Irrational anger, Drakkal told himself.There’s no logical thought behind this.
The tightness and heat in his chest didn’t diminish.
Arcanthus closed his eyes and ran a hand over his face. “Why didn’t I consider this before I asked you to look into it, Urgand?”
“You will both just have to get over your instincts so your females can be cared for,” Sekk’thi said, sweeping her gaze from Arcanthus to Drakkal before settling it on Urgand. “Andyouwill need to keep their feelings in mind as you work.”
“My patients are my priority,” Urgand said, frowning at Arcanthus and Drakkal, “but I understand. I’ll…choose my words with more care, since you’re all a bunch of oversensitive dicks.”
Urgand’s comment drew chuckles from the people gathered around the table, even Arc and Drakkal. Drakkal’s irritation faded slowly.
“Guess this means the game’s over,” Razi said, shattering the silence. “You all lose again.” He leaned forward and swept the credit chips piled beneath the board toward the others stacked neatly in front of him.
Arcanthus turned his attention to the cren. “Slow down, Razi. Sam had the biggest section of the board. That means she gets the biggest portion of the pool.”
Razi lifted a hand, palm toward the ceiling, and shrugged. “But she left the game. She forfeits.”
“Well, none of us forfeited,” Arcanthus said.
Razi arched a brow. “Do you really think you have to? Might as well save us all some time.”
Arcanthus sighed and threw his hands up. “When you’re right, you’re right. All for the best, though”—he rose from his seat and slapped Drakkal on the shoulder—“since it’ll give me more time to help Drakkal look his best before he picks up hismate.”
Drakkal leveled a skeptical gaze on Arcanthus. “Look my best, sedhi? I’m already doing that. All day, every day. That’s why you can’t takeyour eyes off me.”
Arcanthus caught his lower lip between his fangs as his center eye dipped, raking over Drakkal. “Old friend, it’s about time someone explained it to you—you look like something the cat dragged in.”
“Fuck you, Arcanthus.”
TWELVE
One bag. That was all it took to fit everything Shay owned—one measly bag. And the backpack wasn’t even full; it only held clothing, toiletries, and a few other essentials. Her weapons were on her belt, hidden beneath her oversized jacket, and her holocom was securely around her wrist. But she wasn’t going to let herself be depressed over it. This was her new beginning, wasn’t it? Everyone started somewhere. It’d only get better from here.
For her baby, ithadto get better.
She hadn’t given Drakkal a specific time to pick her up when she’d called him earlier. It had been a hell of a wait, and she cursed at herself several times for not just sayingpick me up in thirty minutes. It’s not like she’d needed time to pack or settle her affairs. The moment he’d messaged her to say he was on his way, she’d leapt off her chair, scooped up her backpack, and left the room for the last time without a backward glance.
And now here she was, standing outside the rundown apartment building, anxiously awaiting Drakkal’s arrival.
She hadn’t bothered telling that bastard Vrisk she was leaving.He was a big boy; he’d figure it out on his own. If he had any complaints, he could shove the credits he’d extorted from her right up his scaly asshole.
Not that she thought he’d care. He was basically getting a month’s rent—or three weeks of rent, since the fucker didn’t seem to know how long a month was—for nothing, and he’d get some other desperate sucker in the room the moment he discovered she was gone. Hell, even if her room had been painted in blood, she doubted he’d ask any questions.
Shay adjusted the backpack’s shoulder strap and frowned. She was familiar with feeling like her life didn’t matter to anyone. It’d been like that for her on Earth while she was working amongst drug lords, thieves, pimps, and mercenaries. But shehadmattered once.
And you threw it all away, didn’t you Shay?
Her throat tightened, but she refused to let those feelings, those memories, suffocate her now. It wasn’t the place or the time.
When will it be the time? When will iteverbe?
Shay shook her head and looked to her left, glancing at the people walking through the dark, alien-made canyon running between the nearby buildings. They all looked different, but she recognized kindred spirits—all these people were just trying to get by and live their lives.
There was someone who claimed she mattered. Someone who was alive, someone who was coming for her right now. Why did that knowledge scare her a little?
More than a little.
Drakkal’s intensity scared the piss out of her. Plenty of guys had shown interest in her, but they’d always been drawn to nothing more than her body. Drakkal… He wantedShay. All of her—mind, body, and soul.