Carlo Russo is having the worst day. Not only has he lost his job, caught his boyfriend cheating, and had one too many shots with his best friend Grace, now he’s seeing aliens too. Big, black, tail-equipped aliens. After a futile struggle, he and Grace find themselves on a spaceship leaving Earth. Zenon Scoreceds Qhainqons doesn’t know what it is about the earthling male. Their mission is to bring back ten females in hopes of them being able to provide their planet with children, but he wants the male. What he’s going to do with the male, he doesn’t know, but he’s claiming him as his payment for going on the mission. Carlo doesn’t approve of kidnapping, but the aliens aren’t too bad, and once the language chip is installed, he finds it entertaining to talk to them. Zen in particular. They’re standoffish and never show any emotion, but Carlo has no problem cuddling up next to Zen at night. All Zenon wants is to spend time with Carlo, but it’s his job to get them all home in one piece. Will he be able to keep Carlo safe from all the dangers lurking along the trip? He has to because Carlo is his, and he’s not letting him go.

There Will Be Aliens

“Yeah, sure. I’m gonna teach you some manners.” He blinked with one eye again.


“You blinked your eye, and you did before too.”


Carlo laughed and for the first time ever Zenon noticed Anek widening his eyes.


“It’s a wink. It can mean many things. It can be I want you to laugh, or that we have a secret and I’m reminding you of it, or…well, it’s hard to explain.”


Zenon didn’t understand what he meant, but he didn’t ask again and neither did Anek.


Carlo stood. “Okay, gentlemen.” He bowed slightly. “I think I’m gonna go back to Zenon’s room if that’s okay?” The last part was directed to Zenon.


“I’ll take over for a while.” Anek met Zenon’s gaze, and Zenon got up.


Carlo walked through the corridor, more tired than he could remember ever being. Zenon walked behind him, a big, soundless shadow.


“Who?” Zenon punched in a code, and the door to his room slid open.


Chapter 21