Saved by the Alien Crime Boss (Aliens Among Us #4)

Chapter 4

FOUR

“Mommy, I want a chocolate muffin,” six-year-old Trinity said with her hands and face pressed against the pastry display case glass.

Mina grinned. The little girl was absolutely adorable in her puffy, bright pink coat, tutu skirt, and snow boots. The beads within her little braids even matched. But seeing her smush her nose and forehead against the glass as though she could push through it to reach the muffin on the other side made her all the cuter.

Naomi gently took her daughter by the hand and guided her back. “Let’s not touch the glass and make it all dirty.”

“Sorry.” Trinity pointed at the muffin that had caught her interest. “Can I?”

“Yes, you can.” Naomi turned her head to her son, who was three years older than his sister. “Jake?”

The boy looked at Mina. “Can I have one too?”

Mina nodded, picking up a brown sheet of tissue paper, and opened the case. “Yep, you can. And you’re both in luck, because those are my last two chocolate muffins of the day.”

“Thanks, Mina,” Naomi said.

“Of course.” Mina picked up the muffins and deposited them in a pastry box. “Anything for you?”

“Hmm…” The woman tilted her head back and surveyed the blackboard menu on the wall behind the counter.

Trinity hurried to the kid’s play corner, plopped down on one of the kiddy chairs, and immediately began coloring a page in a coloring book that had been left unfinished by another child earlier in the day. Her brother wandered off to check out the small selection of graphic novels.

“Can I get a medium caramel macchiato with extra caramel?” Naomi asked.

“Oh, that’s my favorite!” Mina set the box on the counter, plucked up a medium cup, and turned to the back counter. She pumped the caramel and vanilla syrup into the cup and started the expresso machine. Taking a jug of milk from the mini fridge beneath the counter, she poured it into a small metal pitcher before slipping it under the steamer.

“How’s Elijah?” she asked.

Naomi Harris and her family were regulars. They’d been coming to Mina’s café for five years—since Trinity was a baby and Jake was barely a preschooler. Mina had delighted in watching the kids grow, and Naomi and Ellijah were always so kind, friendly, and genuine.

“He’s doing good, but he’s tired,” Naomi said. “He’s been working overtime with the power outages in Fairbanks.”

“How long will he be gone?”

“They’re sending him back on Monday if nothing else goes wrong.” With a chuckle, Naomi added, “So hopefully only three more days of ‘Mom, is daddy almost home?’”

Elijah was a lineman for the power company, which meant he was especially busy during the winter when storms brought down powerlines. Mina shuddered at the thought of working out in this weather—the freezing temperatures, the wind, ice, and snow. As a logger, her father had also worked through similar conditions.

Mina wouldn’t have lasted a day.

But people did what was necessary to get by, and someone had to do those jobs so everyone could survive the winters.

“How have you been, Mina?” Naomi asked.

Mina turned off the steamer. “I’ve been great. Business has been pretty steady, and there have been some great new books released lately.”

“Did you hear about the incident at Cornerstone?”

“What incident?” Mina poured the milk into the cup.

“Kevin Williams was arrested for breaking into the store three days ago. They found him covered in blood and alcohol. Apparently, he was pretty beat up.”

Mina froze, unable even to draw breath.

Kevin Williams.

A wave of vertigo swept through her, and she grabbed the counter to keep herself steady.

She knew Kevin. They’d gone to school together. He hadn’t been kind, not to Mina or any of the other kids he used to pick on. His father was just as much of a brute.

She didn’t know what was worse—her assaulter being a nameless, faceless entity, or someone she’d grown up with.

Mina forced herself to take in slow, measured breaths as she carefully added the espresso to the cup. “Did…did the police say what happened?”

“That’s the weird thing. Apparently, the store’s security system was down that day. Their cameras are missing like a whole twenty-four hours, and the alarm didn’t go off until he’d been in there for who knows how long. They’re pretty sure that he must’ve hidden inside until the store closed and then drowned himself in booze. But as far as I heard, he refuses to say what actually happened. Claims he fell down, but the cops don’t buy it.”

Hand trembling, Mina set the empty espresso glass in the sink. How had Viktor done it? She didn’t believe it was a coincidence that the security system had been down that night, that there had been no evidence at all of what had truly happened.

