“Don’t do it,” Drekk growled, something in his gaze making her take a second look.
And that was all it took to render her off balance. In minutes several pulses stunned her into oblivion, and she fell into waiting arms, not sure of anything anymore.
Rafe stared in shock at Drekk, not knowing what to think. On the one hand, the instinct to protect his mate made him want to tear off the heads of everyone around them. But on the other, the rational measure of the lawmaker within told him to wait it out. Drekk had called him Cheltam, after all. If need be, Rafe could kill the lot of them after he’d found his answers.
“Cheltam,” Drekk said with what sounded like relief. “I was hoping to see you yesterday.” A lie. Drekk had told them he’d meet them at the trading tower tomorrow. “You have the girl, unharmed, as agreed? See Synster? I told you all was well.” He glanced at Synster, and Rafe recognised the name as the one Erin had put to her Handler.
In their days together travelling back, Rafe had explained to Erin more of his life as a Xema and peacemaker. And his mate had tentatively described life on Eyra. A series of tests and torture at the hands of Synster, this measly male Rafe could break in two with one hand.
Looking around, he failed to spot her Creator, Canunn. Too bad. Would have been nice to kill them both and present them to Erin with bows around their necks.
“She was unharmed,” Rafe growled. “Until one of these dicks shot her with a stunner.”
“The female is fine.” Synster shook his head, disregarding Rafe, to his inherent danger.
“At least the phaser will leave no lasting damage. So long as you haven’t done anything to mar her perfection.”
“I saved her ass from peacemakers bent on rape and several raptors and kethra wanting to make her into dinner. She’s a handy woman, I’ll grant you. But she’s not familiar with the Fields of Flor or the Anate Jungle.”
Synster started, his beady eyes narrow. “I hadn’t thought she’d get that far. Good, then.” Synster cleared his throat. “Your man Drekk tells me you want more than the hundred thousand we’re offering for her capture.”
Rafe glanced at Drekk and nodded, thinking fast. “If she’s worth that much, then knowledge about more like her should be worth a pretty penny.” Synster grinned, and unease tingled at the base of Rafe’s neck. “Oh, we know about the others. She’s the last one we need to find, I’m happy to say.” Synster glanced at the men around him and considered his words. “I’m not exactly sure why I should pay you anything, considering I’ve found her myself.”
Drekk, Rafe noted, narrowed his gaze, anger pouring off the large male in waves.
Rafe, however, hadn’t been away from Cheltam so long that he’d forgotten how to play the game. “Well, now. Seems to me you don’t know me as well as you should, Synster. My reputation is as good as it is because I’m a safe man.”
“How so?”
“I keep very clear, detailed records about every job I take. And though you didn’t deal with me personally on this matter, I have enough on you to put you to death several times over, should our girl’s beginnings be made public.” Rafe smiled through his teeth, pleased at Synster’s sudden pallor.
“You wouldn’t.”
“Why not? I’m a known criminal, but one with standards. You Eyran scientists, however, have a bad reputation with creating things that destroy.” Rafe stared from Erin to Synster. “You kill me and all details surrounding Erin, you and Canunn will be all over the Vrail news vids within twenty standard hours.”
Drekk nodded. “I told you we play hardball, Synster.” Synster grimaced. “That’s not necessary.”
“Oh, but it is.” Rafe held Erin in his arms, wanting nothing more than to put her down and pound Synster into a bloody pulp. “Now I want a credit chip with two hundred thousand on it, as well as passage back to Tekor for me and my friend.” He nodded to Drekk.
“And I want to know if anyone else is currently looking for Erin. Anyone else I’ll have to beat back when they come pounding at my door demanding to know why I stole their bounty out from under them?”
Synster flushed. “A harmless group. Mara’s Light agreed to track her. But Drekk contacted me before Catam returned my calls. I expect they’ll be easy enough to manage for someone with your reputation. ” Syntser threw back at him. “Now give me the girl.” Synster nodded at two large security men to step forward.
“No. You give Drekk the chip, and we’ll wait while he verifies it.” Synster glared. “I don’t think you understand who’s in charge here.” A sudden disturbance in the air had Drekk and Rafe on one side of the small clearing and Synster and his team on the other. In seconds, two large Ragga, a Mardu, a large, stunning male and a tall, sexy female appeared with pistols at the ready.
“Synster, how good to see you,” Catam said with rancour. “Not going to give away my currency, were you?” Catam’s gaze flashed to Rafe’s, but he said nothing more and looked back at Synster.
“Speak of the devil,” Drekk murmured with amusement. “What were you saying about getting rid of Mara’s Light, Synster?”
Synster’s eyes widened with alarm as he stammered for his security to protect him.
Guns aimed at one another and shouting ensued while Rafe cradled Erin to his chest protectively.
“I had to bring Synster and crew,” Drekk said under his breath by way of apology.
“They found Ryen and Anin earlier today. But on the bright side, at least I have you two a minute to finish up.”
Rafe glared, not amused at any of this.
“Cheltam, what a pleasure,” Catam spoke loudly, breaking through the noise. “Should have known you’d be in on this.”
“Yes, you should have.” Rafe was so going to kick Catam’s ass for involving himself in this mess. And where the hell were Isa and the girls?
“Catam, perhaps it would be wise of you to remind Cheltam that I command Mara’s Light,” Mara said with steel underlying her words.
Rafe fumed. “Lady, right now I don’t give a shit who works for who. The girl is mine to deal with. So Synster, you want her back? Gimme that chip.” Catam and the others exchanged glances, and Rafe noted that Lurin, Mara’s mate, looked none too pleased with his attitude. Well, fuck it. This was his operation, his woman, and his responsibility. Not his little brother’s.
“Fine. Dagga, give him the currency,” Synster snapped.
One of the men set the amount and handed Drekk a chip. Drekk vanished, and while they waited for him to return, Rafe kept Erin close. Catam, he noted, studied him with interest.
“Just tell me this is all the crowd we’re going to have today. Because if I so much as see a hint of a peacemaker, I’m leaving with the woman. And you’ll never see her again,” Rafe snapped, annoyed.
“You’re not going anywhere, not with our currency,” Mara had the nerve to interject.
Rafe glowered. “Mara, you push too hard and you’re going to get hurt.” Synster and the others backed up as the crew of Mara’s Light advanced on Rafe. But seriously ticked off at his interfering brother, Rafe let loose his Xema abilities, calling on the distortion techniques as he replicated. In seconds, three dozen images of Rafe holding Erin dotted the area, and in the confusion, Rafe moved back into the woodline out of sight of everyone.
Catam, a fellow Xema, most likely saw him move, but was smart enough to keep his eyes on the fake Rafe’s all around him. Rafe spoke through all of them, making it impossible to find his exact location.