Cifer squelched his glee. “He has a meet set for twenty-one hundred. Apparently, he’s dipping his toe in the flesh trade.”
A growl filled the line before Master asked, “How is this my concern?”
“He’s meeting the trader at the Rusty Bucket. Didn’t know you allowed others to do business out of there.” And the hook was set.
After a telltale pause, Master found his voice again. “Why inform me?”
“Varik broke a contract I prepaid.” Cifer had written off the fees he’d paid Varik, but Master would believe money prompted his call. And Cifer had already set the pieces on the board by confirming Varik owed Master. Cifer’s debt would transfer, too, in the old pirate’s mind.
“Hmm. We should meet with Varik. You and I. Resolve this.” If Varik could hear Master’s voice right now, he’d piss himself.
“I’ll be at the Rusty Bucket.” He hung up without saying goodbye.
The call had gone better than expected. Not only would Varik be in a world of hurt, unable to negotiate his contract with the buyer, but the goods would be long gone when he shook himself loose of Master for the evening. And Cifer might get his money back. He’d need to play it cool so that Varik didn’t suspect him of freeing the kids.
Blaize startled awake with Cifer’s name on her lips. The drab walls of her quarters were a stark reminder that she wasn’t in his bedroom as she’d dreamed. Irritated, she dressed in a fresh set of coveralls and stomped down the corridor to find her fellow crew members in the galley.
“Blaize.” Veda smiled, a cup of tea in her hand.
“Are Dez and Cyra here?”
“Captain had some business to take care of. Dez wouldn’t let her go alone. They took Princess with them.” Rhysa inspected Blaize with narrowed pink-eyed.
“Do you know when they’ll be back?” Blaize addressed Veda, hoping Rhysa would let her be.
Veda shrugged. “I made first meal. There’s plenty, if you’re hungry.”
It would be awful, but she was starving. “Sure. Thanks, Veda.”
Veda scooped a chunky, liquidy brown gruel into the bowl and placed it in front Blaize. The others already had theirs, but she waited for Veda to join them before they ate. The first bite confirmed that it was as disgusting as it looked, but she was hungry, so she took another bite and quickly swallowed.
“Where were you last night?” Rhysa asked with a teasing tone. “We missed you at dinner.”
“Based on the fact that your face is as red as your hair, I’d say you had fun,” Bodi added, teaming up with Rhysa at the worst time.
Blaize filled her mouth with glop. She didn’t want to, but chewing would give her a valid excuse not to respond.
“It’s none of our business.” Veda sounded sad.
Was Veda attracted to Cifer? Had she hurt her friend? She would find out, but not in front of everyone. Even if Veda was attracted to Cifer, he wasn’t a good male. He’d told her so when he thought she was sleeping. Blaize wasn’t sure she believed him, but she would make sure the Veda understood she wasn’t missing out on anything worthwhile—besides the best sex of Blaize’s life. “I had some errands to take care of that took me longer than expected. I…I stayed with a friend.”
“A male friend?” Rhysa wasn’t going to let this go, so Blaize did something she hated. She lied.
“Nope.” She dropped her spoon in her empty bowl. She patted Veda’s shoulder before she placed her bowl in the sterilizer. “Thanks for cooking.” She couldn’t bring herself to tell Veda it was good. One lie was enough.
“No problem.” Veda reached out and grabbed her hand as she was leaving. “Can you help me?”
“Of course. What’s wrong?”
“Well, I think I broke the lighting system. Nothing will turn on.”
“I’ll take a look now.” Blaize was relieved to have something to focus on besides the mystery of Cifer and the attack from Varik. A technical problem to solve was exactly what she needed. She could have kissed Veda.
“You’re not mad?” Veda was back to her bright, cheerful self. So, she wasn’t interested in Cifer… She was worried Blaize would be angry about the lights.
Blaize laughed. “These systems are fragile, and not every ship has a grow room. Bound to be some technical issues. I’m surprised it’s done so well. I mean, I put it together so it would last, but you know. It’s a work in progress.”
“Thanks,” Veda called out behind Blaize.
