Lindsey's Rescue: A World Beyond Book 3 Read Free

financially or to elevate their status but never to form a Triad and never to have children. Baruk wanted a legacy to leave behind, a family and in order to do that, he needed a wife.
    “Senate Leader, will you need further assistance?”
    Baruk turned toward the voice and faced his first assistant. The dark-haired woman held her data pad close to her chest and rocked back on her heels. He smiled. “Thank you, Mala but I’m done. If anything comes up, I’ll use second assistant.”
    Her shoulders eased and she grinned, revealing the twin dimples she hated. “Thank you. My husbands planned a special get away this weekend and I promised work would not interfere.”
    Baruk chuckled. As first assistant, Mala, covered all of his meetings and correspondence for work purposes, while his second assistant, Kimsha, handled his correspondence and financials for his personal life. “Enjoy your vacation and give Tarden and Emjor my best.”
    She nodded and practically ran from the room. Baruk sighed and turned off the sensors for the lighting system in his office. He closed out all of his running computer programs and shut down for the day. His fingers stroked the petals of the fresh flowers he changed out once a week. If he was to put his best foot forward tomorrow, he needed to meet with Kimsha about what to wear. His senate robes would not do and Baruk couldn’t recall the last time he’d gone out for an evening and dressed strictly for pleasure.
     
    ***
     
    Zadal’s first assistant skipped to keep up with the rapid pace he set going down the hall separating his work space from his personal. Already he ran behind and Zadal had no intentions of showing late for his first Triad Bridal Meet scheduled this evening.
    “Senate Leader Zadal perhaps I can—.”
    Zadal spun on his heels and pinned the wiry man with a fierce glare. He cut Zumei off before he could finish his sentence. “No. I don’t want help on this. I’ve already made my feelings clear. Do you question my authority in the matter?”
    Zumei shoved a hand through his thinning, dark hair, gaze shifting to the side in the face of Zadal’s annoyance. “No, Senate Leader. Of course not. I only question the wisdom of attending a meet without a spouse partner selected in advance.”
    Zadal tensed, his back going up. He inhaled slowly and exhaled to regain his composure at Zumei’s attempt to gainsay him. This had been a sore subject between them yesterday and today. Crossing his arms behind his back, Zadal asked in his coldest voice, “Do you have a suggestion since you insist on encroaching where you don’t belong?”
    Zumei’s gold skin paled, blue eyes meeting his gaze. “I only meant—”
    “What did you mean?” Zadal snapped.
    Zumei took a hasty step back, fumbling his data pad in his grip. The obvious fear reassured Zadal. He couldn’t let anyone close to him get away with the smallest measure. His status as a bastard made him an open target for belittlement and his newly elected role as Senate Leader opened him to an entire wealth of doubt from those around him.
    Zadal had and would continue to negate all attempts to undermine his authority starting with Zumei, who he’d inherited from the former Senate Leader Darvis. Like a beggar cast out to accept crumbs, Zadal had to keep Zumei until he found another first assistant. Especially since the man also covered the duties of a second. Unfortunately, no one was jumping at the chance to join his household and serve under a man whose mother used to be a sex-service worker. Thus his desire for a Triad marriage.
    If Zadal could connect with a powerful spouse partner and a fitting bride, it would give his status legitimacy and shift attention from his poor birth beginnings.
    “Will that be all, Senate Leader?” Zumei asked, tone properly chastised.
    Zadal held his silence a moment longer, not missing the bitter darkness in his first assistant’s eyes. “Yes, that is all for the day.”
    “Very well.”