Fortune's Risk: A Star Thief Novella (Star Thief Chronicles #1.5) (2 page)

Finn squeezed his eyes closed, then exhaled and straightened his spine. Enough. He’d chosen this path. He trusted Renna. They’d all get through this. And right now, priority number one was making sure that Dr. Aldani and his nephew were safe.

He shifted the holster at his waist as he glanced down the stark, white corridor that led from the docking bay. He still had that sixth sense he’d developed for trouble back in the gang, and it had come in handy more than a few times while at MYTH. Hopefully it wouldn’t steer him wrong now. And after a quick sweep of the space, he turned and gestured to David Aldani and the little boy standing beside him. “Let’s get moving. The safe house is in the Merrin district, not too far from here.”

The doctor nodded and stepped from the elevator. Myka, his ten-year-old nephew followed, dark eyes darting up and down, taking in the searing helo-lights and shiny ceramic floors.

“I take it the Ileth went to stock my supplies?” Aldani asked as they hurried to the far end of the hallway.

Finn nodded, hand on his blaster. He scanned the space, looking for anyone out of the ordinary, anything that felt suspicious. Whatever the man’s fault, he had to admit the pirate had some good connections. Viktis had found a quiet apartment in a middle-class zone on the station, where Aldani and Myka wouldn’t be noticed. They’d be safer there than on the run in the
Athena
.

At least that’s what Finn kept telling himself. Renna would be seriously pissed if she found out that he’d let the pair out of his sight, but with the way things were going, he couldn’t risk the two of them being found if the
Athena
was caught.

“Have you heard from Renna?” Myka asked hopefully.

Finn shook his head, gaze still sweeping the space as they walked. “Not yet, kid. It’s barely been a week. Give her some more time.”

The boy chewed his lip. “I’m worried about her.”

Aldani squeezed his nephew’s shoulder. “Renna’s fine. She’s a tough girl. She’ll be back with us in no time.” Over the boy’s head, Aldani met Finn’s gaze with a frown.

A sharp stab of panic shot through Finn’s gut, tightening his fingers around his blaster. Renna was running out of time. The longer her implant had to fuse with her neural network, the more likely it was she’d turn into one of those…things they’d found back in Navang’s lab. A hybrid. Aldani was working on a cure, but it was slow going, especially with her gone. The scientist didn’t know if his drugs would even work on her system.

Finn clenched his jaw. No. She’d just walked back into his life. There was no way in hell he was going to let her go before they got to see what this thing was between them. It had been a very long time since he’d felt this way about someone. If ever. There hadn’t been room to become attached to other people back when he was working for Blur. And since joining MYTH…well, he hadn’t exactly been celibate. But it wasn’t easy to have a relationship with a civilian when the smallest slip-up could put them in danger.

He forced a smile to his lips. “Everything’s going to be fine, Myka. I promise.” This was war and Renna had chosen this path. It was time to suck it up and do the same.

“Look, there’s a park right in front of the apartment where you can play,” Finn said, changing the conversation and pointing to the green space they were approaching. The station’s various zones were designed haphazardly, some clean and respectable, others worse than the poorest Earth slums. The Merrin zone was named for a well-respected scientist from Old Earth, and had a cozy, if slightly shabby feel. But its big draw was the large park with synthetic grass that anchored the zone, accessible only to people who lived there. Real trees ringed the space, and a gurgling fountain sat in the middle. A few small girls were playing a game of tag at one end of the park, their laughs and screams echoing over the hum of the air recyclers.

“I think we could get used to it here,” Aldani said with a smile. “Don’t you, Myka?”

The boy nodded, watching the other children play with a haunted expression. “It’ll be nice not to be…locked up.”

Finn’s heart clenched. He heard the kid almost every night. The nightmares made Myka shriek in terror, and sometimes, not even Aldani could comfort him. Being in that cage must have been absolute hell. Maybe Viktis was right about taking the Cordozas down.

And maybe it was way too easy to slip back into old habits. The constant struggle between doing what was right and what was easy never went away. The old part of him, the part that had been Hunter back in the gang, would have jumped at Viktis’s plan as an exciting challenge. But he wasn’t that man any more. He had responsibilities. People to protect.

