“Are you leaving?”
Netto finally turned toward her and she courageously glanced back at him. “No.”
“And your partner?”
“We’ll see this through.”
“And we’ll be in your debt. I’m sorry my da lied. I think,” Rylie paused and swallowed, “I think he’s stressed. We’ll make sure the EPED gets their end of the bargain. I’ll make sure of it.” She was already coming up with a plan in her head as she spoke. One that would close out all of their other contracts. Rylie got up and headed toward the interior.
“Rylie.”
She stopped. It was the first time he had used her name and the sound of it sent a shiver down her spine. “I don’t care about the EPED. I’m contracted, not an employee. Whatever happens, know that I’m contracted to you, too.”
Her heart swelled, she spun around and leaned down to place a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you, Netto.” Rylie fled into the ship before he could respond, her throat tight and her lips tasting of salt.
Chapter Ten
***
Her eyes snapped open. Rylie couldn't remember when she fell asleep last night, but she was awake now with her sister passed out on the bunk next to her.
The smell of lavender filled the space, soothing her. She sat upright and let the covers fall as she got a better look at her. Janet breathed evenly, her hair flung out in a halo around her.An angel even when asleep.
Rylie felt the hum of the ship turn on under her feet as she quietly stepped from her bed and opened the door to the ship's hallway.I must've slept like the dead.She scrubbed her face with her hands, rubbing the morning glare from her eyes and paused when she noticed the closed door of the Cyborg’s quarters. It was shut firmly unlike the night before.
Rylie held her breath as she passed by it.
The sun had barely risen when she entered the main deck, but the mist had already begun to clear. She could make out the sky and the dark clouds that bruised it. Just what they needed: a rainy, miserable day.
“Morning, Da,” she yawned as she tied her hair back.
“Morning.”
She looked around and it appeared as if they were alone, but she could hear another, up the stairs and around the corner.
The watership moved under her feet, quiet as a whisper, while her da steered away from the jetty. The small island lot disappeared as they drove further out to sea. Rylie crept toward the side console and lowered the glass enclosure from above. It squeaked as it disappeared into the panels of the ship, and if someone were to be following them, their position would have been given away.
