Sunscapes Trilogy Book 1: Last Chance

by Michelle O'Leary

  The luncheon. They were going to the luncheon that Webster Griffin was also attending. Griffin would see her, talk to her, maybe even touch her in that dress. Del gritted his teeth against a swell of bitter jealousy. Did she wear the Sun-cursed thing for that reason? Had she dressed for the old bastard? Del was unaware that he was now gripping the hatch of the Shadow with white-knuckled intensity.

  "All right, Sissa!” Kai answered irritability. “You made your point. Let's get this over with.” He sent Cass and Del a look of resignation and a dejected salute, before spinning on his heel and starting for the door.

  With a shake of her head and a wry twist of her mouth, Sin watched him go for a moment before facing the two by the Shadow. “Have a—” she began, but stopped short when her eyes met Del's. He had no idea what she saw on his face, but it obviously startled her. She blinked at him rapidly before looking away, her brows pulling together in a faint frown. “Have a good day,” she finished before spinning on her heel and following her brother.

  Del continued to watch her, unable to take his eyes from the tantalizing dance of the flare in her dress and the legs beneath that seemed to go on forever. He was distracted by a sharp elbow gouging up under his ribs.

  "Del, get that look off your face before somebody else sees it,” Cassie said, her tone a mix of exasperation and amusement.

  He frowned down at her, both annoyed and relieved by the distraction. He'd been picturing Griffin dancing with Sin, contriving to put his murdering hands where her skin glowed through those panels. “What look?"

  She had a knowing half smile on her face, but her eyes looked pitying. “The one that says you've fallen and you can't get up."

  Chapter 9

  Kai was grumbling next to her as they headed towards the docking bay, but Sin didn't hear a word. She was trying to think of a reason for the furious heat in Del's eyes. Was he that angry that she'd brought his brother here? Or maybe he was still upset that she'd taken his brother's credit, even though it wasn't truly taken, since it was under Nick's name and he could remove it at any time. Or was it simpler than that? Was it just because she hadn't told either of them the whole truth?

  Considering the immediacy of his fury, the clenched jaw, the darkened skin, the fire in his eyes, none of those reasons seemed to fit. She just didn't understand why, and it upset her to a surprising degree. It was unsettling how important his good opinion of her was becoming. It might be just a desire to be appreciated by her rescuee, but it felt more personal than that. There was a burning sensation in the region of her stomach and a tightness in her chest as if the bay did not have enough air.

  Not a good sign.

  Sin brooded on this as she boarded their personal transport and settled into a plush seat, barely noticing the respectful greetings from the pilots.

  Kai lowered into a seat next to her, still muttering grumpily, but she paid him no attention until he snorted in disgust and snapped his fingers in front of her face. “Sinsi, what's wrong with you? I gave you at least three good insults and you didn't even blink."

  Casting him an annoyed frown and pushing his hand away from her face, she muttered, “Nothing."

  "Nothing, my ass. You're not seriously angry at me for making us late, are you?"

  "No,” she sighed, resting her head against the seat and closing her eyes as the transport lifted from its pad and headed out of the station with barely a vibration to indicate that it was moving.

  "I just wanted to make sure everything was on track for the next run. It's an important one, you know."

  "I'm aware,” she said wryly, turning her head to flash him a dry look.

  "Funny, you haven't acted like it."

  Brows pulling together, she sat up straighter and narrowed her eyes at him. “What's that supposed to mean?"

  "Well, for starters, Del's an unknown quantity at this point. Why would you want him on this run of all runs? He could be a stumbling block when we can't afford one."

  "You don't—” she started, but he held up a hand to stop her, tilting his head in an eerie echo of their father when he was giving them a lesson.

  "Plus you invited an FPA investigator here."

  "You know why I did that,” Sin retorted, feeling her muscles tighten with a hint of dismay. Usually the two of them were in perfect agreement on actions that needed to be taken, so his attack left her feeling defensive and a little bereft.

