Unique Ink (Shadow Assassins Book 5) Read Online Free

else. “Did he believe you?” Jett was fiercely loyal. It was unlikely he’d let things go with a superficial excuse.
    “I don’t know. I left so they could tell him I was the one who drove you here.”
    Which they both knew was untrue. She’d been teleported here by Lor dar Something-or-other. “I want to talk to him, make sure he’s okay.”
    “And I’ll arrange the call, as soon as you’ve convinced me you’re going to behave yourself.”
    His tone was patronizing enough to make her hand tense around the protein bar without motivating her to throw the water bottle at his face. “Can everyone from your planet teleport?”
    Elias grinned and the gold flecks in his green eyes shimmered. Though short on the sides, his dark hair was long enough on top to form distinct waves. It made him look as if someone had just run their fingers through his hair. He wasn’t model perfect like Lor or exotic like the healer. Still, his stark ruggedness appealed to her. He appeared strong, more than capable of protecting her. And whether or not Roxie was willing to admit it out loud, she was in desperate need of protection.
    “Sorry to disappoint ya, darlin’. I was born in Austin.” His voice took on a subtle twang she hadn’t noticed before. Had he intentionally rid himself of the cadence or was he using it now in an attempt to make himself seem less intimidating?
    “You’re human?” She wasn’t sure she believed him. The others had looked human too, at least to begin with. Besides, he hadn’t denied being an alien. He’d just claimed to have been born on Earth.
    “Don’t I look human?” He crossed his arms, stretching his T-shirt even tighter.
    What a poser! It would take more than rock-hard muscles to scramble her brain. But then this man had more than his share. “Lor looked human too until his eyes started spinning. And the healer only had a freakish blue light inside his eyes after I confronted him.”
    “The healer’s name is Odintar. He and Lor are from different planets within the same star system. Morgan and I work with aliens, but we’re both US citizens, just like you.”
    That brought up all sorts of new questions. What the hell were aliens doing on Earth? Was the government officially involved or was this some sort of private venture profitable enough for the government to ignore?
    Not wanting to lose herself in the details, she started with the basics. “How long have they been on Earth?”
    “We’ve been working together for about a month, but they arrived a few weeks before that.”
    “What are they doing here?”
    “Trying to protect you from some extremely dangerous people.”
    Roxie scoffed then ripped open the protein bar and took a bite. “Humans in general or me in particular?” She paused for a drink of water before adding, “Either way they’re not doing a very good job.” She’d been terrified for the past nine weeks, intimidated and verbally abused. She’d even been subjected to some sort of alien technology that might well have damaged her brain. She started to tell him about the language infuser, Sevrin had forced Roxie to endure. But she gained nothing by volunteering information. “Is Nazerel some sort of fugitive? Why are you trying to capture him?”
    “How long have you known him? Is your relationship strictly professional or—”
    “We don’t have a ‘relationship’. He’s a customer. That’s all.” She studied his features for a moment. Though his eyes were bright and attentive, she could discern nothing but intelligence behind his stoic expression. The man had one hell of a poker face. “Why’d you dodge my question?”
    “Did he and his companions just happen upon your shop or was there some sort of formal arrangement?”
    Tension wound through Roxie like a massive constrictor. Was he building a case against her? Did they think she was involved with Sevrin’s men? “I tattooed them; nothing more.” She looked at the door as discomfort surged into