Galactic Gladiators Box Set 2 Read online

  When the women spotted Lore and Madeline, they waved madly, gesturing for them to come inside.

  “Your friends are calling you,” he said.

  Indecision flitted over Madeline’s face. “They’re not my friends. They weren’t before.”

  Lore smiled and offered her his arm. “I think they are now, whether you like it or not.”

  She reluctantly put her arm in his and he led her toward the door. Their bodies brushed together and he felt a lick of heat. He wondered why she appealed to him so much, but he decided to just enjoy it. Feeling mischievous, he purposely brushed against her again, slipping the bloom he’d gotten for her into tiny rope belted around her waist.

  She instantly put some space between them. “Back off.”

  “I seem to have trouble doing that. A minute with you is far more interesting than an hour in that party, especially when I seem to irritate you so easily.”

  She scowled. “I don’t like you.”

  “Fair enough, but you don’t really know me. And I’m not entirely sure I like you, either.”

  “Are you always this reasonable?” she muttered.

  “Mostly.”

  They took another step and as Lore reached for the door, she hissed and stumbled. She pressed a hand to her stomach.

  He frowned. “What is it?”

  She straightened. “Nothing. Just something I ate.” She pushed past him to head inside.

  She’d barely eaten anything. Lore followed more slowly. He loved women, and more than anything, he was a sucker for a damsel in distress.

  He watched the sway of Madeline’s hips under her white dress as she walked away. Yes, a complete pushover for a sexy, beautiful damsel. Not that Madeline would appreciate the title.

  Chapter Two

  Madeline slipped the books back onto the shelf in a neat order. Most of them had been left in haphazard piles on the nearby desk. All the books were in different alien languages that she couldn’t read. The implant she’d been given by the Thraxians meant she could speak and understand various alien languages, but she couldn’t read them.

  She turned, studying the chest of drawers in the corner that was overflowing, and clearly lacking any sort of organization. She grabbed the notepad she’d had Rory find for her, and started scrawling some notes. She had several ideas for a better filing system, and, after that, she was going to start work on improving inventory for the kitchen and cleaning staff. Over the last few weeks, she’d studied everything the workers at the House of Galen did. The imperator ensured things ran smoothly in his house, but she knew they were overstocked in some things, and understocked in others. She could certainly make it more efficient.

  Madeline paused for a second, looking around the spacious office, gaze skating over the now-organized bookshelves. She liked making things fit, making things flow more efficiently. It made her feel productive, like she’d accomplished something.

  She’d grown up in a rat-infested apartment in the outer suburbs of Los Angeles, always being slapped down and told she’d never amount to anything. Never be smart enough, good enough, or clever enough. Her mother had been a hard, bitter woman who’d loved the bottle more than her daughter. For a very long time, Madeline had believed her.

  But when life had forced Madeline to grow up, she’d realized that her life was in her hands. It was the actions she took that made a difference.

  She finished making notes, and picked up some papers for filing. She knew they had an electronic system as well, and made a mental note to get access and take a look at it. As she slid the papers into the file drawers, she heard male voices outside the office. She straightened and turned.

  The Imperator of the House of Galen stepped inside. Galen was an intimidating man with a big, muscled form and an air of authority. That he was a few years older than his gladiators didn’t diminish his power at all, only enhanced it. His tough face was scarred, and one eye was covered by a black eye-patch. The other eye was a glittering ice-blue.

  Right behind him were Raiden and Lore. Lore’s silver-gray eyes came straight to her, and locked there.

  “What are you doing in my office?” Galen demanded.

  “The door was open. I’m just tidying up and improving some of your…organization.” Or lack of it. She waved at the shelves, then gestured to her notepad. “I also have some ideas for improving the house’s inventory of goods for the kitchens, cleaning, and Medical.”

  As Galen kept staring at her, she felt a trickle of unease, and stiffened her spine.

