Page 14 of True As Steel
“So, what can you tell me about that contact of yours in Satos,” I asked casually.
Tamryn stiffened, her gaze flicking up from her plate to look at me. The glimmer of suspicion that crossed it stung. Obviously, it would take more than last night’s talk for her to fully regain her trust in me—or whatever trust she previously had.
“What do you want to know?” she asked, carefully.
“For instance, how close are you?” I said, pretending not to see her wariness. “What are the odds he or she will be tempted to turn us in for the bounty instead? And assuming not, will that person be able to prevent the locals from trying to snag us?”
Tamryn’s shoulders relaxed. “Fair questions,” she said. “My friend’s name is Haelin.”
“Haelin Zorani?” I exclaimed, surprised.
“You know her?” Tamryn replied, stunned.
I shook my head. “I knowofher,” I corrected. “She built quite the empire here. I didn’t know you were so well connected.”
The female was registered in my database as the leader of the Narengi Cartel. Her species exclusively controlled the production of Dalirium, a recreational drug extremely popular for its lack of negative side effects and especially the absence of addiction. It was the safest drug on the market. Very few dared to fuck with her.
Tamryn shrugged. “Well, she and I personally aren’t very close,” Tamryn explained. “She’s originally from Bionus, like me. Our families are friends there. Her close bond is with my uncle, but she knows me. If she decides to help us—and I have no reason to think otherwise—she’ll obliterate anyone who tries to raise a finger against us.”
“Despite us being branded?” I insisted when she appeared to be done talking.
Tamryn shifted on her seat, clearly uncomfortable with that line of questioning. “Like I said, Haelin is from Bionus. She’s not exactly going to help the bastard trying to take over her homeworld. Plus, she doesn’t need the credits from any bounty she might collect, assuming Shui even pays up.”
“All right, but what will she want in exchange for her assistance?” I asked.
This time, Tamryn pursed her lips, an uncertain look in her eyes. “Honestly, I have no clue. If it had just been me, I believe she would help for free. But with you…” she gave me an apologetic look. “She may or may not ask for something. Also, just so you know, I will have to tell her about your previous allegiance to the Emperor. You can’t lie to a Narengi.”
I nodded. The humanoid species had a unique ability to read people. They didn’t read minds or auras and possessed no empathic abilities either. However, they could hear a lie or deception in someone’s voice or body language, no matter how expert a liar that person was. Therefore, they were often hired to accompany people in the process of negotiating big contracts or deals.
“I wouldn’t expect you to either,” I said reassuringly. “Furthermore, if my presence impedes your chances of receiving assistance from her, I expect you to ditch me and save yourself.”
“You want me to abandon you?” Tamryn exclaimed, her brows shooting up.
I snorted. “It’s not abandoning me. It’s making the logical choice,” I replied with a shrug.
“Is that what you would do?” she asked, her tone hardening. “Once we get to Satos, if Haelin decides a Cyborg would be more useful to her than some ex-military chick, will you ditch me to benefit from her aid?”
“No,” I said matter-of-factly. “First, the likelihood of that is slim to none. Like you said, you’re from the same planet, and your families are friends. There is no reason for her not to want to assist you. If she abandons you now, then she isn’t the type of person I want to do business with either. So, I will stand with you. On the other end,Iwas a loyalist. She may want to seek revenge on behalf of the victims of Emperor Shui. You mustnotput yourself in harm’s way to try and protect me. But also be warned that if they attempt to capture me, I will do everything in my power to escape, which might mean casualties.”
Tamryn shuddered, and a troubled expression flitted over her features.
“Do you truly regret the things you did under the Emperor’s command?” she suddenly asked, nervously tucking a lock of her obsidian hair behind her ear. “I mean, were you honest with me last night when you said you hated obeying his orders and that, had he not turned on you first, you would have broken your oath to him to do right by the people instead?”
“Yes, I was honest,” I answered without hesitation.
“Then you should be fine,” Tamryn said, although I could still hear the slight uncertainty in her voice. “Nobody on Xyva is a saint. They all have a shady history and things they wish they had handled differently in the past. Unless you directly wronged them, all that will matter is who you are now.”
“Very well,” I said.
We resumed eating, switching to lighter topics. As we headed to bed, I tried not to worry about what tomorrow had in store for us.
“Look,” Tamryn suddenly said as we stood in front of the couch, “I don’t want you to get the wrong idea, but it’s way too hot to sleep in all of these clothes. I’m going to strip down to my undies.”
I repressed a smile, pleased that she had finally bit the bullet to stop torturing herself.
“It is a wise idea. I am personally planning on removing my pants as well to only sleep in my underpants,” I said.
Her brows shot up. “Seriously? And what if I have a problem with you sleeping almost naked under me?”