her no attention. If she was smart, she could disappear, and no one would be the wiser. No one would miss a country girl who was afraid of flying.

Time to go.

She spun on her heel, only to smash face-first into a large, hard chest and clumsily crash to the ground.

Swamp apples.

Allie pulled her stinging palms from the ground and stared at the abused skin. Great, she had scraped her much-needed skin off of them. Well some. Just one more bad thing to add to her already horrid day.

Sorry, she grumbled as she plucked a piece of gravel from her smarting palm and tossed it. She watched as it dropped into the grass, disappearing like it was never there.

If only life was that simple.

But life was never simple, and disappearing wasn’t an option. Earth was too regulated. Squeezing her eyes shut, she asked herself the same question she had asked herself a million times since being drafted in: why had she filled out that stupid profile? It was supposed to be a joke and she hadn’t known it would be used for colonization enlistment. It was in a dress magazine, for heaven’s sake. Who’d have thought the government used the profiles of unsuspecting civilians to draft a list of people to help repopulate and colonize new planets?

Not her, that’s for sure.

A loud cough and a massive shadow pulled her from her thoughts. She blinked, lifting her hand to block the sun to see who was lording over her.

What? she growled, trying to see the stranger’s face.

Impertinent little thing, aren’t you?

The deep voice washed over her, smooth as her family’s whiskey. Embarrassed, Allie’s face colored and she dropped her hands. The sun blinded her once more. It was her fault. She’d crashed into him.

Sorry, she mumbled. Just a bad day. She rolled onto her knees and brushed off her pants.

Time to get out of here.

Beautiful.

She paused, staring at the stranger’s black combat boots. Excuse me?

I’ve never seen a mane like yours. It’s like you plucked some of the sun’s rays and spun it into hair.

Her brows furrowed. Who hadn’t seen a blonde? Natural blondes were rare, but people changed their hair color like they changed clothes. There were blondes everywhere. Was this guy touched in the head? If he was, then she needed to get out of here. She didn’t have time for nutters.

A large hand wrapped around her wrist and pulled her to her feet. She stumbled and caught her balance, then pulled from his grasp. Opening her mouth, she went to thank him and froze, her mouth hanging open.

He was beautiful, like stop-you-in-your-tracks-and-gape-like-an-idiot beautiful. His dark wavy hair, so deep brown it was almost black, smoothed back from his chiseled face, drew her attention to his deep green eyes. She blinked. Green eyes that were currently dancing with laughter. Allie snapped her mouth shut and smiled awkwardly like she hadn’t just been drooling over him. She tucked her fine hair behind her ear and gestured between the two of them.

Sorry for bumping into you.

It’s not a problem.

Allie peeked around his arm, adjusting the strap of her bag. Okay. Time to go.

She didn’t have a plan, but there was no way she was getting on that ship. Erm, sorry again, but I have somewhere to be.

Now or never. Her eyes darted to his handsome face one last time as she bolted around him. She was lucky a Lock hadn’t spotted her yet.

The same large hand wrapped around her bicep, halting her escape. What in all the worlds? She followed the hand, pausing on the shiny black band wrapped around his bicep. It looked like polished obsidian. Masculine but pretty. Allie shook her head at herself. She was always a sucker for shiny things. Lifting her chin, she locked her gaze onto his dark green eyes.

Please let go of me, she said politely and tugged on her arm gently. Her eyes narrowed when he smiled back at her. This guy was being a creep, a problem she didn’t have time for. Are we going to have a problem here?

I don’t know. Are we, Ms. Sai?

Allie stilled, then recoiled, jerking against his grasp. How did he know her name? Something wasn’t right. Let go of me.

I’m afraid I can’t do that.

She opened her mouth to scream, but the sound caught in her throat when the chain around his neck peeked out from under the collar of his shirt: obsidian wings.

A Lock.

No. No. No.

Her gaze snapped back to the face of the Lock smirking at her. The breath in her lungs seized as her heart fell. How did they guess she would run? How? Did they read minds now?

We can’t read minds.

