Leftover

By Linda Mooney

Confined in a small shipping container for weeks on end, Taru was starving, dehydrated, and close to death. When she was given the option of remaining in the container until her owner could turn her in for the reward, or being one of fifteen females going to a mining moon to pleasure the drillers who were willing to pay for her services, she chose the latter. At least there was the possibility she could escape from there and get back with her people.

 

Kirby Luka agreed to pay the astronomical sum to have his own woman, if only to have a companion. Someone to talk to and maybe to share a bed with. He never expected to have to contend with having to take the last female in the group. What was leftover. A female Gyra who not only was a feared and dangerous humanoid, but a deadly enemy.

 

Their initial meeting is contentious. But when a deadly disease infiltrates the close community, Kirby knows the only way he and Taru can survive is to get off that rock. That means working together and sacrificing what they both wanted.

 

They never anticipated the consequences of their actions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Linda Mooney
• Release date: May 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9781953797292

Linda Mooney

Linda loves to write sensuously erotic romance with a fantasy, paranormal, or science fiction flair. Her technique is often described as being as visual as a motion picture or graphic novel. A wife, mother, grandmother, and retired Kindergarten and music teacher, she lives in a small south Texas town near the Gulf coast where she delves into other worlds filled with daring exploits, adventure, and intense love. She has numerous best sellers, including 10 consecutive #1s. In 2009, she was named Whiskey Creek Press Torrid's Author of the Year, and her book My Strength, My Power, My Love was named the 2009 WCPT Book of the Year. In 2011, her book Lord of Thunder was named the Epic Ebook "Eppie" Award Winner for Best Erotic Sci-Fi Romance. In addition, she write naughty erotic romances under the name of Carolyn Gregg, and horror under the pseudonym of Gail Smith. For more information about Linda Mooney books and titles, and to sign up for her newsletter, please visit her website. http://www.LindaMooney.com

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Captive

Come on, you Gyra bitch! Show us what you got!

Show us your fangs!

They laughed every time they hit her. They continued to use her for target practice, shooting her with their blasters set on their lowest settings. It didn’t matter. The rays still cut her. Bruised her. Made her bleed. Every time they saw they’d drawn blood, they deliberately aimed for that area again to make the wound bigger and deeper.

Come on, whore! Let’s hear you scream! Cry out! Beg us for mercy! I wanna hear a Gyra beg for mercy!

Taru had no knowledge of how long the brutality continued. The last thing she remembered when one lucky shot blasted her full-on in the face was thinking that if she ever managed to get free, she would enjoy ripping their entrails from their bodies with her bare hands.

New Terrans deserved to be killed. They were scum. They were less than human.

The same way New Terrans thought of Gyra.

When she eventually regained consciousness, she couldn’t move. Her body was one large mass of agony. However, she was cognizant of two things—she was still alive, and the ship she was on was moving.

Sometime later, the door to the hold opened. Fighting the pain, she tried to back into the farthest corner of the cage, believing her tormentors had returned to inflict more damage to her. Instead, a man, a New Terran she’d seen briefly before entered. He carried a water pouch and a box, which he threw inside her containment unit.

All right. I want you to listen to me, and when I’m done, tell me what you decide. Yeah, you heard me right. I’m giving you the chance to decide your fate. Of course, I’m good either way you choose. I’m gonna make a shit ton of creds offa you no matter what you decide. So here are your options. One, I turn you over to the UPF. I don’t know what they’ll do to you, but they sure as shit aren’t gonna put you up in a luxury cell. Or two, I take you along with fourteen other agreeable females to a mining colony full of horny drillers, who’ll want to drill you a new one after you arrive. Your choice. What’s your decision? I’m not hanging around to wait for it so you better tell me now.

The colony, she quickly responded in a raspy voice.

The man smiled, and it wasn’t a pleasant sight. Fine with me. We’re gonna land pretty soon so I can pick up fourteen more lovelies, and then we’ll be off. He eyed the container she was in. Damn. And I was looking forward to seeing what the UPF do to you. Oh well. No skin off my teeth. Besides, those drillers are paying me a lot heftier sum for you than what the cops would. You’ve made a wise decision, Gyra.

He left the cargo hold, shutting the door behind him and plunging her back into total darkness. Forcing her to hunt for the water and food he’d brought to her by touch.

After a short search, she found the box. Tearing it open, she dipped two fingers inside to scoop up a portion and put it in her mouth. It tasted foul, but she forced herself to eat it anyway. She had no idea what they were feeding her and hoped her stomach would tolerate it. It was also a good thing there was no light. The smell of the stuff was revolting enough without her having to see what it looked like.

