Balthazar sat back in his chair and grinned. It was the middle of the afternoon, and she’d been waiting for several hours for him to show up at the Smuggler’s Paradise. He owned the bar in the center of the settlement and often held court here. It was a place to be seen, where business was done.
In truth, he had his fingers in every enterprise. A tax, he called it. It was bribery, plain and simple. You wanted to run a business here, you paid. Or you got a beating. Refuse a second time? You were permanently retired.
The establishment was like a thousand others spread across the known galaxies. There was a long bar on one end, manned by two huge bartenders, who doubled as bouncers when necessary. They were identical in height and build, the reddish tinge to their skin, black hair, and their sheer size identifying them as originally from Barska. The planet grew them big and mean and loyal. No one crossed them or they found themselves facing a mountain of merciless muscle.
Her first night here, she’d sat in the corner and watched to get a sense of how things worked. The dimly lit room was large and filled with tables. Waitresses tirelessly worked the floor. For a price, one of them might go upstairs with you for an hour. Paradise—as it was sarcastically called by the locals—was a full-service establishment. You could get food, drink, and a fuck—as long as you had the money.
The place closed just before dawn and opened midday. That allowed it to be cleaned and restocked while the staff slept. The place was already half full, everyone there straining to hear the conversation.
The air was thick and stale. Later, there might be a light breeze through the windows when the sun sank. But for now, it was as hot as hell.
“I’m shocked you want to leave our fair planet so soon. You just got here about a week ago, didn’t you, Phi?”
She hated using even a portion of her real name, but this kind of subterfuge was new to her. Sliding in and out without being seen was more her style. There was no way of knowing if she’d answer to another.
“I’m surprised you know my name. You have so many … friends.” But she wasn’t, not really, as he kept tabs on everyone and everything.
He threw back his head and laughed. The man was huge—about six and a half feet of pure muscle. His hair was flaming red and his beard matched. His age could be anywhere between thirty and fifty. It was difficult to say. The ladies found him handsome. He currently had one seated on either side of him, smiling adoringly while displaying their attributes to their best advantage.
She barely kept from rolling her eyes.
“None quite like you, Phi.” His gaze hardened, the humor disappearing between one breath and the next. “I’m insulted you want to leave so soon.” He ran his eyes over her slender form. “I haven’t had a chance to get to know you better.”
And it was going to stay that way, but she knew how to play the game. Her curly hair was loose around her shoulders, the sleeveless vest leaving her arms bare. Her leather pants clung to her form. Her knives were on full display. She looked nothing like the lush, scantily clad women beside him. And that made her different. A man like him would find that interesting.
“I’m not leaving. I just want to get some things from my ship. I had no idea I’d need permission to do that.” She waved her hands at herself. “I didn’t bring many clothes. And the prices here are steep.” The prices here were ridiculous. Everyone wanted more than what was fair, especially since they had to pay Balthazar his share.
He stroked his beard and nodded. “Sure you don’t want to try the local clothing?” He turned to the blonde on his left and tugged down the front of her top until her impressive breasts popped free. Instead of being embarrassed or angry, the woman practically purred as he pawed her.
“I’ll pass.”
Her dry comment seemed to startle him, but he flashed a quick grin. “It will cost you.”
“Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me. How much?” She hoped she had enough credits, otherwise, things were going to get even more difficult. As it was, she couldn’t stop thinking about Ivar sitting in the dark prison.
The extra time she’d spent waiting around to meet with Balthazar had been endless, but they hadn’t been totally in vain. She’d skulked around the settlement and helped herself to some supplies, which she’d added to her stash. Not being able to bring things off her ship had slowed her timeline.
And it had taken her all this time to find Ivar.
Balthazar sat forward, wrapped his huge hands around his glass of ale. “Spend an evening with me.”
Every cell in her body rebelled. The nourishment bar she’d eaten earlier churned in her gut. They were expensive to buy here, but she wasn’t about to risk the local fare unless absolutely necessary. You never knew who might have tampered with it. “You already have plenty of company.” The blonde and brunette were both glaring at her. They could keep him.
“A man can never have too much company, Phi.” He shoved the brunette aside. “Move.” The woman exited the chair without hesitation or question, fear flashing in her eyes. The fury in them when she passed Delphi was hot enough to burn.
I just made an enemy.
He patted the chair.
Knowing there was no choice, she went, but she yanked the chair away and turned it around before she straddled it. Balthazar chuckled. His table was on a raised platform just off to one side of the bar. It gave him a perfect vantage point to see everything that went on in the place, with the added bonus of allowing him to be seen. There was a door right behind him, cleverly built into the wall so you wouldn’t see it if you didn’t know what to look for. An easy escape route for him if needed.
“You’re not the friendly sort, are you?” He grabbed her chin, his fingers squeezing not tight enough to bruise but not gently either.
“Let’s just say I’m selective.” She kept her tone even, showing no fear. Raising an eyebrow, she angled her gaze down to his hand.
He sat back and took another swig of ale. “You’re a rare one, Phi. And I’m not talking about your beauty.”
