She pressed the heels of her palms to her eyes. “Look, all this complicates things. It’s best I deal with the Guild and then leave.”
“Just like that?” He shot to his feet. “You said you’d come with me. Vacation, treasure hunts, remember?”
“That was before.”
He yanked her hands down. “Look at me, dammit. After everything you’ve fought for, you’re just going to give up?”
“I still want my freedom. But I don’t know who I am anymore.”
“You’re Ria Dante.”
She tried to pull away from him, but he tightened his hold on her wrists. He spun her, until her back was pressed against hard, angry male. He forced her to look in the small mirror above the desk.
“There you are. Tough, clever, stubborn Ria.” He released one wrist and ran his knuckles down the side of her throat.
She tried to move away again.
He wrapped one arm around her waist. “Don’t pull away from me. Please.”
She sagged against him. She didn’t know if she had it in her to give him what he needed. “I’m broken, Zayn. I’m transparent, no substance. I don’t have anything to offer you.” Now when she pulled away, he let her go.
Ria made it to her bag on the bed and grabbed some clothes. She dropped the towel and yanked on her clothes. “I need to call the Guild.”
His jaw was so tight, she thought it would break. He nodded. “I’ll see you in the cockpit.”
Everyone was standing in the cockpit when she arrived. She sucked in a deep breath and moved to the console.
She felt someone beside her and turned her head. Eos stood there, her face filled with a mix of emotions. The other woman touched a tentative hand to Ria’s arm. “Good luck. Whatever happens, remember you aren’t alone.”
Ria looked behind her and saw Lala lounging against the holo-table. The girl gave her a thumbs-up. And behind her stood the three Phoenix brothers, shoulder-to-shoulder. By the dagger, they were a handsome lot. Her gaze met Zayn’s. He gave her a nod.
She turned to the console and initiated the transmission.
Seconds later, the face of the head of the Guild, Master Kassius, appeared on the screen.
“Assassin Ria, I’ve been expecting your call.” The older man’s features were calm and solemn. “You’ve caused us a lot of trouble.”
Ria gripped the back of the chair, her fingers digging into the synth-leather. There was so much she wanted to say, so much bubbling up inside her. “I want my freedom.”
“In return for the derringer.” Master Kassius tilted his head. “Really, I should send an assassin after you. End this extremely troubling situation for the Guild.”
Zayn burst forward. “Try it, asshole. We’ll never let?—”
Ria put a hand to Zayn’s chest. His defense warmed something cold inside her. “It’s okay, Zayn.” She looked back at Kassius. “I’m not offering the derringer.”
The silence around her was deafening. She felt Zayn’s regard, but focused on the flash of confusion on the master assassin’s face.
“I discovered the Guild’s dirty little secret.”
Kassius’ face was pinched. “I don’t know what you’re?—”
Ria held up a hand. “Please, stop. I’m talking about your little body-snatching business.” The anger stormed through her. “Ring any bells now?”
Master Kassius pulled in a sharp breath.
“And we all know that the one tradition left over from Earth times, that almost all the galaxy believes, is that desecration of a dead body is not fucking acceptable.” Anger churned, an acid burn inside her. “I’m guessing the Guild will lose a hell of a lot of clients when your sordid secret is out in the open.”
“We’ll grant you your freedom in return for your silence and your—” Kassius glanced at Zayn “—associate’s silence.”
