Finch Read online

  Warriors of Phaeton: Finch

  Book Four of the Warriors of Phaeton Series

  Leora Gonzales

  Copyright © 2018 Leora Gonzales

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN-13: 978-1984947833

  ISBN-10: 1984947834

  DEDICATION

  Bee, thank you for the little things. I adore you and our friendship. No matter how many miles separate us, we will never be far apart.

  To my CGG, you all are hilarious, smart, fierce women who inspire me daily. Keep it up, bishes.

  Most importantly, I want to dedicate this (like all the others) to my husband. I was lucky enough to find a man who is super smart, loving, hilarious and also diabolical. When I said that I wanted to write but had no computer, I had no idea he was going to surprise me with a new laptop. There went my list of excuses. Touché, Richard. Touché.

  PROLOGUE

  Presidential address from three months ago…

  “My fellow Americans, negotiations have concluded with the Phaeton Warrior race. After speaking to their council of leaders, we have learned that the Phaeton race has been surviving by using cloning. Unfortunately, the science that they have used has resulted in a low female birth rate. For their species to survive, they have been searching on other planets for potential mates.

  “The State Department has decided to initiate a ‘mate match’ for single female volunteers to apply for what we are referring to as the ‘Bridal Pact.’ In exchange for these volunteers, we will be able to use the Phaetons’ medical advancements to save American lives. We will have access to a new fuel source that will all but eliminate our need for oil, both foreign and domestic. And we will also have the protection of their military from other species that may discover Earth.

  “This is not a draft. It is completely voluntary. Women who apply will be compensated for filling out an application and signing the contract. We want to assure you that your safety and the safety of your sisters, daughters and friends will be our number-one concern. We are working on a profiling system with national dating sites and the Phaeton Council to make matches, similar to what many of you have used in the past to find companions. As of right now this is only open to women who fall within certain criteria but may be expanded after an initial trial period passes.

  “Please keep an open mind and know that the safety of our citizens and country is our top priority. Women wishing to volunteer or get more information can contact their local Intake Centers, which will be listed by state following this news conference or found at bridal-pact-dot-state-department-dot-gov. This is an exciting time for our country and its people.”

  CHAPTER ONE

  Two weeks ago…

  Spraying Windex on the glass in front of her, Claudia shook her hips to the music in her ears. She was in the zone now, working her way down the length of offices on her assigned floor for the night. This job was so repetitive that Claudia was able to do most of the tasks without thinking. Wipe, vacuum, trash. Every night was the same thing. With this job plus taking care of her son, an exciting evening in her house was catching up on the latest episode of her favorite zombie show.

  Her second job as “cleaning lady extraordinaire”, her own made up title, was definitely one of the most interesting night jobs that she had ever had though. Sad as it may seem, the small glimpses that she had of the Phaeton warriors was something she looked forward to. She had been hesitant at first to take the shift because it took her away from Max. Realizing that she couldn’t afford to feed Max if she didn’t take a second job had quickly nipped that hesitation in the bud. Thinking of Max made her speed up her cleaning. The sooner she finished this floor the sooner she was able to check out of the building and head home.

  Claudia was getting ready for one final wipe when someone tapped her shoulder. Thinking that she had been alone this whole time, Claudia did what any person that watched zombie shows would do when they were surprised. She dropped the bottle and rag and jumped what she figured was four feet in the air.

  Claudia was halfway across the room before she heard a voice asking if she was okay. Shaking her head at her own stupid reaction, she made a note to herself not to listen to DMX anymore while she was cleaning. Apparently the barking put her on edge.

  Turning around, Claudia started to apologize for freaking out and instead almost swallowed her tongue. The male hotness in front of her left her literally speechless.

  “Are you all right?”

  “Uh? Me?” Claudia stuttered, swiping at a few strands that had escaped her ponytail away from her face.

  “Yes. You were making a funny noise in your throat.”

  Claudia thought for a moment before realizing what he was referring to. She must have been humming to the music.

  “I was humming.” The words came out raspy as if all of the spit in her mouth decided to dry up at once.

  “Humming?” the large man asked as he moved closer, his leather pants hugging his thighs like a second skin.

  “Humming,” Claudia repeated. “I have music playing on my phone.” Tapping the phone tucked into the front of her bra, she closed her eyes in embarrassment. She popped the earbud out and removed it from her shirt. “It’s too big to fit into my pocket,” she explained even though he hadn’t asked.

  This was NOT how she had played out her first meeting with a Phaeton. Not only was she looking ratty but her large smart phone had essentially been a giant rectangle covering her boob.

  “I am Finch.” The man stuck out his hand for her to shake.

  “Claudia,” she murmured taking it and holding for a moment as they went through the motions of a handshake. Dragging her gaze away from where his large tanned hand engulfed her much paler one, she looked around the room they were in. “Ummmm…no offense, but what are you doing on this floor? I was told it would be empty for an hour so I could finish up.”

  “We are checking the perimeter. I heard something squeak and decided to investigate.”

