Page 46 of Smuggler's Beauty

She accepted the coffee and took a sniff. “Mmmm. Hello, gorgeous.” Evelyn grinned. “And hi back.”

“Glad to know where I stand,” he said, with a smile that nearly melted her out of her jeans.

“It’s a very close second place,” she managed to say despite the fluttering in her stomach. Did they make sex antacids?

They settled in her living room, and easy conversation buzzed as sandwiches and drinks were distributed. The love that the crew had for each other was evident, and Evelyn had beeninvited into this chaotic coterie with open arms, no questions asked.

Well, questions had been asked. But for her, not about her.

Did Corrie long for this, too? Or did she have her own community to fall back on? Evelyn looked at her. She was sitting in the same chair she sat in yesterday, nibbling on a croissant. Her eyes darted around, following the conversation.

Is she filing things away for later? Does she ever just pay attention?

She really didn’t know the woman she’d always considered her favorite aunt, she realized. Not anymore.

Taking a deep, bolstering gulp of her coffee, Evelyn then set her cup down with a little more force than she’d intended. A few drops flew up through the sipping lid.

Smooth.

The group quieted, and she felt the weight of every eye in the room turn to her. Color rose to her cheeks. She hated being the center of attention like this, but she figured this was as good a time as any to declare her intentions.

“I spent a lot of time thinking yesterday,” she began. Aiden’s arm crept down from the back of the sofa, where he had draped it lazily, to give her shoulder a gentle squeeze. She smiled and pressed on.

“Even if it’s doomed to fail, breaking Emil’s hold on Tanalia is the right thing to do. Not that I think we’re doomed to fail! I just...” She sighed. “If there’s a plan and I can help, I want to. I can’t just run and hide and farm llamas on some asteroid colony.

“I also don’t expect any of you to run to our aid. You’ve all done so much for me already. Tanalia is very heavily in your debt. But I do think we would be more successful if you want to help. That’s all.” Evelyn lunged for the coffee cup and clutched it to her chest. The room was dead silent. She could actually hearher heart beating in her ears, the heat radiating from her cheek as she lifted her cup to her face.

“Told you,” Veselko said. He was lounging against the wall again, like it was his job to keep the structure from falling. His grin reminded Evelyn of a feral hyena. “Told you she’d want to.”

Evelyn was pretty sure she could warm a package of ramen with the heat emanating from her face at this point. How could faith in her be more embarrassing than being listened to? She focused on the lid of her cup.

“He did,” Aiden said softly. His hand on her shoulder rubbed in small circles. Evelyn was afraid she was going to burst into tears.

“So, what’s in the boxes?” Changing the subject was always the move.

Corrie smiled at her. Her eyes were bright, and she radiated a sense of satisfaction.

“It’s your homework,” she said. “If you’re going to help, we need to train your talent.”

Evelyn’s stomach fell.

You knew this was coming.

“Well, two of them. The other boxes have information so that everyone can make an informed decision. I must insist on a policy of nondisclosure,” Corrie continued.

Evelyn zoned out as the rest of the group peppered Corrie with questions about logistics, weaponry, men on the ground, infiltration techniques (both physical and technological), and of course, payment. Evelyn and Corrie were fighting for their homeland. The crew of theRising Dawnwere coming in as . . . mercenaries? Technical consultants? Procurement experts? Whatever they wanted to be called, Evelyn would make sure they were paid very handsomely.

Corrie passed out folders full of documents, answering their questions with reference to the contents. Elenor seemedimpressed at the level of preparation that was going into this pitch. Lillian was taking notes on her communicator. Nannette had found a highlighter somewhere and was going through her folder, marking up the pages. Cairn had dragged Veronique into his lap, and they were whispering about her “directorial debut.” Tariel was making a list, and Veselko was still keeping the wall up.

Aiden was still rubbing her shoulder in gentle circles. Calm, certain, steady energy radiated off of him. He asked questions and followed them up when necessary. He was clearly agreeing to nothing that he couldn’t successfully plot out on his mile of whiteboard.

And he can already see it all plotted out there.

That’s when it hit her.

They were actually considering joining this coup.

She patted Aiden’s hand on her shoulder and got up off the sofa. She needed water. Veselko followed her into the kitchen.