Taking care not to bolt it down, she settled back after she was finished. She had no idea how much longer she’d have to stay confined before they arrived at this mining colony. But she would finally be freed from this place. There was the chance she’d end up in a worse locale than this one, but she was willing to take it. All she needed was one opportunity, one small hole, one slip-up on their end, one unsuspecting guard, or one careless reaction from her captors. But it would happen. And when it came, she had to be prepared to make her move to gain her freedom.

It might be her only chance, and she’d fight to the death to have it.

CHAPTER 2

In

Brayton yelled at him from across the lunchroom. Hey, Kirby! Wanna get in on the action? You’re our only holdout!

Kirby Luka looked up from his bowl of cereal. He didn’t try to hide the scowl of disgust on his face. "Are you for real? You want me to buy a woman! Isn’t that like hiring a prostitute?"

You’re not buying a prostitute! Torry shot back. You’re investing in a female friend, who can offer fringe benefits!

Fringe benefits. Poncio snorted.

Or a wife, Torry offered.

Nah, nah, nah, Brayton corrected the guy. "Not a wife, unless you decide to go that route. That’s up to you. And you’re not hiring a prostitute! he yelled at Kirby. Think of it as getting a companion. Someone to keep you warm at night. Someone you can talk to when we’re stuck inside our sheds during the storms!"

And we’re not talking a companion like a dog or whatever, Poncio added. Whatever happens between the two of you is your business. But aren’t there times you wish you didn’t have to go back to your cold and empty cubicle?

That part was new. A different selling tactic. For the first time, Kirby began to re-think his original position on the matter.

A bump against his elbow alerted him before Waquin parked his butt on the bench beside him. Hey, man. You’re the only holdout. You know that, right?

It’s just the thought of you guys buying these females just for the sex— Kirby started to protest, when his friend cut him off.

You’re right. We plan to have sex with them. But those women all know that, and they’re still willing to come here. And you wanna know why?

Kirby gave him a withering look. Enlighten me.

Either the remark and expression went over the man’s head, or he chose to ignore it. Because they know they’ll have it better here than they do where they’re at now.

How do you figure that?

Poncio slid onto the bench on the other side of the table. Our supplier is going to vet them from the Du Ti Macca system. You’re familiar with that area, aren’t you?

Kirby nodded. Yeah. They’re low traction mining colonies.

Exactly!

How is coming here going to be better for them? Kirby pressed.

Well, for one thing, we’re smack dab on a major access route.

We gotta be in order to get that argasstium shipped off-moon, Junkley broke in.

Kreps picked up the argument. Those low mines are way off in the middle of nowhere.

So? Kirby insisted.

We ask the girls to give us a minimum of one solar year, Waquin explained. At the end of that year, if they wanna head off-moon, we give them our blessing and put them on the next shipment leaving here.

Kirby made a face. How many creds is the shipper asking?

From each of us? Thirty-six thousand.

Kirby almost choked. "Thirty-six thousand creds? What the fuck!"

Kreps stared at him. "What are you griping about? You make good creds. You can afford it!"

The guys went silent as Moffen approached the table. The wide giant of a man stopped beside Kirby, but instead of sitting, he bent over and braced his hands on the edge to look Kirby directly in the eyes. Listen, Kirb. We’re not here to rag on you. If you want to hold out, that’s fine with me. The man threw a challenging eye at the others in the room, as if daring any of them to argue. When no one spoke, he turned back to Kirby. The thing is, there’s fifteen of us altogether. We feel it best if we ask the procurer to get us fifteen females. That way, no one has to worry about you feeling left out.

Lifting his chin, Kirby countered with, Or one of us taking one of the women for ourself, leaving one guy out again.

Moffen nodded once. That’s always a possibility.

I’m not that kind of guy, Kirby argued.

This time the giant shook his head. We know you’re not. But that doesn’t mean the woman won’t think twice about trying to hitch up to you because she wants to get away from one of us, and you just happen to be unattached.

Listen. Poncio raised a hand. If it’s the cost that’s holding you back—

No, it isn’t, Kirby firmly stated. It’s the…I dunno. The morality of the thing.

You’re talking about the legality? Waquin questioned.

No. I’m talking about… What if these women don’t come here voluntarily?

Amswerth says they’re all voluntary, Brayton confirmed.

