Not sure how to feel, she smiled at him. “No problem. You better now?”
“Think so. But I’m wondering how my brother can function among so many other people. Most days, I want to scream out until they commit me.”
“Well, my hands are at your service whenever you need them.” Jayne regretted that sentence the moment she said it out loud.
Especially as Hauk laughed and Hadrian gaped.
“Not what I meant! Oh my God! Really?”
Now Hadrian was laughing. “All good,suava.”
That word gave her pause.“Suava?”
He actually blushed. “It’s an endearment.”
“Which means?”
“I’m afraid if I tell you, you might kick me in the balls.”
She wasn’t sure what her expression was, but it caused Hadrian to quickly step behind Hauk.
“How do you stand not knowing what other people are thinking?” Hadrian asked Hauk.
Hauk shrugged nonchalantly. “Apparently, you have a good idea to be doing that kind of tap dance around me.”
Jayne leaned over to peer around Hauk’s massive form to where Hadrian was hiding. “Just what did you call me?”
Hadrian’s cheeks reddened even more. “Sweetie.”
Now, she was even more confused by his actions. “Why would I assault you for that?”
“I just remember my brother telling me that women don’t like it and not to use it unless I was really familiar with the woman or wanted to get kicked in my balls.”
Jayne rubbed at her forehead. “Well, I can’t speak for how often Nero gets a kick to his jewels, but you’re safe from me . . . at least for the moment.”
“Joyous.”
Hauk shook his head at them. “Don’t we have something more productive and dangerous we should be doing?”
“Yes, we do.” Hadrian finally stepped around him to lead them toward this mysterious Tavali assassin.
Jayne wasn’t sure exactly who they’d be meeting. Given the legends of the Trisani, she expected someone regal and refined.
Or raw and lethal.
But when Hadrian knocked on the door and it opened to reveal Mordacity, she was a little stunned.
Not only did she have the bearing of a Ring prize fighter, but she wore smudged, heavy black eye makeup around her eyes that were so dark, it blended with her eye color. Indeed, that makeup made it hard to see if she had her eyes opened or closed.
Her black hair was pulled back from her angular face. Hergreenangular face that held a bold black geometric pattern. Jayne wasn’t sure if that pattern was a tattoo, or natural.
But it wasn’t just those factors that caught her off guard. Mordacity was absolutely tiny. As in she barely reached the middle of Jayne’s chest. Never mind the two males who towered over her like trees.
And it wasn’t just her height. She was so skinny that she reminded Jayne of a street beggar.
How could this tiny little waif be an assassin?
Mordacity scowled at their group. “Can I help you?”
