by JC Cassels
“Thank you for your gallantry,” she said when she could speak again.
He grinned at her. “I’m not a gentleman under the best of circumstances,” he said. “Don’t confuse gallantry with audacity. I’m the only man here with the balls to turn the situation to my advantage.”
“Oh?”
He took the empty glass from her and set it on the window ledge. “It’s a hell of an opening line, don’t you think? I don’t see anyone else rushing to say, ‘Pardon me, miss, but did you know when you stand here like this I can see you naked?’ Do you? It’s a great conversation starter, impossible to ignore and even more impossible to forget. And I get points for being a gentleman when I’m anything but.”
Bo felt her cheeks heat again. Chuckling, she lifted her hands to her face. What was wrong with her? She was The Barron, for pity’s sake! She’d been around men before, and she’d been naked or nearly so, and it hadn’t affected her at all. Why this man was able to send her wits flying on the wind with just a word and a look was beyond her. Taking a deep, calming breath, she pressed her palms flat against the warm transparisteel at her side and smiled up at him.
“How is that turning the situation to your advantage?”
“Well, for one, you’re blushing like a virgin and I’m the only one who gets to enjoy it.”
Her color rose again and she lowered her gaze. It was his turn to chuckle.
“Not to mention that, under the guise of protecting your modesty, I’ve got you trapped here against the window, forcing you to interact with me whether you want to or not. And you’re inclined to want to because I’m appearing to be gallant.”
When she peeked up at him, she found him studying her with mild amusement, but there was no mockery in his expression, only pleasant surprise.
“Well, I thank you, sir, for your audacity,” she said.
“You’re not a gambler, are you?”
Bo shook her head.
“You’re not a Joy Babe, either.”
Her head snapped up. “There, you’re wrong…”
He grinned, showing even, white teeth. “No, I’m not.” He said it with such assurance that she didn’t know how to answer. “By the time Joy Babes reach your age they don’t blush like this anymore.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but he silenced her with a small shake of his head.
“No, don’t,” he said. “Seeing a little honest color in your cheeks is almost enough to make me believe there could be some good left in the Commonwealth after all. It’s not a bad thing.”
Bo closed her eyes in an effort to shut him out and regain control of her autonomic functions. She took a deep breath and released it slowly.
“You’re very good,” she said at last, looking up at him again.
“Thank you,” he said with mock solemnity. “If you like this, you should catch the rest of the act. I can guarantee a wow finish.”
“I’m meeting someone…”
“Of course you are.”
“No, I really am,” she said. “My client was supposed to meet me here, but he’s…” she hesitated. She had the oddest feeling that he was staring at her mouth. Self-consciously, she licked her suddenly dry lips and swallowed hard. “…late,” she finished weakly.
The noise from the rest of the lounge faded away. Her fingers curled into fists against the warm transparisteel as she fought the sudden urge to reach out and pull him closer. Her stare dipped to his mouth briefly, then slid quickly away in embarrassment. She hated not being able to see his eyes. It unnerved her.
“I believe you,” he said. “A girl like you wouldn’t go to all this trouble to set herself up as a Joy Babe on her own. It had to be somebody’s idea.”
The unspoken question hovered between them. Bo caught her lower lip between her teeth, refusing to look up into the featureless sunshades.
He lifted his head and looked around the embarkation lounge. “While I do enjoy holding you captive here against the window, I’ll be happy to escort you over there.” He nodded towards a seating area out of the sunlight. “You can wait for your client there without offending the wives whose husbands haven’t been able to take their eyes off you.”
Much as she was enjoying being held captive against the window, she wasn’t sure how Royce would react to finding her with this man. Reluctantly, she lowered her gaze and nodded, pushing herself away from the window. Before she could stop herself, she peered back up at him. He smiled at her then straightened.