  "I know one of the reasons why you did that,” he murmured with a pointed lift of his eyebrows, and she turned her face away so he wouldn't see the heat that colored it at his words. “But your timing could have been better. Why not ask him here after the run is over?"

  His question helped her to regain composure, and she sent him a cool glance. “You know why. Inspector Givliani knows more than he should—more than is healthy for him. The lure of investigating while we are gone will keep him here and away from FPA headquarters. Do I need to explain why that's important?” she asked him acidly.

  The stern expression dropped from his face, and he grinned boyishly at her. “Good to have you back, Sissa! I got worried for a couple minutes there ... I didn't want to have to walk into that pack of Krells by myself.” His expression sobered as he continued, “And I sure as hell didn't want Griffin to get hold of you when you're not your sharpest."

  Sin glared at him for a moment, angry that he'd just been goading her with his questions, and angry that she'd fallen for it. “I'm disappointed in you, brother. Did you really think I would go anywhere near that man without being exquisitely on guard? I thought you knew me better than that. Your lack of trust and faith pains me."

  He winced and held up a hand in surrender, but his eyes danced with humor. “All right, I get it—nice and sharp. Save it for Griff, wouldja?"

  It was as close to an apology as she was likely to get from him. Besides, he did have a point—she'd been distracted. That didn't mean she was inclined to let him completely off the hook. With a little malicious smile, she murmured, “Griff's not the only one who's going to be there. Did you know his daughter would be attending?"

  "The Ice Queen? I'm surprised she's coming out of hiding,” he answered easily with a dismissive shrug, but his eyes glinted with an antagonism that he couldn't hide from her.

  Sin bit her cheek to keep from grinning. Liaena Griffin was the only woman that she knew of who seemed immune to her brother's charms, starting back when they were children and her first act on meeting them was to kick Kai in the shin. Her brother appeared to take this personally, reacting to the woman with hostile challenge whenever they met. It was the only entertainment Sin was likely to get at this luncheon.

  "You know she and her father choose her appearances carefully,” she responded, watching him with amusement.

  Kai settled back in his seat with casual nonchalance, but there was a twitch in his jaw. “Oh sure, a luncheon is a great place to display his little ice statue. A perfect distraction for the unsuspecting masses."

  Sin sobered, moderating her tone to a soft warning. “And unwary Shays. Griffin isn't blind, brother mine."

  He met her eyes and held stubborn for a moment, before giving a slight shrug of one shoulder and dropping his eyes in acknowledgement. “So he uses his daughter to lure me away while he corners you. Divide and conquer?"

  "So he probably believes,” she answered, an edge of hard amusement in her tone.

  He caught her gaze out of the corner of his eye and grinned like a wolf. “So we let him believe it."

  "Why else did I dress the part?” She returned his predatory grin with one of her own and relished his laugh.

  "Not exactly subtle, but it'll work just the same. Actually, I was hoping you wore it to kill him—stop the old goat's heart."

  "We wouldn't be so lucky,” she snorted.

  Kai started to reply, a teasing light in his eyes, but the com interrupted him. “Sir, ma'am, we're coming up to the star-way. Please secure yourselves."

  "Already? Thanks, Brie,” Sin answered,
recalling with a little twinge of guilt that she hadn't acknowledged either pilot yet. “Great flying, you two. I didn't feel a thing."

  "Thank you, ma'am,” Brie replied in a formal tone, but it sounded as if she was smiling when she said it.

  She and Kai reached for the seat controls at the same time and activated the cushioning fields that would hold them in place more comfortably than straps. It was a luxury that most cruise liners could not afford. Sin felt the field close over her skin with gentle security and settled back against the cushions.

  There was silence as they waited for the jolt into the star-way, until Kai said in a casual tone that didn't fool her for a second, “So how long have you known she was going to be there?"

  Sin chuckled softly without answering.

  They passed the rest of the trip through the star-way and to their final destination by discussing the upcoming off-lane run. It was familiar territory—they'd discussed the details so many times that they could recite them in their sleep. But Kai deviated from the usual litany by bringing Del up again.

  "You sure about adding him?” he asked without looking at her, pretending an interest in the cuffs of his jacket.