  Lore sauntered forward, and for a second she was caught by the liquid way he moved. Powerful and limber, like he knew exactly how to use his body—to fight, to escape, to pleasure a woman. Madeline choked that thought off.

  He perched on the corner of Galen’s glossy desk. “It’s not your real reason for being here, though, is it?”

  She scowled. Why did this man always make her feel like she was wearing a neon sign on her head broadcasting everything she was thinking? “No.” She moved her gaze to meet Galen’s. “I want to know what’s being done to find Blaine.”

  “I told you that the underground fight rings have gone deeper,” Lore said.

  “But we all know they’re still operational. They’re still making him fight.” Madeline’s voice hitched, and she felt a flutter of panic. She hated losing control.

  Galen circled his desk, lowering his powerful body into his chair. His face was its usual impassive mask. For a second, Madeline wondered what the man really felt beneath the controlled front.

  “I’m waiting to hear from my contacts,” Galen said. “I also have meetings planned with the other gladiator houses that are allied with the House of Galen.”

  “Meetings?” She frowned. “Why?”

  Galen eyed her. “It’s in our interests to shut down the fight rings. We don’t have a lot of rules here in Kor Magna, but the Srinar and their allies are flaunting the unwritten ones. Plus, the fight rings are luring some of our clientele away.”

  Madeline knew that wasn’t really it. The stands in the arena were packed, night after night. “You’re planning to invade the underground fight rings.”

  Galen lifted one shoulder. “I have to talk with the other imperators first. The House of Galen can’t do this alone. Besides, we’ve already raided the fight rings once. The Srinar and the Thraxians will be watching us.”

  Madeline released a breath. She hated just hearing the names of the aliens who’d kept her captive. The demon-like, horned Thraxians—worse than any nightmare—and the plague-deformed Srinar. “I’m not very good at waiting. I like action. I want to help. I need to help.”

  Galen didn’t move. “Madeline—”

  “No. The Thraxians pumped me full of drugs, they kept me docile, they beat me. I saw them inject Blaine too. Over and over. But it was different for him…it made him more aggressive. We have to get him out of there.”

  She watched the three gladiators trade glances.

  “We’re doing everything we can,” Raiden said. “Blaine is Harper’s friend, and I’ve promised her we’ll get him out.”

  Raiden Tiago struck Madeline as a man who kept his promises. And she’d seen with her own eyes that he was head-over-heels in love with Harper Adams. It wasn’t hard to believe that the competent, tough space marine had fallen for this alien gladiator.

  “I assure you we are working to free Blaine,” Galen said. “For now, we have a large arena fight to plan for. It’s a mock sea battle and they draw the biggest crowds. I need my team focused. That includes my gladiators and my back-of-House team who are pulling everything together.”

  She watched him share another long look with Lore and Raiden and she narrowed her gaze. “You know something else?”

  Galen sighed, sinking back in his chair. “Things were far easier around here when I was the sole person in charge. I’m not sure I enjoy people questioning my every decision.”

  Lore leaned forward, a faint smile dancing on his lips. “Maybe she can
help.”

  Madeline felt anxiety eating at her. She needed to help find Blaine. She needed to do something to take her mind off what had happened to her, and where she was.

  “Fine.” Galen waved a hand. “Tell her.”

  “Galen’s invited certain people to the arena battle tonight,” Raiden said. “He’s also encouraged some…side bets.”

  Lore shifted. “It’s all to entice a certain couple to attend. A man and a woman called Vashto and Cerria. Word is, they bet big in the underground fight rings.”

  “They’re some of its best clientele,” Raiden said darkly.

  The meaning behind what they were saying clicked into place for her. “If the fight rings are still operational, the biggest gamblers will know where it is.”

  Lore nodded. “Exactly.”

  Raiden crossed his arms over his chest. “We can’t afford to scare them off. These two are our only lead.”

  Madeline nodded. “So we lure them to the battle tonight and then see what we can glean from them.”