In what appeared to be a perfectly natural maneuver, he placed himself between Bo and the window. With one hand on the small of her back, he nudged her to the seating area. The small, proprietary gesture sent a giddy thrill through her. Drawing on all her determination, Bo bludgeoned her confused feelings down. He made her feel all soft and feminine. That was dangerous.
Once safely shrouded in shadows, he took a step back. He made a show of looking her over before his lips twitched into another lopsided smile.
“There you go,” he said. “Now, you’re decent.”
“My hero,” she said with a smile. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
He glanced around the lounge again. “I’ll leave you to wait for your – client.”
With a nod, he turned as if to leave, but Bo stopped him with a hand on his arm.
“Audacious or not, it was gallant of you to come to my rescue.”
Turning back to her, he leaned down and his lips playfully brushed hers in a quick, completely unsatisfying kiss that took her by surprise. She barely had time to register the fact she was being kissed before he lifted his head and stepped out of reach.
“No it wasn’t,” he said. The lopsided smile was back. “I’ll see you around.”
Bo watched him retreat into the crowd milling around the lounge, her heart thundering against her chest. Before the crowd swallowed him, he glanced back over his shoulder at her and smiled. Smiling back, she lifted her fingers to her lips.
“There you are!” Royce said from beside her.
Startled out of her reverie, Bo tried to swallow the pounding of her heart. She dutifully offered her cheek for a kiss. He obliged and tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
“Liar.” Her smile took the heat out of it. “You wanted to dangle me as bait for someone.”
He grinned. “You okay? You look a little flushed.”
Bo took a deep breath and nodded. “I’m fine.”
“Let’s have a drink in the VIP Lounge. I’ll catch you up.”
As he whisked her quickly through the opaque doors of the lounge, Bo looked back over her shoulder for the dark-haired man, but he had disappeared. Disappointed, she drew another deep, calming breath as Royce settled her at a raised table near the bar. After the serving android placed an appropriately mild, fruity drink in front of her, Royce leaned back in his seat and casually surveyed the lounge.
“I haven’t seen the man I’m supposed to meet with, yet,” he said quietly, sliding his data reader across the table.
Glancing down, Bo studied the angular face of the man they were looking for. She quickly hid her relief – not her dark-haired champion.
“He’s young,” she commented.
“Yeah, he’s about your age, but don’t let that fool you. He’s some kind of boy genius. He’s got schematics for a phase weapon that he says can rip a hole in space.”
It took all of Bo’s self-control not to react to that information. Instead, she forced a smile and switched off the data reader. “Tell me about him.”
“His name’s Tennova.” Royce shifted in his seat. “Tall, skinny, brown hair, sideburns… I hear he can be a party animal,” he said.
“So what’s the plan?”
“He’s taking bids on the weapon,” Royce said. “I’m here to make sure those schematics don’t fall into the wrong hands. I’m guessing they wouldn’t consider you to be someone they’d want to have them, nor would any other government agent here. The passe
nger list is full of aliases – good guys and bad guys. Edge is working on compiling a who’s who for me. It doesn’t matter which Sector gets them, as long as we get our hands on a copy of them.”
“Sounds pretty straightforward,” Bo said. “Where do I come in?”
Royce smiled. “He’s got a weakness for beautiful women.”
“What’s your cover?”
“The Five-Point tourney,” he said. “I doubt I’m the only IC here. I’ve recognized several competitive Five-Point players; mostly professionals, but there are a few fairly well-known amateurs.”
“What about this Tennova?” she asked. “Is he competing as well?”
Royce nodded. “It’s how he set up the meets. I’ve got my people checking out everyone he’s set to play against, and anyone he goes into private with. Edge is monitoring any transmissions made from this liner. If he moves the schematics, we’ll intercept them one way or another. We’re getting your father back, Princess. I promise.”
