Kraving Tavak (The Krave of Everton Book 4) Page 7

  Still, she found herself whispering, “Tavak.”

  His eyes flashed. A rough sound fell from his lips…and that was followed by an even rougher curse.

  Then he was taking a step towards her, just as she’d imagined. A gasp fell from Stella’s lips but he didn’t touch her. He hovered, his presence teasing, a hair’s breadth away from her own body.

  His head lowered and then he was growling in her ear, “You have no idea what you’re asking for, vellia. No vauking idea.”

  Her instinct was to grip his wrists, to hold him to her. But her hands froze, remembering that he didn’t want to be touched. She wondered why. Because it seemed like such a tragic thing that a magnificent male like him didn’t want touch.

  She wondered if he could hear how loudly her heart was pounding in her chest.

  “You have no vauking idea what you tempt,” he warned. “I’m trying to be good, pax?”

  Her eyes were wide when he leaned back from her ear to meet her gaze.

  “Tavak,” she whispered, breathless, stunned, needing him.

  Another curse fell from his lips, soft and almost tortured.

  “Don’t,” he growled.

  Then, before she could blink, he was gone. Striding past her, his heavy footsteps echoing on the wood floor of the bar, angry and loud. Needing to get away from her?

  Her knees were shaking. Her nipples were pebbled tight. Her body was tingling, still smelling his addictive, masculine, woodsy scent in the cellar.

  Stella groaned.

  What was happening to her?

  Chapter Nine

  The merchant, the captain of the vessel that would take his brother away, came striding off the ship to greet them and Tavak studied him, his arms crossed over his wide chest, eyes narrowed.

  Haase, or so Ravu had told him was his name, was a Killup, grey skinned and tall, his posture bordering on elegant. Though Killup didn’t have the raw brute strength that other species possessed, they were fast, quick-fingered, and clever—at least all the ones Tavak had ever encountered.

  “I apologize for my lateness,” Haase murmured, inclining his head to the two Keriv’i brothers, formal but watchful. “I had to connect a Coms patch.”

  “Coms patches only work in port when you are calling someone on Dumera,” Tavak noted, knowing he was being surly. But when Ravu had told him that morning that Haase was coming into port a day early and staying the night, Tavak wanted to meet the captain for himself. To see if he was trustworthy.

  The Killup didn’t blink. “And so I was. There is a female very dear to me that lives here. I wanted her to know I’m on-colony for the night.”

  Ravu slid Tavak a look of warning, just as many of Haase’s crew came walking out of the vessel, after undergoing inspection.

  Haase nodded at the pack of them, though there had to be fifty males in total. “Curfew is in effect. We push off tomorrow, early. Keep drinking to a minimum.”

  A few grumbles but most nodded their heads in agreement to their captain before they descended on Dumera. Tavak wondered if he’d see some of them at Reji’s bar tonight. He hadn’t planned on going, especially after what had happened this morning, but it made him uneasy, to know that strange, unknown males would be near Stella.

  Haase’s grey eyes returned to them. He was the same height as Ravu but Tavak had always been a little taller than his younger brother.

  “I am pleased you accepted my offer, Ravu,” Haase told him. “I’ve been searching for someone with your skillset for quite a long time. Where did you learn how to work on units?”

  On Jrika. Working for pirates, mostly, who wanted stolen goods unlisted so they would be free to sell them on the shadow market.

  Ravu shrugged. “Here and there, over the years.”

  Haase didn’t pry. His hands were clasped behind his back, his grey tunic and black pants without a single crease in them. Tavak’s gaze went to the vessel behind him.

  It was a newer vessel, large and imposing. It looked to be in perfect condition, at least compared to some of the scrap metal Tavak had seen skitter into port.

  Tavak returned his gaze to its captain. He’d dealt with Haase before—though truthfully he hadn’t cared enough to remember his name. The last time he’d dropped a load of firestones off, he’d gotten the impression that Haase was no-nonsense. He hadn’t argued with him over the contract agreements for payment. And he had made the drop on time. The buyer had been happy and so Khiva had been happy.