It was startling to hear him call her beautiful. Worrisome, too. She hadn’t thought she’d catch his interest at all. It was never good when a man like this took an interest.
The room was quiet. Everyone had paused to listen, even the waitresses.
“The price remains the same. Dinner with me tomorrow night.”
That meant she had to move quickly on her plans or do some fancy evasion. “Where?”
He spread his arms wide. “Why here, of course. Best dining establishing around.”
She barely held back the snort as she stood. “Make it two nights from now.”
His green eyes narrowed. “You got big plans?”
She shook her head and gave a soft laugh. “Anticipation is good for the soul.” And it gave her some breathing space to figure a way out of this. “And it’s not like I can go anywhere, is it? I’m stuck here until you decide I can leave.”
“You wouldn’t be playing a game with me, would you, little girl?” His tone suggested she’d pay dearly if she was.
She shook her head. “I don’t play games.”
“For your sake, let’s hope you don’t.” He caught her hand. “I like a low-cut top and skirt.”
“Really?” She tilted her head to one side and studied his broad chest. “I can’t see it.” It was a huge gamble. He’d either laugh or beat her. She shot him a flirty grin and prayed, even as her heart raced and she cataloged every possible escape route.
He threw back his head, his booming laughter filling the room. “Damned if I don’t like you, Phi. You’ve got a clever wit and a smart mouth. But it doesn’t change my preference. I like a woman in a low-cut top and a skirt.” It wasn’t a suggestion but an order.
“I’m sure you do, but a man like you needs variety, needs a challenge.” Best to play to his vanity.
He chuckled again. “I can see the night after tomorrow will be interesting. I like a feisty woman.”
As long as she gave him what
he wanted in the end, and since that wasn’t going to happen, her time here was about to get a lot more precarious.
He reached into his pocket and retrieved a coin. It looked to be silver. He flipped it to her and she caught it easily. It had Balthazar’s name stamped on one side and his image on the other. Not narcissistic, not at all.
“Give that to the man at the gate and you can access your ship. It’s a one-shot deal.”
“Thanks.”
“Oh, it’s not free. I always get my due.”
Ignoring the innuendo, she left the bar. Voices raised in conversation as soon as she’d cleared the front door. So much for going unnoticed. She’d be the talk of the entire settlement by nightfall.
Picking up her pace, she headed to the docking station on the outskirts of town. The vegetation and houses abruptly ended, leaving a vast desert before her. The station took up a huge swath of land. There was a guard shack in front with one man inside. He stepped out as she approached. Since it was outside the town limits, and he worked for Balthazar, he had a blaster. It would be easy for him to take out anyone who approached.
Delphi held up the coin. The guard held out his hand. “Give it here.” Like the rest of the men who worked for Balthazar, he was large and muscular and had little to say.
She placed it in his palm and waited while he examined it. In that second of inattention, she could have taken him down. Good to know.
“You’re clear to go to your ship, but not to depart.” When he caught her surprise, he smirked. “Silver is for a round trip. You need a gold one to leave. Try to leave and you’ll be shot down.”
“Thanks for the tip.” She dug into her pocket, drew out a ten-dollar credit, and tossed it to him. “Have an ale on me.”
He caught the credit and shoved it into his pocket.
Delphi moved forward with the guard behind her. When they reached the heavy steel door of the station, he pulled a palm-size scanner from his pocket and aimed it at the security panel. The light went from red to green. He turned the handle and shoved it open. “Don’t be long.”
Balthazar might not allow any tech into the town itself, but he didn’t stint on it at the docking station. Her ship was in the very last slot. It was her first time here and returning patrons got the prime spots. She didn’t mind, it gave her the opportunity to check everything out.
The station was large and like every other one she’d ever visited. Instead of guards patrolling, there were two turrets high above, one on either side, both manned by men with high-powered, long-range blasters.
She got an itch between her shoulder blades. One or both the gunners were watching her through their scopes. They could be a problem. Fortunately, all the ships offered plenty of cover and hiding spots.
Her ship was smaller than the rest and didn’t look like much on the outside. Looks were often deceiving. She pretended to try to activate her scanner, feigned frustration, and then smacked the side of the ship a couple of times before pressing her hand against it for real.
For anyone watching, and she knew they were, it would reinforce the idea her vessel was a bucket of bolts.
The door slid open to reveal a rusty loading bay. As soon as it closed behind her, she sighed in relief. “Security on.”
“Security on,” the ship’s computer replied.
Delphi hurried to the command deck and dropped into the captain’s chair. “Open communication with G1.” That was the code name she’d given the ship carrying Spear and her sister, Sass. They were currently on a Gravasian battleship hidden behind the largest of Tortuga’s two moons.
There was no picture. Even though the ship’s security was supposed to be the best in the known universe, she wasn’t taking any chances.
“Is this line secure?” She had no idea what kind of tech Balthazar had in place to eavesdrop on the people coming and going, but she assumed it was there. But however good it was, Gravasian tech was better.
“It is. You’ve made contact.” Spear’s voice was level, but there was a slight edge of anxiety there.
“I have, but there’s a slight problem.”