Allie stiffened. Please let it not be possible.

The Lock rolled his eyes. But I can read expression and body language, Ms. Sai. We keep tabs on those drafted in for colonization. Your many appeals flagged you as a flight risk, so here I am. Your escort.

Her breath rushed out of her. The government watched her. Her papa was right: privacy was only an illusion. Nothing the government said could be taken as the truth.

She darted a glance between the Lock and the alien behemoth of an airship behind her. That’s the flight risk, she blurted, stabbing a finger toward the ship. Is it even safe? Have Humans operated something like that before? What if it’s contaminated and carries diseases? How do we know it’s not an alien trick to get us to Sars and then eat us?

The Lock burst out laughing, making her want to punch him in the face. These were valid fears!

You have an active imagination. I assure you it’s quite safe, and, as for the eating…well, you will just have to trust me.

Allie barked out a laugh. Trust the government that has been invading my privacy by keeping tabs on me without my consent? I thought our laws protected us against voyeurism and stalking? Or is the government above such laws?

The smirk slipped off his face, giving her a sense of temporary victory.

I’m not here to debate the morals of our government. I’m here to escort you onto the airship.

Allie leaned away from the Lock, eyeing the ship with trepidation. No.

The Lock’s face hardened as he leaned into her personal space. Now is not the time for defiance. You have two choices, Ms. Sai. One, you walk onto the ship of your own volition. Or two, I throw you over my shoulder and haul you there myself. It’s your choice.

Her jaw clenched at the patronizing tone of his voice. She’d rather walk onto that ship herself, but her feet wouldn’t move.

Move, Allie, move.

Again, nothing.

Blast it.

Sweat beaded between her shoulder blades and she came to the only conclusion possible. She had to tell him.

How embarrassing.

Allie ran through a dozen scenarios in her mind, but they all came down to either being dragged onto the ship or telling him about her fear. It would be mortifying to be dragged onto the ship, but was telling him about her fear worse?

Her butt in the air, shirt riding up, and people staring at her flashed through her mind.

Being dragged would be worse.

She blew out a breath and turned to glare at the obsidian wings around his neck. They were mocking her. I’m not trying to be a pain. A breath. I’m afraid of flying, she rushed out.

What was that?

Seriously? she complained, hating that she had to say it again. I’m… afraid… of flying.

His forehead wrinkled. What? Stop mumbling.

I’m afraid of flying! she hissed.

The Lock jerked back, staring at her in shock. Heat scorched her cheeks. How is that possible? Every mode of transportation flies.

I am well aware.

He looked to the airship and down to her. Stop playing around. It’s time to go.

I’m not playing around.

He raised a brow. Are you serious?

Her hand itched to reach out and slap him, but jail on the airship wasn’t too appealing.

Doesn’t it look like I’m bloody serious? My heart is pounding, I am sweating through my shirt… She pulled the collar from her throat and wheezed. I can barely breathe, and I am about five seconds from puking on your boots. A perverse sense of delight filled her when he blinked and stepped back, putting distance between them. She almost wished he would step closer so she could puke on his crisp button-down shirt and black jeans.

Do you need a medic?

She scowled. Yeah, because a medic can get rid of my irrational fear. Allie sniggered. Idiot.

His brows lowered and something flashed across his face. You’re getting on that ship.

No. I’d rather go to prison. An idea blossomed in her mind. Maybe if she fought hard enough they’d just send her to prison on Earth?

You have no choice.

She squealed when he jerked her arm, upsetting her balance, causing her to crash into him. Knock it off. This is harassment, she growled, kicking at his shin.

That’s original, he mocked as he scooped her into his arms.

Allie gaped at him and wriggled around. Put me down!

His hand tightened but he ignored her, so she did the only thing she could think of.

She screamed at the top of her lungs.  

Really? he growled. Lock 581 en route, he bellowed. Move!

Allie scanned the crowd helplessly, looking for someone, anyone to save her. All she encountered were pity and apathy as people parted to let the Lock through.

Cowards, all of them.

