Page 27 of Stealing the Star Stone
“Of course,honey pot,” she said, using the worst endearment she could think of.“Frederik, tell the lady where the ship is, please.Have these delivered, miss.”She swiped the paypad, trying not to gawk at the amount.
“Very well, Mr.Thorne.”Frederik gathered the bags.“I have taken the liberty of having your things transferred to theLaurus.”
“Thanks,” she said, unable to ignore the pressure building in her gut.“I have one more stop.”
“As you wish,” Frederik said.
“Where to?”Thorne whispered as they headed to the sky pods.
“Orbit & Oolong.I doubt Orien has Lady Grey on board.”
“Of course.”Thorne sighed.“And you better hurry.You’re going to need a bathroom soon.”
She glared at him, realization dawning.“You could’ve warned me,” she snapped.“How was I supposed to know you’re lactose intolerant?”
“I tried to tell you.”
She huffed, stepping into the pod.Crowded in the corner didn’t stop her from leaning in to mutter, “You could have tried harder.Watch my weight, indeed.”Tarnis below became a blur the higher up they traveled, but what awaited her lay heavy on her mind.“Dealing with your nethers would have been better without an upset tummy.”
“Upset?”He chuckled.“Sure, why not call it that.Are you allergic to anything?”
“Besides you?”she asked, arching a pointed brow.“No.”
As soon as the pod doors opened, she headed to the tea shop, flashing Arell a smile before ordering boxes of her favorite tea and a box or two of Thorne’s.Just in case since she was spending his credits.With that in hand, she gestured to Frederik to lead the way.Of course, Orien’s ship would receive priority docking, and damn if it didn’t gleam in the weak sunlight.The thing was pretty, all polished silver, white lighting, and state-of-the-art ion engines.
Maybe this trip wouldn’t bethatbad.She could pretend it was a vacation in a den of snakes.Doable if she kept her head down and her ears primed.And made Orien think they were the best of friends.
“We should be honest with each other,” she said, climbing the lowered ramp into the belly ofLaurus.“Have each other’s backs, y’know.”
“Sure,” Thorne said.
“No more surprises.”She met his gaze then smiled at Orien striding toward them.“What a magnificent ship,” she said, throwing her arms out wide.
“Glad you like it.”Orien beamed.
“If you don’t mind, Vex, I’d like to freshen up.Shall we meet for drinks in a bit?”
“Absolutely.I’ll give you the tour.”Orien waved his hand.
Four men crowded them, their gazes menacing.
“Vex?”she asked when one of his men pinned Thorne’s arms behind his back.“I thought we had a deal.”
“I lied.”
Chapter Nine
Laurus Research Vessel
Watch out for snakes.
Day One.
“WelldoneinconvincingNova to come with.I thought it was going to be a struggle,” Orien said to Nova as if he wasn’t imprisoning them.
Eli gritted his teeth.The asshole.
Nova paled, but she was smart enough not to let on that she wasn’t who Orien thought she was.“This is a bit extreme.Was this your intention from the start?”
