Page 50 of Phoenix's Last Heist
Apologies, Lyra, but the crew of theHephaestusare hailing us. I must insist you return to comms and leave the flirting for another time.
“Spoilsport,” I say to Ada. Then, seeing the molten heat in Orion’s gaze, swat his firm ass and wink. “Another time, perhaps.”
I drop back into the captain’s chair and patch the garbled voice through.
“You’re on a course heading toward private property. This station is owned and operated by the Ripley Salvage & Reclamation Corporation. Turn around and head back the way you came or the authorities will be contacted,” the voice crackles.
“I’m trying to reach Evelyn Redfern,” I reply, praying to the stars she won’t blast my ship into dust.
“What do you want with her?” a second voice chirps—a voice I recognize all too well.
“Evie?” I hedge.
“Who wants to know?” she barks, then swears over the crash of clanging metal in the background.
“Aldrin-136requesting permission to land for emergency repairs,” I state.
“Oh no—absolutely not! Lyra Phoenix, you two-timing, thieving, good-for-nothing bilge rat! You arenotcoming aboard my rig and making off with everything that isn’t nailed down—again! Put into port somewhere else,” she snarls.
“Come on, Evie, have a heart. My ship’s busted, I’ve got Void Stalkers on my ass, and I just need to lay low for a couple days. I swear on my father’s honor, I willnotsteal anything. I’ll even pay you back for last time!” I wheedle.
“Your daddy was even more of a thief and con artist than you are, Lyra—he wasn’t what I’d call honorable. Nah, Pinky Pie. You’ve bamboozled me one too many times. Park it elsewhere!”
Orion arches a brow. “Pinky Pie?”
I wince. “Long story.”
Smirking, he leans forward and presses the communicator.
“Ms. Redfern? This is Ranger Orion Asterth from Xylothia. Lyra may be a scoundrel, but I’m far from that. If you’ll let us dock and lend some assistance with repairs, I assure you Lyra will be on her best behavior. Not only will she refrain from stealing anything, but she’ll pay you the full balance of what she owes before we leave. Including credits for the repairs, and a little extra for your trouble,” he says smoothly.
I gape angrily at him, opening and closing my mouth like an enraged fish.
“A Xylothian ranger, huh?” Evie responds. “Lyra, did you move into kidnapping for ransom since I last saw you? Because you know I don’t truck with that.”
“No, Evie,” I drawl. “He’s here of his own free will.”
She grunts affirmation, then lowers her voice conspiratorially. I almost can’t make out her whispers through the static.
“This ranger…is he humanoid?”
“Yep,” I say. “Why?”
“He sounds pretty hot. Is he hot?” Evie whispers.
“Scorching,” I reply, biting back the possessive jealousy that rears its ugly head. Now isnotthe time to explore that. “I take it there aren’t a lot of available romantic partners onboard theHephaestus?”
“If my love life gets any deader, I’ll need my own salvage operation,” she says grimly.
“Well, if you let us dock, you’re free to chat him up at will,” I chuckle. Some twisting, dark thing winds its way through my belly at the thought of Evie flirting with Orion, but that’s best avoided for now. I have a ship to save.
The line goes dead for a few moments and I can practically hear Evie weighing the pros and cons of trusting me again. Fortunately, her libido seems to win the battle and she agrees after another round of firm negotiations. Before I steer us down to the dilapidated landing bay, I lean over and drop a kiss on Orion’s cheek.
“What was that for?” he asks, trying not to look pleased.
“That’s the second time you saved us today,” I grin.
“How so?”
