She shrugged, but Shade could see the humor in her green eyes. “Since you two are the perpetualwall of no, I guess I’ll go get Tess myself.” She turned, her high ponytail swinging as she strode away.
Miko’s mouth flattened into a line. She trailed Fiona into the ship, not looking like a happy gatekeeper.
Jax followed the women with his eyes before turning back to him. “Could you get that door you promised?” he asked.
Shade nodded. “Ordered it yesterday.”
“Half-priced is half-priced,” Jax said with a low growl in his voice. “I hope you’re not expecting extra payment.”
What was he talking about? “A deal’s a deal,” Shade said.
Unless he turned Tess in and ruined their lives.
A bitter taste flooded his mouth. He doubted any of them would be worrying about a new door after that.
“Shade.” Tess arrived in the ruined doorway, tucking her hair behind her ears and looking slightly flushed. “Did you bring something for the ship?”
He supposed it was normal for them all to think he was here about theEndeavor, but couldn’t a guy just show up?
“No. I thought you might want to explore for a bit. If you have time,” he said.
Her face brightened. “That sounds like fun.”
“The city? You sure about that?” Jax asked.
Tess seemed to waver. “Actually, I should probably stay in.”
Disappointment squeezed Shade’s lungs, jarring him.
Shit.This was worse than he’d thought.
“Forget the city. We can go to the beach,” Shade said, trying to tempt her. It wasn’t a secret between them that she was interested in discretion, so he added, “There shouldn’t be anyone around once we get past the casino.”
Her eyes widened. “A beach? With sand?”
He nodded. “And water. Waves. Fish. The usual things.”
Tess looked both excited and petrified. Had she never been to the beach before?
“I can’t swim,” she admitted, seeming to deflate.
“Wasn’t planning on it.” Shade almost shuddered at the thought. “The water’s too cold for that.”
Visibly relieved, she turned to Jax, grinning. “Jax. The beach!”
His answering smile was resigned, but genuine. “Enjoy it, partner.”
Partner?Shade instantly knew what that meant. They’d been paired up on Hourglass Mile.
A stab of jealousy struck him square in the chest, surprising him with its sharpness. Had they been lovers? Were they still?
Realizing he was being irrational and even an asshole, considering his own agenda, Shade still replayed any interaction he’d seen between them in his head. They were close, and seemed to understand each other without many words, but they didn’t look at each other like they were anything other than friends.
Whatever relief he felt was tainted. He couldn’t imagine what they’d been through, and yet here he was, poised to rip them apart. He could even do it tonight, with her coming willingly. Unsuspectingly.
Shade started to feel a little nauseous. Was this who he was now? He didn’t like this man much.
“Do I need anything?” Tess asked. She frowned. “Currency units?”
