Okay, Lacy, what next?
I stared at the burner comms in my hand.There was one other number I knew by heart.But calling my dad was like...well, it was like bringing out the nuclear option.
Orpheus Blazer was an amiable scoundrel.A charming rogue.Until you messed with his family.If I called my dad about Layla’s disappearance, my sister and I would never be let off his ship again.As for whoever had taken my sister...It wouldn’t end well for them.
My father’s love was a weapon to be wielded very,verycarefully.
Not yet willing to choose the most drastic option, I shoved the device into the pocket of my new pants.After leaving the bar, I’d indulged in a little retail therapy.Every piece of clothing on my body was new and I loved it.
Between the new clothes and the long, hot shower I’d indulged in back onFortuna, I felt like a new woman.Despite regularly laundering them, after a week in my Elegium Station coveralls, I’d seriously considered jettisoning them out the airlock.Instead, I’d tossed them in the clothes cleaner for another round.If nothing else, I’d use them for the really grimy work in the engine room.
Hands stuffed in my pockets, I studied the ebb and flow of people.Dax and I were due to meet in a few minutes.While I’d showered, he’d faced off with Burn and Finn.Poor bastard.
Both crew members had wanted to accompany us to the meeting.I didn’t know for sure that Dax had told Finn that he was explicitly not welcome, but a slamming door in the crew quarters while I was changing had pointed to yes.
Claiming errands, I’d slipped out of the ship early to make my call.Now I had a few minutes to kill before Dax and I were to meet.Lingering in the shadows, I watched people move through the center spoke.Some stopped and looked around, while others knew where they were going and moved with purpose.
Dax was one of the latter.
He strode through the crowd like a man on a mission.I smiled slightly.Even in civilian clothes, there was no denying his military training.
I let him reach the bar ahead of me, while I scanned the crowd for anyone who looked too interested in him.When I was satisfied that he didn’t have a tail, I slipped out of the shadows and glided to his side.
“Got the map?”I asked.
Dax didn’t show any surprise at my sudden presence so I guess I hadn’t snuck up on him.
“Yep.It was in the data packet Moya transferred over.”He wiggled his comms.“Any reason why you’re lurking in dark corners?”
I shrugged.“I had a few extra minutes.”
His gaze skimmed over my body like a caress.“I see you found some new clothes.”
I smiled up at him.“Yes.Finally.”My pants were black with a lot of pockets, similar to the ones worn by Dax and Burn.My top was a sleek hooded shirt in a dark blue.I currently had the hood up, covering my clean and freshly braided hair.I wasn’t hiding per se, but discretion wasn’t a bad choice.And I wasn’t alone—plenty of the crowd around us wore cloaks, hoods, or hats.“I was tempted to burn my old coveralls.”
His snort made me laugh.“Why didn’t you?”
I shrugged.“There’s still some life left in them.They’ll be perfect for the really dirty jobs, like deep cleaning the engines.”Realizing that sounded like I would be there long term—which really I wouldn’t mind—I quickly added, “Not that I don’t appreciate the loan of yours.”
Dax dipped his head closer.“I liked seeing you in my sweats,” he said.
Goosebumps flared to life all over my body and my cheeks warmed.What was I supposed to say to that?
“Me too,” I admitted quietly.
The air between us pulsed with unspoken longing.
Fuck.The timing of this conversation couldn’t be worse.Why couldn’t he have saidthosewords inthattone when we were alone on the ship?My cabin, his cabin.There had been plenty of space to explore this attraction.
“We should go if we want to make the meeting with Bolton in time.”Before I did something stupid like drag him back into that dark corner with me.
His lips quirked up in a roguish smile that tested my resolve.“If you say so.”
I swallowed hard.“I say so.”
He pulled the map up on his comms.“Looks like we go that way.”He pointed toward one of the spokes.
“Great!”I reached for his comms unit, but he held tight and shook his head.
