Claus (Vaxxlian Alien Mail Order Brides #7)

Chapter 9

It was eight days until Christmas, and Aubrey couldn’t sleep. She tossed and turned, her thoughts continually straying to Claus.

Why couldn’t she stop thinking about him?

Okay, she knew why, but she wished she could turn her mind off. When she’d sworn off men in the aftermath of her breakup with Pete, she had never anticipated a temptation like Claus.

A week had passed since the handsome alien’s arrival. He visited her every day and also spent plenty of time with the boys, teaching them Vaxxlian games and inviting them to help as he made repairs to the house. The loose shingles on the roof were freshly patched, a leaky faucet was no more, the refrigerator was no longer buzzing so loudly it shook the floor, etcetera etcetera. He’d also had groceries delivered twice.

She sighed and sat up in bed, staring toward the shuttered window. It was nighttime, and while she usually didn’t sleep at night, the much-needed groceries and clothing items Claus had brought the boys had eased her financial burden. She didn’t have to kill herself staying up all night working on contracts, at least for the time being.

She still wanted to reimburse Claus for the items he’d purchased, but whenever she brought it up, he insisted she accept everything as a gift. He also informed her that he possessed more galactic credits than he knew what to do with, as he’d come from a wealthy family, and he’d promised that buying the items hadn’t caused him any hardship. He’d also explained that even though he possessed great family wealth, he still held a job as a mechanic in Starrzia because he believed in contributing to Vaxxlian society and wanted to make up for the many years he’d spent away from his people.

Kind, patient, handsome, wealthy, hard-working, and oh so sweet. Claus really had it going on.

How would she be able to resist him?

More than once, they’d come close to kissing, only for the boys to interrupt. But eventually, if she kept spending time with Claus, they would get their chance. And then what? Would they be able to stop at kissing?

Vaxxlians mate for life.

Vaxxlians mate for life.

She repeated these four words over and over, trying to remind herself of what was at stake.

Her freedom. Her happiness. The children’s, too.

After Pete’s betrayal, when he’d tried to sabotage the job application she was submitting to Interstellar Translators United, she’d vowed to never trust another man again. It was too risky. Men could be sweet and charming, but they could also be monsters.

Pete was a monster. Maybe not a violent one, but he’d tried to keep her from following her dream to become a traveling interstellar translator, all because he’d secretly wanted her to stay in McHenry. When he’d proposed marriage, he’d claimed he would be happy to follow her around the galaxies and that he’d figure out some type of remote work for himself. But he’d lied. He’d lied and attempted to fuck her over.

She climbed out of bed, moved to the window, and drew the curtain aside to peer at the backyard. Claus had admitted to parking his cloaked Vaxxlian cruiser there. Her heart raced as she considered their most recent conversation.

“Do you think you might enjoy teaching various languages on New Vaxx, sweet human?” he’d asked. “It could be a good job for you, and as you know, many females in Starzzia are employed in various trades, and many run their own businesses. Of course, you wouldn’t have to work if you didn’t want to. It is only that… I simply assumed you would enjoy having a career of some type in Starrzia. I want you to be happy there and find fulfillment in all areas of your life.”

“I don’t know if I would enjoy teaching languages,” she’d replied. Then she’d shot him a scolding look. “You know, you really should stop talking as though I’ve agreed to become your mate. I haven’t agreed to anything. In fact, I believe I’ve told you to go away more than once.”

“Ah, but I am so stubborn and hopeful that I keep coming back.” He’d smiled then, a radiant smile that had warmed her heart. “I’m hopeful that you’ll soon realize you’re falling deeply in love with me and beg me to claim you as my mate.”

“Ha! In your dreams!” she’d said just as the boys had entered the room and interrupted their flirting.

A buzzing noise suddenly filled the room, and Aubrey glanced at the phone on her nightstand. She rushed over and peered at the screen. Hm. An unknown number. Not quite having settled all of Emily’s affairs, she decided she’d better answer, just in case it was important.

She swiped to answer the call and said, “Hello,” in a cautious tone.

“Aubrey. Baby. It’s me. Please don’t hang up. I need to talk to you.”

