VIN WHIPPED his oil soaked rag at Aidan. It hit his shoulder with a splat before flopping to the floor.
Brushing off the attack as easily as ignoring an insect, Aidan darted into the ship, avoiding Vin’s gaze. The guilty fucker.
Vin followed him, letting his outrage escape through his tone. “You sent for her!”
Aidan replied coolly, “I did.” His boots clunked against the metal mesh flooring as he strode down the hall, coming to stop in the lounge.
“Were you ever going to tell me?”
Taking a seat at one of the re-purposed, wobbly metal table—another thing Vin intended to fix before game day—Aidan tossed him a mocking, “I just did.” He shimmied his hands in the air. “Surprise.”
Vin threw his arms out. “No, you didn’t. I found out. You don’t bitch-slap a guy and then warn him a hit is coming.” That was exactly what seeing Priya was like, a total bitch-slap that still had his head spinning. And he had just stood there like a gape-mouthed dolt, gazing upon the woman he’d once loved—still loved. The woman who had so easily crushed his heart under the thick heel of her sexy-as-fuck boot. Did she have to be as alluring as ever? Over the years, and largely to make himself feel better, he’d picture her just as mournful and broken with regret ad he was, haunted by the memories of what was lost between them. What could have been.
What he saw instead was the sexy-ass, vibrant redhead he’d fallen so hard for years before, with the perfect, luscious curves he used to know by heart.
He ran his oil-stained fingers through his shaggy brown hair. When was the last time he’d gotten it cut? His hands traveled down to his stubbly jaw, anger toward Aidan billowing again. “You could have given me a heads up! For fuck’s sake, man. Whose side are you on? She got to look all…” He mimed an hourglass figure. “While I look all...” he gestured to himself incoherently.
“What would you have done? Put on a suit and tie?”
“I would have put on a clean shirt, you son of a bitch!”
“You’re a bloody mechanic. This is your uniform. She knows that. Hell, it’s her type. I probably did you a solid.”
Vin ground his teeth together. “Perhaps one day I’ll do you a solid just like it.”
Aidan grew serious. “I wanted a winning team. And that means both of you.” It was an honor to be included in Aidan’s short list, Vin could admit that, but he still responded with a murderous look.
Zeek and Ash entered then, probably having gotten tired of eavesdropping at the door the whole time. Doing a shit job of hiding their amusement, they claimed seats nearby and leaned in as if he and Aidan were putting on a show, all they needed was snacks and vision enhancing goggles.
Aidan ignored them, speaking to Vin directly. “What was it that made you guys split anyway?”
Vin grossed his arms and looked away. “Like I can remember,” he lied. “I’m sure it was something stupid.” He knew it was something stupid.
Zeek sat straighter and lifted a finger in the air. “You bought her a tool kit for her birthday, an expensive set you had been eying for the better part of a year.”
Through clenched teeth, Vin snapped, “Thanks for the reminder.” Priya liked to tinker on occasion. He’d figured they could share it. In hindsight, it wasn’t the most romantic thing he’d ever done, but that wasn’t really what broke them up. Nope, it was his dumb, idiotic reaction to her reaction to his gift. Her indignation made him feel bad, which made him angry, which had made him stupid.
Vin noticed Lear was leaning in the doorway, arms crossed, expression amused. He must have been there for a minute or two, because he slipped right into the conversation with his deep brogue. “I’m guessing she did no’ appreciate the gesture.”
Zeek tapped his chin. “Oddly enough, she was livid.” He shrugged like it was a real mystery.
Vin scrubbed a hand down his face. “I don’t need a play-by-play.”
They didn’t know the half of it. Priya had always been an easygoing chick. He could have easily fixed his bungling birthday blunder. If only he’d turned right—into that pink-hued, flowery gift shop where men often went for penance.
Instead, his anger had directed him left, straight into a gentlemen’s club.
“Go talk to her,” Aidan suggested.
“Is that wise?” Lear asked the group warily. “If these two have a rough history, it could affect their performances throughout the race…and our win,” he added with pitiless significance.
