Ransomed by Kashatok (Audiobook)

Disguised as a boy on a ship full of sex-crazed aliens...

What could possibly go wrong?

On the trail of her next big documentary, Joy boards a pirate ship under false pretenses. The hot alien captain with the washboard abs will make her female viewers go weak at the knees, and Joy wouldn't mind licking the Kantarellian rum right off his bulging copper muscles, herself.

Captain Kashatok isn't a man of rules, but the one thing he won't allow is a woman on his ship. His crewmen are immoral bastards, plus he needs to avoid triggering his own internal monster. When he can’t keep his eyes off the ship's new mechanic, he thinks he’s just protecting an innocent boy.

Except after Joy’s secret is exposed, her talent for fixing engines won't be enough to keep the crew in their place. Can she rely on Captain Kashatok to protect her? Or is he the most dangerous of them all?

Reader Promise: Steamy love scenes, dangerous aliens, and heart-pounding action. Intended for mature audiences.

The moment their eyes met, Kashatok felt a jolt, a desire to protect that was at odds with the hard-assed captain he tried to be. The kid reminded him of his own first insecure days off-planet, seeking jobs in seedy cantinas just like this one. The visitor moved up beside the first mate, both hands shoved deep in the front pockets of his baggy cargo pants. “You’re looking for a shuttle mechanic?”

Aleknagik twisted in his seat, eyes nearly level with their visitor’s. “You know one?”

The young man stretched a hand forward. “Name’s Joey.”

“You?” Aleknagik laughed.

Jhikik leaped from Kashatok’s shoulder onto the tabletop. Kashatok snatched hold of the tip of the creature’s tail, drawing him up short. Not everyone appreciated the creature’s curiosity.

Turning to Kashatok, Aleknagik jerked a thumb toward Joey, eyes dancing with mirth. “What do you say, Captain? Think this qumli could hold his own among our crew?”

The kid was barely old enough to leave his mother’s teat, let alone stand up to a rowdy crew. Kashatok sent out a tightly controlled ionic pulse. Alcohol dulled his sensitivity, but he could still assess the kid’s heartbeat, breathing, and skin temperature. Joey was nervous, for sure. But his hands were dirty, and the look in his eye was hungry. Would it hurt to let him have his say? Kashatok pushed the rum bottle forward without accepting the handshake. “Have a seat.”

Dropping his hand, Joey pulled out a chair and sat. He didn’t touch the rum. They locked gazes, and Kashatok had to hand it to him—the kid didn’t look away. “You don’t seem old enough to be a mechanic.”

Joey shrugged one shoulder. “Only been at it a year, but I’m a fast learner.”

Kashatok retrieved the bottle and tilted back for a long swallow. May as well let the kid see the real him. “You familiar with the CrossX Spacer Elite?”

“Sure.” Joey tilted his head and squinted his eyes in thought. “I helped with a thruster rebuild. And adjusted the flux coil on one of the newer models.”

“Huh,” said Aleknagik, nodding. “Where’re you from?”

Joey scowled. “Why’s that matter?”

Aleknagik dropped his bearded chin to glower back. Jhikik crept forward, eyes on the stranger.

“What?” Joey crossed his arms. “Pirates don’t have pasts. Or they shouldn’t.”

Kashatok repressed a smile. This kid might just be capable of holding his own after all. He stroked his fingertips along Jhikik’s long tail until the little creature spun and batted at his hand. “You heard about our last mechanic?”

The young man’s left eye twitched. “Tell me.”

“Space-locked.” Kashatok paused a moment. Joey’s heart beat so rapidly, Kashatok barely had to engage his ionic senses to feel it.

“By you?”

Kashatok nodded slowly, keeping eye contact. “There’s only one unbreakable rule on the Kinship. You can’t bring women on board. Think you can handle that?”

Joey took a long breath and let it out slowly. “That’s all? Sounds easy. What’s my cut?”

“Ha!” Aleknagik clapped the young man on the shoulder, rocking him forward. “I like him!”

Joey kept his gaze on the captain.

For some reason, Kashatok hadn’t expected the mercenary question, probably because the kid had seemed more interested in the adventure than the money. “Probation gets you one share. Things work out after the first score or two, we’ll talk more.”

Nodding, Joey once again thrust out his hand. “Deal.”

This time, Kashatok took it. The palm was softer than he’d expected, but maybe that was just a human thing. “We’re parked in slip A21P. I’ll be pulling out as soon as we’re restocked, so I suggest you get your ass aboard sooner rather than later.”

“Aye aye, captain.”