Page 27 of Courting Mayhem

“I need their help to locate Vrax and the Shebu. Your fathers also need to learn who’s in charge.”

Poppa Jacob climbed to his feet. “Go. The war commander is right. We must decide who’s running things.”

“We caused the damage to the incinerator. It is only right, we fix it,” Papi Sten added with a dopey smile.

Ballock’s balls they were both drunk, and the fight of the century was about to start. “Try not to kill each other.” I walked out.

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Chapter Six

By the time we arrived at Gliese, I was seriously pissed. The war commander and my fathers were suddenly best buddies. I guess beating each other half to death was a male bonding ritual. While I plotted ways to steal back the Shebu, they played poker, drank Earth beer, and watched porn movies. Ugh.

Several good things did come out of their bonding. I now had a spotless incinerator. Derek added himself to the duty roster and I had to admit he ran the ship better than my fathers did. When something broke, he fixed it. He also scanned the new weapons systems, and our pirated shields. He was very impressed with the cutting-edge cloaking device.

To my horror, I caught the War Commander and Poppa Jacob watching our family vids. “You had a unique upbringing,” Derek commented.

The understatement of the year. Giving Poppa Jacob the stink eye, I stopped the vid and quickly blocked Derek from accessing it again. “I tracked Canute to the Angaga Pleasure Palace. The previous owner died mysteriously and guess who claims to own it now?”

“Canute.” A predatory smile curved Poppa Jacob’s mouth. “Did you inform Sten?”

“I did. Canute’s security is unbreachable. They also do a body scan before they allow anyone to enter the pleasure palace. Any Coletti warriors attempting to get inside are killed.”

Poppa Jacob tapped his chin. “You’ll have to go in as a dancer.”

I nodded. “I already sent a vid of my pole dancing routine to Canute. He wants to see my act in person.”

Poppa Jacob grinned. “I bet he does.”

“Pole dancing?” Derek queried.

Poppa Jacob brought up a vid of my routine and let it play.

Derek’s amber eyes widened in astonishment. “When you said you liked to dance, I never imaged this.”

“It’s a good way to increase flexibility,” I said.

Derek tilted his head. “I’ll say.”

“Most of our bounties hang out in pleasure houses and taverns. While everyone’s attention is fixed on Mayhem, Sten captures our prey,” Poppa Jacob said.

“Who taught you to dance like that?”

“Kadooma.”

Derek’s eyebrows shot up. “TheKadooma? The most sought-after dancer in the galaxy?”

“Yes, I saved her from being eaten by a Tai-Kok. To show her gratitude, she taught me how to dance.”

Derek replayed the vid. “I’ll say.” He peered at the screen. “Who’s the guy?”

“Poppa Jacob’s my dance partner,” I answered.

Derek turned an astonished gaze on my father. “You agreed to wear that costume?”

“It’s part of the act.” Poppa Jacob was openly amused. “I think the war commander should join your act. We fit him with a bio inhibitor, add in a mask and no one will realize he’s a Coletti war commander.”

Derek erupted to his feet. “Oh, hell no. I’m not wearing a G-string.”

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