Evie shrugged. “What’s a buckler?”
The girls both burst out laughing, causing some of their tension to evaporate. Ally let out a huge sigh. “It feels like we take a step forward, then get knocked back a mile. I guess we’ll have to find transport from this outpost to the Rings.”
“Can we afford it?”
“Lyk said he would give us credits.”
Evie’s eyes widened. “Lyk, huh?”
“That’s his name.”
“Before it was ‘the Raven’ or ‘the pirate’ or ‘the asshole.’ Now it’s Lyk?”
“Shut up, Evie. I’m just using the man’s name.”
“I’ve seen the way you look at him.” Her sister’s voice was sly, teasing. “He’s certainly handsome. There’s no denying it.”
“Where is this coming from?”
Evie smiled. “He took you to his quarters, didn’t he? After the thing on the bridge. You didn’t come straight to the mess.”
“What are you talking about?” Ally fought to squash any sign of embarrassment from her sister.
“I could tell by your body language when you came into the lounge. Something happened between you two. So spill it!”
Ally sighed. “Fine. You’re right. He did take me to his quarters. And he kissed me.”
“Oooh,” Evie said like a child on a playground, making Ally stick out her tongue in retort. “What did you do?”
“I slapped him.”
Evie fell backward in a fit of laugher, and Ally couldn’t help letting out a few chuckles.
“You slapped a pirate,” her sister gasped between laughs.
“I think he liked it,” Ally said before letting out a peal of her own laughter.
“I think the more important question is, did you like it?”
Ally let her laughs peter out.Yes, it was the most amazing kiss I ever experienced.
Instead of saying that, she substituted. “Yes. Slapping him was the most satisfying thing I’ve done in weeks.”
CHAPTER 11
LYK
The outpost was coming into view on their scanners. It wouldn’t be long before the cruiser was docked, and those who wanted to could leave.
Lyk clenched his fists. There was one person in particular he needed to convince to stay, and so far, his luck had been against him. His eyes shifted to the door as Celdrake entered the bridge, carrying a lockbox. Inside was the petty cash they used for random expenses.
Celdrake was tight-fisted with funds, which suited Lyk generally. But in extraordinary situations, such as with Rigellus’s ship, Lyk didn’t mind dipping deep to settle things without having to resort to violence.
“Give them each two thousand credits.”
Celdrake’s mouth dropped open. “Come on, Captain. That’s a fortune!”
“That’s less than a week’s pay on this ship.”