  "Yes, Kai,” she said with an exasperated sigh. “Don't worry. He'll be on my team, and I'll take responsibility for him."

  "That's what I'm worried about,” he said with a sly, teasing grin. “But what happens if he catches wind of what we're doing out there?"

  She made a face at him for his tease, but answered his question seriously. “I'll just have to make sure that doesn't happen, won't I? Cassie doesn't seem to think he'll be a problem."

  "Cassie's blinded by his biceps,” he replied in a dry tone, and Sin frowned at him, irritated with that comment for more than one reason.

  "Don't do that, Kai. You know Cass isn't like that. She didn't drop at your feet, did she?"

  "Because I didn't want her to,” he stated with such insufferable arrogance that Sin curled her lip at him in disgust.

  "Watch it, brother—your ego's galloping away from you again.” Then she made a show of checking their location. “Oh wait, we're almost there ... Liaena will rein it in for you.” She shot him a callous grin and snickered at his sour expression.

  "Sir, ma'am...” the pilot's voice interrupted them again. “We're about to land."

  "Thank you, Brie."

  They were quiet for a long moment as the ship maneuvered to settle on the landing pad with barely a shiver. Sin tried not to dwell on what he'd said, but it kept niggling at her until she finally asked, “Do you really think Cass is attracted to him?"

  It was Kai's turn to chuckle without answering.

  The luncheon was being held on a garden planet, famous for its hosting and catering services. They had landed directly at the location where the luncheon was being held, so when the doors opened, they were treated to a view of a walkway flanked by a profusion of flowering plants and trees, leading to a breathtaking building made of a clear material like glass. Its columns and archways were graced with greenery, and its turreted roof flashed with the sun's light.

  They were met by a greeter in white livery who bowed low and welcomed them in a smooth voice. With a gracious sweep of his arm, he led them towards the sparkling building.

  Sin tilted her head to get a better look at the structure as they approached. “Nice,” she murmured.

  "Yeah, but I liked the white marble one better,” Kai responded.

  Their greeter cast them a furtive glance over his shoulder, his face carrying a faint resentment, but he said nothing. Sin supposed he was put out that they weren't more impressed with the beauty surrounding them. When they reached the arching entrance, he stepped to one side and bowed to them again, saying, “Please enter and be welcome. If you want for anything, do not hesitate to ask."

  "Thank you, but we've experienced your excellent service before. I'm sure we'll want for nothing,” Sin replied as they passed him and was satisfied to see a smile brighten his face. It always paid to be gracious to one's host, especially if they were hosting your enemy at the same time.

  Kai placed a hand under her elbow as they reached a short flight of stairs, and they paused at the top in a calculated pose, sweeping the people below with their twin green gaze. It had the desired effect as the rumble of conversation dimmed and heads turned to mark their entrance. Sin knew that they made a dramatic pair—they'd used it often enough—and supposed the prismed light and sparkling glass background only added to the effect. So much the better. With most of the people below, image was as much a weapon as credit.

  As they started down the stairs, Sin caught sight of the Griffins and smothered an ironic smile. They also knew how to display themselves for effect. Despite the fact that this was a luncheon and in the middle of the day, Webster had attired himself in unrelenting black, his elegant and dignified grey head a striking contrast to the midnight cloth. His daughter, on the other hand, was a smoldering flame. Her hair was a sweep of mahogany elegance, turning to fire where the sunlight caught it. Her dress suit was a matching red-brown, made of a rich, soft fabric and cut conservatively at the neck while leaving most of her slim legs on display. She wore a sparkling gold pin in the shape of the Quasicore insignia on her breast like a badge of courage—or a brand.

  Sin glanced at Kai out of the corner of her eye and saw by the humorless curl to his lips that he'd noticed them, too. “Let the games begin,” she whispered and was gratified to hear him chuckle. But they did not immediately approach the Griffins, taking an indirect route through the gathering.

