C j barry unearthed 04, p.18
C. J. Barry - Unearthed 04, page 18
She looked striking and definitely on the prowl. No one would recognize her.
“Can I help?” Nod said, taking his one hundredth lap around the tiny lav.
“I don’t think so, Nod, but thanks anyway. I need to do this one solo.”
She lifted her skirt and slipped a small pistol into an inner thigh holster. That would be her only protection. That and her transmitter to communicate with Qaade. She was traveling light on this outing.
She took a deep breath, feeling practically naked without her long pistols. But Wryth awaited, along with the hopes of a lot of good people.
Torrie stepped out of the lav, followed by Nod. The lightball zoomed to where Qaade stood facing her, near the ship’s pilot’s seats. Behind him was the drab green of the private shuttle bay they’d landed in an hour ago.
Qaade glanced up from his datapad. Instant heat registered in his eyes. He tossed the datapad aside, giving her his full, undivided and smoldering attention.
Torrie narrowed her eyes. “Before you get too excited, this isn’t for you.”
“Like hell it isn’t,” he said with a devious grin. “How would you like to get boarded by a pirate?”
A smile played at her lips. “Maybe later.”
He looked like he was doing his best to see through the dress. “What do you have on under that?”
She crossed her arms. “A loaded pistol, so behave yourself.”
He frowned as it finally dawned on him what she was up to. “You aren’t wearing that for Turk.”
His words irked her. “How else do you think we can get him alone? We discussed this. We agreed that I would find Turk and make him an offer he can’t refuse.”
“I didn’t mean that kind of offer.”
“What kind of offer did you expect? He won’t do business with me if he doesn’t know me, and if he sees you, this little exercise will be over. You want him to tip Chauvet off?”
“He dealt mostly with Sly. He might not even remember me.”
“Are you willing to risk it?”
He looked ready to argue, but he knew she was right. Finally he said, “No. But I’m still going to cover you. If he does anything stupid, I’m stepping in.”
It was her turn to scowl. “You step in when I tell you to.” She patted the comm under the dress. “That’s what this is for.”
“Dammit, Torrie”
“Don’t, Qaade. Don’t treat me like a child.”
He looked at her with thoughtful concern, and she was almost afraid he was going to fight her, make her prove once again that she could be trusted to do something this important. But he didn’t. “At least take Nod with you.”
“I’d rather not. No offense, Nod, but I don’t think too many street molls have their own lightballs.”
“Fine,” Qaade said grimly. Then he scanned her slip of a dress. “What are you armed with?”
She lifted the skirt to her waist, exposing the thigh strap and flat pistol pressed against bare skin. Qaade’s silver eyes intensified and unleashed desire deep in her belly. He raised his gaze to hers, full of respect and desire. “You are one dangerous woman.”
She smiled and dropped the skirt. “You’re just saying that to get me back into bed.”
“No, if I wanted to get you into bed, I’d say something like, ‘You are the most passionate, sexiest woman I’ve ever met in my life.’”
Every muscle in her body froze. “Am I?”
His eyebrow rose. “You don’t believe me?”
“I prefer to think of myself as … capable.”
He moved closer, his eyes riveted on her as he did. His fingertips brushed a stray hair from her face. His hot fingers grazed her cheek, and she inhaled at the rush that triggered.
He traced her jaw line with one finger and lifted her chin. She drew in his scent as he leaned in and kissed her. She sighed.
“Sexy,” he whispered. Then he slanted his lips across hers to kiss her again. “Passionate.” Once more, his mouth caressed hers. “Beautiful.”
Torrie absorbed his words, amazed at the genuine sincerity in his voice and touch. Did he really think she was all those things? No one had ever described her in those terms before. Most of the relationships in her life had been short-lived, with men who fit into her schedule and often wanted a piece of the Masters empire. A few had tried to tie her down, but she knew that there wasn’t a man alive who would understand how much she needed her freedom. They’d all been busy trying to keep her safe. Until now.
