He was talking about the bounty for Zola. The one he was going to use for his own fleet.
“Clove…”
“You need it,” he said simply. “So take it.”
That was the Clove I knew. He’d have stolen the coin for me if I asked.
I gave him a weak, grateful smile. “I’ll pay you back. Every copper.”
Across the table, I could feel Koy’s eyes slide to me. He was clearly listening now.
“We’ll also give you passage back to Jeval, free of charge when we head back to the Narrows,” I added.
Koy bit his bottom lip, thinking. “What have you gotten yourself into?”
“You want the job or not?”
He shifted on his feet, hesitating. It was an offer he couldn’t refuse, and we both knew it. “Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why are you offering it to me?” His tone turned bitter, and I realized he’d figured me out. I had to handle him carefully if I was going to keep him on the line.
“You’re the best dredger I’ve ever seen. Besides myself,” I amended. “This is a job that’s next to impossible, and I need you.”
He turned toward the window, staring out at the street. Beside him, West was looking at me. He didn’t like this. The last time West had seen Koy, he’d been chasing me down the docks in Jeval, ready to kill me.
When Koy finally spoke, he set both hands onto the table, leaning over me. “Fine. I’ll do it. I want the coin now and I need a new belt of tools. Those bastards took them when they pieced the Luna.”
“Done.” I grinned.
“One more thing.” He leaned closer, and West got to his feet, taking a step toward us.
“What is it?” I met Koy’s eyes.
“We’re not trading favors, Fable. Understand?” His voice deepened. “I told you. I didn’t cut the rope. So, if this has anything to do with what happened on that dive, I’m out.”
And that was the thing about Koy. His pride was more stubborn than his hunger for copper. If I so much as breathed a hint that I owed him, he’d walk away from the coin.
“Fine. You didn’t cut the rope.” I reached out a hand between us. “We leave at sundown. I’ll have your tools and your coin on the ship.”
Koy took my hand, shaking it. He looked at me another moment before he turned on his heel, headed for the door.
Willa stared at me incredulously. I handed her the maps and she shook her head once before she got to her feet.
West watched her go. “What favor is Koy talking about?” he asked.
“That bastard saved my life when Zola’s dredger tried to kill me.”
“That’s what this is about? A debt?”
“No,” I said, standing. “I meant what I said. He’s a skilled dredger. We need him.”
I could see in West’s eyes that he wanted the whole story. It was one I’d eventually have to tell him, but not today.
Clove leaned back, looking at me.
“What?”
He shrugged, a wry smile playing at his lips. “Just thinkin’.”
I cocked my head to the side, glaring. “Thinking what?”
“That you’re just like him,” he said, taking another sip of tea.
I didn’t have to ask who he meant. He was talking about Saint.
TWENTY-THREE
“What else needs doing before we leave?” Clove asked, setting down his cup.
“You’re not coming,” I said.
His bushy eyebrows pulled together. “What do you mean I’m not coming?”
“If Holland finds out that you didn’t go to the Narrows, she’s going to want to know why. We can’t risk it. And I need you to tell Saint what’s going on.”
“Saint’s not going to like that. Me leaving you here. That wasn’t the plan.”
“Nothing’s really gone to plan, if you haven’t noticed. I need you in the Narrows, Clove.”
He considered it, his gaze floating from me to West. This wasn’t just about Saint. Clove didn’t trust West. He didn’t trust any of them. “This is a bad idea. That navigator of yours will have you run aground before you even get to Yuri’s Constellation.”
“That navigator will do just fine,” Auster snapped.
“There will be hell to pay if Fable doesn’t make it back to Ceros.” Clove was talking to West now.
“Fable got herself off that island you left her on. I think she can get herself back to Ceros.” West’s words were like acid.
“I suppose you’re right about that.” Clove smiled. “Guess I better find a ship headed to the Narrows.” He stood, giving me a wink before he started for the door.