Her cries died as the last piece of hope withered inside her chest. No one would save her. She belonged to the government now. Her eyes moved over the crowd to the dark opening of the ship that gaped like the maw of a monster. Fear energized her, making her struggle harder against the Lock. The man’s grip didn’t budge. Maybe logic would appeal to him.

Just put me down. I can go from here. Really, I can do it. Plus, I’m not small. Your back has to be killing you.

He sniggered, one corner of his mouth hooking up. No.

No? What do you mean ‘no’? Put me down!

You and I both know you’ll run the moment I set you down.

You know nothing about me.

He snorted. "Remember the whole keeping tabs thing? I know more about you than I care to."

She choked on her panic as his boots thumped against the metal walkway leading up to the ship. A dull ringing filled her ears, and the light dimmed. The metal walls gleamed in smooth colorless perfection around them. Too smooth. Too perfect. It felt wrong. Something inside her whispered she would die here.

Dead. Dead. Dead.

This was where she would die.

Breathe or you’ll pass out.

She sucked in a breath. Maybe if I pass out I’ll wake up from this nightmare?

Stars above, stop being so dramatic.

Allie’s eyes turned to slits even as she struggled to breathe. She tore her eyes from the walls of the deathtrap to glare at the Lock’s jawline. I am being ripped from my home, forced to leave my family, friends, and life behind to live on a planet we understand very little about. I think I am entitled to be dramatic if I want to.

His jaw tightened as he glanced down at her, his chin dipping. I stand corrected.

Darn straight.

He didn’t have any idea what it was like to be a woman enlisted. To have all your hopes, dreams, desires, eradicated with one comm. That one message had changed her future irrecoverably. To leave everything behind and face her deepest fears…the isolation she felt at being completely alone…

The Lock traversed the labyrinth of hallways until they arrived in a large chamber with people strapped into the chairs lining the walls. Allie stared at it dispassionately. It looked like a prison. Well, it essentially was. The man strode to the right wall and dropped her unceremoniously into an empty seat. Allie hissed and rubbed her elbow when it connected with one of the armrests. She scowled up at the Lock who’d ruined her life.

She wasn’t being fair. He didn’t draft her in.

But he had caught her before she could escape. Therefore, by default, it was his fault.

I don’t understand why they call it the funny bone. There’s nothing funny about it, she muttered.

Funny bone? he asked, as he pulled her bag from her other arm.

Allie lifted her head, a brow arched in question. Funny bone?

The Lock stared at her with a blank expression.

My elbow… she said slowly. Who didn’t know it was called a funny bone?

Riiight, he said, as he deftly reached out and secured the straps across her chest. She clutched the straps and tugged at them. He’d secured her straps like she was a child. Her eyes flew to his. I can’t get out.

He smiled and dropped her bag into her trembling hands. It’s been an adventure, Ms. Sai. Enjoy your flight.

He’d trapped her.

Her mama taught her that revenge was wrong and to never hold a grudge. But today felt like an exception. She memorized his face. Never would she forget his part in her capture and imprisonment. She wouldn’t seek revenge—revenge was petty and short lived. No, Allie would seek vengeance for what he’d stolen from her. She’d exact payment for what he’d stolen, not just from her, but from her family too by thwarting her escape. She relaxed in her seat and smiled at him so sweetly it should make his teeth ache.

Watch your back, Lock.

Gasps erupted around her. No one threatened a Lock.

A glint entered his eyes, one that was calculating and dangerous.

What was she thinking? Surely flying to a different planet was better than being dead?

She stiffened when a predatory smile graced his face. Always do, he whispered as he tweaked her nose. Then he turned his back on her and strode from the room with all the grace and dignity of a king.

Jerk.

A smile graced her mouth despite the fear knotting her stomach. Her family brewed moonshine whiskey. It was a practice that went back to her ancestors in the twenty-first century. Her family’s whiskey was famous for its recreational and medicinal properties. What most people didn’t know was that if improperly brewed, the whiskey was poisonous.

Despite how her stomach rolled with nerves, her smile sharpened. Her failed