No Quarter (Bounty, Book One) (16 page)

I didn’t mean it.

I have nothing to offer.

I’m so alone and you’re the only one who can save me.

Don’t go.

They pulled apart at the same time, each pressing their foreheads together. Faolan
didn’t
do relationships, not any longer. He was wanted for more crimes than he cared to recount. Most of them were even legitimate claims. His intentions or even the end results were irrelevant. He was a criminal with no hope to offer anyone a stable life. It wasn’t something he wanted for himself, even if the consequences left him alone.

But with Gar there was the potential for something. The younger man understood what this life was like, the solitude. While they would never have a traditional relationship, Faolan could at least take advantage of Gar’s embrace while he could still lift his arms and leave before he knew how ill Faolan really was.

“Come back to my ship. We can tether the
Geilt
to her so you don’t need to worry about leaving her behind.”

Gar tightened his grip on Faolan’s waist. “I’m not good with crowds.”

“A ship with twenty people, all wanted for various crimes in case you’re curious, is hardly a crowd.” Gar tried to pull back, but Faolan didn’t let him go. “Come with me. Just for a bit. You can head out to the middle of nowhere after you’ve had a rest.”

“I doubt I’ll be high on anyone’s list of people to see. I’ve made a living out of catching and killing people like you.”

“There isn’t anyone like me, Stitt.” He placed a kiss on the tip of Gar’s nose before finally letting him go. “If nothing else, come get a look at the stone. Maybe we can figure out why Jason wanted us dead so badly.”

Gar stiffened. “I don’t need to know the reason. It’s not going to change the fact I plan to rip him apart.”

“Of course you need to know the reason.” Faolan couldn’t believe the normally restrained man would even consider doing something without thinking the consequences through. “If this is something bigger than the man himself, we need to be prepared. Deal with it properly so things can’t come back to haunt us.”

Gar slapped his hand against the side of his leg. “You think you can actually discover the truth?”

“If I can’t then at the very least I know people who can.”

Shifting to shove his hands in his pants pockets, Gar shrugged. “What about this
thing
you don’t do?”

“We don’t do it. Doesn’t mean we can’t do something else.” A wave of dizziness hit Faolan, forcing him to reach out and grab the pilot’s seat for support. At the last moment, he managed to spin the chair around and fall into it, making the move look intended. When Gar didn’t react, Faolan grinned and hoped the con would last a bit longer. “Either way we need to get my ship. It gives you five hours to make up your mind. Consider the invitation open and an opportunity to restock the pitiful storage cupboards you have back there.”

Gar snorted. “Let it go, Wolf.”

“You’ll die of starvation in the middle of space with no one to find you. I think my plan is the better option.”

“I
do
have a food replicator.”

“I’ve shared my opinion of that thing. Real food is necessary.”

“Gods, this is going to be a long five hours.”

Faolan laughed and shifted over to the copilot seat when Gar nudged his leg. “It’s all a matter of perspective, Stitt. I plan on fully enjoying myself the entire time.”

“Shut up and plug the coordinates into the nav system so we can get there sometime this century.”

Faolan chuckled as he leaned in and did just that. His head was still funny and he didn’t dare push his luck any further. The sooner he could get back to the
Belle Kurve
, the better it would be for all of them.

“Coordinates in and locked. Ready for blastoff, Captain.”

Gar rolled his eyes. “You’re a child. You know that, right?”

“You act as if you’re one foot from the grave. If you can’t enjoy the time you have in this universe then what’s the point in being here?”

Their conversation drifted from banter to piloting speak as they navigated their way through the crowded sector. It really was the last place anyone would suspect a man with a bounty the size of his would be. The lanes were filled with Loyalist ships and outlander colonist convoys heading to their various planets. Any one of the people out there would jump at the chance to turn him in, dead or alive, and here he was, safe and sound in the belly of a bounty hunter’s ship.

Ah, the irony.

They slipped through a security grid by Gar entering in a code designed to mimic a Loyalist security cruiser. He’d have to get his hands on that little gem before Gar left him all alone. Faolan’s heart clenched a little at the thought, but he knew it really was for the best. The silence between them fell away as Gar twisted in his seat to stare at him.

“Faolan?”

“Yup.”

“If that offer stands, I think I’d like to see your ship.” Gar shifted in his seat, smoothing down the front of his suit. “It would do me some good to practice my people skills.”

He really shouldn’t be grinning, but Faolan couldn’t help it. “Good. I’m glad.”

“Good.”

“You don’t actually
have
any people skills. Just so you know.”

Gar sighed. “Thanks for that.”

“Anytime.”

The computer beeped again, indicating they were coming out of the main traffic lane and heading into the back quadrant of the sector.

“Faolan?”

“Hmm?”

“I…don’t do
this
either.”

He turned his head so he could see the blush covering Gar’s face. “Good to know.”

Very good indeed.

Chapter Eleven

The
Belle Kurve
was bigger than Gar had expected. In his experience, space pirates and con men liked to keep as low a profile as possible. Of course, Faolan was in a category all his own.

“I can’t believe that beast is yours.”

“What’s wrong with her?” The note of offended pride was clear in Faolan’s voice. “She’s one of the best things to ever happen to me.”

“Want me to leave the two of you alone?”

“How old are you again?” Faolan asked, glaring.

Amusement warmed Gar’s insides and it was a struggle not to let it show. The longer he spent in Faolan’s company the more Gar found he enjoyed the things around him. It wasn’t right, but even he wasn’t strong enough to fight against the colossal force of Faolan’s good nature.

Typing a code into the com system, Faolan leaned back and kicked his feet up. “I just gave them the all clear. We should receive the jump coordinates from them soon.”