Vin had only known the dragon royal for a few short days. He was a stoic guy, generally, looking uninterested in the happenings around him, like he’d seen it all before and wasn’t impressed. Though he hadn’t yet meshed with the group, he seemed to be like catnip to females, and Zeek and Ash were quickly befriending the guy. But half the time, Vin wanted to flick the guy in the nose, just to rile him up, especially when he stated his unsolicited opinions.
He restrained himself, however, partly because they were going to be confined together for an indeterminate amount of time and it was probably a good idea if they got along, and also because it was his royal coffers that paid for this ship and would make it possible for them to enter Phase Nine, but mostly because Vin was pretty sure the dragon prince could clean his clock.
Still, the man needed to keep his perfect straight nose out of Vin’s business.
Speaking directly to Aidan, he said, “Tell your prince to keep his opinion to himself or I’ll shove it back down his throat with my fist.”
Lear rumbled with laughter. “I’d like to see you try, mechanic. I’ve battled armies of dragons and emerged without a scratch.”
Vin sneered at the dragon, balling his fists. “You can’t dragon-shift in here without hurting yourself. Maybe we should find out how you are at hand to hand.”
“If I shifted in here, I’d likely hurt the ship before myself. Oh, and you, of course.”
“My money’s on the dragon,” Ash muttered to Zeek.
Zeek shook his head. “But Vin’s all oiled up. Makes for a slippery catch.”
“Enough,” Aidan admonished them all. “No one is fighting inside or outside the ship. That’s an order.” He faced Vin. “Priya is the best gun hand I’ve ever seen. You will talk to her. You will convince her to join us. And we will all act like professionals. Got it?”
Silently, the all gave reluctant nods.
“One happy dysfunctional family,” Zeek said.
“And on that note, let me make one thing clear,” Aidan added, staring directly at Lear. “Lear is not my prince, nor is he yours or anyone else’s but his own damn people. I don’t answer to him. You don’t answer to him. I am the captain here.”
Lear just smirked.
Ash retorted, “Pardon, captain, but in my culture, when you offer vows of allegiance to a royal family, you become their subject.” They’d all vowed to run Phase Nine under the royal banner of the Legura clan.
Vin knew what Ash was doing. Aside from relieving some of the tension, the thing that had bonded them all the most over the last few days was their combined enjoyment from messing with Aidan.
Renewed amusement danced in Lear’s eyes, and he gestured toward Ash with one hand as if he’d made a brilliant point.
“I only vowed to run Phase Nine in the Legura name,” Aidan defended. This was a hot button. It irked Aidan to have been inducted into the Legura clan to make running Phase Nine for them official.
Zeek cleared his throat and chimed in. “And to do that you had to officially join the Legura Clan…ergo.”
Aidan growled. “Shut up, all of you.” He stood and headed out the door. “I need a drink.”
“Hold up. I’ll join you.” Vin said, feeling the weight of what he was about to do; a conversation with Priya after all this time. How long did he search for her after she left him? How many nights did he dream of her return? A second chance? To see her one last time? Or, gods willing, get her back. Now he had his chance, and everything in him was terrified he’d screw it up again. He
was too good at fumbling his words, saying the wrong thing when he meant something completely different. There were so many words waiting to trip him up. So many phrases that could be taken the wrong way. Finally, finally, she was within his grasp and his brain was suddenly a murky void where the many speeches and oaths he’d once recited in his head were now vanishing under the gravity nervous energy.
I can do this, he encouraged himself. It was just Priya. Same old, beautiful, fiery, feisty, owner of the busted-up, hollowed-out space in his chest Priya. The same Priya who’d once told him he was the only one who’d ever held the key to her heart. Sure, all he had to do was convince her she didn’t hate his guts. No problem.
But first he had to get out of his soiled clothes. “Let me clean up first,” he called after Aiden.
Zeek jumped to his feet. “Why don’t we all go? We’ve been working like dogs to get the ship ready. We could sure use a break...plus Chastity is dancing tonight.” He rubbed his hands together, grinning widely.