  Claudia hiked her thumb over her shoulder. Pointing to the cleaning cart that she hated with a passion. “It was the cart,” she added. “I’ve tried everything I can to fix the squeak but it hates me, and I think it’s now doing it out of spite.”

  “Really?” Finch smiled, showing off his straight, white teeth.

  Claudia smiled back, unable to help the warm rush of heat that settled in her stomach at his sexy grin. She was probably blushing like crazy by now but she didn’t care one bit as long as he kept talking to her.

  “Yeah, we’re basically mortal enemies. Just the other day it decided to grab my favorite t-shirt and rip it as I was walking by,” Claudia deadpanned.

  Finch threw back his head and laughed with a deep rumble. Claudia couldn’t help but clench her thighs as she watched his muscles flex during the act.

  This man was hot…and obviously not in her league. As far as she knew, the only women that the warriors were interested in were the brides that were signing up for the Bridal Pact.

  “Sooooooo…” Claudia drew out the word, unsure of what she wanted to say next but unwilling to end their conversation so soon.

  “You work here?” Finch asked, leaning down to hand her the bottle she had dropped in her earlier haste.

  “Yeah, I cover the night shift cleaning the center. Usually it’s like a ghost town in here. You’re maybe the fourth person I’ve seen tonight other than the security guards. What are you doing here so late?”

  “With the security issues here at the Intake Center, our Council has decided to adjust our arrival times, hoping there would not be as many civilians around the building.” Finch explained as he glanced around the empty office space.

  “Oh, well I can go to a different floor if you need me to move.” Claudia panicked slightly as she realized she probab
ly shouldn’t be talking to Finch. Were there rules about fraternizing in her cleaning contract?

  “No, no. I did not mean you, I was referring to the protesters outside the building that seem to grow in numbers every time we visit.” Finch stopped her backtracking with a hand on her arm, before removing it quickly. “Sorry, I did not mean to touch you without permission.”

  “You can touch me anytime you want.”

  Claudia felt her heart stop when she realized those words had come out of her mouth instead of staying in her head.

  “Excuse me?” Finch’s smile widened, waiting for her to reply.

  “Um…nothing,” Claudia stuttered, looking at anything but the man in front of her. “I may be having a stroke or something. Ignore the words coming out of my mouth, she quipped, trying to cover her earlier slip.

  At the word stroke, Finch’s face showed concern as he moved even closer to her. Placing a hand on her arm, he held her firmly as if making sure she wouldn’t fall.

  “Sweet Hell, this can’t get any worse,” she mumbled. Meeting his eyes, Claudia smiled softly. “I’m rambling because I’m nervous but I’m okay, really.” Patting the hand that was touching her, a waft of industrial cleaner rose up from her clothes. She grimaced.

  “If you are sure—” Finch’s tone was soft and comforting, as if he was calming a scared animal.

  “I’m fine. I promise,” Claudia reassured him. When he let go of her shoulder, the loss of contact felt as if her favorite new toy had been taken away.

  “Well, I guess I should finish my check and get back to the group.”

  Claudia foolishly hoped it was disappointment that she could hear in his words.

  “Yeah, me too. I mean, I need to get back to cleaning.” Claudia felt her face heat for what seemed to be the millionth time that night.

  “It was nice meeting you, Claudia.” Finch smiled widely as he delivered the words.

  “Yeah, me too.” Closing her eyes and blowing out a breath, Claudia shook her head. “I meant it was nice meeting you too.”

  “I understood you. Hopefully we will meet again.” With a short nod, he turned and strode away.

  Claudia stood dumbly as Finch walked back toward the direction of the stairwell.

  “I’m such an idiot sometimes,” Claudia said out loud to herself after the door closed once again leaving her in silence.

  Walking back to the dreaded cleaning cart, she stowed the spray bottle and moved farther down the hall.

  It just figured with her luck this was the way things would happen. She must have looked like a complete idiot. Catching sight of her reflection on one of the large glass windows lining the wall, she straightened her limp ponytail. Of course she would run into the hottest thing on two legs while her auburn hair looked like it had been used to mop the floor. It didn’t surprise her at all that she looked like death warmed over because she hadn’t been outside in the sun for a great long while causing her pale skin to give her that newly dead look. Nope. It seemed par for the course for Claudia lately that the stars would align for her to look like a homeless person right when she was introduced to one of the most gorgeous men she had ever seen with her own two eyes. Eyes that even though they were a soft blueish grey were ringed with dark circles that would make a raccoon jealous. She just couldn’t win.

  Letting out a huge sigh, Claudia felt a pang of longing hit her chest. “Not like I have any time to date, human or alien. Max is my focus.” Grabbing a roll of garbage bags off the cart, she started to empty the trashcans along with office doors. “Max is my only focus.”

  Reaching for her phone, she selected a different playlist this time. This called for some old-school eighties to knock her out of the disappointment she was feeling.

  Now…

  Claudia breathed heavily as she squirmed, trying to twist her wrist. “C’mon you fucking piece of shit rope!”

  As if the rope Gods had decided to take favor on her, the frayed material finally gave way with a snap. Sitting up quickly, Claudia rubbed her raw wrists, checking the damage she had inflicted.