What the hell?
“Jump coordinates? We’re nowhere near a dimension gate.”

“Watch and learn, young one.”

The proximity sensors began to wail in warning as the
Belle Kurve
moved dangerously close to the
Geilt
’s hull. Normally, Gar would have adjusted his trajectory to avoid a collision, but he held still in his seat. Barely.

“They
do
know you’re on board, right?”

Faolan cocked an eyebrow. “Concerned?”

“Just for my sanity. I hope your pilot is as good as you think he is.”

The larger ship dwarfed the
Geilt
as it hovered along the top of the hull. Then nothing. Gar leaned forward to peer out the window. “This is all rather anticlimactic.”

“Might want to sit your gorgeous ass down. Don’t want you getting hurt.”

Gar managed to reclaim his seat as a bright blue shield encased both ships. He opened his mouth to object when he was thrown back in his chair. A pocket of space opened around them only to spit them out a minute later. Gaping, he turned to look at Faolan.

“You have a jump drive on your ship? No wonder the authorities can’t catch you.”

Faolan didn’t answer. His eyes were squeezed shut and a strand of his hair was plastered to his cheek with sweat.

“You okay?” Gar brushed the hair away, tucking it behind Faolan’s ear. “You’re burning up.”

“Just a little spacesick.” Faolan smiled, but didn’t open his eyes to look. “Give me a minute and I’ll be right as a Terrin wind during the dry season.”

“I’ve been in space for most of the past six years and I’ve never met anyone who gets spacesick because of a dimension jump.”

“Well, now you have. Hardly anything really.” Taking a deep breath, Faolan wiped his hand across his mouth, sat up and grinned. “See, I’m feeling better already. Now how about we get your ship linked up so I can get my sorry ass back home.”

Gar knew it wasn’t as simple as Faolan wanted him to believe. If he’d learned nothing else over the past few days, he knew Captain Wolf may come across as an open and honest crook, but the man hid everything behind his wide smile and easy nature. Clearly not wanting to discuss it further, Faolan took over the com system.

“Ricoh! Are you the psycho flying my baby?”

The blue-hued face of an older Terrin came to view. “Boss. You brought us a present?”

“Nope, the
Geilt
is off-limits. Hear me? Make sure to pass that along to everyone else. Captain’s orders.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Lower the clamps, we’re going to tether her so Stitt and I can come on board.”

Ricoh grunted and muttered, “Bounty hunters.”

“Hey now, be nice. This particular bounty hunter saved my ass.”

“Of course, Captain,” Ricoh said, clearly not impressed.

The screen blinked off and Gar wanted to groan. “Pleasant fellow.”

“His brother sold him out to one of your kind a few years back. Let’s just say your chosen profession isn’t high on his list of favorites. You’ll find that’s the same for a lot of my crew.”

“I’m not thrilled with the idea of having my ship locked to a pirate’s, but you don’t see me complaining.”

“Gods, no, you never would.” Faolan stood, placing a hand on Gar’s shoulder. “Let me show you how the other half lives.”

Gar was surprised when Faolan didn’t remove his hand, only shifting to press it against his lower back. The firm support was a comfort where it shouldn’t have been, sending a pleasant hum through his body. Just as surprising was the urge to reciprocate the touch. He’d never been one to seek out physical comfort, unlike Faolan who appeared to thrive on it.

“You’ll love the crew, but don’t be too offended if they aren’t too welcoming at first. I’m completely confident your warm charm and quick wit will win them over in no time.”

“Ass.” Gar wasn’t about to take it for granted Faolan’s crew would be as open minded as he was. He’d dressed with his blades, including the ankle knife he rarely used. Sure, they would be easily detectable if someone searched him, but he didn’t intend for anyone to get close enough to check.

If Faolan was half as intelligent as Gar took him to be, he already knew Gar was well armed. It was somewhat comforting to know he wouldn’t be asked to remove them before going on board. At the very least he hoped Faolan wouldn’t prove him wrong and try to make a show of it, publicly disarming him to set the tone. He’d kick his ass if he did.

The airlock for the upper hull was located in the main cabin of the ship. It was a containment area which provided Gar a buffer against pirates if he were ever attacked and boarded. He did his best to ignore the feeling of discomfort and unease as he activated the ladder and climbed up to release the hatch security.

“As much as I love looking at your ass, better let me go first.” Faolan spanked Gar’s ass cheek. “They are just as likely to shoot you between the eyes as they are to offer you a drink. I’ll soften them up first.”

Despite Faolan’s levity, Gar knew better than to argue. Pressing the security code, he waited until the hydraulics released before jumping down. Gar bowed deep at the waist, allowing Faolan to move past. “Sir.”

Faolan grinned as he pulled his green jacket on and fastened his belt holding his sword. “Charming. You have no idea how well you’re going to fit in, Stitt.”

“Very reassuring.”

He couldn’t help his gaze as it drifted to Faolan’s ass, watching the play of muscles as he moved up the rungs.

“I can feel you staring.”

Gar fought his smile. “Just making sure you don’t break anything.”

Faolan banged on the hatch three times, waited a moment before banging twice more. Only then did he throw the door open.

“Daddy’s home, children. I brought company, so get out the clean linen.”

Gar stood at the bottom of the ladder, forced to listen to the clamor and riot of voices in the ship above him. Warm greetings and sharp barks of laugher filtered down through the combined metal hulls, dragging feelings of jealous insecurity from him. He’d never had close relationships with any of the other hunters of the Guild. Rarely did they communicate and never did they work together. Too risky. No one trusted any of the others enough to complete operations without Jason’s direct involvement. It didn’t help make friends when the others of the Guild learned about Gar’s role as Jason’s protégé and top hunter. There was always someone bucking for his position.