“No, I’ve sent them back. They weren’t happy—they don’t think I’m safe with you. They think you’ll take advantage of me.” He gave her a slow smile that banished the sneer from his face. “Will you take advantage of me, snake-lady? If I ask nicely?”
She was aware the rest of the crew had left, even Rico who had loitered as though he didn’t want to leave her alone.
She studied him for a moment, a small frown pulling her lips. “The Trog said you were obviously GM, but I can’t see it.”
He raised his brows, then turned his back on her. She frowned, wondering what he was doing. Then he gripped the hem of his T-shirt, pulled it over his head, and tossed it onto the chair.
“Wow.” The word slipped out. She glanced at the open doorway where everyone had disappeared, not knowing whether she wished somebody would come back, or she was glad they were alone. She returned her attention to Devlin. He was very easy to look at.
He was broad at the shoulders, tapering to a narrow waist. His skin had the sheen of good health, though that wasn’t what held her attention. Faint rosettes of color, black on gold, marked his back. Jaguar rings.
He turned, and she found herself very close to the smooth swell of his chest. The jaguar markings tinged his skin around the sides, fading to leave his chest a creamy gold. A line of hair dissected his ridged belly, the same gold, disappearing into the waistband of his pants.
“There are also these.” He took her hand in his and moved her fingers so they pressed against the pad of his. A sharp claw emerged.
“Retractable claws—cool.”
He stroked the sharp claw lightly across her palm, and a shiver ran through her. But when he reached up to grasp her shoulder, she backed away.
“I have things to do,” she said.
And ran.
Chapter Twelve
Callum was racing back to the conference room when he bumped into Rico. Literally. He hadn’t been looking where he was going, and it was like running into a blaster shield.
“Shit.”
Rico grinned. “In a hurry?”
For a moment, Callum peered down the corridor. “No.”
“Then come with me,” Rico said. “I have something for you.”
“Really? A present? How nice but—”
“She’s only pissing you off. Don’t rise to it.”
For a second he hesitated, then said, “Lead the way.”
He followed Rico the way he had come, down into the docking bay, intrigued despite himself. The area was large and empty except for the two shuttles parked at the far side. Rico ignored them and crossed the room in the opposite direction, coming to a halt beside a large cabinet with double doors. He pressed his palm to the panel and the doors slid apart revealing an extensive stash of weapons.
Callum watched in silence as Rico studied the contents. He didn’t think the vampire meant to shoot him, but all the same, his gut tightened. Rico selected a weapons belt and handed it over. Callum didn’t ask, just fastened it around his waist. Next, Rico picked up a laser pistol and weighed it in his hand, then put it down and tried another. He glanced at Callum.
“I take it you do know how to use one of these things?”
“It’s been a while.”
“I bet it has. How long a while?”
Callum couldn’t remember when he had last worn a weapon. There was no need when you spent your whole life in meetings, had an army at your disposal, and a set of personal guards at your back.
“Three hundred years, give or take.”
“Christos.” Rico studied him as though he were something curious. “Oh, well, just make sure you learn how to use it. I don’t want you shooting anyone by accident.”
He tossed the pistol to Callum, who caught it easily and slid it into the weapons belt. The grip felt good in his hand, and he flexed his fingers. But he needed to understand one thing. “Why?”
“Starke is staying on board, and this is my ship. If anyone gets to kill you, it’s going to be me. Or the captain. I might let her if she still wants to and she asks me nicely.”
“Why’s Starke staying on the ship?” He had a few ideas, but he really hoped he was wrong.
“He says he wants to spend time with his brother, and he’s probably telling the truth.”
“So why give me the gun?”
“His brother isn’t the only one he wants to spend time with. He’s got his eyes on the captain, and she’s still pissed enough with you that she might just think it’s worth leading him on. In which case, seems he’s got a gun, it’s only fair you have one as well.”
“Good. I think.”
“Besides, I don’t know him, and I don’t trust him.”
That was good news. “Why?”
“Because he’s an idealist. He sees things as black and white, and I’m guessing, to his eyes, you’re as black as they come.”
“But not in yours?”
“I’m no idealist. Besides…”
“Besides?”
“I lived on Earth. The place was a mess, much worse than here. You lot might not be perfect, but you’re doing an okay job. Except for the GM thing, but you’re going to put that right. Right?”
“It’s at the top of my list.”