Author's Note:
We're in the top 200s!!! I love everyone who has read my novel and support me in the journey. i hope to continue posting chapters for you all to enjoy.
Keep it up and enjoy the chapter <3
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It had already been a couple days since Rebecca had breakfast with Adren.
She promised herself that she wouldn't act like some lovesick teenager who had a crush on the crown prince. She was, after all, the captain of the Golden Lions and one of the most trusted representatives of the Admiral of the Kylmia Pirates. She represented the words wise, strong, and above all.
Mature.
She convinced herself that she was only checking on Adren so make sure that he was properly settling into his new job and community. It was only a gratitude for all he had done for Lilya, nothing more.
It was her duty, as the one sponsoring him. She had to make sure he didn't get in trouble.
Trying to be as discreet as possible, she headed to the shipyard acting like she was checking the equipment and material. It was within the parameters of her position…
Technically.
She scanned the crowd, but was filled with disappointment when she didn't she him. It was quite hard to miss him, even in a large crowd.
"Hey love."
Dressed black-on-black, her brother who towered over six-four was one of the largest males to step foot on the base. Dazon was a little to big, in her opinion, but he became the pillar of support for the family when their father had died. He had stepped in to take care of Lilya.
She love him and knew he meant well, even if he messed up all the time.
"Where is your crew?" She asked, looking around scouting for them.
"They departed already. I came over when I saw you here, nosing around. Johnson told me what happened to Lilya, bless the gods you got to her. How did they even get her, anyway?"
"Ask your wife," She glared at him as rage filled her over the near catastrophe.
"What did my wife do?" He paled.
"She told Lilya to meet up with her at a local market. At first I refused, you know that she doesn't like being with anyone other than me. But after nagging me about being overprotective, I relented. Guess what happens," she poked at his chest. At this point there was probably a bruise from the poking, "SHE LOST HER IN THE CROWD!"
Heads turned as she roared at Dazon. It was quite the sight to behold. Like a lioness roaring at her cubs.
Cursing under his breath, "I'm a widower?"
"Not yet. Thank the fact that she is pregnant. But the next time…"
"You know she never meant any harm."
"I don't care. Lilya was kidnapped because of her."
At the face of death, even the mightiest of warriors would have to back down. "All right. I'll have a word with her when I see her. Though it seems like you already beat me to the punch."
Hmph
"You know I would die before I allowed any harm come to our family." Frowning he surveyed the yard with her. "What are you looking for anyway?"
Trying not to give anything away, she shrugged, "Nothing. Just passing by doing my duties as a captain. Go home and have a chat with your wife."
"I know your lying, you always fidget when you lie." He glared at Rebecca, "Fine, if you need me I'll be around." He kissed her cheek and walked off.
Rebecca waited for him to leave her sight before heading over to Adren who had been working on the interior of a ship before.
As she neared she noticed that his movements were rather labored and lacked his usually grace.
If was only when she was walked up to him that she saw the reason why.
"What the hell!" She cursed. His face was beaten completed black and blue. His face was so swollen that he could barely open his eyes and his lips were completely split.
She immediately sober up and became serious, "What happened, I want the names of every person involved."
"Why? It's the first time someone has thought enough of me to host a party to welcome me. I'm quite touched."
"You're not funny. I'm going to report this to the higher uppers. This isn't how we treat our people, even if they are cocks."
"I don't remember what happened. Please just let me get back to work." As Adren bent over to pick up a wrench his shirt rode up to expose more of the beating he experienced.
"Whats wrong with you? Why don't you fight back?"
"Nothing, muta. I just have a lot of work to do. I was merely educated on Kylmia culture."
"So your just going to let it go?"
"Why not? I've been know to perform similar tactics myself in the past. I think the word here is, karma. Figured I deserved it."
"What's going on here?" Dazon made his way over with someone who seemed to be another relative.
When the person beside Dazon recognized who Adren was he immediately growled in rage, and started for him. "You the shit that beat down my brother's men?"
Adren who was in no position to fight back could only shrug.
Rebecca quickly put herself in between the two and with Dazon's help was able to keep her cousin back. "Pyrz, back up! Explain yourself."
"He beat the shit out of Barh's men. They are all in the hospital, I'm going to make sure they meet him there too."
"You can try, but it's only going to put you with them."
Pryz started at him again only to be held back. "Your guys aren't seriously defending him over your own blood."
"I will if he's the one that saved Lilya's life. Are you seriously going to attack the man I sponsored because he saved my sister, your cousin's life?"
Pryz paled.
"Missed that didn't you."
Dazon who had been quite the whole time stepped in. "Pryz get out of here and go for a walk." He jerked his chin towards Adren who had been slowly making his escape, "where do you think your going."
"Explain yourself." Rebecca was the one to ask the question.
"You can ask the owner, I only retaliated in self defense." Adren spoke with his hand over his head. A task that was quite painful but he gritted his teeth and held out.
Dazon saw the bruises and wounds that became visible when he put his arms up causing his shirt to rise.
"You don't look too good." Dazon said.
"I'm fine. Just let me get back to work."
Rebecca grabbed his arm before he could leave. "Your seeing a doctor. I'm using my authority as a captain and your sponsor to command you."
"I'm fine," he said without looking at her.
She caught his chin and gently forced their eyes to meet.
"Please."
Adren hesitated. He couldn't look into her eyes full of concern and care. "I can't, you know it. Doctors will pull up my personal information. With my bounty…" he looked at Dazon.
"Don't worry he knows already."
"I won't hold something you didn't do against you. Just know that trust it gained with time. I'll leave him to you Rebecca." He inclined his head to her before leaving.
Rebecca stared at Adren, "Do you trust me?"
Adren didn't know how to respond, they only really knew each other for a couple of days but so much had already happened.
"Follow me."