Behind her sunshades, Bo scanned the occupants of the room, easily locating the man in question. She studied him a moment. Tall and lean, as Royce had described. His blue suit fit as if tailored for him – another Second Avenue. He was deep in animated conversation with a small group of well-dressed humanoids. His sharp features were expressive. An engaging smile crossed his face, followed immediately by an unselfconscious laugh. He moved with a disarming gangly awkwardness. While Bo watched, the conversation lagged and Tennova turned away from his companions and lifted his drink to his lips, studying the room. For a brief moment, all hint of affability fled his countenance. His mouth settled into hard lines and his dark eyes turned in her direction. He studied her briefly. A cold, calculating smile curled his lips.
Bo slowly removed her sunshades and gave him a measured look before she returned his smile. She set the sunshades on the table in front of her. Showtime.
“So how much longer until we board?” she asked Royce quietly.
Royce, noting Tennova’s approach, sipped his drink and consulted his chrono. “Soon, baby,” he said.
“I hope I’m not interrupting…”
Bo held her uncle’s stare for a couple of beats more before turning to smile up at Tennova.
“Not at all,” Royce assured him.
“Please forgive me,” Tennova said. “When I saw you across the room, I knew I had to give you this…” He held up a single flower and offered her a charming smile. “As lovely and perfect as it is, you still outshine its beauty,” he said.
His practiced gallantry left her cold. Like any good Joy Babe, Bo laughed and took the flower from him. Holding his gaze, she lifted the flower to her face and brushed the petals along her lower lip before tucking it slowly and deliberately between her breasts. As intended, he watched her carefully, his eyes lingering on her cleavage.
“That’s a perfect place for it,” he said, warmly.
“My thanks, Mister…?” she trailed off hopefully.
He stared at her breasts for another moment before giving himself a visible shake and returning his attention to her face. “Sorry,” he said, extending his hand and offering a charmingly boyish grin. “Tennova,” he said. “Marc Tennova.”
Bo gracefully slipped her hand into his. “Marissa Kiara,” she said. “And this is my – uncle…”
Royce rose to his feet and offered his hand in greeting. “Haskara Namu,” he introduced himself. “I believe you may have spoken with someone in my office, earlier.”
Tennova shook his hand and waved away the comment. “I speak with a lot of people,” he said dismissively. “So, Marissa, do you play Five-Point?” he asked.
Bo lowered her gaze, and then peered back up at him through her lashes. “I’m afraid I’m not very good at it,” she lied.
It was hard not to simper. There was a delicate balance in playing a Kiara. One must be regal, yet approachable – demure, yet worldly – submissive, yet not insipid – which in itself would not be problematic except for the fact that Bo held most of the feminine machinations of Joy Babes in great contempt. Her attitude crept into her portrayal.
“I believe the stakes for this tourney are a bit above my skill level,” she said languorously with a slight lift of her chin. “But I do appreciate a hand well-played. I find it exhilarating to watch experienced players match wits with one another.”
Why couldn’t she have been this smooth and self-assured with the dark-haired man in the lounge?
“I can’t wait to see that myself,” Tennova grinned. “This should be one hell of a cruise.” He jerked his head towards Royce. “So, are you under exclusive contract or just looking for a wild ride? Please say you’re looking for a wild ride because I can surely give you that.”
Bo smiled. “I’m under exclusive contract,” she said.
“Perhaps that contract can be renegotiated,” Tennova said offhandedly.
“Or bought out,” Royce interjected. “Under the right circumstances, that is.”
The two men exchanged knowing smiles and shook hands.
“I look forward to discussing the details,” Tennova said. He took Bo’s hand and lifted it to his lips, studying her face as he did so. “Marissa.”
Bo favored him with a slow, lazy smile but said nothing. His touch repulsed her. With one last nod to Royce, he took his leave, moving on to the next group. Bo watched him go. Sensing someone’s attention on her, she glanced towards her left. She couldn’t quite control her sharp intake of breath.
The dark-haired man.
She really needed to learn his name if he was going to figure so prominently in her fantasies. At the moment, she couldn’t think of another man who had the audacity to steal a kiss from The Barron. Her thumb absently traced her slightly parted lips before she caught herself stroking it with her tongue.
