Page 22 of Stealing Jia

“No.”Lokiwalked over to the caged bar and said something to the bartender.

Ivan hooted as the dancer jumped on our table and shook her breasts in his face.

I rolled my eyes.

Pepe peeked his head out. “What she do?”

“It’s called table dancing.It’s a guy thing.” I pinched Ivan’s hand to get his attention. “Why haven’t the Yaggas killed her?”

“She’s a Tiktik. They eat their mates.” Ivan stuffed a credit chip in her G-string. “She’s too talented of a dancer for anyone to kill and butcher.”

“Why does she smell like rotted meat?”

“Chuff, chuff,”Ivan said, and the dancer jumped to another table.“Water is a scarce commodity here. No one bathes.”

That explained the stench.

Loki came back with three bottles of Datol. He handed me one and took a seat. “There is an old freighter on pad twelve that fits our requirements.”

Ivan smiled and chugged his Datol.

Guess I could try their beer. It was cold. Ick. The bottle was covered with a greasy substance. On second thought, it might not be a good idea. “Do they sell water?”

Loki snorted.“Water is two hundred credits per bottle. Datol is five credits.”

“Is it safe to drink?”

“Nothing on this world is safe,”Ivan said.

An extremely dirty Bjarke male with one long oily braid stormed into the bar. His armor was crusted with God knows what. He stopped in front of our table. “I want the female.”

I pulled my laser pistol.

Pepe growled.

Loki and Ivan totally ignored him.

Everyone in the bar retreated to the far side of the room. Totally oblivious, the dancer kept on gyrating.

“Give me the female or I will take her from you,”he bellowed.

I’d like to see him try. On a private link I asked Loki, “Who is he?”

Rage flashed across Loki’s face.“Halvor the Betrayer. Our father.”

Holy Mary Mother of God. This was about to get nasty.

Halvor the Betrayer pulled a blood encrusted sword. “Is she worth dying for?”

“I see Dingle is still your master,”Ivan spat.

Halvor pointed his sword at Ivan. “You will show me the proper respect.”

“You deserve none.”Ivan erupted to his feet. “You would have sold Yakira to that monster.”

“It was my right,” Halvor screamed.

I slid out of my chair. Someone was off his meds.

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