Arak's Love: A World Beyond Book 2 by Michelle Howard Page A

was right about that. They’d kept each other sane but Joni deserved happiness just as much. Sylvie shook away the thoughts. She forced her lips into a semblance of a smile and snuck a look over her shoulder.
    “If we’re match making…” Sylvie let the sentence trail off.
    “Don’t you dare,” Joni whispered, her eyes wide, as she followed Sylvie’s gaze to the tall Jutak leaning against the back of the sofa. The black uniform pants they all wore cupped a firm butt and molded to long legs. His dark head tipped down as he listened to his teammates while between his fingers he twirled a knife.
    As if sensing their stares, Kyele’s head turned and green eyes studied them closely. He cocked his head to the side then stiffened. Sylvie faced her friend to see how she was taking the attention only to see fiery red blotches on Joni’s cheeks. She started to speak but Joni choked and Sylvie jerked her head back around to see Kyele straighten as if to approach. The scar on his cheek twitched and then one of the men, another blond, called his name and Kyele reluctantly went back to the conversation.
    “I’m not sure what’s between the two of you but be careful with that one,” Sylvie warned. Her attraction to Arak didn’t seem nearly as dangerous as the dark looks that one gave her friend.
    “Ditto,” Joni said, returning to her toasted bread and what looked like fake bacon but thicker in texture.
    Still wearing a broad smile, Faye returned to their table. The curvy brunette amazed Sylvie. She claimed to have only been on Enotia for a few months but Sylvie saw how comfortable the woman was living here. Happiness fairly glowed from her skin.
    “Sorry,” Faye said and resumed her seat. “Jaron’s like a brother and I hadn’t seen him since he left for the mission. Torkel told me there’d been a slight bump as he called it and that the Marenians chose to blow up the facility where you both were held.”
    Sylvie waved away the apology. “We’re grateful for all the effort in getting us out of there and I’m sorry we don’t know anything about your friend.”
    She remembered someone mentioning Faye’s determined search for another woman from Earth by the name of Lindsey.
    Faye’s eyes darkened. “Lindsey and I were taken by those horned filth mongers. I promised her we’d get out together but…she was sold the same day I was rescued by Team One.”
    Sylvie understood that Torkel was a Unit Leader and that he led three teams of five elite soldiers who worked to maintain peace in their part of the world.
    “Anyway,” Faye added, bracing her elbows on the table and leaning forward. “Torkel told me the Enotian government has offered asylum and if you still want husbands the presentation ceremony is an option.”
    Joni already shook her head. “I’m not interesting in looking, finding or settling for a man.”
    Faye’s mouth tipped down and her eyes, a dark brown, hinted at familiar sadness. “I can understand. If not for Torkel, I’m not sure what I would have done in similar circumstances.”
    A loud burst of laughter drew all of their stares. Many of the heads gathered in the circle were blond with a few dark haired men thrown in to the mix. One man had another in a headlock though his victim snickered as he attempted to free himself.
    “Geile and Gregir are brothers.” Faye smiled softly. “I’m sure Jaron is behind whatever they’re doing.”
    Sylvie swallowed and asked, “What happens to Joni and I now?”
    Where would they go?
    What would they do?
    Joni perked up in her seat, amber eyes alight.
    “There’s an apartment building in the city. My Chosen has made arrangements for Joni and you to have your own place. An account has been set up with a small balance from the SP organization in recognition for the small part they played in your captivity. Your pilot’s distress call should have been a priority but instead the captain chose to return in his own time. He never even notified any