  The luncheon was being held as a charity function for the sufferers of Mastikie Syndrome, a random genetic mutation that caused intermittent tissue breakdown and was difficult to treat. The organizers of this function were the ascetics of the Order of the Golden Sun, but like everyone else in the room, they'd had ulterior motives. Not above using this charity to further their own complicated politics, they'd invited a wide variety of people to attend, from heads of state to members of the FPA to leaders of the medical community, not to mention major credit holders like Quasicore and Shay Enterprises, among others.

  Sin and Kai spent most of an hour interacting with the other guests, discussing mining charters with the minister from the Delgi system, and arguing the merits of expanding the Orders into the Fringe with a solemn-faced ascetic, before they came face to face with the Griffins.

  "Ah, there you are, my dear,” Webster said in his cultured voice, taking Sin's hand and bending over it in a formal bow. She smiled graciously and disciplined her face and form not to show how much her skin crawled at his touch. “And Manakai as well. It's good to see you both."

  "Griff,” they responded in unison as he smiled coolly at them. Sin managed to slip her hand from his as Kai turned his attention to Griffin's daughter with a charming smile.

  "Hey, Lie, it's been a long time,” he greeted her with casual malice.

  Liaena seemed unmoved by the pointed shortening of her name, but Sin clipped her brother in the ankle for coming on too strong as she gave the other woman a smile. “Aena, it's good to see you again."

  In contrast to the captured flame of her hair, Liaena's lovely face was as coolly serene as a glacial pool. Her gray eyes traveled over them both with no hint of emotion, and her mouth curled in a distant smile. “Manakai, Sinsudee, it's always a pleasure,” she said in a smooth voice, a feminine version of her father's cultured tones. She could not have been more gracious, but it didn't fool either one of them.

  "Have you both enjoyed yourselves so far?” Griffin asked pleasantly, making a subtle motion of one hand to call a wine server to them. “Try the white. It's quite lovely. Much like yourself, my dear,” he commented with an admiring tilt of his head.

  Sin was not distracted by the compliment. By acting the host, Griffin was attempting to place them in an inferior position. The story of his life. His whole world was a game of domination. But there were other ways to play that game. She gave him a dimpled smile and low
ered her lashes modestly as she murmured, “You flatter me,” before reaching for a glass, making sure to display the paneling on her dress to full effect.

  Her brother was intent on his own game, reaching around her for two glasses of wine—red, she noticed, like the color of congealed blood. He offered one to Liaena with a little flourish and a flashing smile as he said, “You look like you could use some warmth."

  Sin bit the inside of her lip to keep from grinning, but Liaena did not appear offended or even affected by his gibe. Her mouth still curved in a cool smile, she took the glass from him with courteous thanks, but didn't drink from it, her gray eyes measuring them both.

  Griffin, Sin noticed, did not take any wine. Amused, she took a sip and then lifted her glass to him with a flirtatious smile. “As you said, delicious,” she declared, knowing full well that he hadn't said any such thing. He'd called the wine—and her—lovely.

  He smiled back, a hint of irony in it. He was as aware of her machinations as she was of his. The trick was to find a way to maneuver the opponent in spite of that knowledge.

  Before they could continue their sparring, a trill of chimes sounded, signaling that the meal was ready. Griffin gave Sin a slight bow and smiled courteously, offering his arm. “Shall we?"

  With an agreeable tilt of her head, she accepted his arm. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Kai mimicking Griffin's offer to Liaena and bit her lip to keep from laughing. How the other woman must hate him for mocking her father, but she didn't show it, accepting his arm as graciously as Sin had Griffin's.

  "Your brother is quite entertaining,” Griffin murmured to her as they passed into the next room and Sin smiled in complacent response, saying nothing. If he was upset by her brother's needling, he didn't show it.

  The dining hall was a vast open area, but in the tradition of the ascetics, they weren't to be seated formally at tables. Instead, the seating was casual while the food rotated about the room on anti-grav serving trays. Most of it was finger food by necessity—it was difficult to eat with utensils while reclining on soft cushions. But this didn't detract from the quality of the food, and the less formal atmosphere was very relaxing.