Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 43296 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 216(@200wpm)___ 173(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43296 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 216(@200wpm)___ 173(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
Maximo’s strength may surpass hers, but Luna knew what she lacked in brawn she made up for in brain. “I’m not a whore, Maximo. I have told you time and time again that I will not degrade myself to be with these males and beasts you throw at me. You do not own me. No one does. I am my own person and make my own decisions. I can take care of myself.”
She was scared, of course, but once that fear was shown, then that was when her life ended. Strength, whether it be physical or mental, equaled power.
Sweat beaded along his wide forehead, and his laughter continued. He was a loathsome creature.
His species, known as the Blooka, were like humans in appearance, but they were known for their rage and nasty tempers, ones that rivaled the fierce and wild creatures that roamed the red mountains that surrounded them. With his thinning, greasy, black hair and beady dark eyes, he sickened her.
“You think you are better than the rest of us, princess? Hardly. You are the product of a prostitute’s one-night stand. You are the offspring of a human whore, the weakest species in three galaxies, and a male who paid to fuck her. You are no better than any of us, and I promise you, Luna, before you die, you will give me what I want.”
“I can leave, Maximo.”
Grinning mockingly, he advanced. “You think that, but how very wrong you are. You know as well as I that you have nowhere to go. You live in that dirty, little hovel you call home, eating the leftovers you take from the kitchen when you think no one is looking. I see all, princess. You can tell me how you will leave, but you and I both know you will die on this planet just like the rest of us.”
He was so close that she could smell the thick stench of liquor and dirty sweat that laced his body. Holding her ground, she refused to back down.
The truth may have come from his lips, but it didn’t mean she had to acknowledge that to him. He might know she took food from the kitchen, and in all rights, he could have her hands cut off for the act, but Luna knew Maximo wouldn’t, knew it would decrease her value.
“You’ve lasted long enough with your innocence intact, but know this, when those warriors come, you will give them what they want. Make no mistake about that, princess. You will make me a very wealthy man sooner than later.”
The way he dropped his gaze to her breasts and licked his lips caused bile to rise in her throat. “And after that time comes, I will make you my whore.” Snapping his attention back to her face, his expression hardened.
Although violence seethed right below the surface of his demeanor, Maximo hadn’t hit her, but the look he gave her said the urge to do just that rode him hard.
He turned away from her quickly and strode out of his office. The breath left her in a rush, and her legs threatened to give out. She refused to cry, refused to show any kind of emotion around these heathens.
Fear coursed through her, but she would not display weakness in front of anyone. She prayed to whoever listened that the opportunity would arise and she would be able to escape. Buying a ticket off of Kat’aki was so expensive only the wealthiest could afford it.
She had been lucky enough to find a place to sleep that cost her next to nothing, but it was a hole in the wall with animals nearly her size that roamed right outside her door.
None of that matter because it provided a roof over her head and walls on four sides.
Turning toward the cracked mirror that hung haphazardly on the stained wall, she felt deflated at the reflection that stared back at her. Her auburn hair was knotted at the nape of her neck, and a few loose strands fell around her face.
Dirt smudged her cheeks and made her pale blue eyes seem to stand out, but her appearance right now didn’t matter because Maximo would pay to have his employees groomed properly before the warriors came. He would make sure his product was perfect and buyable. The thought made her grimace in disgust.
Taking out the tie that held her hair in a bun, she sighed in relief when the long strands tumbled down her back. She finger combed the layers as best she could and tied the heavy weight atop her head once more.
Her outfit was nothing more than tatters of material, but it didn’t matter on Kat’aki, not when everyone on the wretched planet wore the same thing or nothing at all. The apron tied around her waist was stained, and holes littered the thin material. She was a sight, that was for sure.