Hauk snorted. “Wishing I was Tavali at the moment.”
Those words had barely left his lips before a tall man wearing a black battlesuit trimmed in red approached them like a wary predator. “Can I help you?” His gaze went from Hauk to Hadrian and finally to her.
Little did he know, she was probably the more lethal of this bunch, given the fury that forever gripped her.
Hadrian jumped in before either of them could speak. “I’m here to see Mordacity Pride.”
The man’s eyes narrowed, especially as he noted the blood on Hadrian’s pants. “Why?”
Hadrian turned charming. “Don’t worry aboutthat. I cut my leg climbing into my ship.” He turned around to show it to the Tavali. “Nothing nefarious. As for Mordacity, she’s a friend of my brother’s and by friend, I mean intimate. I wanted to thank her for saving his life.”
That didn’t seem to allay the man’s fears at all. “Who’s your brother?”
“Rather not say, Relic. But I know you from the stories she’s told my brother. How’s your wife doing? Is Vatrice flying again?”
He put his hand on his blaster and stepped back as if he was about to draw it. “Anyone could find that out.”
“But would they know about that little escapade you and Mordacity had two weeks ago?”
The man’s eyes flared as he glanced around the base. “Lower your voice!”
“Sorry,” Hadrian whispered. “Wasn’t trying to get you into trouble. I just need to know where Section H-16 housing is so that I can personally thank her.”
The Tavali turned slightly. “Down that hallway until you hit the center atrium. Veer left and you’ll be right there.”
Hadrian clapped him on the shoulder. “Thanks.”
Jayne quickened her steps as Hadrian took off in that direction.
Once she was sure the Tavali wasn’t following them, she tapped his shoulder, then jerked her chin toward the Tavali. “What was all that?”
“People telegraph all manner of things when they’re confronting someone. You’d be amazed at the thoughts in their heads.”
“Only thing I think about is killing them,” Hauk said.
Hadrian laughed at Hauk’s comment. “Mostly, you think about what your brother, Fain, would do.”
“Get out of my head.”
“I really wish it was that easy. Sadly, I don’t want to be there anymore than you want me traipsing through your emotional baggage.” Hadrian stopped and turned to Jayne. “Thank you for being silent.”
“Not sure I have anything to do with that, but you’re welcome.”
The look on Hadrian’s face was so sincere that it tightened her throat.
Before she realized what he was doing, he leaned his forehead against hers and closed his eyes.
Unsure of how to respond, she arched a brow. “You okay?”
Instead of speaking, Hadrian lifted her hands and put them on each side of his head.
She cut a sideways glance to Hauk who had the same confusion on his face that she felt.
Hadrian let out a long sigh. “I wish I could walk around like this.”
“Why?”
“Whatever it is in you, it blocks it all out. No idea why, but the silence is heaven.” He brushed her hands through his hair before he straightened up. “Sorry. I just needed a little break.”