Finn shook his head to clear away the thoughts and gestured to the door of one of the apartment buildings that faced the park. “Viktis promised your place has a great view, lots of windows. And it’ll only be temporary until Renna finishes her job. Then everything can get back to normal.”

Whatever the hell that was.

CHAPTER 2

From his spot in the corner booth, Viktis watched Captain Finn slide onto a bar stool and gesture to the tall Trezian bartender. Viktis took a sip of his own Ileth bourbon. The Cap looked a bit off tonight. Something about the man being out of uniform just seemed wrong.

The bartender plunked a shot glass of green, glowing liquid in front of Finn. He downed the shot without hesitation, then gestured for another.

Well, well. The good captain was trying to drown his troubles, was he? Never a good sign. Viktis took another sip of the blue bourbon, letting the liquid burn down his throat in a fiery trail as he ran through his options. Despite what he’d said earlier, he needed Finn’s help. Taking down Kitty Cordoza was more than just a way to avenge poor Myka. The whole family was corrupt. A malevolent smear on the galaxy.

And with the new tech Kitty’s mercs were delivering, the family would be unstoppable.

Definitely not good for Viktis’s bottom line. Even worse for the other mercs in this system. But while the thrill alone of taking down the Cordoza’s matriarch wasn’t enough to tempt Viktis into action, the threat of lost profit was. Plus, seeing Kitty Cordoza rot in jail would finally pay off a debt he’d owed for far too long.

After watching Finn down his third shot, Viktis shook his head and got to his feet. By the looks of the ladies eyeing Finn like he was a prime-cut rib eye, if he didn’t stop him, the good captain would find himself in a world of trouble. He crossed the bar and clapped a hand on Finn’s shoulder. “Careful there, Cap. People might get the wrong idea.”

Finn curled his fingers into fists in his lap. “Go away, pirate.”

“You wound me, Cap,” Viktis said, pressing a hand to his heart. “I thought we were friends.”

“Then you’re even more deluded than I thought.” Finn gestured for another shot, but Viktis caught the bartender’s eye and shook his head.

“Why the hardcore drinking? Missing our girl?” he asked.

“My girl, not yours,” Finn growled. “You’re nothing to her any more. Nothing.”

Viktis raised an eyebrow. Interesting. Was his former relationship with Renna really eating away at the man? Finn didn’t seem like the jealous type. “I wouldn’t say that.”

“I would.” Finn glared at the bartender. “I need another drink.”

“I really don’t think you do. A few more of those and you might end up going home with one of those lovely young ladies watching you from the end of the bar.”

Finn glanced to where Viktis pointed and two girls not much older than Renna giggled and waved at him. One was human, the other Delfine and Viktis had recognized both immediately. They were notorious scammers who preyed on lonely men. And right now, Finn fit the bill perfectly.

But Finn rolled his eyes. “Not my type.”

“Right, you prefer leggy brunettes with a penchant for thievery. So how about instead of sitting here moping that she’s not around, you help me out? I promise you’ll feel better in the morning, too. That green stuff’ll give you a hell of a hangover.”

“I told you, I’m not helping you cheat at cards.”

“There will be no cheating involved — just a little sleight of hand and misdirection. It will all be perfectly legal on your end. Your shiny halo won’t get the least bit tarnished. In fact, you’ll be a hero.”

Finn’s blue eyes were slightly unfocused as he stared at Viktis. “I could have been you.”

Viktis froze. “Pardon?”

“If things had turned out differently. I could have ended up just like you. A merc for hire with no scruples or morals. But I chose a different life. I can’t go back. No matter what Renna wants.” Finn propped his elbows on the bar and put his head in his hands.

Viktis frowned. He didn’t know much about Finn’s past, just that he and Renna had been in a gang together when they were younger, and that Finn had left to become a model citizen. Whatever had happened to turn him away from crime was obviously still an issue.

“Let’s make this clear, Captain. You could never be me. I’m the best there is.”

Finn groaned into his hands and Viktis smiled. “Look, if Renna wanted someone like me, don’t you think we’d be together? I tried more than once in the last few weeks to get her to forget about you. She wouldn’t bite. For whatever reason, she’s only interested in good guys now. And from what I know about you, my friend, there’s no chance in hell you’d ever give up those damn morals of yours. Helping me with this won’t turn you into an evil mercenary with no soul. I promise.”