  “How is it that you’ve come to run such a large ship, with a crew your size?” Tavak asked him. “You must have to take a lot of business to pay for the upkeep.”

  “Tavak,” Ravu hissed quietly.

  The Killup smiled at him but he didn’t show his teeth. His grey, watchful eyes flickered over Tavak, then went to Ravu, before returning. “Are you trying to determine if I transport illegal goods, Tavak?”

  Tavak lifted a shoulder, never breaking the Killup’s gaze. “I’m not naive. I’ve seen many merchants come through here with questionable cargo holds. I don’t ask questions, as long as our firestones get delivered on time and in full.”

  “I’m an honest merchant,” Haase told him, holding his eyes. “I don’t touch anything that would bring me charges from the Uranian Federation, the United Worlds, or otherwise.”

  Tavak frowned, hearing something in his voice he hadn’t expected.

  The truth.

  He grunted.

  “You care for your brother,” the Killup noted. “I respect that. Many of my crew have families too. Children. Mates. Mothers and fathers. Sisters and brothers. I know the risks they take in working for me. But as their captain, it is my responsibility to see to their safety. I would not do anything that would endanger them even more.”

  Vauk.

  Tavak actually believed him.

  The Killup’s gaze slid past him, and suddenly, a wide smile burst across his face. Tavak was startled because he didn’t think he’d ever seen a Killup smile that wide, exposing long, sharp, menacing teeth.

  Haase stepped past them and that was when Tavak heard it.

  “Haase!”

  A voice he’d recognize anywhere.

  Tavak watched as Stella appeared in the port, running towards the Killup, her arms pumping. A bright smile on her face and glassy eyes.

  Tavak felt something settle in his chest, strange and uncomfortable, as Stella flung herself at the Killup male, wrapping her arms around his neck, pressing her body into his own.

  Something that made his hearts thunder in his chest and his blood feel too hot. Made his skin feel too tight. Something that made him scowl, his whole body tensing.

  He knew what it was.

  He’d just thought that he would never feel it. He didn’t think he was capable of feeling it.

  Jealousy.

  Haase had made his Coms patch to Stella? She must’ve run straight here from Reji’s bar.

  “Oh my God, you’re here,” Tavak heard her exclaim, her voice wavering. “Give me some warning next time!”

  Stella hadn’t seen him yet but Tavak watched the exchange with a burning chest, aware that Ravu was watching him.

  “Are you here for another firestone shipment?” Stella asked Haase. “How long are you staying?”

  “Just for the night, my dear,” the Killup replied, taking her hand in his own and squeezing. “I’m sorry it’s been so long.”

  “I understand,” Stella said. “Of course I understand. I’m just so happy you’re here.”

  She hugged the Killup close again, the joy evident on her face, her cheek pressed to his chest.

  And then, suddenly, from a short distance away, her eyes landed on Tavak. She seemed startled, her eyes widening, and she pulled away from Haase quickly.

  Then her eyes went to Ravu and realization hit.

  “Oh, so Haase is the merchant you took the job with,” she said to Ravu.

  Ravu was bewildered, no doubt wondering how she knew. Because Ravu probably as
sumed that Tavak wouldn’t have said anything about their lives to this human female.

  Stella approached the two brothers, Haase following closely at her side.

  “You know them?” Haase asked Stella.

  “You know him?” Tavak asked, his voice bordering on a growl, keeping her eyes.

  He didn’t seem to be able to control his jealousy but he tried to bite it back. He didn’t like the feeling of it, the uncomfortable sensation when he remembered their intimate embrace.

  Tavak almost laughed. He’d fucked hundreds, if not thousands, of beings during his lifetime and here he was…vauking jealous of a hug.

  “Yes,” Stella answered Haase. Her eyes slid to Tavak. “And yes. I didn’t realize you’d been speaking of Haase when you told me about…”

  She cleared her throat before her eyes went to Ravu, offering him a grin. “You’re lucky, you know. You couldn’t have asked for a better captain.”

