Page 77 of Smuggler's Beauty

What the fuck happened on that comm call?

“I just got off the comm with Pearl Locke. She fed me some bullshit story about wanting to track down a bulldog for a client with delivery on 14 And. She could just be fishing for information, but I think it’s far more likely someone has hired the Twins.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, that’s just what we need,” Nannette said.

“You’re on comms level communication withPearl Locke?” Mathias’ tone was horrified fascination. “How the hell did you manage that?”

“We’re acquainted with a lot of people,” Elenor said. “Some are far more pleasant to deal with than others.” She sniffed.

“Some we should have set loose in a pack of rabid hyenas," Lillian muttered.

“AndI’ma rampaging hippopotamus?” Elenor placed a hand on her chest, eyes incredulous as she looked at her wife.

“We’re well matched.”

“What my mothers are trying to say is that not every connection one makes in our line of business is a pleasant one,” Aiden said. His throat felt tight, dread rising in his chest. He did not want the crew to have to deal with Pearl ever again. He’d have gladly erased her memory from the collective minds of his entire family if the act wouldn’t have left them in danger. He knew exactly the kind of damage the woman was capable of dealing, to say nothing of her ice-cold partner. He wouldn’t let her get her hands on Evelyn.

“Why did she call you?” Veselko asked. His eyes were narrowed, arms crossed.

Great. Just great.

“Probably because I’m the one least likely to ignore the comm. Or try to stab her. Or send her a virus.”

“He makes a valid point,” Nannette said. She reached over to Veselko and patted his shoulder.

“Even if they haven’t been hired, we should be acting as if they have. I need to reroute our travel plans,” Cairn said. He turned to Mathias. “Are we dumping you on the station or somewhere else, lad? What’s best for your cover?”

“Wait a second. Tariel, did you trace the communication?” Lillian asked.

Tariel just stared at her.

“I’ll rephrase: Where was she reaching out from?”

“Las Vegas.”

“That’s actually pretty promising news. If she bothered to call at all, that means all the actions we’ve taken to disappear have held,” Elenor said.

“Still feel like I want to re-route our plans,” Cairn muttered.

Veronique rose from the table to go fill a kettle. Tea was her preferred drink when thinking. Coffee was for enjoying. Tea was for strategizing.

“Ounce of prevention, pound of cure,” she said over her shoulder. “Anyone else for tea?” She grabbed mugs for those who said yes.

“It’s probably best to get me back to the station this evening, the morning at the latest. I should have documented transportation logs for the trip back to Tanalia,” Mathias said.

“Worst case, I can knock those up for you,” Tariel said, waving his hand. “Documentation is not a problem.”

“I take it you didn’t see this coming?” Nannette asked. Aiden didn’t remember a time her voice had been so cold.

“Can’t say I did. Bright side, it can’t be too important.” Mathias flashed her another of those panty-melting grins.

Nannette sputtered. It was a good thing she wasn’t drinking tea yet, it would have wound up all over the table. Aiden bit the side of his cheek to keep from grinning.

Good luck with that one, Mathias. You’re gonna need it.

“Does it hurt your back hauling around an ego that heavy?” she finally asked. Aiden knew she could do better than that. The outrage was dulling her normally razor sharp retorts. Mathias must be having more of an impact on her than she wanted to let on.

Interesting.