A pang of yearning pierced her heart. She hadn’t thought about what would happen after Chauvet was defeated. Would she ever be able to go home? Would she want to? Could she live in Qaade’s world? Would she die without her family? Between Slipstream and Masters Shipping, where could she be happy?
Qaade pulled back. He saw her ache before she could mask it with something else. With the warm pad of his thumb, he caressed her cheek. “I know you don’t believe me, but that’s what I see. You’re sexy, passionate and beautiful.”
She shuddered. He did see those things, and he wasn’t afraid to tell her. She swallowed and said, “I better go.”
Qaade released her slowly. “If Turk touches you, kill him.”
She blinked at the casual order. “And what about Chauvet?”
“I said, kill him.”
Prepared for battle, a masked Qaade slipped behind Torrie as she sashayed into a nameless saloon. Once inside, he found a dark corner where he could watch the action. Under his long coat, he fingered the trigger of his laser rifle. He’d promised to let her handle things, and he told himself he would. But he knew Turk and, more importantly, Turk’s many friends. Drawing the man from his crowd wasn’t going to be easy.
Even though Qaade couldn’t actually see Turk, the informant’s usual table was surrounded by obsequious minions who vied for his attention. But all action stopped when Torrie shimmied up to the bar. The sea of unsavories parted in male respect and awe. She leaned over the bar to order a drink from the barkeep, giving every male a mouthwatering view. Damn. That woman had no idea how stunning she was. Even with the shameless dress, she was higher-class than this place had ever seen.
Every eye was on her as she draped herself against the bar and swung a long, shapely leg from side to side. Qaade had to control himself before the possessive, primal urge to protect what was his consumed him and ruined everything. He hated this, hated her playing bait for him. This would be the last time.
A gentle thump against his thigh was following by muffled words. Nod wanted out, but this wasn’t the place or time. The man beside Qaade glanced at the bouncing bulge in the front of Qaade’s coat.
“Later, my pet,” Qaade said, loud enough for all to hear, and put his hand over the impatient lightball. The man’s eyes widened and he tripped over his feet to get away.
Qaade chuckled and focused his attention on Turk’s table. It took exactly fifteen seconds before one of the man’s friends scurried over and invited Torrie to join them. Qaade hardly recognized her slow waltz and the sexy roll of her hips. Gone seemed the woman who could take out the occupants of this room without breaking a sweat. He had to admit, as good as she looked, he preferred her normal appearance.
She approached Turk’s table, and Qaade got his first glimpse of the man who’d betrayed himthe pinch-faced, squinty-eyed bastard. He gave Torrie a long onceover that was enough to send Qaade into a rage. She shook her red hair and leaned forward, no doubt giving Turk an eyeful. Whatever she said had the immediate effect of bringing a deep, lusty smile to the man’s skinny lips. Then she tossed a marker on the table containing directions to a predetermined rendezvous place.
At last, Torrie straightened and turned for the door, glancing at Turk one more time before leaving. The crowd closed around the table once more. Qaade breathed a sigh of relief. The worst was over and Torrie was still safe. She’d head back to the rented room as they’d planned and wait. Qaade would make sure Turk followed alone.
An hour passed before Turk extracted himself from his friends, but to Qaade’s dismay he headed toward the back of the saloon instead of the front. Qaade hadn’t expected that. He didn’t want to follow and draw attention to himself. Cursing his lousy luck, Qaade exited out the front door and fought through the pedestrian traffic toward the room where Torrie waited.
He tapped his comm. Turk is on his way. I lost him, and I think he’s ahead of me.” Torrie’s voice returned. “I’m ready for him.” Qaade clenched his jaw, fighting panic. He’d screwed up, left her unprotected with the traitor. And dammit, he thought as he skirted yet another cart, these people wouldn’t get the hell out of his way.