  Tavak was starting to realize that, at least. Begrudgingly, he knew there was something about Haase that told him he was trustworthy, that he could trust his brother would be safe on board his vessel. And yet, Tavak couldn’t help but dislike the Killup because he was standing too vauking close to Stella and it was obvious that the two had a history.

  Stella turned to Haase and said, “Tavak is a regular at Reji’s bar. That’s how we know each other.”

  Tavak tensed. Was that all he was to her? A regular at the bar? When just that morning, he’d had her pressed up to the cellar wall, her unspoken plea like lightning between them.

  She turned back to Tavak and Ravu and said, “And I lived on Haase’s ship for years. With my…with my mother.”

  Her mother? Tavak wondered.

  The Killup seemed to stiffen, something flashing over his face, his eyes going down to Stella, unreadable.

  Stella cleared her throat. “At least until I decided I wanted to be here instead. But you’re in good hands. There’s nothing to worry about.”

  That last bit seemed more directed at Tavak. Reassuring him? Comforting him again because she knew how worried he was about Ravu leaving?

  A silence stretched between them all. Stella kept Tavak’s eyes, no doubt wondering why he was wearing such a thunderous expression.

  Which only deepened when he saw Haase’s arm come around her shoulders.

  “Come. You have to be back at the bar, right?” the Killup asked.

  “Yes,” Stella replied, finally sliding her gaze away from Tavak, giving Haase a wide smile. “I rushed over here so I’m sure there’s some regulars still waiting on their brew.”

  The Killup chuckled. “Some of the crew is heading over to see you, I’m sure.”

  Her smile only widened and she nodded.

  Haase’s eyes returned to Ravu and Tavak. “The drinks are on me tonight.”

  Chapter Ten

  “You always made the best stews, little star,” Igon said. He sighed, though it sounded more like a growl to Stella’s ears. “How I miss them.”

  Ennro made a trilling sound in his throat in agreement. “Kiri is doing most of the cooking these days. The captain says he’ll hire a better one for our next stint, but until then, we’re stuck with the poor bastard.”

  Stella shook her head, smiling. “Kiri tries his best. Just tell him to add that Gobbuin seasoning to everything.”

  They were all sitting at one of the larger tables in Reji’s bar, which was quite packed that night, though mostly with her old crewmates. A happy reunion, even if it wouldn’t last. Stella’s face hurt from smiling so much, from reminiscing…but a part of her ached—deeply—too. A part of her felt speared through every time her mother was mentioned, the wound that would never heal.

  She could feel Haase’s eyes on her, across the table. When she looked at him, all she felt was affection. Love. He was like family. Always would be.

  “Come with us on the next stint,” Haase said. “To get away from Dumera for a while.”

  A part of her longed to accept his offer. But she’d left for a reason and she needed to be strong. No matter how much she wanted to come back, nothing had ever been the same without her mother.

  It was her mother that had loved space. The traveling. Never being in one place for too long.

  But Stella had always secretly longed for a place—a permanent place—to call home. One she knew would always be waiting for her and she wanted that place to be here. On Dumera.

  Her eyes went to the end of the bar, to see Tavak in his usual seat, his brother Ravu occupying the place next to him. He’d been in a strange mood all night, though his brother had proven he was definitely the more easygoing and jovial of the two brothers. He’d gotten along with the crew in the bar well. He would fit in just fine.

  But Tavak had been prickly and surly and cold all night. And somehow, Stella didn’t mind. Because this was Tavak. She knew, deep down, that he was worth the fight. The wait. Because he was the type of male that didn’t give his trust easily, but when he did, he gave it for life.

  When Stella looked back at Haase, she saw the Killup’s eyes flicker to Tavak. She smiled at him and said, “I’m good here. I really am. I don’t want you to worry so much because I know you do.”

  Haase blew out a short breath, leaning forward to take a sip of his wine, which he’d been nursing all night. He’d never been a drinker, but on occasion, he indulged.

  “You know you can come back,” he finally said. “Any time you want. You call me and I’ll be here.”

  Her throat went tight. “I know.”

