Primal Bond (Warlords of Vasz #4)

11. Chapter 11

Chapter eleven

F inn perched high on a shelf in the cargo hold, legs dangling over the edge, catching a rare moment of peace. The hum of the ship surrounded him, a constant reminder of his captivity, but up here, it almost felt like freedom.

He leaned back against the cool metal wall, closing his eyes and letting his mind wander.

And it only wanted to wander in one direction.

Finn's cheeks heated up at the memories. He’d seen Zanik’s muscular frame under the steaming water, the way his muscles rippled and the sheer size of him. Finn exhaled softly.

The Borraq had been relieving his tensions, two impressive cocks in hand, and Finn couldn’t tear his eyes away. The image of Zanik’s powerful body, his strong hands moving with purpose, the raw, primal look of pleasure on his face — it was seared into Finn’s brain.

What the hell is wrong with me? he thought, feeling both aroused and disgusted with himself. Ever since he got back in touch with his body, it had been like an untrained dog, refusing to obey his commands. He couldn’t control the rush of heat, the way his body reacted to what he'd seen.

“Get a grip, dumbass,” he muttered to himself. “You’ve had enough Borraq for a lifetime.”

But the memory of Zanik wouldn’t leave him alone. Finn’s mind replayed the scene, Zanik’s groan echoing in his ears. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to push the images away, but they only grew more vivid. The way Zanik had looked, lost in his own pleasure, powerful and untamed — it was intoxicating.

Stop it, Finn . He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. You don’t care how Zanik looks. It doesn't matter if he's hot. It doesn't matter if he's got two huge cocks. He’s the enemy.

If only saying something made it true.

There was something about Zanik that drew Finn in, something more than just physical attraction. Finn had seen a glimpse of vulnerability in the Borraq, a hint of the burdens he carried.

No. He shook his head, forcing himself to focus. He couldn’t afford to let his guard down, not now. He needed to stay sharp, keep his wits about him. Zanik was dangerous, and getting involved with him — emotionally or otherwise — was a risk Finn couldn’t take.

He took another deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside him. Up here, away from everyone, he could almost pretend he was free.

Almost.

Kelara’s sharp voice echoed through the cargo hold. “Human!” She spotted him, her sharp eyes narrowing in disbelief. “What in the stars are you doing up there?”

When Finn had first saw Zanik's second in command, he'd been scared of her. The more he'd seen of her, though, the more he'd grown comfortable around her barked orders and stern tone.

He scrambled to a more secure position, flashing her a defiant grin. “Just enjoying the view, Kelara.”

She huffed, crossing her arms. “You humans are like dvarr. Hairless climbing beasts, always getting into places you shouldn’t.”

Finn shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Gotta keep things interesting, right?”

“Interesting? More like dangerous. Get down from there before you break your skinny little neck.”

With a reluctant sigh, Finn began to climb down. The moment his feet touched the floor, Kelara was on him, herding him toward the door.

“Move,” she said, pushing him along. “I'm taking you to the bridge. At least someone can keep an eye on you there.”

Finn didn’t resist, knowing it was pointless. Kelara had a way of making him feel like a bratty kid caught in the act.

But he knew who else was going to be on the bridge…

He followed her through the ship, trying to ignore the knot of anxiety tightening in his chest.

Finn froze as soon as he saw Zanik standing in the bridge, his imposing frame taking up more space than seemed possible. Every muscle in Finn's body tensed, a deer caught in headlights.

Zanik’s icy blue eyes locked onto him, piercing and unyielding.

For a heartbeat, Finn thought he could play it off. Zanik didn’t know he had spied on him. Didn’t know Finn had seen… that. He could just act normal, pretend everything was fine. Everything was fine, right?

Finn forced a casual grin, trying to muster the bravado that had gotten him this far. “Fancy seeing you here. Come here often?”

But the moment Zanik’s gaze bore into him, Finn knew. Zanik knew .

Shit.

Horror twisted in Finn’s gut, the realization hitting him like a punch to the stomach. Zanik knew what Finn had seen.

Zanik’s silence was worse than any words. His expression was unreadable, but the intensity of his stare spoke volumes. Finn’s skin prickled with the weight of it, a flush creeping up his neck.

Okay, play it cool. Just play it cool.

“Uh, Kelara dragged me in here,” Finn said, his voice unnaturally high. He cleared his throat, trying again. “Wanted to keep an eye on me, I guess.”

Zanik’s eyes narrowed slightly, and Finn’s heart hammered in his chest. Why did it feel like Zanik could see right through him? Like he knew every humiliating thought running through Finn’s mind?

He fought to keep his face neutral, to keep the tremor out of his voice. “Don't worry, it’s not like I’m gonna cause any trouble.”

Kelara glanced between them, clearly sensing the tension but not knowing why — but wisely keeping her mouth shut.

Finn just wished he could do the same. “I'll just... stay out of trouble,” he repeated lamely, feeling Zanik’s scrutiny intensify.

Zanik’s eyes flickered with something unreadable, and Finn’s heart skipped a beat. He couldn’t tell if Zanik was amused, angry, or both. Probably angry. Definitely angry.

He swallowed hard, the urge to bolt nearly overwhelming. But he couldn’t run. Not now. Not when he was this close to his goal. He had to stay. Had to face whatever was coming. Finn braced himself for a reprimand, for Zanik to call him out.