Asher chuckled. “You’re determined to pay for her new luxury shuttle.”
“I’m determined to get a glimpse of those gorgeous bazoongas.”
“Lear, you stay here and guard the ship,” Aidan ordered.
Lear nodded, uncaring. To his credit, he’d never lorded himself over Aidan, though there was still clear friction between the two. Vin hadn’t gotten the whole story. Aidan wasn’t one for heart-to-hearts.
In the bar, Vin and the crew claimed a table near a stage full of beautiful silk-clad dancers who were keeping step to an intricately choreographed number.
A busty waitress took their drink orders. When their drinks arrived, Vin spotted Priya across the room, and his heart stuttered. She faced away from them, perched on a barstool. A quick survey of the drink in her hand told him she was going heavy tonight. Usually she sipped those tropical-themed drinks with brightly colored straws and umbrellas. He always gave her shit for that, but secretly considered it adorable.
Tonight, she drank something hard on ice. Could it be she’d been just as thrown by their encounter as he’s been?
Or perhaps she was different now, with different tastes. What if she’d changed more than her drink preferences? What if her preferences in men had been altered as well?
Gods, he hoped not. He’d really be screwed then.
The idea of her with other men pulled a rumbling growl from his lungs. She had been wild in the sack, free and passionate. He missed the noises she made when he nuzzled her neck just right, and other places. Simply remembering their heated nights stirred his body and he surreptitiously adjusted himself in his seat.
Priya swiveled in her seat, facing his way. He quickly turned away. When his gaze met the gyrating ladies on stage, he nervously shifted in another direction and found himself looking straight at Aidan, Zeek, and Asher. While the other two were distracted by the dancers, Aidan was studying him with a keenness that grated.
Vin stifled a gruff of irritation and scowled at his captain.
With the smallest movement, Aidan jerked his chin toward Priya.
How could Aidan expect him to confront her now? Here of all places? The location was different, but still reminiscent of the last time he’d laid eyes on Priya. Only this time, there wasn’t a scantly clad flirtatious working girl rubbing his shoulders and whispering sweet nothings in his ear, alcohol potent on her breath.
He mentally cringed at the memory.
Aidan’s gaze shot past him, his eyelids lifting a fraction.
Intuition skittered along Vin’s nape. He snatched his ale and gulped it down just before he heard her voice.
“Could you guys get any closer to the dancers?”
Zeek answered. “I don’t think they allow you on the stage.” He eyes widened comically. “Do they?”
“How do you know if you don’t try?”
“Good point.”
When Zeek pushed back his chair, Aidan snapped, “Z, down.”
Zeek plopped back down with a gamely smile and sipped his drink.
“Why don’t you join us, Priya?” Ash offered.
Surprisingly, she pulled up a chair. Vin lifted his ale to his lips, forgetting that he’d emptied it. He motioned to a nearby waitress for a refill.
“So I’ve been thinking,” Priya said, propping one arm on the table and resting her chin on her palm. Using her other hand, she motioned to the entire group. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”
There was silence for a moment. Aidan replied first. “You haven’t even thought about it for a full hour.”
She gestured to the half-filled drink in her right hand. “I’ve had three of these to think, and I still—”
Aidan put his hand up to interject. “Don’t say anything now. Take the night, like you promised. And if you still feel the same in the morning, then Vin is out.”
“Hey,” Vin protested, leaning back in his seat.
Aidan leveled him with a stare. “Talk to me when you can shoot like her.”
Vin shrugged, conceding the point. He may be a great mechanic, but Priya was a badass with a gun. She was the better choice for the job. Didn’t mean it wouldn’t sting to be cut from the team.
“So what have you been up to, Priya?” asked Asher.
“I’ve been working security on Uli Rings.”
So that’s where she ran off to.
Ash raised a brow. “Impressive. They let you temporarily leave your position to run Phase Nine?”
She frowned. “Not really.”
“You quit to come here?”
She didn’t respond, but her silence said as much.
