Handsome Devil Read Online Free PDF Page A

Space is a vast concept, but ships are more often than not too cramped for my liking. I combined two rooms to create an exercise area, another necessity for my kind.
    Beyond those areas is an armory and eventually the bridge. It is an efficient floorplan, and suits me well. All controls lay at my fingertips, but for the few panels scattered throughout the ship for convenience, but here is where the true power lies.
    I slide into my chair and open the communication link to my brother.
    His face appears on the viewscreen. “Is it done?”
    I jerk my head to indicate the female over my shoulder.
    “ If you're the brother, let me tell you right now, pal, you are dead meat ,” she thunders.  
    I quirk my brow at Feruz, who grins, his teeth gleaming. “Excellent,” he states, satisfied. “It is good to know spirit runs in the family.”
    “ Don't give me that 'our children shall be strong' bullshit! You've messed up big time. Think Betty is going to forgive you for using her baby sister as bait? No way, Jose. She'll rip out your very impressive eyebrows with a tweezer first, and then she'll get started on the hair on your balls. Ever been waxed, guy? It's not fun. Tweezing is going to be agony.” It sounds like a hand slaps the bars again. “And don't get me started on what I'm going to do to pretty boy over there for being a part of it.”
    “ Marvelous,” is Feruz's only answer. I do not have the decorum he possesses; deep chuckles rumble in my chest and roll out of my throat. With every word she speaks, my brother becomes more determined to have Bethina. Ferissians need fierce females willing to butt heads without hesitation. I have not met Feruz's female, but I have heard tales of her legendary temper. It is almost as ferocious as her mother's.
    The Agmoiria is only confirming what Feruz already knows—Bethina is a match for him.
    The female howls in frustration. I believe she kicks the cage, because I then hear a hiss of pain.
    Feruz turns his attention to me. “She is injured.”
    He does not refer to the abused toe she no doubt currently suffers from. “As am I,” I reply calmly. “Half humans are not as weak as their counterparts.”
    She huffs but says nothing. I know the silence will not last for long. “Are you prepared?” I ask my brother.
    Feruz rubs his shaven scalp, the rasp transmitting clearly. “I am scanning for incoming ships. It will not be long.”
    There is nothing more to be said on the subject. This is my brother's endeavor. My continued presence will only create complications. “Luck to you, Feruz.”
    He glances behind me. “And to you, brother.”
    The transmission ends. I immediately set to work.
    “ So kidnapping brides is a thing for you.”
    My theory was correct. And this time it seems she's opting for the calmer approach. I key in the coordinates for the next space station. “It is not a thing,” I correct without looking back. “It simply doesn't elicit the tizzy it does from certain species.”  
    “ Tizzy?” She sounds extremely affronted.
    I smirk at the viewscreen.
    I hear her pacing the small confines of her holding cell. Considering her stature, it is not as incommodious for her as it would be for me, but there is not much room to maneuver. It's the cruder model of the series, designed for lower sentient beings. I see no reason to put her in the more advanced units. It would be, as Earthlings say, overkill.
    She is only a temporary resident anyway. We are on our way to the space station, where I will drop the Agmoiria off with a transmitter and a few credits. She'll be able to find her way home without a problem.
    “ If it isn't a thing, what is it?”
    To tell or not to tell? It will be a while before we reach Cheerpera, and I have a feeling the Agmoiria is not the sort of female that lets silence reign for very long. Not when she wishes to know something. I tap the console, debating with myself. Feruz should be the one that gives the accounting. I am not a fan