Amusement tugged at one corner of his mouth. It was the only indication that he watched her.
“Friend of yours?” Royce’s voice broke into her thoughts.
“Hmm?” Bo turned to her uncle, suddenly realizing with some embarrassment what she’d been doing with her thumb. Squaring her shoulders, she primly dropped her hands to her lap. Her face heated.
“Focus, Princess,” he said. “Tennova is the one you want to seduce, not that one. If he’s who I think he is, he’s IC.”
He didn’t need to elaborate. With a resigned sigh, Bo lowered her gaze. A government agent would see her presence there as a threat to the security of the Commonwealth. With the kill-on-sight order, it exposed her to far too much danger.
She nodded her understanding.
Satisfied, Royce turned his attention to flagging down another server.
Bo surreptitiously peered at the dark-haired man.
“I didn’t order this,” Royce said, drawing her attention once more.
The serving android set two glasses filled with yellow liquid on the table. “Two shockwaves compliments of Darien Roarke,” it said.
“Who the hell is Darien Roarke?” Royce shook his head and leaned closer to her. “Why is he sending drinks over?”
With a small smile, Bo waved the serving android away and picked up her drink. “I would guess because Mister Roarke thought I looked like I could use one.”
Darien Roarke. She caught his eye and lifted her drink in silent toast, smiling her thanks. He nodded in acknowledgement and a slow grin spread across his face.
“Pretty ballsy sending drinks to a woman when she’s with another man,” Royce said, following her stare.
“I think the word you’re looking for is audacious,” Bo said. With a resigned sigh, she sipped the foul-tasting drink.
Darien watched with amusement as she struggled not to show her distaste.
Bo braced her elbow on the table and rested her chin in her hand. “For the record, I think I prefer audacity to gallantry any day.”
CHAPTER SIX
Meet and Greet
Tennova’s Private Five-Point Tourney
Lady of Staves Starliner
> “I thought you said there would be more women, Dev,” Chase groused. “Cruises are supposed to be target-rich environments.”
Blade fingered the IC data reader in his pocket. He didn’t bother to look at his brother. “If you don’t start calling me Darien, I’m going to kick you out the nearest airlock.”
“No you won’t. If you kill me, who will you find to mock and abuse you?”
Tearing his attention away from studying the faces of the other passengers, he looked pointedly at his brother. The effect of his glower was lost behind the sunshades. After a long minute, Chase shrugged.
“Fine.” Chase nodded and shoved his hands into his pockets as he rocked back on his heels. “Suit yourself. I hate when you get lost in your character.”
His lips pursed as he bit back the desire to say more. He took a half-step away and hesitated.
Blade waited patiently, knowing his brother all too well. He didn’t have long to wait.
“It’s not right, little brother,” Chase exploded, unable to contain himself.
Blade’s lips twitched.
“It scares the hell out of me. One of these days you’re going to slip so deep into one of your portrayals that you may never come out again. It’s one thing when it’s a holofeature, but this… these alter egos of yours…” Chase leaned closer to him. His brow furrowed and the words came out in a rapid fire staccato. “Normal people do not have a closet filled with disguises and aliaseses…” A perplexed frown crossed his face. His eyebrows lifted in question as he mentally ran through the possibilities. “Aliasi?”
“Aliases,” Blade supplied with a wry smile.
“Whatever.” Chase waved his hands in dismissal. “You were never normal, not even as a snot-nosed kid. But you’ve got a really sweet gig going now – and you’re keeping me in steady work.” Chase clasped his hands together in front of his face. “Please, I am begging you, Dev, don’t blow it.”
Shaking his head, Blade’s lips curled in an indulgent smile. “Blame Underneath Dead Star,” he said. “That’s when I lost my anonymity. The only way I’m able to get around and attend these tourneys is because I can do so without being recognized. As soon as this cover is blown, it’s back to Boys’ Night Out in someone’s garden shed hiding from their wife.”