Page 142 of Stars in Umbra
Rina took a moment, inhaled, then shifted.
Her posture softened, lips curved, and the sparkle in her eyes became sultry mischief.
‘You owe me one,’ she whispered.
He smirked. ‘I owe you everything.’
With that, she sashayed across the tavern floor, hips swaying, her long legs catching the attention of every man in the room.
She slowed at the trio’s table, brushed her fingers over the edge as if by accident, and leaned in.
‘Mind if I squeeze in? You three handsome gentlemen look delicious enough to nibble on. I’m bored. My date’s too drunk to hold a cue stick, let alone a conversation.’
Two of the men’s eyebrows arched in amusement.
The third, a sculpted-jawed sentinel with scars down his left cheek, glowered, trying to work her out.
She smiled, flipped her hair, and draped her wrist, with her comm hidden under bangles, over the edge of their table.
She bent down, giving them a generous view of her lacy bra-clad chest, to examine one of their drinks.
‘Is this the best brew? Or well-labeled swill?’
In her neural feed, Mirage’s voice buzzed. ‘Steady. I’m in. Keep them distracted.’
For several tense moments, Rina tossed her head, pouted just so, and held their gaze. But the leader was too clued in to fall for her schtick.
He reached for her arm and gripped, not too hard to bruise, but enough that she’d have trouble tugging away.
‘What exactly are you playing at, woman?’ he growled.
Rina froze just as Mo came staggering over, cursing loudly and sporting a flushed expression.
‘There you are!’ he boomed, wrapping a protective hand around her waist. ‘Running off again. What did I say about making me jealous, baby?’
Rina’s resulting laugh was high-pitched but convincing. ‘Don’t be ridiculous, honey,’ she said, allowing herself to be pulled against his massive frame. ‘I was just having some fun.’
Mo glared at the trio. ‘No hard feelings, brothers. She’s got a wandering eye, but she’s mine.’
The three men stared at him, weighing him up.
Mo’s colossal size, his guns, presence, and wild, part-drunk, on-the-edge-of-violence glower gave them pause.
We’re good, Mirage announced.I’ve got what I need.
About fokkin time, Mo growled into their neural link.Shit’s about to go off.
He guided Rina away, stumbling, pressing kisses to her mouth while chiding her at the top of his drawling slur.
Mo waved off a barmaid, paid their tab, then headed for the exit.
Outside, they half-staggered toward the battered flyer.
The trio followed them to the door, still suspicious, providing an unwelcome escort.
Mo turned back to them with a grin. ‘Santefor the concern, boys, but flyer’s on auto. I can’t risk my J.O.B. at the mine flying drunk, now can I?’
He smacked Rina’s backside, and she squealed in mock indignation.
