Nokx (The Sraibur Crew #3) - Layla Nash Page 0,113

reasoning behind any of his decisions, except maybe with Wyzak. Nokx had been fine with just following orders, so long as they weren’t harming innocents, but he’d often wondered why the Sraibur took the targets it did. Maybe Violet would finally force him to admit to being more than he claimed to be.

“I’ve been in... a partnership with Pyix for some time,” the Sraibur captain said reluctantly. His upper lip curled briefly and his scowl deepened. “When our interests coincided, we targeted specific ships and locations to assist them.”

EJ leaned against Nokx and played with his fingers, and his hearts expanded still more. He would never get enough of her. She studied the other Xaravian. “Why are you so mad about it?”

“Because he hates being caught doing something non-piratical, and–dare I say it–nice,” Violet said under her breath.

Faros shot her a dirty look. “Because the only reason it works is because no one knows about it.”

Nokx frowned. “We’ve been taking direction from the Lovelace to assist in freeing slaves and hunting down Slasu.”

“And Tyboli,” Violet added. “Yes. Apparently that’s what he’s been doing since before he was arrested by the rebellion.”

“I’ve known Pyix for many years,” Faros said. His shoulders tensed as he folded his arms. “He previously assisted me in... disposing of cargo that didn’t have the proper documentation. I happened to be on Caihiri when his bar was destroyed after an issue with the Tyluk and Tyboli and their Slasu employers. Apparently another Xaravian made a fool of himself over a different Earther, and...”

Violet’s expression darkened. “Griggs is my friend, so watch what you say. And some of the females they saved from the Slasu still serve on this ship. Don’t let your mouth write checks your ass can’t cash, or you’ll have a dozen Earthers after you.”

Nokx ignored the ache in his legs from some of the wounds and the sudden hunger that seized his guts. He turned his attention to Faros after digesting this latest revelation. “So you berated EJ for the crimes she committed on their behalf, all while you were committing crimes on their behalf?”

“She didn’t say who she was working for,” Faros said. “And it was not on me to disclose the nature of my arrangement with Pyix.”

Nokx focused on breathing evenly before he did something that could not be undone. “And yet you did not tell me.”

“I did not think they were connected to EJ until the Lovelace hailed us during the confrontation with the Slasu,” Faros said. He took a deep breath and finally looked directly at EJ, the intensity of his expression making Nokx growl in warning. If he frightened EJ or made her cry, there was nothing in the universe that would save him from Nokx’s wrath. The captain spoke matter-of-factly and with his characteristic lackadaisical attitude. “We would not have left you on that ship. I suspected it was being used to farm slaves for the Slasu, but we needed to get inside to be certain. You provided me with the perfect justification to not only approach the ship but get two officers onboard.”

Faros glanced at Nokx and came close to rolling his eyes. “Three officers, because nothing goes as planned on the Sraibur. Nokx making a scene provided Harzt the perfect distraction to place sensors and trackers on the ship, just in case they got away from us. We would have found you.”

EJ still trembled but she planted her feet to square off. She abruptly turned to look up at Nokx. “Did you know? Is that why you let him drop me off?”

Bula clacked her beak from across the bridge, her beady black eye boring right through Nokx’s scales to his hearts and soul beneath. He got the feeling she would make him disappear and not lose a wink of sleep if he’d let Faros use his mate as a distraction.

Faros didn’t hesitate. “He didn’t know.”

EJ went very still. Nokx held his breath as she repeated, “He didn’t know.”

“No,” Violet added. She shook her head, exasperated. “And when Nokx tried to prevent him from sacrificing you, Faros had him knocked out and dragged off. Harzt locked him in someone else’s quarters, which Nokx subsequently destroyed in his determination to get to you.”

“Oh,” EJ said softly.

“Which you will be fixing yourself,” Faros said, glaring at Nokx. “You folded the door in half. Now we have two destroyed quarters on my ship.”

“Sounds like you should get a better security team,” Estelle said from her nav station, not taking her