Torrie studied the datapad beside her on the bed. Despite Qaade’s wishes, she’d removed and deactivated her comm in case Turk carried a scanner, or worse, Qaade tried to contact her. It was just too risky. Besides, it wasn’t like she was unarmed. Her hands rested on her thighs, her pistol centimeters from her fingers. Through the datapad, the hidden holocam she’d planted outside confirmed Turk’s lone entrance into the complex of the rental unit. Qaade was nowhere to be seen.
As she slipped the datapad under the bed and adjusted her dress, she told herself she was cool and relaxed. All she had to do was hire Turk to deliver one of her custom containers to Chauvet so they could track it. That was a simple mission, but her belly was flip-flopping like crazy. She’d never tried to play seductress before. Would Turk see through her act?
The door chimed and she walked over to open it. Turk’s scrawny body materialized in the doorway, clothed in nondescript layers. He consisted of black eyes, thinning hair, and a gaunt face that broke into a toothy smile when he saw her. His gazedove to her cleavage. A creepy shiver ran down her spine.
“Hey, baby,” he said as he stepped into the room and pressed the panel to securely lock the door behind him. That would be a problem. Qaade was outside, ready if she needed him. He wasn’t going to be happy about being locked out, especially since she’d shut off her comm. But she couldn’t very well unlock it without raising suspicion.
Turk didn’t waste any time, reaching for her like a prize. She sidestepped him and said, “Your boss sent me.”
He stopped dead, a look of shock morphing his lust into disbelief. She waited. If Qaade was wrong, then this conversation would go nowhere fast.
“Who?”
She raised her chin. “Have you forgotten who pays your bills?”
Turk crossed his arms, still looking skeptical. “He usually contacts me via comm.”
“He wanted me to meet you … personally.”
“Really?” Turk asked, his beady eyes nearly disappearing in a squint. “And what was my last job?”
A test, she realized. “Does a certain load of Phellium sound familiar to you?”
The man’s face brightened. “It does,” he said.
Yes, we have contact.
Then Turk scrutinized her from head to toe. “What exactly do you do for Currier?”
Turk knew Chauvet as Currier? Torrie smiled. She supposed that made sense. “You have to ask?” She strolled around Turk. “He has another job for you.”
There was a noise on the other side of the door, and Torrie stiffened. Qaade.
Turk frowned. “What was that?”
She shrugged. “Here? Could be anything. So, are you interested in hearing the job?”
There came another bang, and Turk turned his gaze from the door to her. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a pistol. “What is this?”
She resisted the urge to draw her own. Stick to the plan, Torrie, she told herself. “The job, Turk?”
The door slid open and Qaade burst through with Nod. Turk lifted his weapon, but Qaade was already on him, propelling them both onto the bed. Torrie growled and hit the door panel to close it before anyone else arrived and really screwed things up.
She pulled her pistol and aimed it at the two men wrestling on the bed. “Drop it, Turk,” she said. Both men froze and turned to her. She held the pistol aimed at Turk’s crotch. “Now.”
The man tossed his pistol aside, and Qaade checked him over for more weapons. After relieving Turk of his entire small arsenal, Qaade walked over to her. She glared at him. “I’m not sure who I should shoothim or you. What the hell do you think you are doing?”
Qaade’s silver eyes narrowed under the black mask he wore. “I thought you needed help.”
Turk’s eyes widened in recognition of Qaade’s voice. OK great.
“Did I ask for help? Did I contact you?” she snapped.
“Your comm wasn’t on. I didn’t know what was happening in here,” he replied, having the nerve to sound offended.
“So, naturally you assumed that I was in trouble and needed rescuing.”
He had the grace to grimace.
She added, “For your information, things were going perfectly. Now, they aren’t,”
“What is this?” Turk asked, and looked at Qaade. “And what are you doing here?”
“Expect me to be dead by now?” Qaade asked, his rifle trained on Turk.
The man blinked furiously. “What are you talking about?”
Qaade said, “You fed me bad info.”
Turk looked from Torrie to Qaade. He stabbed a finger in the air. “My info is always right.”