“Mom, can I get this?” Jake asked, shaking Mina from her thoughts.

She glanced back to see the boy holding up a graphic novel with two dragons on the cover.

“Hmm…” Naomi tapped her chin. “What do you think, Mina? Is it a good one?”

Mina topped the macchiato with caramel sauce, covered the cup with a plastic dome lid, and carried it to the front counter, where she set it beside the box of muffins. “I think you’ll love it. Lots of action, adventure, and dragon riding.”

“Please, please, please?” Jake made his brown eyes as big as possible as he clutched the book to his chest.

Naomi chuckled. “Oh, okay. But I expect some extra help around the house tomorrow.”

“Okay!”

“Anything else?” Mina asked as she rang up the items.

“Hmmm…” Naomi raised a finger. “One second.”

She jogged to the romance section. After perusing the books, she plucked one off the shelf and brought it back to the counter. It was thick and heavy enough that it made a small thump when she set it down. It had gorgeous cover—a woman standing in front of a monster that had horns and a deer skull face. The title read A Soul to Keep, Duskwalker Brides Book 1.

It was the start of one of Mina’s favorite series.

“I’ve been eyeing this one for a while now,” Naomi said with a sheepish smile.

Mina grinned. “It’s amazing, and you’re totally in for a ride.” She leaned in closer and lowered her voice to a whisper. “It’s pretty spicy too.”

“I can’t wait! I just finished reading Regine Abel’s latest Prime Mating Agency book. I’ve loved every single one.”

“Oh, that’s such an amazing series too!”

“Monster romance is so addicting.”

After Mina added the new book to the total, Naomi paid and passed Trinity the muffins to carry.

“Tell Elijah that the next time he comes in, his favorite coffee will be waiting,” Mina said. “It’ll be on the house.”

“That’s so sweet of you. He’ll be in for sure.” Naomi picked up her drink and book. “Have a good evening, Mina!”

“You too!”

Trinity waved. “Bye bye, Mina.”

Mina smiled wide and gave her a wave. “See you later. Enjoy that muffin!”

Jake followed them, reading as he walked. He was already several pages into his comic.

Once the Harrises were out the door, Mina checked the clock. Twenty minutes to seven. The café was slow enough that she could begin her closing routine.

She cleaned up the machines and counters, placed the dishes in the dishwasher in the kitchen, packaged the remaining pastries to sell at a discount tomorrow, and swept the floor.

Thankfully no one entered while she was cleaning up. She always hated turning people away, even if they came in right at closing.

Reaching behind her back, she untied her apron, lifted it over her head, and tossed it into the small laundry basket along with the towels and rags she’d used through the day. She’d bring them upstairs to wash once everything was locked up.

Mina ran a hand through her hair. The roots were damp, and her forehead felt sticky from sweat. She couldn’t wait to take a shower.

Rounding the counter, she walked to the entrance, flipped the sign to CLOSED , and glanced out the window just as the door to the hardware store across the street swung open. Viktor stepped out into the glow of the streetlight, holding a paper bag in hand. His hair was pulled back into a messy bun atop his head, and his black jacket was unbuttoned. The shadows cast on his face by the light sharpened his features, granting him an almost inhuman visage.

He’s so gorgeous.

Mina pressed her palm to the glass.

Viktor turned his head toward her shop, and his eyes locked with hers.

She gasped. Her skin warmed, her belly fluttered, and her heart quickened.

They hardly knew each other, and what little Mina did know of him didn’t exactly make him seem like a knight in shining armor. At best, he was a morally gray antihero. Was it healthy to be obsessed with such a man?

Yes.

No.

Maybe?

I’m not obsessed!

Sure, keep telling yourself that. Like you haven’t been thinking about him nonstop for the last three days.

Mina couldn’t deny that. And now, here she was, staring at him from inside her café.

Before she could talk herself out of it, before she could convince herself to lock up, turn around, and race upstairs, she grasped the handle, opened the door, and stepped outside.

The cold struck her with all the force of a charging moose, and her long-sleeved cotton dress offered about as much protection from the chill as it would have from a set of massive antlers.

She shivered and let out a shaky breath, which briefly fogged the air.

I won’t be long. I can stand the cold for a little while.

