The doors opened and Kell and Mara got on. At least the tech for the elevator was a little more up-to-date, only partially instead of completely rusted. The elevator shot up, whirring. He wondered if he had enough time to get her up against the wall. His hands up her skirt. Her legs around his waist.
Leave the talking to me, she said.
Seems to be a common refrain.
She shrugged, but her smile was pure devious charm. This is my territory. 8th Wing came to me for assistance. Well, my assistance means you have to keep your mouth shut.
How convenient for you.
Betraying the cunning brains that lurked beneath her gorgeous exterior, she said, You hate not being in control.
Its better for everyone when I call the shots.
She folded her arms across her chest, and the gesture made her already lifted breasts rise just a little higher. Anybody ever call you arrogant?
All the time.
Her laughter was rueful, but admiring. Then, quietly, almost to herself, she murmured, Dont make me like you.
Before he could question that statement further, the doors to the elevator slid open. Mara stepped out, he went right behind her, and they found themselves in smugglers paradise.
He became aware of two things at once: the noise, and the smell. Voices combined to form a discordant ocean, yelling to be heard above the pounding music. Laughter. Shouts, both jovial and angry. A table broke. Somebody screamed. The music continued.
Bodies, alcohol and sticky smoke merged into one viscous cloud of smell. Sex, too, musky and thick, scented the air. Peering into the darkness, he thought he might have seen a coupleor threesomeengaged in what should have been a private activity, except they were on a stage.
Like it? Mara shouted.
Its not the officers mess.
The club, or whatever one might call such a place, spread out in an arrangement of large, smoky rooms. Tables and booths filled the rooms, and each had its own bar, tended by men and women who looked like they would sooner stick an infrared blade through your eye than take a drink order. A distant wall held a bank of windows, offering a panoramic view of Beskidt By, but no one seemed to care what was on the other side of the tinted glass.
Mara moved into the room and he trailed after her, his gaze constantly moving, assessing the situation. He didnt like the minimal number of exits, nor the fact that they were dozens, if not a hundred, stories up, leaving too few options in case they needed to leave in a hurry. Shadows clogged every corner. They could hide any number of threats. The patrons of the club were a whos who of wanted criminals. He recognized one slave trader, three drug dealers, and at least a dozen smugglers.
He just hoped none of them recognized him. Doubtless theyd disembowel him on one of the stages if they knew he was 8th Wing. Seemed like the kind of entertainment the crowd would enjoy.
Mara strode through the thick of it, completely comfortable yet alsoregal. She called out greetings as she walked. Almost everyone knew her, and she knew them. GiriI havent seen you since that specerij lab explosion. Face is healing nicely. Edlynyou promised me an ether processor, and Im still waiting. Is that Qadir? Did you collect that bounty, yet? Well, you always get less when you bring them in dead. Yes, even in pieces.
If Mara was accepted as one of their own, Kell was the subject of hundreds of wary stares.
Several people actually did double takes when they saw him walking with her.
One hulking thug with a face webbed with scar tissue lumbered out of his seat, then placed himself deliberately in his path. Kell shifted to walk around Scar Face, but the man kept stepping in his way.
Kell fought a sigh. These pissing matches were annoying as hell.
Pretty little drawing you got there. Scar Face jabbed a meaty finger into the tattoo on Kells arm.
Kell only stared at him.
Whats it mean? Scar Face pressed.
It
Means you like sucking cock. Scar Face laughed at his own joke.
Gods, the fuckers brain had to be in reverse proportion to his size.
No, said Kell.
A few people nearby gasped. From behind Scar Faces massive bulk, Mara shook her head.
Clearly, no one contradicted this asshole.
What? Scar Face pushed closer to Kell, and a wave of sweat stench rolled off him. What did you say?
I said, No. And dont touch me again.
The fuck I wont. He moved to shove his finger
into Kells arm once more.
The next moment, Scar Face was sprawled on the floor. Kell had his knee pinned to the mans neck and his plasma pistol in his face. Scar Faces tiny eyes widened as he went purple. Though conversation and music did not stop, they did quiet nearby.
You want the inside of your head splattered all over this lovely club? Kell asked conversationally.
Scar Face tried to shake his head, but Kells knee kept him from moving. And breathing.
Id like an answer, Kell said.
Nno.
Then dont touch me or talk to me again. We clear?
Scar Face attempted another nod, then gasped, Clear.
Smoothly, Kell removed his knee and rose to standing. He didnt look behind him to watch Scar Face stumble away.