I blow out a breath.I’m huddled on a couch, holding a cup of tea I don’t really want.“All right.”
St.James sinks into a chair across from me.“He wants to see you.To make sure you’re unhurt.”
“So he can drag me back to his mansion and lock me up?”I mutter.
“I won’t allow that.”
“You can’t stop him.”
“Not without risking full war.”
I set my mug down.I’m all jittery, needing to run, to fight.If St.James wasn’t here, I’d run right out of this room.
He must know that because he sits preternaturally still.His gray eyes track my twitchy little movements, but he projects an aura of calm.
His real aura is a thick fog, with something sinister lurking in the gray banks.It occurs to me I don’t really know him, and that if I did, I would probably trust him less than I do Rex right now.
“Why are you helping me?”I ask.
The only sign that the question bothers him is a slight flex in his long fingers.The movement draws my attention to the ring on his finger.It’s silver and in the shape of a skull with onyx eyes.It looks familiar, but I can’t place it.
“Years ago, I tried to help someone I cared about.You remind me of her.”A muscle jumps in his jaw.I hold still, getting the sense that he’s lost in memory.After a moment, he blinks and bows his head.“Back then, I wasn’t strong enough to protect anyone.Now I am.”
I give a little nod, both grateful that he shared and wary of what it might mean.I get the sense that St.James doesn’t open up to anyone.Ever.
He checks his watch and rises.“I should go.Our guest will be here soon, bellowing and ready to break things.”
“Like a bull in a china shop.”Although that isn’t really fair to Rex.He can be subtle and gentle when he wants.
But not lately.
I start to rise, and St.James stops me with a single raised finger.“Wait here.I’ll make sure he’s contrite or at least ready for polite conversation.”
I don’t know if anyone can make Rex back down, but St.James is my best bet.
“St.James,” I call.He stops halfway to the door but doesn’t turn around.“Thank you.”
“Anytime,” he murmurs, leaving me with a sense of disquiet.
8
Rex
I storminto Club Empire just as St.James strolls into the foyer.“I want to see her.”
“Rex.Lovely to see you again.”Now St.James looks weary, like he’s been up all night and would like to go to bed instead of dealing with a lover’s spat.It will be easier to overpower him in this state.
I remind myself that I can’t kill him until he tells me where Inara is.
“Give her back.”
“Right this way.”St.James pivots and leads me to the elevator.
I’m surprised he didn’t fight me.I almost wish he would.
But it seems he’ll do me the honor of escorting me.A risk on his part.I might kill him before we reach Inara.
He leans in to press a button and close the doors, but the elevator doesn’t move.He hasn’t pressed a button for a floor.
