Page 28 of Tail Me No Lies
“He broke my cousin’s arm!”
Yeah, not the time.
“Maybe your cousin had it coming, and it’s a big galaxy,” Ruth said, surprised at the vehemence of her tone while defending Nox.
Serene was not impressed.
“Are you certain it was Distinction?” Ruth asked. Oh, she knew she was acting lame, but…No buts. She was being lame. She backed down. “Fine. I know he’s not Distinction. They traded places. It’s fine. It’s whatever. You can’t tell anyone.”
“Traded places? It is not whatever.”
“You can’t tell anyone,” Ruth repeated.
“That male is dangerous.”
“I know. That’s why I offered him a job,” Ruth said.
“You. Offered. Him. A. Job.” Each word was met with a full stop. If Serene could spit nails, Ruth would be riddled with holes. “What were you thinking?”
“I was thinking that the nice guy I signed a contract with couldn’t be bothered to get on a shuttle and the bad guy who showed up is the kind of person I need to keep Geral off my back.” At the edge of her patience, Ruth wanted to shout and curse, but she didn’t want to alienate her friend. Her only friend. Who was worried about the notorious arm-breaking criminal living in her house and pretending to be her husband.
Ruth pushed her hair off her forehead and sighed. “Look, I know he’s dodgy. But Geral showed up swinging his dick around and No—Scourge punched him in the face. It was the best thing I’ve ever seen.” At some point, she needed to reflect on Nox and his many aliases. At this moment, though, she’d defend him and his shadiness.
“I do not like this. He is a bad male.”
“I don’t care. What am I going to do with a good guy? I need a bad man,” Ruth said, knowing every word was true. That was why she asked Nox or whatever his name was to stay, instead of leaving his fuzzy behind at the transportation hub. “He’s hired muscle in a hot package. Nothing more.”
Serene’s nose wrinkled and she sneezed. “I suppose he has his uses. Here. I ordered this for you.” She dumped a leaf green bundle of cloth in Ruth’s arms.
Ruth unfolded the wrap, a garment common on Corra to protect from sun and wind. The fabric was lightweight for the summer and soft. Embroidered in a darker green, leaves and various plants decorated the edges. “It’s lovely. Thank you.”
“That old thing you wear is a disgrace. I am tired of looking at it. That is all,” Serene said. She then added, “And my cousin did have it coming.”
Ruth wanted to ask for more details, but it seemed like a violation of Nox’s privacy. “He told me that he’s not always on the right side of the law. He needed a place to lie low, and I needed—”
“Someone to punch Geral. Yes. I see how that is convenient for you,” Serene said.
“You can’t tell anyone.”
“It is too late to barter for my silence after you have freely told me.”
Ruth winced. Fair, although Serene already knew, so Ruth didn’t technically tell her anything. Somehow Ruth knew her friend wouldn’t be amused by the technicalities. She said, “Please keep this to yourself.”
Serene’s eyes narrowed. “Do not be complacent. His kind cannot be trusted.”
“I know,” Ruth admitted.
Serene huffed, then tossed her hands up in surrender. “I will keep this secret as long as he is good to you. If he hurts you, if you so much as have a droopy tail, I will alert the Watch.”
Honestly, it was the best Ruth could hope for. She finished shopping and headed to the vehicle. Nox followed, carrying several bags.
“What is wrong? What did that female say to you?” Nox cast a suspicious glance to the front of the store. Serene watched them through the window, her arms folded over her chest.
“Nothing’s wrong. We need to head out before the storm hits,” she said too quickly.
She allowed the thrill of a new whatever this was with Nox to distract her from all the red flags Nox—Scourge, Distinction, whoever he was—waved. He was a ticking bomb. It would end badly. The only question was if she could avoid getting caught in the blast.
ChapterTen