I just…need to talk to him.

Shutting the door behind her, she folded her arms across her chest, tucked her hands beneath them, and made her way across the street toward Viktor.

He remained where he was, looking ethereal in the streetlamp’s glow, and tilted his head as he watched her. Only as she neared did she notice the little crease between his eyebrows.

She grinned as she stopped in front of him. “Hello, stranger.”

Viktor’s eyes dipped to take her in. “Hello, Mina.”

“Buying some chains for your not-basement?”

Her cheeks flushed as soon as those words left her mouth.

Really, Mina?

It just came out!

“No chains.” He eased closer and stroked the backs of his fingers down her cheek, sending a shiver through her that had nothing to do with the cold. “Leather bindings would be gentler against your skin.”

Mina’s eyes flared, her lips parted, and her blush deepened.

Her imagination ran wild. She could see herself tied to his bed, stripped bare, vulnerable, her chest heaving and heart racing with anticipation. Could see him wearing that devilish smirk as he crawled onto the bed, could see the muscles playing under his skin as he advanced like a predator that knew its prey was helpless.

An ache blossomed in her core, intensifying that inner heat and making her nipples tighten.

She could picture the hunger in Viktor’s silver eyes as he lowered his face?—

“At least your mother kept it private,” a man said as he passed, drawing a laugh from the other man walking beside him.

With a gasp, Mina withdrew from Viktor’s touch. As she swung her gaze toward the men, her embarrassment turned into anger. She clenched her hands, hugged herself tighter, and narrowed her eyes in a glare.

Of course, she knew both men—Mike Jacobson and Trevor Rydell. They’d been two grades ahead of her in school, but they knew all about Mina and her mother. She’d avoided them as much as possible in the halls, knowing they’d always had some lewd comment to throw her way.

Some people never changed.

“Mina?” Viktor asked, calling her attention back to him.

His eyebrows had fallen low, and the dark shadows over his eyes turned his irises into reflective silver orbs, like a pair of alien moons. He looked exactly like the predator from her imagination.

She shook her head. “It’s… I’m fine. It was nothing.”

He scowled. Seeing those sculpted lips curl downward was just as tempting as it was intimidating. His head turned toward the men, who were talking in hushed voices, laughing, and glancing over their shoulder at Mina.

Trevor grinned. “If you’re getting into the family business”—he cupped his groin—“how much?”

Mina gritted her teeth as tears welled in her eyes.

I am not going to cry in front of those assholes.

“Sorry, Viktor,” she said, voice tight with emotion. “I’d better go.”

But Viktor was already stalking toward them, his heavy boots thumping on the sidewalk. The men stopped and turned to face him.

“Got a problem, buddy?” asked Mike.

“Fuck off, man,” said Trevor.

Viktor growled. “Apologize.”

Mina chased him, grabbing his hand to bring him to a halt. “Viktor don’t.”

She knew at least in part what he was capable of, and could only guess the extent to which he’d go. But they were standing in the middle of town, out in the open, where anyone could see.

Mike guffawed. “She got you on a leash? Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around?”

That triggered fresh laughter from Trevor. “Bitch walking its master. Power of the pussy, huh?”

She felt the tension in Viktor’s hand, felt the strength just waiting to be unleashed. He turned his face toward her. “They disrespect you.”

“They’re just words,” she said softly. The tears spilled down her cheeks. “It’s not worth you getting in trouble. I’m…I’m used to it.”

“You shouldn’t be.”

Mina knew that. She’d always known it. But nobody had ever said it to her out loud. No one except for Randy had ever stood up for her. Most people didn’t like confrontation and didn’t want to get involved, so they’d always turn their heads and pretend they hadn’t seen or heard anything.

And how could she have spoken up when most of the town already believed what they wanted to believe? What did Mina’s voice matter?

Viktor grasped her jaw and angled her face more directly toward his, leaning closer. He narrowed his eyes as he searched hers, brushing his thumb over her cheek to wipe away her tears. “I do not like this water in your eyes. I’d rather see fire, Mina.”

“Better be careful, man,” Mike said. “If she’s anything like her whore mother, she’ll be spreading her legs for any guy who waves a dollar at her.”

Mina’s heart pounded hard against her ribs, and her pulse thrummed in her ears.