  The large alien asshole that had kidnapped her had padded the restraints with a cloth, but the more she had tried to get free the further the soft piece of material had slipped away. An hour ago, the cotton buffer had been completely out from under the scratchy rope and she was now paying the price for it.

  Wrists burning, Claudia scrambled off the bed.

  “No weapons…okay…there are no weapons,” she mumbled to herself. Rubbing her forehead in frustration, Claudia admitted that even if she found one she probably would have never used it.

  Damn that man. Just the thought of hurting him physically made her stomach churn. What kind of alien voodoo did he have over her?

  Spotting her clothes on the floor beside the bed, Claudia quickly pulled them on. As she slipped into her jeans she realized her phone was still in her pocket. Taking it out, she glanced at the screen.

  No signal. Dammit. Not that she really expected to have coverage in space but there had been a slight hope that something would go her way for once.

  Looking at the phone again, she cringed when she realized it had been two days since she had been taken.

  She needed to get home to her son.

  Poor Max. He was young enough to not really comprehend her coming home, but his sitter, Maggie, had to be freaking out right now.

  Two days.

  Two fucking days.

  Add the explosion at the Intake Center to her being missing and she prayed Maggie hadn’t assumed that she was dead and called the authorities. It was going to be hard enough to explain what happened without having to try to get Max back from CPS.

  Claudia remembered calling Maggie just as she was getting out of the car at her apartment complex. Her mind had been focused on dropping off her things before walking a building over to pick up Max that she hadn’t noticed she was not alone. Before she had been able to speak to her sitter, she had been grabbed from behind and told that she wasn’t safe. Turning around in the arms holding her, Claudia had almost swallowed her tongue in shock. Confused and concerned as to why a Pheaton warrior was standing in front of her out in the open, she had hit “end” on the phone and stuffed it in her pocket.

  With her mouth hanging open, Claudia had stared in shock at the gigantic man in front of her. She had recognized Finch from his previous visits to the Intake Center and the few conversations they had had.

  “You are not safe. You have to come with me,” Finch repeated, shocking Claudia out of her stupor.

  “What do you mean? I just got home.” Protesting, she pointed behind to her car.

  “There has been a security breach. You are not safe here. Some of the workers that were off duty have been found murdered in their homes.”

  “What? Why?” Claudia stumbled across the words, unable to believe what was happening.

  “There is no time to explain, we need to move now. We cannot be out in the open,” Finch whispered harshly as he pulled her closer to a large black SUV.

  “I can’t—” Digging her feet into the ground, Claudia’s words came to an abrupt halt when Finch moved his hand and quickly injected her with something on her upper arm. “Whaaa--?” She tried to finish her question but was unable to control her mouth…or even her muscles. Feeling her body droop as if it were weighted with lead, Claudia remembered thinking about one thing.

  Max.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Claudia quickly moved down the long corridor. She was definitely still on the ship where Finch had taken her after he snatched her.

  How the hell did she get out of here? Even if she figured out how to get off the ship, how did she get back to Earth? It wasn’t as if she could fly a spaceship or anything, she barely was able to operate her cable box.

  Jogging past one of the gleaming doors on her left, she paused when she heard the tune to a familiar song.

  Claudia moved closer to the door, making sure to keep an eye on the hallway in front of her, a
nd pressed her ear to the metal. Yep. That was one of her favorite songs playing and she could hear women speaking. Chewing her lip for a moment, she thought of the risks of knocking. Adrenaline made her heart pound. The thumping almost as loud as the voices on the other side of the door, at least to her own ears.

  Screw it.

  If those were women in there, they had to be human since the Phaetons didn’t have any females of their own…and if they were human women, then she was going with her gut and hoping they were on her side.

  Before she could second-guess herself, Claudia banged her fist against the door.

  “What the fuck?!” yelled a woman as Claudia practically fell into the room when the door slid open.

  “You have to help me!” Claudia pleaded as she clutched at the woman closest to her. A woman who just so happened to be pregnant, although not as pregnant as the other one in the room.

  “Whoa. What’s going on?” The one she was hanging on to asked calmly as she tried to loosen Claudia’s grip on her shirt. Realizing that she had been practically ripping the woman’s clothes, Claudia relaxed her fingers and looked around for a weapon or a way out.

  “I’ve been kidnapped!” she rasped, panting for breath. Anxiety making her chest tight as if a python had managed to wrap around her torso.

  “Kidnapped?” the women echoed in unison.

  “By an alien! You have to help me before he finds me!” Claudia knew she must sound crazy, but crazy was her reality right now.

  “Pixie…what the fuck?” asked the one that was so pregnant she looked like she was going to pop.

  “I don’t—” Pixie began, only to be cut off when her shirt was pulled yet again.

  “Why aren’t you doing anything? I’ve been kidnapped!” Claudia said emphatically.

  “Calm down, everything is gonna be okay. Let’s get this rope off you and figure out what’s going on.” Pixie put her arm around the woman’s shoulders. In a calm voice she started giving orders, “Poppy, I brought your scissors back and put them in that drawer. Grab them.”