“Tell me.” His voice was level, his tone clipped.
“He can’t remember who he is.”
Spear was silent for several seconds. “How do you know it’s him?”
“He has no idea of his personal history, but his knowledge of the universe is vast, he speaks multiple languages, knows how to behave at fancy dinners. He’s the right size and coloring, although it’s hard to tell with the unkempt hair and beard. His prison cell is dark, but it feels right. What should I do?”
No matter what, she wasn’t going to leave him there. She couldn’t.
“Hold.”
While she waited, she went to her room, grabbed a bag, and stuffed some clothes into it. She wouldn’t put it past Balthazar to question the guard or to check himself. She didn’t bother with food. They’d only confiscate it during the scan. Their reasoning was to keep anything foreign from contaminating the local soil. In truth, it was so visitors had to buy everything they needed at the settlement, which only helped to line Balthazar’s pockets.
Delphi added a stack of credits to her stash to be on the safe side.
“Are you there?”
She hurried back to the command center when she heard Spear’s voice. “I’m here.”
“Say nothing of his past. Let it come to him. If it is Ivar, it’s best for him to remember on his own. According to the limited information I was able to access on the mediscanner, it would be too easy for him to create false memories with the information you give him, his brain desperate to make a connection to his past. If it’s not him, we cannot risk telling him anything he shouldn’t know.”
Secrecy was important to the Gravasians.
“I’ll be in touch. I’ll use the beacon when the time is right. Don’t expect to hear from me again. All tech is banned on Tortuga. It wasn’t easy to get permission to visit my ship.”
“You’re secure?” Sass broke into the conversation.
“I’m well.” There was no safety to be found here, and she wouldn’t lie to her sister. They were all assassins and knew the score.
“What’s the layout in the landing bay?” Spear asked. She quickly relayed all the information she had about the security she’d seen and the number of guards.
“I’m assuming there are other measures I know nothing about. Balthazar is dangerous and crazy, but he’s very intelligent. Don’t underestimate him,” she warned.
“I won’t,” he assured her.
“Stay safe.” Her sister’s concern warmed her heart.
“I will. You too.”
“Zaxe sends his love,” Sass added.
She snorted. “He did no such thing.” Her twin was still on Gravas and not happy about it. He’d wanted to come, but the king had kept him behind. Insurance against getting the job done. Spear had argued against it, but his father was king, his word law. It was a sign that they weren’t quite trusted, not yet, even through Sass had married into the family.
She got it. They were unknown. Still, it stung.
“When are you breaking him out?” Spear asked before she could disconnect.
“As soon as I figure it out. Tomorrow night or the next, if things go well. Watch for the beacon. Computer, end call.”
A part of her wanted to blast out of here. In spite of the warning from the guard, the shields of her ship would hold against attack. She was tired of her life always being on the line. Except this time, it was for something worthwhile. Someone worthwhile.
“I’m on my way, Ivar.” Gathering her bag, she left the safety of her ship and made the long trek back through the docking station. The only way in and out was through the scanner. She walked slowly and was met by the guard on the other side. He used a handheld scanner on her and searched her bag before nodding.
With the sun beating down on her, Delphi lugged her bag back to her room. It was time to get to work.
Chapter Four
She wasn’t coming back. It would be suicide for her to show up again this evening. He’d think she was nothing but a figment of his imagination if it weren’t for the fact she’d told him his name.
Ivar.
He said it over and over, hoping it would spark some memory, but they remained stubbornly silent.
She’d disappeared last night without a sound, a ghost, a whisper. He’d spent the entire day worrying. Had she been hurt? Captured on her way out?
No, if she had, they’d have come to interrogate him.
Right on cue, the outer door slammed open, banging against the stone wall. Heavy footsteps came toward him. Multiple men. A light from a lantern spilled out before them.
His gut seized, but he made himself push to his feet. He would not meet them lying on the ground.
The man who smiled at him had a big bushy beard the color of flames with hair to match. His eyes were the color of emeralds, sharp and hard. “Well, well. On your feet, I see. I must not have been paying you enough attention.”
He kept quiet. Anything he said would be used as an excuse to beat him. Of course, saying nothing was just as good a reason to this man.
“Balthazar.” He dipped his head in greeting.
“Look at you with all your fine manners. Ready to talk?” He motioned to the jailer, who sorted through the heavy keys on the ring he kept hooked to his belt until he found the right one. The door was unlocked and pulled open.
Ivar’s breathing increased, his heart racing in anticipation of what was to come. It took everything in him not to attack, to fight. But that only led to a more severe beating.
Have to stay strong.
If escape was at hand, he didn’t want to be incapacitated and unable to leave if the opportunity arose.
That was assuming Del came back.
Balthazar strolled around him, pausing at his back. The muscles in his shoulders bunched. An involuntary reaction. The bastard saw it and laughed.
“Do I make you tense?” He came around to the front and stared down at Ivar. The man was several inches taller and quite a bit heavier. All of it muscle.
“I’d say I have reason.”
Ivar's Escape (Assassins of Gravas Book 2) Page 3
