Page 18 of Blood of the Sirens
Was I still winning? This was an odd game.
The larger man was considering my proposal.
“Well … I need some muscle to help around the ship, to get it going and monitor things. It would let me interact with the customers more. And Christ knows I’m getting old.”
He snorted at Jesse and ran a hand through his hair. I wasn’t sure why; there wasn’t much left on his shiny head.
“I suppose you’ll only come on board if she gets her job back?” he asked me.
Again, he jerked his thumb, but this time at Jesse. He needed to stop that. I felt it was not a polite gesture.
The three of them were looking at me as if waiting for something.
“Jesse stays with me. And I will help you with these tasks,” I repeated, happy to ensure everyone understood my terms.
Mike grunted. “Fine. Be here at five tomorrow.” He harrumphed at Jesse and disappeared back onto a medium-sized boat.
I grinned broadly. It appeared I had won the game after all.
The smaller male rushed forward, practically pushing Jesse out of the way to stand in front of me. I glanced down at him, confused.
“Jesse, tell me everything,” he demanded, still staring at me.
My female blushed red. “There isn’t much to tell. I met him the other night when I was out kayaking.”
I bristled at the sheer lack of information and felt compelled to elaborate. Somehow, I knew this male wasn’t in competition with me for Jesse, but I wished to brag of my prowess to him, anyway.
“I threw her against her dock and kissed her several times. She very much enjoyed it,” I proudly stated.
His mouth went wide in an O shape. Jesse sputtered incoherently.
Humans were odd.
“JESSE!” screeched the smaller male, whacking her on the shoulder. He offered his hand to me.
“Javi.Pleasureto meet you.” The way he waslooking at me was odd, but not threatening or giving me any sign he wished to battle for this female.
I eyed his hand warily. It contained no weapons or poison.
“Come on. I don’t bite.” He waved his hand in front of me, and I took a guess at what I was supposed to do. I matched my hand to his, and he snatched my fingers, moving the entire hand up and down. Then he dropped it.
I pulled my hand back to my chest, eyes narrowing.
He sighed. “This is the part where you tell usyourname.”
Ah! How rude of me! I stood up tall, my chin lifting in the air. “I am Merrick, son of—”
I cut myself off, realizing that I couldn’t use any of my titles or affiliations. It would give me away. It would give my people away. My shoulders drooped.
“I am Merrick,” I tried again, somewhat lamely.
“Well, hello Merrick,” the one called Javi said. My Jesse punched him in the shoulder, and he stepped away with a cry.
My Jesse was strong. This pleased me.
She ran her hands through her hair, which was damp with perspiration and curling slightly at the edges. “Look, I appreciate the help. Really, I do. But it wasn’t necessary. And now—”
“We are ecstatic to have you with us,” Javi cut in, moving ahead of her and smiling at me.