  “I’ve gathered everything I can about this couple,” Galen said. “They like excess and nice things. We ply them with their favorite drinks, and we give them a good show. We give them whatever they want—” a scary look crossed Galen’s face “—and then we get what we want.”

  Madeline tilted her head. “You have a party planned for after the fight?”

  “Yes. I’ve hired a box above the arena.”

  “It’ll be the standard affair? Food, drinks, music?”

  Galen nodded.

  “Let me help.” Madeline pressed her palms against Galen’s desk. “If this couple like excess, then let’s give them a show they’ve never seen before.”

  She felt all the men watching her, and unfamiliar nerves filled her belly. She felt like she was back in the early days of her career, fighting to make her ideas heard. She’d carved out a fantastic career for herself, in order to give her son the life he deserved. She’d gotten very used to never being nervous.

  “My staff is already planning the party.”

  “I can enhance it.” She saw Lore watching her. “I need to help. I need to do something. Harper fights, Rory fixes things, and Regan invents. This is what I do best. I organize and plan.” She swallowed, hating the feeling of being so powerless. “I’ll work with your catering people and we’ll put on a party people will talk about for years.”

  Silence fell. Galen’s gaze was unwavering, and Madeline felt those nerves threatening again. This was important to her. Then she saw Lore wink at her, and something eased inside.

  Finally, Galen nodded. “Okay. Do it.”

  Elation burst inside her. “Thank you.” She nodded. “You won’t regret it.” She’d make sure of it.

  “And Madeline?”

  She looked into his single eye, the other covered by that coal-black patch.

  “I’ll organize an office for you…so you stay out of mine.”

  She fought back a smile. “Thank you.” She hurried out of the office and down the hall. As she turned a corner, she narrowly avoided running into Harper.

  “Whoa, hold up,” Harper said.

  Madeline nodded at the woman and spotted Rory and Regan with her. Madeline had to admit, it was still a bit of a shock to see her former security officer, station engineer, and scientist here in this alien place. Regan was wearing a flowing dress, Rory was in slick, black trousers with a bright-green shirt, and Harper was dressed in fighting leathers. Like the gladiator she now was.

  “Mads, how you feeling?” Rory asked.

  Mads? Madeline swallowed, her gaze straying to the small robot dog at Rory’s feet. Lights blinked along the dog’s sleek, gray metal body. The creature tilted its head like it was studying her.

  She really didn’t know these women that well. She hadn’t allowed herself to have friends on the space station, and this whole ordeal had made her realize that she’d let herself go…hard. On Fortuna Station she’d only had her work, and when she’d visited Earth, she’d spent all her time with Jack. She hadn’t even dated.

  “I’m good.” She wasn’t going to tell them about her constantly churning stomach and the feeling of never quite belonging. “And you?” Her gaze dropped to Rory’s still-flat stomach. Not only had Rory fallen in love with an alien gladiator, she’d gotten herself pregnant by one.

  “Wonderful.” Rory patted her belly with a smile. “The Hermia healers tell me the little guy is growing just fine.” She screwed up her nose. “They’re already going into fits about how someone my size can give birth to an Antarian child, but I’m sure they’ll have it figured out once this little bump is cooked.”

  “Except they don’t know how long your gestation period will be, exactly,” Regan said, her gaze turning inward. Once a scientist always a scientist.

  A screwed-up nose again. “They’ll figure it out.” Rory smiled. “I’m just happy to see my pretty boy turn to mush whenever he touches my belly. He talks to the baby, you know?”

  Madeline remembered the amazing sensation of having a child grow inside her. She didn’t remember Wade, her ex, ever talking to her belly. But he’d only been one year older than her, and scared spitless about becoming a father.

  She cleared her throat. “I just spoke with Galen. I’m going to take over planning the party tonight after the arena sea battle.”

  “Oh?” Harper said.

  “Apparently, he’s invited a couple to attend who are known as big betters at the underground fight rings.”