Fuck. She groaned internally and rolled her eyes to the ceiling. “How the hell did you get my number, Pete?”

“It doesn’t matter. What matters is that I still love you, baby, and I’m so sorry about what happened between us. Let me make it up to you.” His words weren’t slurred, but he didn’t quite sound like himself either. Aubrey couldn’t help but wonder if he was hopped up on some kind of illicit substance.

“You can make it up to me by leaving me the hell alone. Goodnight.” She hung up and immediately blocked his number. A few seconds later, her phone rang again. This time the caller ID showed an incoming call from a different number, but she supposed it was Pete calling from another line, so she didn’t bother answering.

Fuck him. If she’d finished submitting her application to Interstellar Translators United with the embarrassing mistakes he’d made to her resumé, such as writing that she had a criminal record and was the subject of a murder investigation, she would’ve likely found herself blacklisted by the most important employers.

Just as she settled back into bed, she received a notification on her phone showing movement on the front porch. She pulled up the security feed and cursed when she saw Pete standing on the top step. He swayed slightly as he peered at the camera. If he rang the bell or knocked too loudly, he would wake the boys up.

She shot out of bed and donned a robe, then rushed downstairs. She flung the door open and scowled at her ex-fiancé. “It’s after curfew, asshole. You’re breaking your own laws. Get off my porch or I’ll call the authorities.”

He chuckled. “The authorities don’t respond to emergency calls after dark. Even if they did, I’m the fucking boss and they answer to me. But don’t worry, there’s not any danger tonight. Haven’t you noticed how quiet it is? I asked the militias to stay off the streets just for tonight. I was hoping you might join me for a moonlit walk along the lake, my darling.” He held out his arm as though expecting her to accept.

“You need to leave. Now.” Her tone was glacial.

“Baby, please.” He placed a hand on his heart. “I adore you. And I forgive you for leaving McHenry and turning your back on what we used to have. Now that you’re here to stay, it makes sense for us to get back together. I’m the most powerful man in town. You would be wise to marry me.”

“You forgive me? Turning my back on what we used to have? Marry you?” She scoffed. “I would ask if you’re drunk or high to make such an outlandish statement, but I can tell by the way you’re swaying that you’re under the influence of some substance. Go home, Pete. I want nothing to do with you.”

He scowled and reached for her arm, grabbing her before she could move back. She flailed in his grip and pushed at his chest, only for his body to suddenly go flying off the porch. He landed on the walkway very close to the street. How the…

Claus . Wearing nothing but a tight pair of gray shorts that accentuated his male assets, he moved in front of her, a concerned look on his face. He gently touched her arm right where Pete had grabbed her. “Sweet human, are you all right?”

“Yes, I-I am fine.” Disbelief swirled through her. How had Claus known to come? Had he heard the scuffle from inside his Vaxxlian cruiser?

Pete scrambled to his feet, much more quickly than Aubrey expected anyone could after being tossed so far and landing so hard, making her wonder what the hell kind of drug he was on. Probably something new she hadn’t heard of yet. Maybe even one that originated off-planet. McHenry had become a hub for drug trafficking, which was why so many militias were vying for control of the town.

Pete advanced toward Claus with a snarl. “I’m going to kill you! Vaxxlian scum! That woman is mine and you need to stay away from her!”

Claus turned to face Pete, released a thunderous roar, and bolted toward the swaying man. Whether it was due to the deep animalistic roar or the sight of a huge Vaxxlian warrior running at him, Pete’s bravery instantly fled. The idiot spun around and ran away, almost tripping over his own feet in the process. Claus gave chase for a few more seconds, but he finally paused when it became clear Pete had gotten the message.

Aubrey watched as the scantily-clad Vaxxlian warrior turned to meet her gaze. His green eyes glowed in the darkness, and when he moved into the porchlights, she gasped at the numerous scars that covered his chest. What had happened to him? Had he received those injuries during the war against the Irrcons? The scars were so jagged and thick that she couldn’t fathom how terribly it must’ve hurt.

She walked down the steps to meet him, intending to thank him for chasing Pete away. But before she could utter a word, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her into the house.