Page 5 of His Clever Captive

She looks up at me through long lashes. “If Gwen has any say in the matter, she’ll pay whatever you ask. Within reason, I guess.”

“Oh, I’m counting on it.” I lean back, stretching my legs out. Her gaze follows and I smirk. “Ryz will hand over half his fleet to keep his precious wife happy. And in return…” I spread my hands. “You get a tearful reunion with your beloved friends. Wins all around.”

Her nose wrinkles. “So you’re just…a middleman? Some scaly loan shark with a god complex?”

Scaly?I glance at my golden forearm. “I preferambitious.”

She rolls her eyes. “I preferhonest.”

“Then you’ll die poor,” I counter, defensively.

She crosses her arms. “And you’ll die alone.”

The words punch harder than they should. But there’s no way that’s true. I’ve never wanted for company when I’m tossing around coin.Mostly.

“Vex,” Nor’Veth calls from the cockpit, interrupting my thoughts. “Scanners show Scav bots nearby. Nasty ones.”

I stand and clap my hands. “Berrix—reroute us around the drones. We’ll raid the closest outpost for supplies.”

She blinks. “Raid?”

“Shopping.” I grin, then add, “Pirate style.” I grab onto a safety grip near the door as the ship begins to evade the bots. Butthen I swing back down onto the seat next to Lacey. “We gotta strap you in, my dear. Things are going to get bumpy.”

I reach around her, trying to ignore her intoxicating scent as I fuse the belts into place.

Quorr, I could devour this woman whole.

I get back to my post near the door, as we weave and lurch.

She glances at me. “So what’s the deal with you and your brother? Why the animosity?”

The question catches me off guard. Which is probably why I blurt out the answer before thinking. “Because I’m a bastard. A mistake. Because Father loved him and loathed me.”

Her expression turns to something like pity. And I can’t have that.

I shrug it off. “Sibling rivalry. He has a throne; I want one.”

She studies me harder than I like.

“Now I want his favorite toys, too,” I add. “Starting with one of his swanky warships.” I wink at her. “You know, you’d look good on one of their decks.”

Her nostrils flare, but her skin’s gone pink at her cheeks, neck, and shoulders. “You’re an impossible flirt.”

“And you’re staring again,” I toss back at her.

“Assessing.” She shakes her head, but there’s a ghost of a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

She bites her lip. It's an innocent, unconscious gesture, but it sends a sizzle of desire straight through me. I find myself wanting to taste her, to feel her soft, supple lips against mine. Dangerous thoughts to have for a means to an end.

The ship dips dramatically, and it sets off the alarms.

“Scav bots!” Nor’Veth yells. “Five of ‘em, closing fast!”

Lacey yelps. “What’s happening?!”

“Just pests,” I growl, riding out the ship’s movements. “Berrix! Evasive pattern Zeta!”

Laser fire rattles the hull as Faylid whoops. “Yeelhawp! Time to crack some skulls!”

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