  And she did. She knew that Haase had her back, no matter what. She wasn’t alone in the universe. She never had been, even though sometimes it felt like it.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Poy’ra lingering at the bar, trying to catch her attention. She bit back a smile and stood, leaving the table full of her old crew.

  At the bar, she refilled Poy’ra’s goblet, making sure the foam was how he liked it. As she was sliding the drink back to him across the counter, she noticed Ravu leaving his seat, heading back over to the crew, but not before clapping his brother on the back.

  Stella hesitated but only for a brief moment. Tavak seemed like Reji’s bar was the last place he wanted to be that night…and yet, he hadn’t left.

  He was alone now and Stella approached him, using the rag in her pocket to wipe down the counter as she did. There was a basket of root chips—untouched, she noticed—next to him.

  “Hey,” she murmured, leaning her belly into the counter that separated them.

  His eyes flickered to her, the colors swirling. She’d noticed that when he was extra prickly, they seemed to swirl more.

  “You want another?” she asked, swallowing, gesturing down to his almost empty goblet. It had been empty for quite some time, she’d noticed.

  A loud laugh from Haase’s table made Tavak’s eyes cut over to them. And she wondered if his strange mood had anything to do with what had happened between them this morning, when the tension had been high and Stella had been a breath away from begging him to touch her, which he obviously hadn’t wanted to do.

  “Veki,” he answered, shaking his head.

  Stella eyed him, feeling a little unsure.

  “Are you upset with me?” she asked softly. “About…about this morning?”

  He blinked, frowning. “This morning? Veki.”

  “Oh,” she murmured. “You’ve just been a little quiet. Well, more quiet than usual,” she added, giving him a small, teasing smile that faded as quickly as it came. “I thought…”

  Tavak slid his elbows on the counter. He cast a look back over at Haase’s table.

  “Is he your lover?”

  At first, Stella didn’t think she’d heard him correctly. The deep, growling question had dropped from his lips so easily and it took Stella a moment to realize he was serious.

  “What?” she asked, a half-hysterical laugh bubbling up from her throat. “Who?”

  Tavak only seemed to get prickl
ier, his shoulders coming forward a bit, his scowl deepening. “The merchant. The captain.”

  “Haase?” she exclaimed quietly, staring at him with wide eyes. “You can’t be serious.”

  “What the vauk was I supposed to think when you were all over him at port?”

  Stella’s eyes practically bugged out of her head.

  That was when she realized something.

  Her lips parted. Bewildered, she murmured, “You’re jealous, aren’t you?”

  Tavak scowled, as if he detested the word.

  But Stella couldn’t help but notice that he didn’t say he wasn’t jealous.

  Oh my God.

  Stella thought about it. He’d seemed thunderous at port, his expression dark, those eyes watchful. And he hadn’t left the bar yet, even though it was later than he usually stayed. Because he wanted to…what? Make sure Stella didn’t take Haase up to her room?

  Just the thought made Stella recoil.

  And if the situation had been reversed, wouldn’t she be jealous? If some female came to port and she saw Tavak embracing her, wouldn’t she be jealous too?

  “You like me, don’t you?” Stella asked, the question bold, but she was still reeling from her discovery.

  Tavak leveled her a steady gaze. It was familiar. It was his exasperated look again.

  He didn’t answer, not that she expected him too. He didn’t agree but he didn’t deny it either.

  Stella bit her lip, sliding a glance over to Haase, who she couldn’t help but notice was watching the two of them across the bar. No one else was around them though. No one else could eavesdrop on this conversation.

  “First of all, you couldn’t be more wrong in your assumption,” she said.

  Tavak blinked, still frowning. “Tell me what I was wrong about then.”

  “Haase…” She trailed off. “Haase was my mother’s lover.”

  Tavak froze.

  “She loved him and he loved her. Very much.”

  The last two words came out like a whisper. Stella gave Tavak a sad smile.

  “We lived on his ship since I was fourteen years old and I only left it a couple months ago. To come here. To Dumera,” she told him, keeping his eyes, which were swirling a little less intensely now. “He’s…he’s like a father to me. I never knew mine so whenever I think of what a father should be, I think of Haase. And he treats me as his own.”