Page 6 of Badass Alien Boss

He didn’t have to worry about the military interfering with his love life now.

Jab-jab.

Now that he had time to devote to a relationship, no woman would have him. What woman would be interested in a cripple with a scarred face? He’d never been vain about his appearance, but he’d been aware women had found him attractive. He’d turned heads.

Those same heads would turn away now.

And the only one who looked at him, a human, didn’t do so with desire, but dispassionate assessment because she was a phukking bodyguard hired out of pity.

And he’d gotten hard.Pathetic phuk!Jab!

He went to punch the bag again, but it retracted into the ceiling.

“What did I tell you?” He whipped around.

The gym’s medical director stood beside Apt. “I have been informed your vital signs have exceeded the normal range. I must insist you take a rest. If you do not comply, your membership will be suspended. We must ensure the health and safety of all members.”

He’d like to tell him what he could do with his rules. He knew better what he needed than some medical-director desk jockey, but he needed this gym for his continued rehab and peace of mind. There were other facilities, but this one came highly rated—despite the stupid rules and the android snitches—and it was close to his flat and his brother’s company.

“Fine!” He wiped his sweaty face with his towel and stalked to the showers.

Chapter Five

Korsan had definitely overstated the disabilities.

On a rooftop across from the gym, Michaela watched Ruyn pummel the heavy bag like he had a personal grudge against it. The man moved like a glistening, oiled, muscular machine. Naked from the waist up, his skin gleamed like polished oxidized copper. He had a hell of a powerful punch, and the stamina to deliver it over and over.

Even in recovery from a critical injury, he was obviously capable of defending himself. He hadn’t been able to fight off four men, but who in the galaxy could? Nobody.

She accepted she didn’t have a man’s physical strength but had considered that training and cunning compensated for the lack of brawn. Until now. For the first time, she questioned her ability and the necessity of her presence.What can I do for him he can’t do for himself and do better? No wonder he mocked me.

She stewed in self-doubt until her natural confidence reasserted itself.Istilloffer value.

While she lacked his powerful strength, she was atrainedfighter. Had she been with him when the attack occurred, with her assistance, they might have been able to fight off the four men.

Besides, she brought another set of watchful eyes. Focused on identifying potential trouble, she would have spotted the attackers and avoided the situation.

Most importantly, she could figure out who had attacked him and why.

I have to watch that drone footage.

The graphic description of Ruyn’s injuries in the dossier had given her a false impression. Although aware of his twenty-year military career, she hadn’t expected him to have a warrior’s physique or to project such power and aggression. The man wasbadass. Held against him, she’d been aware of his muscularity. His erection. What was that about?

Pay attention!She jerked her focus back to the gym. An over-starched official had interrupted the workout session. A brief exchange of words ensued, and then Ruyn quit sparring and disappeared from sight. The bag ascended into the ceiling.

I guess he’s done.She lowered the binoculars.Better get down there.Her instructions had been clear. “Until we know who attacked him and why, don’t let him out of your sight.”

She hurried to the booster and descended to the street.

Ruyn probably assumed he’d only have to deal with her at the office. But she’d been tasked with twenty-four-hour surveillance, requiring close proximity and eyes-on if possible. When he’d left the office, she’d followed him to the gym. After determining he planned to stay for a while, she’d scooted up to the roof across the way to be less conspicuous.

Many people strode to and fro at ground level, but there were very few humans, and she’d drawn some stares. Her humanness would be a problem for which she might have to find a workaround. On the other hand,beingconspicuous might be an advantage. Because of the attention she garnered, sticking to him like glue might deter would-be assailants.

She could figure out the best approach later. For now, she’d walk him home. She didn’t expect an assault on a very public street in broad daylight—the attack had occurred at night in a secluded alley—but she reminded herself of rule number two:Assumeall situations are dangerous and remain vigilant.

Ironically, rule number three advised: Do not assume. Investigate, test, and verify the facts. But until she couldgetthe facts, all she had to go on were tried-and mostly true assumptions.

It made her nervous to have him disappear into a locker room where she couldn’t see him, but she couldn’t barge in there.