Finn raised his head to stare at him. “Did you know Renna has a code? She only promises if she actually means it.” Finn nodded. “She learned that from me, when we were in Blur’s gang.”

“Yeah, I knew that. It was her thing, even when we ran together. Made her a good mercenary. You always knew where you stood with her.”

Finn nodded again, the motion causing him to sway on the stool. “She promised Myka that she’d stop the Cordozas for him.”

“I know.”

“Since she’s not here, I’ll help her with that promise.” Finn pointed a finger at Viktis. “But I’m not doing anything illegal!”

He bit back a smile at Finn’s drunken order. “Of course not. It might tarnish that halo. Besides, you’re not the only one with a reputation to protect. Now, how about we get you back to the ship and talk about my plan. Looks like you’re not going to make it much longer.” He’d never seen a human get drunk so fast. The guy must not be a drinker. Not surprising, really. Finn was one of those nauseatingly upright guys who never lost control.

Viktis slipped a shoulder beneath Finn’s arm. “Come on, buddy, let’s get you out of here before the vultures descend.” He pulled Finn off the stool and steadied him. The ladies at the end of the bar frowned, one of them getting to her feet like she was going to walk over.

Viktis stopped her with a glare.

“Hey, you’re not as skinny as you look,” Finn said, wrapping a strong arm around him.

“Neither are you,” Viktis said with a grunt as Finn’s full weight fell onto him. “What the hell do they feed you humans?”

“Food?”

Viktis rolled his eyes and shifted his position. “Clever.” He helped Finn toward the door, nodding at the bouncer in thanks as he held it open for them.

“Hey, you smell good. Like grass and cookies.” Finn sighed sadly. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen real grass. Earth grass.”

Viktis chuckled. “Careful there, Cap. You wouldn’t want me to get the wrong idea.”

Finn blinked blearily. “What idea would that be?”

“That we should run away together. People are already talking.”

“Ha!” Finn’s laugh bellowed down the empty corridor and Viktis half pulled, half carried him to the elevator. “You’re funny.”

“And you’re drunk. Now shut up and walk before you pass out. There’s no way in hell I’m carrying you, no matter how good you think I smell.” But a smile curved Viktis’s lips as they walked.

CHAPTER 3

“I think we’re going to need some more help,” Viktis said as they stared at the holo monitor in his hotel room. “Kitty’s suite is here.” He pointed to a corner on the thirty-second level. “She’s taken the entire floor. I won’t be able to get in, plant the evidence, and get back out without a distraction.”

“Are you saying I’m not enough?” Finn raised a mocking eyebrow. Entertaining a mob princess wasn’t exactly his idea of a good time, but he could handle it. Once his head stopped throbbing. Whatever he’d had to drink last night had left him feeling like a dying ruska.

“You’re going to have your hands full with Kitty. I need someone to help me with her guards.”

Finn rubbed a hand over his eyes, trying to ease the gritty, sandpaper feeling. “Did you have someone in mind?”

“Lieutenant Keva.”

Finn felt his jaw drop as he turned to stare at the pirate. “You’ve got to be kidding. Keva won’t help you. She can barely stand to be in the same room as you.” With Keva’s focus on following the rules, and Viktis’s insistence on ignoring them, the pair were like kerosene oil and matches. Strike a spark, mix the two, and run for cover, because the explosion was going to be big and messy.

They were even worse than Finn and Viktis when they got going.

“I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Let me give it a shot, and if it doesn’t work, we’ll figure out something else.”

“What exactly do you want Keva to do? You know she’s even more of a hard ass than I am when it comes to breaking the law.” Finn didn’t know much about his XO’s past, but since joining his team, he knew that she prided herself on following protocol to the letter, could take down a man twice her size in six Bumani moves, and she never seemed to sleep.

Viktis pulled up the schematics of Kitty’s suite. “Look at the security. Cameras, infrared, bio-locks. If Renna was here, we might have a shot at getting past them. But she’s not, so we need someone on the inside. I want Keva to join the Cordozas as one of Kitty’s personal guards.”

“On such short notice? I can’t imagine Kitty would hire a stranger off the street.”

Viktis’s smile was wicked. “Let me take care of getting the Lieutenant inside. I need you to get to the casino and start Phase One of the plan.” He paused and let his gaze travel up and down Finn’s body. “Don’t forget the tux, handsome.”