Whore.

Whore.

Whore.

How many times had her mother suffered in silence when someone called her that to her face, whispered it behind her back, or communicated it through a judgmental stare?

Mina clenched her jaw. Her breath sawed in and out of her as more tears gathered in her eyes. But these were not simply tears of hurt; they were tears of rage.

She yanked out of Viktor’s grasp and strode up to the two men.

Mike’s mocking grin widened, only spurring her anger.

“Aw, Mina,” Mike said, “you ready to?—”

Her palm cracked across his face. The sound seemed to echo along the quiet street, amplifying the stunned silence that followed.

Mike’s head snapped to the side, and he stumbled back, his hand flying up to cover his cheek.

“What the fuck?” Trevor glared at Mina.

Ignoring the sharp sting in her palm, which was only worsened by the cold, Mina took a step closer and curled her hands into fists. “No, fuck you ! My mother did what she had to do to survive because no one cared, no one offered to help. She lost her husband. I lost my father. We were going to lose our home, and we had nothing else. The people of this town used her to get what they wanted, and then they looked down on her for it. There is no shame in what my mother did. She survived and took care of her child.”

Her body trembled, thrumming with adrenaline and twenty years of pent-up anger. “It wasn’t her fault your fathers couldn’t keep their dicks in their pants.”

“You fucking cunt,” Mike spat, shoving her hard.

Mina jolted backward, certain she was going to meet the pavement. But something familiar halted her—a pair of big, strong arms that drew her against a warm, solid chest. She felt Viktor’s snarl vibrate into her before the sound actually emerged from him.

He swept her aside and lunged at the men. His paper bag fell to the ground with a jangle of metal hardware. Trevor and Mike both said something, but their words were so quick and panicked that they jumbled together.

Viktor caught Mike and Trevor by their throats. Mina’s eyes rounded as he turned, lifting the men—each of whom had to weigh over two hundred pounds—off the ground.

He slammed both men against the hardware store’s brick wall and held them there with their boots hanging a foot above the sidewalk.

It was surreal seeing him holding two full-grown men like that. Mike and Trevor had been football players in high school, and they still had muscular, stocky builds. But their struggles seemed to trouble Viktor no more than those of an infant might have.

“ Do . Not . Touch . Her ,” Viktor grated through his teeth. The tendons on the backs of his hands stood out in sharp relief. “Touch her again and I remove your hands. Speak of her again, I remove your tongues.”

He tightened his grip on their throats. Choking, Mike and Trevor clawed at Viktor’s forearms.

“Do you understand?” Viktor’s voice was so low and gravelly that it hardly sounded human.

Mina could only watch in shock.

“What’s happening?” someone asked from behind her.

“Mike shoved Mina,” someone else replied. “This guy stepped in.”

“Anyone call the cops?”

Their voices shook Mina out of her daze. She turned her head to see several people gathered on the sidewalk, including Trish and Barry, who both worked at the hardware store.

No. The authorities could not get involved. She would not have Viktor get in trouble, not for her, especially not when she was the one who’d escalated the situation.

She rushed forward, ducked under his arm, and stood between Viktor and the men, facing him. Reaching up, she took his face in her hands and forced him to look at her. His lips were drawn back, and his eyes were alight with fury.

“Viktor, stop,” she said softly, but firmly. “Let them go.”

His nostrils flared with a deep inhalation, and his pupils shrank nearly to pinpricks. It was Viktor’s eyes staring at her, but there was something primal in them now, something bestial.

Something…ravenous.

Mina stroked her thumbs over his cheeks. “Please. You need to stop. They’re not worth it.”

“But you are.”

Mina’s heart leapt, and something sparked low in her belly. Those three little words held far more weight and meaning than they had any right to.

“Then let them go and come with me,” she said.

Viktor held her gaze for another heartbeat, then two, three, before the wildness in his eyes faded. He released Mike and Trevor, both of whom fell to the ground clutching their throats and gasping for breath.

Mina didn’t hesitate to entwine her fingers with Viktor’s and lead him toward the café.

“I don’t think you’re supposed to leave, Mina,” said Trish.

“The police know where to find me,” Mina replied, snatching Viktor’s brown bag off the sidewalk before stepping into the street.