The corner of Loch’s mouth tipped up. “While I appreciate the fact that you think I can cook, you should thank Veronica. I just saved you a plate before Tiny ate it all.”
I took my time and savored the first real food I’d had since the Mayport. Though simple, the eggs and bacon were delicious.
“Where is Veronica?” I asked when I was finished.
“Last I heard, she was planning to let the kid burn off some energy in the fitness room.”
“Okay. I need to stop by and see how much I owe her and how she’d like the money, then I’m ready. You?”
“I’m ready.”
I could hear the shrieking laughter even before I made it all the way downstairs. Veronica’s voice came from the fitness room, artificially low. “I’m gonna get you!” By the time I made it to the door, Veronica had Lin pinned on the sparring mats and was tickling him breathless.
“Sorry to interrupt,” I said after Veronica had helped her son up, “but I’m getting ready to go out and need to talk to you for a second.”
Veronica pushed her messy hair behind her ears and came over, expression wary. “Should I get Imma to watch Lin?” she asked quietly.
“No, this is not that talk. I’m headed to the bank. How much do I owe you for the supplies and how would you like to be paid?”
Shock, surprise, then mild offense chased each other across her face. “You don’t owe me anything,” she said. “If anything, I owe you.”
“But—”
“No,” she snapped, low and fierce. “I would’ve paid anything to get off that planet. I would’ve given up every last penny. Paying for the supplies that allowed my escape is the least I can do.” She looked like an avenging angel and it transformed her from pretty into stunning.
I bowed low. “Thank you,” I said. “I accept your gift with gratitude.”
She smiled and the stunning goddess was once again a pretty woman. “I should’ve known you would understand.” She returned my bow.
I did understand. Knowing whether to accept a gift on first offer or to refuse once or more was part of my lessons so I didn’t embarrass our House. And if I had refused her generosity, it would’ve been an insult. But not only that, I also knew about the burning desire to be the master of your own future.
“Do you need anything while I am out?” I asked. “Or do you want to go with us?”
She thought about it then shook her head. “No, I will stay here with Lin and Imma.” She paused. “Unless you need protection. I may not be special ops as you requested, but I am not unskilled.”
“I’ve got it covered,” Loch rumbled from behind me. “Stay, play with your kid.”
“We’ll talk when I get back. Figure out what the plan is, what I can do to help,” I said. “I’ve shut down the ship’s external communications, so if you need to contact me, use your com. You have one, right?”
“I do.”
“Okay, see you in a little while.”
I wrapped the scarf around my head while we waited for the cargo door to open. It was a bit tricky without a mirror, and I fiddled with it until Loch grabbed my wrist. “It is fine,” he said. “When we get out, I’ll be playing your bodyguard.” He pulled on a dark cloak he’d found.
“You’ll roast in that,” I said. Heat already poured in from the narrow opening in the cargo door. I dreaded going out in long sleeves.
“It’s temperature regulated,” he said. “Rockhurst kitted this ship with only the best.”
“Damn, now I’m jealous. Maybe I’ll buy myself one while we’re out. Maybe one in blue,” I mused to myself.
“I like you in blue,” Loch said.
I hoped the scarf covered my blush. “Today, I’m Irene while in company. What should I call you?”
He shrugged. “Guards don’t have names. Just call me ‘guard’ or, better yet, just point at whatever you want me to do.”
“My guards always had names. I suppose Marcus will have to do. It’s common enough that people shouldn’t immediately associate it with the bounty.”
I straightened my shoulders, tipped my head up just a bit, and settled firmly into my public persona.
“It’s scary how easily you do that,” Marcus said. I raised one imperious eyebrow at him and looked faintly bored. He grinned. “That’s the whole Consortium in a single expression,” he said.
“I had years of practice,” I said. “We wield expressions like soldiers wield