Page 118 of The Dragon King's Assassin

Chapter Forty-Seven

I didn't have to hide anymore. The bad guy had been found and dealt with. I could be exactly who I was and do exactly what I wanted to do. What I needed to do was sleep, but I was too excited for that, too baffled and shocked, and the Nerakians were just as ramped up after their escapade. So, I took them to the Enchanted Swan's restaurant for breakfast.

The look on the face of the doorman as we strode past him was priceless. And that was only the start. For some of the staff and guests, it was probably the first time they'd been within forty feet of a Neraky pirate, much less six of them. But the Swan was known for its excellent service and these Nerakians were in the company of a guest. That made them guests by extension. So, they were treated with respect—a fact that both impressed me and endeared the staff to me.

“This is nice,” Ry said as he looked around the restaurant. “A bit white, but nice. Everything is so fucking clean.”

“Don't steal anything,” Teng said.

Ry grimaced. “I wasn't gonna.”

Teng just stared back.

Ry pulled a silver salt shaker out of his vest and set it back on the table.

“They're being very nice to us, and that is something I did not expect,” Teng said sternly. “We're going to be respectful in return.”

“Fuck that,” I said. “I mean, yes, be nice to the staff and don't take anything, but I brought you here so we could enjoy ourselves, not feel awkward. This is a thank you breakfast so, please, make yourselves comfortable.”

Grei, one of Teng's men, grinned at me, leaned back in his chair, and started to lift his foot.

“Not that comfortable!” Teng snapped.

“Just testin' the waters, Captain,” Grei said, still grinning.

“Here you are,” the waitress said as she set a pot of coffee and another of tea on the table, then placed delicate teacups in front of the pirates. “You fellas look like you had a fun night.”

“We stormed the palace,” Ry said with a charming smile. “And saved the King.”

“Did you now?” She grinned at him, then lifted the coffee pot.

“Oh, no, you sweet thing!” Ry took the pot from her. “Don't you worry about that. We can pour our own drinks.” He handed the pot to Grei. “Here, pour the coffee.” Then he swiveled his smile back at her. “Would you like a cup of coffee, darlin'?”

The waitress giggled and held her tray to her chest. “No, thank you, Sir. I'd best get back and check on your food. It's still early, so yours are the only orders the chefs are working on. They should be ready soon.”

“If we're the only ones here, then surely you can have a quick cup of coffee?” Ry made to get up and offer her his chair.

“Ry, sit down and leave the girl alone,” Teng said. “Can't you see that she's worked all night? We're probably keeping her from leaving.”

“Oh, not at all, Sir,” she protested. “I'm happy to have one last table to wait on before I go home. I usually have to sit around doing nothing this last hour, and I work mostly for tips.”

“I figured as much,” Teng said, sliding a sexy look her way. “And we'll make it worth your while, but you'd best hurry off now. My men are used to tavern wenches; they don't know how to behave around real ladies.”

The waitress blushed, did a quick bob, and went back to the kitchen.

“Damn it, Teng!” Ry snarled once she was gone. “I was halfway down her drawers, and I'll bet they're real pretty, silky things too.”

You were nowhere near her pretty underthings. That's a good girl right there.”

“Yeah, and good girls like bad boys.” Ry waggled his brows, and the other men laughed. “And I would have been really bad for her.”

“You'll get a few more chances,” I said. “Best work on your next line before she returns.”

“In other words, shut the fuck up, you man-whore!” Lue, another of the pirates, said.

We all started laughing but our laughter was cut short by the arrival of a group of palace knights, who came marching into the restaurant as if it were under siege.

“Aw, fuck, I thought we were good with the King?” Ry asked me.

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