Rogue Warriors of Lorr
Stolen by the Alien Prince Chapter 7

Gianna was confused as they drove across town. Kozien was quiet, too quiet to her liking. She didn't understand what had gone wrong.

"Where are we headed?" She took in the view and the change in scenery. She swore she had headed down this road before.

"We are going to see my brothers," he told her as he parked the vehicle.

Gianna frowned. "What for? We have the situation under control."

"For now," he replied. "But that doesn't mean our luck will continue. We're in a very risky situation right now, Gianna, and you don't understand just how risky."

She frowned, crossing her arms. "I do understand this is dangerous, but I can't exactly have emotions. Can I? This is my brother. I'll do whatever necessary to save him." "I know," he said. "Which is why we need to talk to my brothers."

She huffed but didn't argue. If Kozien said it was dangerous, she was taking his word for it. Like he said, his brothers were all big talk, and she was hoping their bond-or whatever was making him trust those two-was enough to convince them to help them, after all. They both got out of the car, and she took in the large building. Tall and sleek, it looked exactly like a private investigator's building would. She was surprised he chose to meet at a bar instead of here.

Kozien pushed the door open, and she walked in after him. She was stunned by the building, more expensive inside than out. Kozien grabbed her arm, guiding her down a hallway. They walked past closed doors until they got to the back of the hallway, where Kozien pulled the door open without knocking.

Gianna looked at the nameplate: Grux.

"Jeez Christ, Kozien. Fucking knock, would you?" The man seated in a chair at a desk scowled at Kozien. "And why are you still with her?"

"We need your help," Kozien grunted. "So would you and Trigg just listen for once and shut up."

She frowned as she watched Grux's nostrils flare. Maybe this wasn't how they asked for help. She knew Kozien was a bit too focused on everything that he didn't realize how dickish he sounded.

"You know you don't get to come in here bullheaded and expect me just to hop on board just because you're my brother." He flashed a smirk. "I heard that Father has already caught word of you two running around."

Kozien frowned. "Don't worry about Father. Think of the business. I have a case that could get us on the news headers. Isn't that what you want?"

Grux sighed heavily. "You have five minutes. Go."

So, Kozien explained. He told his brother about both of them going in disguise and finding the intel they did. He also informed his brother they could take the D'Narvius down. But the longer Kozien talked, the more frustrated Grux's face grew. Finally, he threw his hand up, cutting Kozien off.

"No." He shook his head. "We will not help you in this. What you're thinking is a murder waiting to happen." He looked from Kozien to Gianna. "I'm sorry about your brother. Truly, I get the despair." His gaze snapped back to Kozien. "But the answer is no." Kozien clenched his jaw down. "That's it? Just no?"

Grux tilted his head. "No, sorry. Is that better?"

Kozien growled under his breath before turning and marching out. In the hallway, he walked right past Trigg, who looked confused. Gianna rushed after him.

"Kozien, wait!" She attempted to calm him. "Hold on a second."

Kozien looked at her with anger coating his expression. "Just give me a few minutes, please." He turned and marched off, leaving Gianna alone.

She took a few deep breaths, trying to remain calm, but it was hard. So, she turned back around and marched back into Grux's office.

Trigg stood next to him now, holding a folder. They both looked up as she entered the room. She frowned. "You're just going to tell him no without a reason? Why won't you just help him?"

Trigg looked at Grux, who in turn glared back at Gianna. She didn't know where her courage came from, but she was holding on to it for as long as possible.

Grux placed his hands down on his desk, and he frowned. "Because my brother is just stringing you along, dear."

It kicked all the air out of Gianna's lungs. She tried to harden her face like she'd been doing, but it was difficult.

"What?" She glared and shook her head. "No. Kozien wouldn't do that to me."

"Yes," Grux snapped back. "He does this. He wanted to win you over, and now that he has, he will just string your case along without actually doing anything. He will do that while he takes on cases that will actually pay him. If I were you, I'd step away before you get hurt."

It was like another bite at her, and she balled her hands into fists. "That's a lie," she asserted, looking at Trigg. He kept a neutral face, which told her Grux wasn't lying.

Gianna's insides twisted, and she felt her heart had been ripped out. She didn't want to believe them, but looking over the evidence, it could be true. Kozien didn't like anything she wanted to do, and it seemed they weren't any closer to finding her brother than they were when they first met.

She turned and left. She walked past the lobby, where Kozien stood more calm now. He looked at her, seeing the rage written plainly on her face.

"Gianna, what's wrong?"

She looked at him, feeling a flush of anger roll over her. "I don't need your help with this anymore."

"What?" Confusion rushed over his face. "Wait a moment. Hold on."