Torrie asked, “And you get a lot of it from Currier?” She gave Qaade a warning look regarding the alias.
Turk shook his head. “Well, no. He contacted me one-way, gave me some intelligence and dumped a shitload of credits in my account. Look, I just passed it along.”
“He paid you to give me information?” Qaade asked.
Turk shrugged. “Hey, I’m not gonna complain.”
Qaade’s tone turned serious. “A lot of people died because of you.”
Turk ran his hands through his sparse hair. “I don’t know anything about that.”
Qaade cast Torrie a quick glance, and she could see the concern in his eyes. Maybe Turk didn’t know anything.
“New transmission received,” Nod announced.
Torrie turned to her lightball, who was hovering just behind them. “What transmission?”
“Authorization to play?”
“No, wait,” Torrie said. But Nod had already begun.
“Hey there, Qaade. This is Brilliard. We’re in Freeport waiting for you just off Wryth. Why don’t you join us?”
Torrie sucked in a quick breath. “Nod, cut comm now!”
She looked at Turk, knowing it was too late. Judging by the look in the informant’s eyes, he’d heard enough.
“Damn,” she muttered. “Now what?”
“Let him go,” Qaade said.
Torrie turned to him. “Are you insane?” she mouthed.
“He doesn’t know anything,” Qaade said. His silver eyes shone in his black mask. “Trust me.”
Chapter Twenty-one
Qaade punched the controls and the ship disembarked Wryth. It was bad enough he’d had to let Turk go without getting the information he wanted, but to have Brilliard screw up like that…
Torrie checked the scanners. “Freeport is ten minutes away. And quit banging on my console. Take your frustrations out on your own ship.”
He ignored her comment. “Right out in the middle of the shipping lane. What the hell is Brilliard doing? It’s not like him to be so sloppy.”
“I don’t know,” she said, shaking her head. “But I’m sure he has a good reason.”
He gave her a hard look. “I can’t think of one, can you?”
“He would never do anything to jeopardize Slipstream.”
“Well, he has now,” Qaade snapped. “How long do you think it’ll take Chauvet to notice Freeport sitting here for the picking?”
Torrie crossed her arms. “Do you trust anyone to do anything besides you?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, even though he did.
“I’m talking about Brilliard.’ I’m talking about what happened back there. You blew our op.”
He looked at her then, and grimaced at the fierce anger in her face and the fire in her eyes. “I just wanted to back you up.”
“We had a plan. I don’t recall your storming in to rescue me being part of it.”
“I thought you were in trouble,” he said. “We were supposed to be partners. I was just covering for you.”
“I told you I could handle it. Why didn’t you believe me? What do I have to do, Qaade? Tell me, and I’ll do it.” She gave him a look of hurt and frustration. It occurred to him that Torrie had spent a lot of time trying to prove herself, and all he’d done was deny her his trust.
He shook his head. “It’s an old habit I’m finding very hard to break.”
Her eyes remained hot. “You’re lucky I didn’t shoot you when you came through that door. You could have been anyone.”
She was right. “I appreciate your not shooting me.”
“For now. I make no future promises,” she said with little emotion in her voice. She added, “Of course, I also don’t understand why you just let Turk go. He knows about Freeport. He knows who you are. He’ll call Chauvet.”
“Exactly.”
The look on her face was priceless. “Have you lost your mind?”
“I slipped a tag on him when I let him go. I knew he wouldn’t have given us anything voluntarily, and something tells me Chauvet wouldn’t divulge his location to an idiot like Turk anyway. He didn’t give him his real name.”
Torrie’s expression changed to one of admiration. She smiled wickedly. “You have a positively devious mind.”
He eyed her. Tell me you like that.”
“You have no idea.” She wet her lips, distracting him completely. “What about Freeport?”
That one word reminded him of his duty. “As soon as we dock there, we’ll jump Freeport to hyperspace. Hopefully, Chauvet won’t have time to catch us.”