But instead, Zanik’s expression shifted to something more business-like. “My contacts have found new intel on Rivek,” he said coolly.

The words snapped Finn out of his mortification. His embarrassment was instantly replaced by a burning need for revenge. He leaned in, his focus sharp. “What did they say?”

He knew his voice came out eager, almost breathless. He couldn’t help it. Any information about Rivek was a step closer to vengeance.

Zanik’s icy stare softened just a fraction. “Rivek frequents an underground frontier club known for catering to those who own human slaves.”

Finn’s stomach twisted. Of course that was a thing — and of course Rivek was a customer. The man was a sadistic bastard.

Memories of his own captivity under Rivek’s thumb flashed through his mind: pain, humiliation, and the sick pleasure Rivek took in his suffering. He clenched his fists, the anger boiling inside him.

“Yeah, that sounds like Rivek,” Finn said, his tone laced with bitterness. “I bet he's a big shot VIP at the evil asshole club. Probably has a new pet to show off every time.”

Zanik shook his head. “According to the intel, Rivek has one specific pet slave. He’s kept them for himself instead of selling them.”

The statement hit Finn like a punch to the stomach. The idea of a monster like Rivek keeping a pet, someone he tormented day in and day out… It made his skin crawl.

Finn’s gut twisted, the imagined horrors of what that human must be enduring under Rivek’s control gnawing at him. The room felt like it was closing in, the walls pressing down on his chest.

He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. “We have to rescue them,” Finn said, his voice raw with urgency. “Zanik, whoever it is, we can’t leave them with that monster—”

Zanik’s eyes narrowed, a cold blue glacier that sent a shiver down Finn’s spine. “I’m interested in taking down Rivek,” Zanik replied, his tone icy. “Not running a safehouse for lost humans.”

God. Finn’s anger flared, a spark catching dry tinder. “You’re just going to leave them there? To suffer?”

“This isn’t about playing hero, Finn. It’s about strategic moves. Rescuing one human doesn’t change the game.”

“Strategic moves?” Finn’s voice rose, trembling with rage. “Is that all you care about? Your precious strategy? What about doing what’s right?”

Zanik’s eyes flickered, a flash of something odd. It was gone in an instant, replaced by the icy mask he wore so well.

But Finn had seen it.

"Do we hit his ship as it approaches?" Kelara asked, speaking over Finn's turmoil like it didn't exist. "Maybe we can lay in wait somehow, catch him when he's distracted…"

"That would be easiest," Zanik agreed. "They'll have security, of course. We'll be in for a dogfight, and that could be dangerous. Rivek's associates tend to run with some heavy gunships, and the Ironclad's speed only helps so much. If we can get more intel, we might be able to find an angle…"

Their discussion flowed over Finn's head, distant.

Blowing up Rivek in his ship. They could kill him with one press of a button. Finally, Finn would have his revenge.

But now Finn knew that Rivek wasn't alone in there. Would revenge be worth it, if it meant killing another human too?

A human in the same hell Finn had been trapped in?

"No," Finn blurted out. The two Borraq stopped their discussion, turning their gazes on him. Mild annoyance in Kelara's eyes, just wanting to get the job done. Something else in Zanik's.

"We can get him on-board the station," Finn continued. "You don't need to risk the ship in a fight."

Finn’s heart raced as he pieced together everything he knew about Rivek. He began to speak, his voice trembling slightly but growing steadier with each word. “Rivek’s paranoid. He travels stealthily, always with a lot of armed men. Getting to him is usually impossible without a bloodbath."

"I know," Zanik said, his voice wry. "I've been trying to get close to him for years. He keeps his distance."

"But this club… it’s different, right? You know he's going to be there.” Finn stopped and looked at Zanik, whose frown deepened, but he wasn’t dismissing Finn’s words outright. Finn’s pulse quickened, sensing a glimmer of hope.

“This might be our only chance to get close to him without massive bloodshed,” Finn continued. “He’s going to be there, maybe even relaxed — well, as relaxed as that bastard ever lets himself get, anyway. It’s an opportunity.”

Zanik’s eyes narrowed, his expression calculating. He didn’t immediately shoot down the idea, which Finn took as a cautious victory.

“This does seem like a rare opportunity,” Zanik admitted, his tone thoughtful. “But there are complications. Human slaves are valuable, and the club is on a heavily armed space station. A space run by neutral mercenaries. It's a space for black market deals and underground activities. Places like that only stick around if guests know that their hosts can defend them."

He shook his head. "The crew who run that station won’t just let us attack the place and walk out again. And if we go in guns blazing to save this human,” Zanik continued, his voice cold and pragmatic, “Rivek will have no problem killing them to make a point. He’s ruthless, and he’ll use any leverage he has.”

Finn swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the words he was about to say. His heart pounded in his chest, and he could taste the bitter tang of fear and resolve.

He knew what he had to do.

“I’ve… I've got an idea,” Finn began, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside. Zanik’s icy gaze bore into him, waiting. “We can’t just storm the place, and you’re right, Rivek would kill that human without a second thought if he felt threatened. But… what if we infiltrate the club instead?”

Zanik’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of interest sparking within the cold blue depths. Finn took a deep breath and continued, feeling the plan take shape in his mind.

“You act as a master,” Finn said, his voice firm. “And I'll be your slave."