She turned and marched away, wanting to get as far away from Kozien as she could. But he caught her by the arm and pulled her back, pressing her flat against his chest. She tried to fight, but there was no use. He was stronger than she ever could be. All she could do was hope she didn't cry.

"Gianna, please," Kozien begged. He was confused about what had happened in the past five minutes to upset her. "Gianna, talk to me. What's wrong?"

Gianna finally freed herself, turning to him. He could see she had tears in her eyes and was hurt. He dropped his arms, looking stunned.

"You lied," she snapped. "About helping me."

"I did not," he barked back. "I wouldn't lie to you, Gianna."

"That's not what your brother said! He just said this is what you do! That you took my case to make yourself look good."

She turned, taking several more steps away from him. Kozien reached for her once more, stopping her.

He knew if she left the building, he wouldn't find her again. "No. That isn't true. I promise, Gianna."

"How can I believe you?" she snarled. "Explain to me how I'm supposed to just believe you. I hardly know you, Kozien. You could just be doing exactly what your brother said."

Kozien ran his hands through his hair. This couldn't get worse than it was. As if the case wasn't hard enough without his brothers meddling.

"What did he say?" He sighed heavily. He didn't like the hurt expression in her eyes and suspected Grux only lied to her to drive them apart. It was clearly something harsh enough to make her second-guess everything.

She crossed her arms after wiping away at a few tears that broke free. "He said you're just stringing me along until you get customers who will pay you."

Kozien took a deep breath. Of course, his brother said that. His brother didn't want him to take this case to begin with, so why wouldn't he just step all over his hard work?

"Is that true?" she asked, her voice suddenly brittle.

"No," he barked. "That's a load of shit, Gianna. I'm not using you to get other cases. I'm trying to help you find your brother. I'm doing this because you wanted help, and I offered."

"Because why?" She threw her arms up. "Why? I can't just take your word for it, Kozien! Tell me why you agreed to help me."

He frowned. This certainly wasn't the place where he thought about admitting his feelings to her. He imagined it when they were first getting up in the morning, watching the way the sun bounced off her cheeks. He imagined he would look deep into her eyes and watch the shock on her face.

He did not plan on admitting it in a fancy ass building that held no emotional bond to him. He didn't want to do it here.

"That's what I thought," she whispered when Kozien had fallen quiet for too long. "Leave me alone."

She turned and started for the door once more. Kozien moved quickly, grabbing her arm and pulling her back. He felt her struggle as she yelled for him to stop.

He'd already begged. She wanted a reason, so he had to give her one. He pulled her closer, placing his face into her hair. He could smell her scent, making it hard for him to focus.

"Because I love you," he whispered into her ear.

She stiffened.

All the thoughts of seeing her expression left, and suddenly he didn't want to know what was on her face. He didn't want to know what she thought about that.

"I love you, and I want to help you find your brother. Not because I'm using you. Not because I want other cases. I'm doing it because I love you."

He swallowed, tightening his hold on her. She hadn't moved, not even a muscle.

He knew that it was quick. He knew he sounded insane, but he had felt something the second he saw her. The fierce need to protect her had been nagging at him as they raced around the city, and when they finally slept together, it was undeniable to him. But as he said it out loud, he realized how easy it would be to shatter it all.

"You... love me?" Her voice shook.

He nodded. "Yes." He inhaled her scent once more. "I love you, Gianna."

She pulled away and stared at him. Her face held a shocked expression mixed with some reservation. She swallowed, but he wasn't done.

"You're my mate, Gianna, and I will do anything to ensure you get whatever you want. I'm trying to give you what you want, and I know you want to find your brother."

She swallowed and tried to harden her features, but he could see it all. She was excited and stunned, but above everything, she was confused. She didn't know who to believe. He just hoped she decided to trust him. Or at least enough for him to prove everything he said.

"Please, give me a chance to prove I'm not just using you. I want to find your brother just as much as you do. Give me time to do that."

She bit her lower lip and ran her hands through her hair. After a few moments, she sighed. "Fine, but you better prove everything you just said."

He smiled, relieved. She believed him enough to continue to trust him, and that's all he wanted. Well, maybe he wanted more, but he wouldn't push her. For now.

Just then the door to the building swung open, and he watched as three men stepped inside. He frowned when he realized that they were D'Narvius.

Gianna's eyes widened as they walked toward them, and one of them grabbed her. "Hey!" she yelled.

"Don't hurt her!" he snapped, but the other two grabbed them and shoved both toward the door.

"Don't fight us," one grumbled. "We would rather not break any bones."

Kozien looked at Gianna, who was walking, and decided to just go with it as well. After all, isn't this what they wanted? To see the D'Narvius gang?