Ice drenched Tiny, her ears ringing, her mind spinning, because behind those words lay a tone far too friendly.“Losing a crewmate doesn’t devastate you?”
“Nope.”Dieter laughed.“I say good riddance.”
Hope shriveled inside Tiny’s heart, and the full realization of where she was and with whom she worked slammed into her.Unexpected deaths were investigated by port authorities, delaying departure and costing a fortune in docking fees.Safety was paramount.For an accident to happen, especially on an ice hauler, human error had to be involved.Which implied intent.And judging by his jovialness, he had to have been involved in something like this before.Would he dispose of her if he thought her a liability?
“You wanted her gone,” she whispered.
His hand on her elbow made her skin crawl.“She lied to us, Tiny.She’s an escaped gladiator and was wanted by Carne.”
She blinked.Well, now, that explains so much about the snippets Vic let slip.“I’m used to nudity,” she’d said, and those almost imperceptible scars, her state-of-the-art cybernetics, and her love of food… Still, Vic had shown Tiny nothing but kindness.
“But—” She cleared her throat.“Handing her over to Carne makes more sense.”She shook her head.“Who else is ‘happy’ about this?”
“Leah and Nikko.”
Nikko hated being lied to.So his lack of remorse was almost forgivable.But why Leah?“Is it because of the busted hand?”
“Yup.”Dieter tugged as if to draw Tiny into his arms, but she pulled way, choosing instead to sink into the chair.
“I…can’t believe you’re so blasé.”She raised her chin despite the pain inside her chest threatening to swallow her whole.“It’s like I don’t know you.And here I thought you my hero.”She curled her fingers into fists and rested them on her thighs, gathering her courage.“You’re nothing but a cold-hearted ass, Deets.”
He growled.“You’re either for us or against us.”
She stiffened.No way could she afford to burn bridges when she was trapped onboard.Nor did she have anyone she could confide in.She had no idea how far up the chain this disregard for life went.Surely not Trent or Grunt?Not Captain either… Was he even aware of what his crew got up to?
“For, of course.Just pissed you didn’t try to rescue her.Carne might have offered a hefty reward—dead or alive.”
Dieter chuckled.“Yeah, but Leah wouldn’t let me.Nikko didn’t try either, and I ain’t the boss,” he said like that excused his inaction.
“I better stay on Leah’s good side.”Tiny wiggled her brows in a weak attempt to be funny and put Dieter at ease.
“Me too.You never know with her.What Nikko sees in her…” He cursed.“Sorry, wasn’t supposed to reveal—”
“I know about their rule-breaking,” Tiny said.
“Phew, Nikko would chew my ass off.Well, I’ve got to feed the zoo.See ya later.”He stomped off, leaving her alone at last.
“Computer…” She paused.What could she ask?What really happened?Did she want to know?No, she preferred to believe Nikko.For now.Knowing the truth meant she’d have to lie, and without her sight, she couldn’t read expressions.But she wanted off this hauler.So much for finding her place in the universe.
“Yes, Tiny.”
She slumped and let the tears fall.“Play the audiobook.”
‘Chapter Twenty-One.Date: 2170.14.10.The Colony.
“No, no way.”Naomi shook her head, fastening her uniform with nimble fingers.“I’m not moving in with you, Gibs.”
“Then live with Davis if it’s me you dislike.”
“Dislike?After the way I kissed you?”She snorted.“It’s a no because I like my privacy.”
He trailed after her stomping form, loving the sway of her ponytail and hips.Having her beneath him was only a matter of time, and he could wait, flex his patience for a bit.’
Tiny zoned out, unable to focus.She’d have to replay this part when she didn’t need the computer’s voice to comfort her.Disembarking at Europa was her only chance to escape.Could she do it without letting anyone know?And she’d signed a fargen contract.
“Oh, Dad, what have I done?”she wailed like a disobedient child.
She’d been ‘safe’ at Celestial.Would Maddy take her back?She barked out a hysterical laugh.Here she was, making a difference.What a fool to think a blind doctor could be of value…
