She appeared as confused by his anger as Bastien was. “What? The kids?”
“Darice! Thia!” Dancer shouted.
The moment they came into sight, Dancer ran straight to them and jerked them against his chest as if he’d been terrified for them. He kissed each one on the head before he turned his angry glare back to the woman.
Feeling awkward, Bastien continued to hang back, out of the range of the Andarion’s fury. Whatever distemper Dancer suffered from, he wanted no part of it.
“What’s going on, Uncle?” the younger blonde woman asked. “Is everything all right?”
The rage on Dancer’s face was tangible. “It is now.” Dancer released the kids.
As the woman turned to meet his gaze and he finally saw her features clearly and up close, Bastien felt as if he’d been sucker-punched.
Damn…
This was some twisted shit.
“You two know each other?” Dancer growled.
She shook her head.
That woman might not know him, but Bastien knewthatface. He’d seen it well the night he’d taken Fain home after his drunken bender that had almost caused them both to be jailed.
“Omira Hauk?” He scowled at Dancer, trying to understand just what kind of sick, psycho mind game he’d accidentally stumbled into. “What are you doing with your brother’s ex-wife?”
The fury that darkened those Andarion eyes made Bastien step back—not out of fear, but so that he would have adequate room to defend himself.
Instead of coming for him, Dancer gathered the boy and girl, and put them on the airbee he’d been riding.
As the young blonde walked past, she cast Bastien a sweet little smile that left him a lot harder than he was comfortable with, considering their obvious age difference. While she was legal, it was ethically questionable.
But then, given how long he’d been without a woman, it didn’t take much to “pique” his interest.
Still, she had a nice ass. Sweet face that was balanced with just the right amount of trouble-making seductress to lure any man, young or old, who had a taste for female companionship.
Damn, he felt bad for her daddy…
Suddenly Bastien realized that he was eyeballing a member of Dancer’s family, and if he didn’t stop, he’d be gutted.
Or de-nutted.
Dancer locked gazes with Bastien. “Get them to your base. And you better not betray me.”
Offended that he’d even suggest it, Bastien glowered at him. “I wouldnever.”
“Good. ’Cause that blonde whose ass you’re ogling happens to be the most precious and beloved daughter of Nemesis. And he has only one rule for dating her… don’t.”
The color washed straight out of Bastien’s face at the mention of one of the most notorious assassins ever born. The one lethal being who made League assassins wet themselves. “Your father’s Nemesis?” he asked the young woman.
She sighed heavily. “On a good day, yes. On bad ones… let’s just say you never want to be on the same planet with him. That includes me and he adores me.”
Bastien returned his attention to Dancer. “Nothing, and I mean noth-thing, will happen to them.”
“Good. Because if his daughter so much as stubs her toe on your watch, he will hunt you to the end of time, even if he has to come back from hell to do it.”
Yeah, that was how the stories about him went. Bastien had no reason to doubt their validity.
“I don’t take threats, Hauk. But this one… I consider a suggestion for my continued health and well-being. Thanks for the warning.” Clearing his throat, he inclined his head at them. “Follow me.”
