Stifling a sigh, Jenna inhaled the pungent smell of stale sweat and clove smoke.Jidea, help us … please let this be it.
The pleasure house was poorly lit, yet the dimness couldn’t disguise that this establishment had seen better days. Faded red drapery and upholstery surrounded Jenna, and the panels that lined the common room were scuffed and dented—revealing thatThe Hook and Hornhad witnessed a few brawls over the years.
Dancers, of various galactic races, gyrated upon a podium, while patrons lounged at tables and in darkened booths. Half-naked figures sprawled on the laps of some of the patrons. One of the dancers rose to her feet then, took her Daksari patron by the hand, and guided him toward doors that presumably led to private rooms.
Jenna cast Malik a sidelong look. He still had the hood of his new charcoal-colored cloak up and was surveying the common room, gaze narrowed.
“Does this one look promising?”
“It might be,” he murmured.
“It’s got to be,” Jenna replied. “There’s no way we can do this alone … we need mercenaries … and we have to move soon.”
Malik glanced her way, brow furrowing. “We’ll soon see. Why don’t you grab us a booth in the corner and order us a drink?”
Jenna nodded, even as irritation bubbled up. She was getting tired of letting him take the lead when talking to mercenaries. He’d dismissed a couple she had thought might be suitable at the last establishment.
Even so, she let him go without complaint, sliding into a booth a few yards from the door and adjusting her hood to ensure her face was still hidden. Meanwhile, Malik made his way across the floor, weaving between tables.
“What are you after?”
A tall, slender human female, wearing nothing but a tiny, sparkly halter-necked top and brief shorts, stepped in front of the booth, blocking Jenna’s view of the floor.
The woman gave Jenna the once over, trying to catch a glimpse of her face in the shadow of her cowl. Jenna stared back, equally fascinated by her glitter-painted eyelids and rouged cheeks and lips. “Sorry?”
“Do want a drink or some fun?”
“A drink will do,” Jenna replied. “Ah … two.” She inclined her head, indicating behind the server.
The woman turned, her gaze settling on Malik. He’d stopped at a table and was talking to a hulking Vulkar male who was fondling the breasts of the human female squirming on his lap.
There was no mistaking the look of appreciation that flitted across the server’s face as she observed Malik. “Ishelooking for some fun?”
“I wouldn’t know … you’d have to ask him.”
The server turned back to her, eyes glinting with amusement. “What will it be then?”
Jenna’s mind went blank. Malik wasn’t wrong about her really. This was the first time she’d had to order her own drink. Brazening it out, she smiled. “Is there a house specialty?”
“There certainly is … The Horn Punch.”
“Great, I’ll have two, thanks.” Jenna withdrew her PCSD and paid for the drinks, sinking back against the upholstered seat to wait for Malik to join her.
Her brief conversation with the server had drawn a few gazes. A group of human males at one of the nearby tables was eying her with far too much interest for her liking. Ignoring them, Jenna glanced over at where Malik had now made his way to the far side of the common room. He was speaking to a human male with an eyepatch, who reclined in a shadowy booth.
Jenna observed them. Malik and his companion were locked in an intense exchange, and the man with the eyepatch didn’t look impressed. Meanwhile, her bodyguard folded his arms in a defensive gesture.
Frustration spilled over then, making Jenna swear under her breath. Gods, Malik wasn’t going to dismiss yet another candidate, was he?
She needed to find out for herself whether this merc was suitable. Slipping out of the booth, Jenna marched across the floor toward them.
Malik spied her approach first, his broad shoulders tensing.
Jenna merely flashed him a smile and halted at his side. “Are you going to introduce us?”
Mouth thinning, he gave a curt nod. “Jenna … meet Vic Mir-Riorde, Captain ofThe Wayfarer.”
Jenna turned her attention to the mercenary—an instant later, her smile froze.