  Harper straightened. “They think they can find out information from them?”

  Madeline nodded. “Apparently, this pair likes a good party.”

  Rory smiled. “So you’re going to give them one, and butter them up.”

  “That’s the plan. And find out where Blaine is.”

  Regan’s pretty face turned worried. “Every time I think of poor Blaine, it makes me feel sick.”

  Rory pushed her red hair back, her face hardening. “We’re getting him back, no matter what it takes.”

  Madeline nodded. “We won’t leave him there.”

  As a group, they continued down the hall, with its stone-lined walls and gray-and-red wall hangings. The women began to talk about the mock sea battle and party, and kept asking her questions and tossing ideas at her.

  Regan reached out and touched Madeline’s hair. Instead of her customary bob, it was almost to her shoulders. “You need a haircut. I can organize that for you.”

  Madeline blinked and managed a nod. They included her so easily. From the day they’d helped rescue her, they’d treated her as a friend. It felt…odd. But now, whether she liked it or not, they were four of only five humans from Earth anywhere in the vicinity of this part of the galaxy. As she listened to Rory and Harper argue over something to do with the arena battle, she realized what a comfort it was to not be completely alone.

  The image of silver-gray eyes flashed in her head before she banished it.

  Feeling a flare of burning in her belly, Madeline rubbed her stomach. For now, she was going to focus on the party. Just knowing she had something to do made her feel better.

  And knowing that she was doing something, anything, to help find Blaine was the best feeling of all.

  Lore shifted his feet on the sand and swung his sword down.

  He moved his blade through powerful arcs and thrusts, his focus narrowed and intense. He thrust the sword forward, the weapon an extension of his body…then he spun in a showy turn.

  Of course, here in the House of Galen training arena, there were no spectators to cheer and applaud. Some of the other gladiators refused to pander to the crowd, but Lore figured that they were there for a show, for a spectacle, and he didn’t mind giving it to them. He knew why most of those people came to watch the fights. It was the same reason they watched shows, read books, and listened to stories. They were searching for an escape from the reality of their lives, searching for entertainment, inspiration, and feeling.

  He lowered
his sword. He knew it was almost time for him to go in and prepare for the sea battle. Overhead, the dual suns of Carthago were slowly heading toward the horizon. Soon the arena lights would come on, and spectators would start pouring into the stands.

  Hearing movement behind him, he turned, and saw his fight partner Nero stomping in his direction.

  Nero was a huge mountain of a man, who came from the barbarian world of Symeria. A planet of extremes from its icy climes in the north, to its steaming jungles at the equator. The man still preferred his fighting leathers rimmed with fur. Nero was a tough fighter, and a man of few words. Having been his fight partner and his friend for several years, Lore knew Nero was a hunter to the bone. Tracking prey and fighting was in his blood.

  Right now, Nero’s big form was covered in some fancy metallic armor for tonight’s fight. The pattern on the beaten silver metal resembled fish scales, and the armor covered the man’s tattooed arms and shoulders, and had a strip across his broad chest. He was scowling, which made his rugged face more threatening.

  Lore knew that Nero hated armor. It went against his barbarian nature.

  “Looking good, big guy.”

  Nero made a rude noise. “Came to tell you that you need to get ready. Fight’s in under an hour.”

  “I was about to head in.”

  Nero grunted. “I suppose you have some tricks up your sleeve for tonight’s fight.”

  “Always.” Spectators came to the arena for the show, and Lore liked to make sure they never walked away disappointed.

  Over by the arches leading into the House of Galen, Lore spotted Madeline bustling along, talking with some of the kitchen staff. He stared at her, noting that since he’d seen her that morning, she’d changed her hair. Now it was cut off bluntly along her jaw line, the dark strands absorbing the sunlight. It was a businesslike style. He smiled to himself. Or at least she probably thought that. She probably also thought that it hid her femininity.

  “I’m not sure I completely understand your interest in that direction,” Nero grumbled.