“That’s the loaded question . . .”
“Meaning?”
Instead of answering, he spun around faster than she could blink and leveled his blaster at a shadow.
Eve gasped as she realized there was another person in her flat.
One who caught his arm before he fired his weapon. “Easy, big boy. Didn’t mean to startle you.”
“Damn it, Bête. You trying to get killed?”
She returned the blaster to him. “Just wanted to make sure you were okay. You look like shit.”
“Thanks.”
Scowling, she looked past him to Eve. “She the one Sav mentioned?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you going to kill her?”
“No and neither are you.”
“Jinx–”
“I mean it, Bête. Any harm befalls her and I will take it personally.”
Bête held her hand up. “Fine.” She tapped her ear. “Captain Bête Noir reporting in. I have eyes on Shadowborne.” She paused for a second to listen. “No, ma’am. He appears to be surveilling. Nothing unusual that I see. Do you want me to terminate?”
Eve barely caught her gasp before it escaped.
“Understood. Bête Noir out.” She tapped her ear and sighed. “You’re good.”
“I was right.”
Dressed in a burgundy uniform that hugged every inch of her well-toned body, Bête jerked her chin toward Eve. “How much does she know?”
“She’s fine.”
Bête arched a brow at that.
Jinx gave her a pointed stare. “I trust her more than I trust you.”
“Ouch!”
“But true.”
Bête snorted. “Didn’t say it wasn’t, or that it wasn’t deserved, but it’s still hurtful.”
“Sorry.”
Bête sighed wearily as Eve studied her. Tall and lithe, she had dark hair that had vibrant red stripes in it. Like Jinx’s from the night before, she wore it braided down her back– League assassin style. Though her complexion was darker than his, it was still lighter than Eve’s. “Well, Sav and I cleaned up your mess. You’re welcome, by the way. How’d Sniper get the drop on you?”
“Trained assassin. Came at me when I left.”
Folding her arms over her chest, Bête tsked. “No offense, I don’t know how you survived.”
“I’m a feral bastard.”
