The Unexpected Bonding Vow - Michelle Howard Page 0,42
traffic and vendors preparing to start their day. Anything could be had at the market place. Saedra should know since she’d ventured here once to meet her contact before requiring all further communication to be electronic.
Their hover-cycle’s engine was back to silent level speeds and Garik had engaged the wheels so they were no longer in hover mode. She glanced around, unfamiliar with their exact location. Garik seemed to know, because he was navigating without using the cycle’s automated system.
They slowed then came to a complete stop. Garik propped one foot on the ground and tapped Saedra’s thigh. “Off.”
She eased from behind him, her legs shaking as she stood upright. Saedra lifted her hand unsurprised to see her fingers trembling. Their escape had been harrowing, to say the least. Garik dismounted with practiced ease and when he faced her, Saedra wanted to feast on his mouth. In thanks, relief and all sorts of reasons.
She held back and offered a small grin instead. “Well.”
Garik’s stern features didn’t crack but he did knuckle her chin up and study her face silently for the longest time before nodding and letting her go. “This way.”
Saedra swallowed, not sure what that was about but followed close behind him. There were members of varying races going about their business and none paid any attention to the sight of Saedra and Garik walking by. He drew to a halt near a building with faded painted sides and windows with ratted frames. Garik’s brisk knock was met by rustling from inside. Holding her breath, Saedra waited before it opened abruptly. The owner, she assumed, glared at them with dark green eyes and his upper lip curled in a snarl. A Chamele. His gazed locked on her first then shifted to the side on Garik. He growled and started to slam the door closed but Garik stuck his foot in the gap and shoved.
“Fuck! What do you want, assassin?!” the Chamele hissed.
Garik grabbed Saedra’s hand and pulled her inside before closing the door. “A place to stay for today only, Depphi.”
Depphi shook his head, skin flushing a pale pink as he backed away. “No, no, no!”
The vehement response had Saedra worried. Garik let her hand go and slammed Depphi into the wall. Leaning in close, he muttered, “What did we discuss before?”
Depphi’s mouth trembled. “I didn’t think you’d come here. You never come here.”
Garik grinned, his hands fisted in Depphi’s shirt. The poor Chamele was on his toes to maintain his balance. “I’m here now. I need somewhere to stay and to use your comm.”
Sweat beaded Depphi’s brow and ran in thin trickles down his face. True fear flashed in his gaze. “Garik, Lord Maurin had searchers looking all over for you last night. I don’t want parts of that.”
“I really don’t care about your wants, Depphi.”
The Chamele sagged in Garik’s hold against the wall. “Fine. Tonight only.”
Garik released him and Depphi stumbled before catching himself. With one last glance at Saedra he said, “This way.”
He led them to a back room. It was an empty space except for a tiny cot with a thin blanket and a narrow horizontal window covered in grime. Saedra cringed at having to stay in here. Garik merely looked around with a flinty gaze. He turned to Depphi, who twisted his fingers about.
“This is fine. Now a comm.”
Depphi sighed then ran a hand over his non-existent hair. “A slight problem. I don’t have an in home comm system.”
Garik’s expression darkened and Depphi rushed to add, “But...but there is one at my shop. We can go there now and you can use it.”
“How far is your shop?” Garik snapped.
Saedra shivered, glad she wasn’t on the receiving end of that sharp tone.
“Not far. Maybe a few minutes to get there. There are alerts blasting out continually promising a reward for any sightings of you.” He glanced in Saedra’s direction. “Not much I’ve seen on her other than you may have taken her as a hostage.”
Saedra gasped. That wasn’t true. She parted her lips to speak but Garik shook his head.
***
Frustration ate at Garik and he wanted to curse. He knew Maurin would do his best to get him back but he hadn’t expected to be charged with abducting the woman who had freed him. Offering a reward guaranteed many of the criminal element making their home on Quantoon would pay attention. Garik’s reputation would at least deter them to some extent.
Not many would want to fuck around and tangle with him. He had that in