Page 83 of Choosing Jenny
“Unfortunately, no. He must feel every nerve I reconnect so I can map it properly.”
Longshot’s expression remained impressively blank as he laid on the table and took a deep breath to steady himself.
Noc stood next to him, unwrapping his damaged stump and examining it for a few moments before speaking again. “Malice, take his good hand in yours. He will need you.”
“I will be fine, Noc,” Longshot grumbled.
I did it anyway and told him, “Stop being so prideful, you cina-brained dreck.”
“If anyone here is a cina-brained…” he started, but then something abruptly cut him off. His eyes widened, his entire body tensed, and he started to grasp my hand in a crushing grip.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, my heart racing.
Noc didn’t even look up. “The process has begun.”
CHAPTER 27
Tiger
Jac let out a low whistle when he took in the sight of Malice’s manor as he dropped me off after our mission was successful and complete.
“Snazzy place,” he teased. “Executing people pays well, huh?”
I shot him a look. “That’s not who he is, Jac.”
He arched a brow. “He’s the Royal Executioner, Tiger.”
“Yes, but that’s notwhohe is,” I argued. “That’s what he does.”
Jac was quiet for a moment before issuing a reply. “I imagine it’s important to you to make that distinction.”
I huffed an annoyed breath.
“Look, I don’t mean to get under your collar about it, Tiger,” he said as we entered the manor. “I know you’re in love with him, and as much as I wish that was not the case—”
“Why?”
“Because of all ofthis.” He gestured around us as we walked toward the kitchen. “All of this opulence is due to the fact that he is the ward of Justice Bateen. Which means you’re tied to Justice, as well. And whatever Justice decides to do to punish or provoke Malice, you will get caught in the crossfire.That’sthe part of this that I don’t like.”
“And here I thought it was because you didn’t like Mal,” I drawled sardonically.
Jac winced as though I’d smacked him. “Was I really that transparent?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Um, yeah. Completely.”
Jac sighed and smiled a bit sheepishly. “I’m sorry. It’s hard on me, you know? I lost the best deckhand I’d ever had—”
“Kapok,” I said softly, nodding along.
Jac came to a stop, and so did I. “You. Tiger, I meantyou.” Jac’s gaze met and held mine. “Youare the best deckhand I’ve ever had.”
I frowned. “What about Kapok?”
He smiled, but it was laced with something bittersweet. “Kapok Orne was one of the bestguysI’ve known. I miss him having my back in a tight spot. But you are the bestdeckhandI’ve ever had. You can pilot, you understand ships damn well, you don’t complain, you just get the job done. Shit, the fact that you kept everyone safe in the Vulavi cave—”
“What are you talking about?”
He gave me an incredulous look. “I know it was you who rigged the drivers to get a message to us. Don’t deny it.”
