Her Commanders - M.K. Eidem Page 0,60

and to establish your bar. I also want to see all the costs and your projected profits. After you get that done, bring it to me, and during your next shift, I'll go over it then tell you where you're right and where you’re wrong."

"Why?" Crimson asked suspiciously. "Why would you do that?"

"Because I think you're right. Your family's mutta is the best I've ever tasted, and the rest of the universe should be able to enjoy it."

"But how?"

"By getting you a partner that not only believes in you and your product, but has the credit, experience, and connections to help you make it happen."

"Really? Who?" Crimson's eyes went wide as she looked at Cali in shock. "You?"

"Me. If you can present me with a sound plan."

"I can do that."

"Then get back to work, and I'll see you when you have it done."

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

"Taking another little lintu under your wing?"

Cali spun around to find Xanto casually leaning against the back wall of The Brink. "Gods, Xanto, when are you going to stop sneaking up on me?"

"When you start being aware enough of your surroundings that I can't." Pushing away from the wall, the handsome Elevsìs male moved toward her.

Elevsìs were an odd species. Their long, black hair framed pale, angular faces with delicate eyebrows and full lips that almost looked feminine until you took in their muscular physique, then you knew they were all male. Their females were more slender and leaner. Still, they had an aura about them that drew in other beings.

"I'm perfectly aware of my surroundings. You, on the other hand, came through an outer passage. Apparently, I forgot to remove your bio-code."

"Which just reinforces my previous statement," he told her.

"Or perhaps I thought you would be courteous enough to make sure you were welcome before you entered my private quarters."

Xanto nodded his head in agreement. "I agree, my apologies. Your tad made it seem as if this were urgent."

"He exaggerated," she said, waving a dismissive hand.

"So, it would seem." He gestured to the spot Crimson had vacated. "May I sit?"

"Of course." Even though it still aggravated her that her dad had sent Xanto, Cali wouldn't take it out on him. "Would you like something to drink or eat?"

"Both would be appreciated."

Cali touched her link and ordered for him. "So where were you when Dad contacted you?"

"I was on Seyama handling an issue."

"Seyama?" Cali's eyebrows shot up. Seyama was a good three days from this Star Base, and it had barely been a day since she'd agreed to Xanto coming.

"I happened to be testing one of Wik Corp's In-D Core ships," he told her casually.

If anything, Cali's eyebrows went even higher. The In-D Core was the brainchild of her oldest brother and a heavily-guarded secret. It made it possible to travel across the universe at currently unattainable speeds, but only in a specially-designed ship that so far was only available to her family.

"Where did you dock it?!" she immediately demanded. That ship was guaranteed to draw unwanted attention.

"In The Brink's exclusive landing bay," Xanto reassured her, which was why Xanto had been able to use the secret passage that connected to her quarters and The Brink. Someone trusted enough to know about the hidden landing bay beneath The Brink couldn't have their bio-code removed from the system by anyone other than the Paramount or Supreme Chairman.

"Good, that means one less thing I'll have to try and explain."

"To whom?" Xanto couldn't imagine Cali explaining herself to anyone.

"To whoever notices you're suddenly here when there's no documentation of your arrival."

"That's already been taken care of. Paul had all the relevant information inserted in Star Base's systems."

"Ruk," Cali swore. "Dad did it himself?"

"You're his datter," Xanto gave her a look that asked, 'how could she have expected anything less.' "Of course, he did."

"He's overreacting to this," she argued.

"Perhaps, but if this makes him feel better, then what's the harm?" Xanto settled back into his seat. "Now, tell me about the Yisster."

Cali followed his gaze to where Crimson was waiting on a table. "Crimson?"

"Is that her name?"

"Yes, and it's her first shift at The Brink."

Xanto watched as the Yisster female skillfully balanced her tray when someone bumped into her. "Seems like she's done this before."

"She has. Her tad owns the other bar on the Star Base."

"And she's working here?" Xanto didn't attempt to hide his disbelief.

"I assume you were lurking against the wall long enough to hear what we were discussing."

"I wasn't lurking," he stressed the word. "I