“Any danger getting there?”
“No. But not many in the Coalition are ever willing to go, even just to my star system. There’s no transport ships I can charter or ride. I tried before.”
“I’ve already picked our next job. They take priority over you. They’re paying extra for speed the moment our ship is done.”
“I don’t mind waiting,” Loyalty said, his voice rising a bit. Like he was feeling hopeful.
That voice the s’skree used wasn’t one of making an excuse to politely say no. It sounded more like a warning so he couldn’t complain later. And Loyalty heard it as well. He sounded eager, but restrained, like he was trying not to show it and failing.
“I’d still charge you by the day, even if you’re waiting.”
“That’s fine.”
“Five hundred a day.”
“Done.”
Loyalty didn’t even try to negotiate. Didn’t hesitate to agree. Didn’t even ask how long it might take for them to get there.
Grace couldn’t imagine what he had gone through trying to get back home that he would immediately agree to whatever just for the chance to make it happen.
“Good. I’ll charge once per day every day until we’re there. I’m Tanin. I’m the captain. Sway, put him in the guest room. Goldie can stay in the medbay until he’s dropped off.”
Goldie? Why did that sound like a human name?
“What about her?” Tanin turned to her again.
Grace almost took a step back, but Sway’s hand tightened on hers. Not only keeping her in place but also reminding her that he hadn’t actually released her hand. He’d been holding onto her this entire time.
Sway looked back at her. He cocked his head. “What do you plan to do now?”
Grace opened her mouth, but no answer was waiting for her.
She hadn’t had any intention of quitting her job here, especially in the immediate future. She had no backup plan in place. She had some savings, but she hadn’t been working here long enough to accrue a decently sized nest egg that she could use to start over somewhere else.
And she couldn’t start over here. Covor was the station master. Staying here, she would essentially be completely at his mercy. That wasn’t-
“Come with me,” Sway said, forcing her focus back onto him.
“What?” She started, surprised. “I-I can’t afford five hundred credz a day. I mean, not for more than a few days. I need to save something to start over. I don’t even know where I would…”
“I’ll cover for you,” Sway assured her. “I can pay your fare. We can take you wherever you need to go.”
They’d had one date. It would be stupid for her to go running off with him into the universe. She had no more reason to trust him than she did Covor or anyone in her office.
But she still hadn’t let go of his hand.
And she actually didn’t hate the idea.
Going off. Having an adventure on a starship. Getting to know Sway further…
No. She was being stupid. Just because her entire life was crashing down around her, taking everything she knew and loved, ruining all her potential prospects, putting her in danger of a guy who was clearly crazy enough to shoot someone and was way more wealthy and powerful than her…
She’d forgotten where she was going with this.
Sway was still looking at her. His expression so sweet. So concerned.
And maybe she would have said yes immediately before. When she thought he was just a normal, average, non-violent farasie. Someone she knew for a fact would never hurt her, simply because it was completely antithetical for him to do so.
