“It’s a toss-up.”
“No it’s not,” the Trog said. “And you know it. The Church came after you because of what you are. The Collective are after you because of what you’ve done. I always remember you telling me you have to be willing to take the consequences for your actions. You broke their laws.”
“The same stinking laws that said we were animals and the Church could do what they liked to us.”
“Maybe. That doesn’t change things.”
Devlin stared beyond them for long moments, and then he nodded abruptly. “I’ll take it to my people.”
“We’re on a timetable here.”
He gave her a long, measured look. “I’ll take it to my people…quickly.”
Tannis realized the meeting was over. Beside her, Rico pushed himself to his feet. As she got up to follow, Rico touched her lightly on the arm.
She glanced up into his face. “What?”
“You might want to hold off on the hand-holding if there’s a next meeting with this guy.”
“Why?” she snapped. “It was a perfectly normal greeting.”
“He was practically drooling over you, and you did nothing to discourage him.”
“Your point is?”
“Well, I’m guessing neither our new friend over there, or Callum for that matter, are the types to cope with jealousy very well. So don’t stir up trouble. You’re pissed off at Callum right now, but this is a complication we do not need.”
“I can’t believe you’re saying this to me.”
He grinned. “I can’t believe it myself. But seems I’m turning into something of a relationship counselor, these days.”
“I do not have a relationship, and I do not need counseling.”
“Just giving you the benefit of my experience.”
“Thanks,” she said sourly.
“I thought you were on a timetable?” Devlin stood in the doorway, clearly waiting for them.
Tannis shrugged off Rico’s hand and headed toward him, pushing past and out of the door. Then she came to a halt.
A woman stood on either side of the entrance. As Devlin emerged, they moved to stand on either side of him. Dressed similar to Devlin, in khaki pants and tight T-shirts, weapons at their waists, they looked like Amazons, beautiful but fierce.
“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” Tannis asked.
Devlin grinned. “My bodyguards. Shawna and Mara. They go everywhere with me.”
“Everywhere?” She fell into step beside him as they headed down the corridor toward the docking bay.
“Yup. They sleep at the bottom of my bed. And they think you might be a threat to my person.”
“Well, I’m not.”
“No?” He cast her an amused glance. “Pity.”
They arrived back at the shuttle, and he held out his hand again. She took it and allowed him to hold it longer than necessary just to rile Rico. Who the hell was he to give relationship advice? Before he’d met Skylar, Tannis had never known him to have a relationship that lasted more than a couple of hours. And most of those “relationships” had been paid for. He’d always said he preferred whores; he knew what he was getting and so did they. Well, maybe they hadn’t known exactly what they were getting.
“I’ll contact you as soon as I have an answer.” Devlin dropped her hand and turned to the Trog. “Will you stay and talk a while, Tris? I’ll see you get back to your ship whatever our decision.”
The Trog nodded. “That okay, Captain?”
She nodded. “Of course. We’ll see you later.”
Rico was already on the shuttle readying for takeoff and she hurried after him.
…
Devlin contacted them less than an hour after they got back to El Cazador. Tannis had been pacing the floor of the bridge. She knew she was driving everybody crazy with her nerves, but she couldn’t help it.
“So what’s this guy, Devlin, like?” Skylar asked Rico. “Is he as bad as his reputation?”
“Ask Tannis,” Rico said. “She was holding hands with him.”
Skylar’s glance shot to her, and she raised her brows. Tannis ignored the look, and Rico’s comment, and the stare she received from Callum, who was slumped in a chair watching her pace. She could feel his eyes on her, hot, intense.
She hadn’t forgiven him. She doubted she ever would, but her rage had drained away. He hadn’t made any more attempts to justify himself, and she liked that, mainly because there was no justification.
“It’s the Rebels calling,” Janey said. “You want to talk to them? Or you want to pace a bit more?”
“I want to pace a bit more,” she snapped.
“Okay, I’ll ignore them.”
Tannis stopped her pacing and growled.
Janey grinned. “I’m putting them on speaker.”
“We’re on,” Devlin said. “I’m bringing Tris back and a few of my people for a meeting. We’ll be there in thirty.”
And he was gone.
“Sounds like an asshole,” Callum said.