One. There has to be a weak link somewhere. We’ve got ten days to find it.” She glanced from him to Skylar. “You’ll look after our guest, Rico?”
“I’ll see to her every desire,” he replied.
“Yeah, I bet you will.” Tannis cast one last look at Skylar, shook her head, and headed for the door, muttering something not particularly complimentary about men as she stalked away.
. . .
Skylar waited until the captain left the bridge before turning to Rico. He settled back in his chair, watching her from hooded eyes. He appeared relaxed, but the air throbbed with tension, and a little trickle of apprehension washed through her.
She’d been so sure he’d lose interest once she was out of that stupid dress. But the expression on his face wasn’t intimidated or disinterested—it was hungry.
Nervous energy thrummed along her skin, and she jumped to her feet. “I’m going back to my shuttle to make that transfer.”
His lips curled into a lazy smile. “No need. We have guest quarters on board—you can do it from there.”
“But I—”
“I insist,” he said smoothly. “You’ll be much more comfortable than in your cramped little shuttle.”
She gritted her teeth and nodded.
“Just give me a minute.” Rico pressed the comm unit at his side. “Daisy,” he said. “Get up here. You’re driving.”
Skylar waited. She didn’t know whether to sit down again or remain standing. She wasn’t used to indecision; it wasn’t part of her nature. Rico appeared totally relaxed, if a little amused, and she shifted restlessly under his intense gaze. She admired the up-to-date equipment on the bridge and the gleaming black and silver décor, then she peeked sideways at Rico with his black clothes and silver weapons.
“Tell me,” she couldn’t resist asking, “do you dress to match the ship, or did you decorate the ship to match your wardrobe?”
He gave her another lazy smile and opened his mouth to answer when a woman appeared in the doorway. Skylar stared. The woman was green.
She hurried across to them as Rico rose to his feet. Skylar hadn’t realized earlier, but without her high heels, he loomed a good six inches over her.
“This is Daisy,” he said by way of introduction. “And this is Skylar. Skylar is our new client.”
Daisy appeared young, barely out of her teens, and she was dressed in all black, a sort of mini version of Rico, down to the knee-length boots. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She nodded at Skylar then turned to Rico. “You want me to drive?” Skylar could hear the suppressed excitement in her voice.
“I want you to sit in my chair and stare at that screen. Comm me if anything changes.”
Daisy grinned. “Sure, boss.”
Skylar peeked back over her shoulder as they left the bridge. She hadn’t wanted to stare, but she’d never seen anyone quite that green before. Skin like new leaves, hair of jade, and eyes the color of emeralds.
“She’s a plant hybrid,” Rico said as the door shut behind them.
“I’ve never seen one before.”
“There aren’t many left. The Church destroyed most of them in the Purge. Daisy escaped from a GM station just before it was attacked by religious fanatics. The rest, including her family, were murdered. By the time we picked up her pod in deep space, she’d been in cryo for years.”
“And you took her in?”
“Tannis took her in.” He shrugged. “Tannis is captain—the crew is her responsibility.”
Skylar raised an eyebrow. “So how come, if this is your ship, you’re not the captain?”
“I don’t want to be captain. I like living on the ship. It provides me with a safe haven and a quick escape if I need to get out of somewhere fast—”
“I bet that happens quite a lot,” she interrupted.
He smiled. “Occasionally, but I don’t want the responsibility. This works well for both of us. I like to keep my distance from the crew.”
“Why?”
“In case I ever have to…” he paused as he came to a halt outside a door and pressed his palm to the panel.
“Eat them?” she finished for him.
He flashed her a grin. “I don’t eat everyone I come into contact with—I’m very selective. But humans are fragile, and I’ve learned not to become too attached.”
The door slid open. Skylar hesitated, and Rico put his hand to the small of her back.
She jumped and forced a smile. “Thank you.”
His lips twitched. “I’ll come in for a minute and show you where everything is.” He applied a gentle pressure.
Skylar stood firm. “I’m sure I can find everything I need.”
He