Reman can’t help me, you don’t need to know.” She smiled sweetly, knowing it would annoy the man.
He huffed out a breath. “Wait here.” He stepped through the door, closing it in her face.
Zaxe leaned closer to her. “Is it always this way?”
She shrugged, desperately trying to ignore the heady scent of his warm skin. It wasn’t the smell of sandalwood or citrus from soap. No, it was a natural male musk that made her want to bury her nose in the curve of his neck and inhale deeply.
“There are niceties to be followed.” That was just the way business was conducted here. She’d never really thought about it before but wondered what it must look like from an outsider’s point of view. Zaxe might look like a local, but he was a stranger here, unfamiliar with the customs.
The door swung open, and the guard stood back and swept his arm forward. “Reman will see you.”
Chapter Four
Zaxe had crawled through the underbelly of many planets in his lifetime, but he’d never experienced anything like this place. The natural stone walls were a rich cream color, as were the floors. This “back room” was illuminated by the glow of dozens of lanterns that hung from the ceiling. At first glance, they appeared to be oil lamps, but were actually solar powered. There must be panels on the roof. The lamps on the table were the real deal.
Half a dozen low tables were surrounded by thick, colorful pillows. Only one of them had men sitting at it. Like the patrons in the outer section, they were dressed in local garb. A far cry from the dirty and unkempt patrons that inhabited the bars he usually frequented in his searches. The men glanced in their direction before returning their attention to their private conversation.
On a slightly raised dais on the far end of the room sat a slender man with a trim beard and mustache. This must be Reman. He raised his hand in greeting. “Jamaeh, what brings you to my humble establishment?”
His greeting was pleasant enough, but there was cold calculation in his eyes. And the three guards around him looked more than capable of handling most problems that might arise.
What struck Zaxe the most was the lack of diversity. Everyone was dark skinned—except for Jamaeh. While her skin was brown, it was a much lighter shade. In every other bar he’d ever visited, there’d always been a motley group, representing every corner of the known galaxies.
Was it like this only in the Northern Territory or were the rest of them as closed to outsiders?
“And you brought a friend. Sit. Sit.” Reman indicated the cushions across from him. Neck itching at the thought of having his back to the room, Zaxe sat, making sure his cloak wouldn’t hinder him if he had to move suddenly. His battlesuit would halt a knife to the back, but nothing would stop a headshot.
“Reman, it’s been a while.” Jamaeh bowed slightly and took a seat, her movements graceful and feminine, in spite of the male garb she wore. To his mind, it seemed to emphasize it even more.
Their host studied him, trying to see past the hood that covered his face. “You must forgive me, but I don’t do business with men I can’t see.” The note of command in his tone made Zaxe smile.
He flowed to his feet and bowed. “I beg forgiveness for wasting your time.” He headed back toward the door. Jamaeh cursed under her breath and followed.
“What are you doing?” she whispered angrily.
“Making a point.” As he’d suspected would happen, a guard moved in front of the door to block them. Zaxe glanced over his shoulder. “Not very hospitable.”
The entire place went dead silent. Jamaeh sucked in a breath. “Oh, shit. What have you done?”
Since he hadn’t lived here since childhood, Zaxe had spent some time this afternoon delving into the customs of Zaxus to refresh his memory. A Zaxian male prided himself on his hospitality. To call it into question was to cast doubt on his honor.
“I’ve killed men for less.” Reman’s voice held a hint of anger.
“You have or have you had them killed?”
“It is the same.” He waved his hand in the air in front of him.
“No, it’s not.” Giving the man his back, Zaxe faced the guard. “Move.”
“You must sit until Reman is done speaking with you.” The guard pulled a knife and gestured back toward the table.
Quick as a snake, Zaxe struck the man in the throat,