“Then you have to join us,” Zeek exclaimed. “You and Vin don’t even have to interact. In fact, I’ll do you one better and staple his mouth shut.”
She rolled her eyes. “I saw the size of your ship. We’ll basically be living on top of each other.”
“Mmm,” Zeek replied playfully. “Thanks for the visual.”
Vin knocked him in the back of the head.
“Ow.” Zeek rubbed the spot. “Kidding.”
Priya observed the exchanged with an air of indifference. She brought her glass to her lips and took a long swig. Her expression told Vin she didn’t enjoy the taste. Maybe she hadn’t changed that much after all.
She caught him staring, and her eyes narrowed.
He tried to keep his features passive. “Can I buy you a drink? Maybe one of those foofy ones?”
Her eyelids slit further.
Damn, he shouldn’t have added that last part.
“I’ll buy my own drinks, thanks. In fact, I’ll buy the next round for the table.”
Despite his glass being full, Zeek ordered another drink right away.
Vin leaned forward and muttered, “Priya, can we talk in private?”
She pretended to think, tapping her chin and lifting her eyes to the upper right. “Um. No. Why don’t you go talk to her?” She pointed to a skinny blond at the bar. “I’m sure she’ll be real interested in anything you have to say, as long as you can pay.”
A muscle ticked in his jaw.
Zeek stepped in. “I’m amazed at how non-uncomfortable this is. Am I right guys?”
Ash stood and flicked Zeek in the temple.
“Ow! Enough with the abuse. I’ll shut up.”
“How about I buy you a drink at the bar?” Ash said.
“Jeez. Any more free drinks and I’m going to start questioning the cut of this blouse.” He tugged at his T-shirt.
Aidan pushed out of his seat. “I need to get back to the ship and check on Lear. Some strange girls have been coming by asking to join the crew, and I’m afraid he might just let them.”
THREE
PRIYA GLARED after the traitors as they scurried away, leaving her alone with Vin. Most likely, that was their plan since she’d sat down. But, with just the right amount of alcohol in her, she couldn’t muster up the proper amount of outrage, or the conviction to get up and leave.
Actually, she
was bristling for a fight, and this had been a long time coming.
She stared blankly at Vin, fugitively sharpening her claws. “Enjoying the entertainment?” The ladies on stage reached a pivotal point in their dance, deftly moving to the fast beat of the music like it hatched in their bones and flowed through their bones. To her surprise, he didn’t even glance at them.
“What are you drinking?” he asked.
“Solar orbit on the rocks.” It tasted awful, but the cute bartender had recommended it when she’d asked for something strong enough to put a three tailed Togen on its ass.
“That’s a pretty stiff drink,” Vin pointed out.
“Yeah, a guy turned me on to it a few months ago. It tastes good. He tasted even better.” She ended her statement with a cruel smirk.
His fist clenched around his bottle. She waited for satisfaction at his reaction to flood her, to fill that empty space inside her that had festered and cracked at the edges, but it never did.
He took a long drink, finally transferring his attention to the stage. She studied the table and sipped from her glass. The harsh bite of liquor hit her throat, warming her body as it made its way down to her churning gut.
When she looked up, Vin was watching her closely again. His eyes creased in amusement and his lips curled into a sexy, lopsided grin.
“What?” she barked, mentally denying the desire that bloomed in her from that simple look.
“Don’t you think I know you well enough to realize when you’re lying?”
“You haven’t known me for a very long time,” she countered strongly.
A flicker of doubt ran across his face, but it quickly turned it into something like disinterest. That bothered her. She wanted to hurt him like he had her. She raked her mind for something cutting to add, anything that might get a reaction, but came up empty. She sipped her drink and looked away.
“So…” he said after a moment of silence had passed. “Uli Rings, huh?”
She huffed. “As if you didn’t know.”
“How would I know that’s where you went?” He took a long swig.
“Because I bought my ticket with your credits.”
He sputtered before working the liquid down his throat. His expression danced between stunned-confusion and horror, making her realize he’d never checked his invoice that night before paying the bill.
Shadows and Stars Page 55
