Chapter 5

"Be on your best behavior, Miss Lara. I know you humans can resort cave to your basic...needs." Odessa looks down at me. What the hell is this android's problem with humans? "Are you implying I am a Neanderthal?" I wrap my hand around her arm, pulling us to the side of an entrance.

"No! Of course not. Merely that you humans can act like humans. It's not your fault. You can't help your urges." Odessa gives me a small smile. I swallow the snark that dares fall out of my mouth and just mirror her smile. "Very well."

"We are almost there. Come." Odessa walks around to the entrance and through tall white curtains. "The Esteemed Westons would like to welcome you to their annual gala benefitting the humans of Saratoga. All proceeds from tonight will be distributed evenly to human crisis centers. Please grab a mask from a nearby server and enjoy your evening." A friendly robotic voice greets. I swallow nausea that threatens to spill at the mention of helping the "poor humans of Saratoga." Unfortunately, the androids only noticed us once a year during the holiday month and ceased to care for the remainder of the year. Odessa picks up a delicate face mask, walking around behind me and tying it to my head. She positions it so it covers my eye and nose. Satisfied with her work, she pulls back another curtain, revealing a large hall swarming with beautiful people in the finest fashion. People gracefully mingle and dance on the floor. Champaign flutes are making their way throughout the throng of people. Above us, a DJ booth flies in the air, with a celebrity android on the turnstiles. I couldn't help but be in awe at the eye candy displayed before me, a feast of color and beauty lulling me like a siren song. 

Odessa watches my expression. "These parties are interesting. We live for these extravagant galas. It's a way to show our superiority over all others." Before I can express my disgust, Odessa points to a camera crew. "They broadcast the party to the Teril marketing team. It is amazing how they have transformed this broken planet into a must-visit." 

I was about to ask Odessa more about the cameras when I saw him. Noe Weston was sitting on a throne overlooking the party. He looked breathtaking tonight. He was wearing a black suit with a champaign-colored tie and a black mask. I blushed as I realized he had matched his tie to my gown. Of course, he would; you are his fiancee. What struck out the most about Noe was his striking gold eyes and sexy tousled hair. Noe Weston looked every bit the part of a syndicate lord, and he looked no older than thirty. Odessa giggles next to me. I realize I am gawking at Weston. My cheeks flush as I clear my throat. "Sorry, this is just...new to me." 

Noe's eyes find mine, a panty-melting smirk forming. Odessa moves forward, passing his security guards, leading me up the red steps to him. "Thank you, Odessa." Noe dismisses the maid. My companion curtsies and walks back to the entrance.

"Come." Noe holds out his hand to me. I lay my hand in his, picking up the hem of my dress to step to him. He pulls me next to him and wraps his arm around my waist, forcing me on his knee. Oka...y. "Noe, is this necessary?"

His hand traced circles along my back, his beautiful eyes drawing in mine. "Yes. You are to be Queen. Don't be embarrassed, baby. No one cares that my beautiful fiancee is on my lap." He moves closer to my neck. "You look stunning this evening." 

"Thank you. Can I go now?" I shift in his lap. Unfortunately, I managed to make it worse since I moved my ass against his groin, and he moaned at the contact. Noe's eyes drift to my chest. "Why do you want to go, baby? You look absolutely delicious. May I remind you: you are my date. Will you behave, or will I force you?" I cross my arms and leans into his chest, resigning myself to my fate.

"Good girl." Noe buries his face in my hair, kissing the strands. His warm hand rests on my waist as we watch the guests dance. I will admit, it wasn't so bad being held by him, but my peace was shattered when we were approached by a beautiful dark-skinned woman in a maroon gown and mask. "Darla." Noe's voice is laced with honey.

"Hey, handsome!" Darla greets him with a stunning smile, kissing both his cheeks. "Who is this divine being on your lap?" Noe's hand moves lower to cup my behind. I grit my teeth, fighting every urge to snap him in half. Yes, I get it, Noe. I'm to behave and act like the perfect arm candy. "May I present my fiancee, Lara. We just got engaged."

 Darla's eyes widen."Oh really? I can see why. If I had such a beautiful woman in my grasp, she would be my next pet." PET? Did that woman call her a pet? Noe chuckles. "Always a delight, Darla. Now let's discuss next month's shipment."

"One minute Noe! You can't just introduce me to your future wife and expect us to talk business." Darla turns her attention to me, and I feel like my breath is taken away. She radiated beauty. "My dear, I hope we can get to know each other. I feel a strange draw to you." Noe's arm tightens around my body. "Relax, Noe. I don't plan to steal her from you." Her eyes study me for a couple of seconds. "I understand you want to inspect my docks. Why don't you have this little lady do it? I would like to get to know her."

" I suppose I can allow it. However, if Lara went to your docks down there in the coming days, would she find anything amiss?"

"What are you implying, Noe Weston? I would never short you out of a shipment or steal!" Darla's voice rises. "I never said anything of the sort, D. I just implied I would send my girl to check you." A sinister smile grows on the syndicate boss's face. Despite my best efforts, I chuckle at Noe's superior attitude to his female colleague. Noe's and Darla's attention go to mine, the former's eyes darkening at my audacity while Darla smiles at my outburst."I'll let my workers know to expect her." The beautiful woman turns on her heels and walks down the stairs.

"Baby." Noe's voice is just above a whisper. "I warned you about disobedience. You made me a fool in front of an associate. I can't let that go." A shiver runs through my spine at the look of anger on Noe's face. My fiancee motions to his son, who runs over to us."Yes, father?"

"Take her to my room and chain her to the bed. She needs to learn her place in my world." Noe shoves me into Evander's arms. "And if she fights?" Evander looks down at me hungrily. "Do what you must." Noe waves a dismissive hand at us.

Evander laughs, leaning down and pulling me over his shoulder. I scream and hit his back, but the man lifts my skirt, slapping my bare ass hard. "Do that again, human, and I will strip you in front of everyone." Evander roughly throws me on a bed, crawling over my body. I slap his chest, but he only chuckles at my attempts. "Here, I thought you were one of Aller's best. Guess the old human is as senile as I thought." Evander pulls my wrists above my head, clasping something cold around my intertwined hands. "That should keep you." Evander moves down to my legs, spreading them wide and restraining them to the bedpost. "Now, if you behave, I'm sure dad will loosen the restraints." He jumps off the bed and looks down in satisfaction. "You look hot like this Lara. Be happy that I respect my father too much to touch his woman." I scream at the large beefed man as he walks out.