How can you be certain? Kirby challenged. What if these women tell us they were kidnapped? Or enslaved? Or some other shit? We’ll have to let them go, and we’ll be out all that money!

Hey, Luka! Haven’t you ever heard of mail order brides? Torry spoke up. They were real popular back on Old Terra eons ago. Females looking to get away from where they’re at. Looking for adventure. Looking to expand their horizons. That’s what these will be. Sort of. If they wanna stay, if things work out between a few of us, hey! So much the better!

Look at it this way, Kirb. Moffen lowered his face closer. "None of us got families back on our planets. That’s why we all signed onto this job. We thought we’d make some good money and then, when we returned home, then we could look into finding someone to settle down with and start a family. But since the company decided to extend our contracts, we got to talking, and we realized we wanted a little female company. Know what we mean?"

I understand, Kirby told them. What I don’t get is why I have to be a part of this.

We done explained it to you, Krebs answered. What are you, thick or something?

Fuck off! Torry growled at the man. If the man wants to hold out, that’s his business. He frowned at Kirby. But you’re gonna regret it big time if you don’t go in on this with us.

Oh, yeah? How do you figure? Kirby posed.

Easy, Moffen answered. "You just might find the one woman who’ll end up being your perfect mate. Or, even if she isn’t, she could still make you happy. You could make her happy. Giving her the chance to escape a life she needed to get away from."

Poncio slapped the big guy on the back. Gee, Moff. You never struck me as the romantic type.

The man answered by glaring at the man as he raised an upper lip and uttered a growl.

Sighing, Kirby bowed his head. If he stuck to his guns and refused to bow to pressure, he knew the guys would eventually forgive him. Yet…

You promise me that all of this is above board and legit?

Brayton snorted. What? You want it in writing?

I don’t want any of these women feeling like they were coerced or threatened.

Moffen chuckled. If any of them give me that impression, I promise to personally beat the ever-loving shit out of Amswerth. He threw a wink at Kirby, but Kirby knew the man was serious with his threat.

Hey, Luka. Waquin nudged his elbow. What have you got to lose?

Taking a deep breath, Kirby nodded. All right. I’m in. He pointed at Moffen before the others could shout out in celebration. But I’m holding you to that promise that you’ll check out the girls when they get here and make certain none of them are here against their will.

Moffen made a fist, holding it out to him. You got it, brother.

They bumped fists as Brayton slipped onto the bench across from him.

How soon can you pay up?

My vouchers are in my cube. Give me a couple of minutes to go get ‘em. Kirby started to rise from his seat, but the man gestured for him to stay put.

Bring it at your next shift. I know you’re good for it.

How soon before the women show up? Kirby asked.

Amswerth told us three weeks tops, once he confirms payment, Poncio told him.

Torry let out a whoop. Three weeks before the honeymoon! he yelled, doing a little dance as he left the mess hall. The others laughed and followed him out the door, leaving Kirby alone with his thoughts, a bowl of soggy cereal, and—oddly enough—no regrets about his decision.

CHAPTER 3

Arrival

Kirby was three hours into his shift when his earpiece crackled inside his helmet. That alone caught his attention, and he eased back on the drill’s throttles in order to hear what the drill boss had to say.

Yeah, Brayton? What was that? Repeat!

I said the girls are here! Come claim yours!

Now? I’m in the middle of my dig!

You’ll get credit for a full day’s work, the man declared. Now get up here and claim the woman of your dreams!

Making a face, Kirby slowed the grinder, then gently eased it into position for the crane to pull him back up to the surface. As he ascended, he called back in.

Hey, Brayton! Where are we meeting? Static answered him, and he grunted. Guess I’ll find out when I arrive.

It took him nearly fifteen minutes to reach the moon’s surface where the big machine was settled on its cradle. From there he took the cart to the small monorail, which connected to the base that lay four miles away. It wasn’t until he arrived that he removed his helmet after the hatch sealed behind him.

From the time he began exiting the drill site, until he stepped into the airlock, nearly half an hour had passed. Okay, guys. Did you start without me? Or are you waiting for all of us to get wherever you are before choosing?

He knew Kreps and Gilbert worked the same shift he did, which meant if the others started without them, there should be three females left to be claimed. Hurrying over to the nearest wall comm, he slapped the button.

Where are we meeting? I need a location!

In the shuttle bay! someone yelled. Kirby was barely able to make out the words above the din of hollering and laughter, some of which sounded too high-pitched to be coming from the guys.

He took off running for the other side of the base. The closer he