“Once again, you question my honor.”
“I don’t know you.” Best to be blunt. “You may have a reputation around here, but I only have her word that you’re reliable.”
Jamaeh’s eyes flashed with anger before being quickly banked.
“Seeing how you’ve treated her, I have to question that.”
Reman’s face was growing more flushed by the second.
“You’ve recouped your money from Helldrick with the promise of doubling it if I can act on the information you’ve given me. Jamaeh lives here. Not like you can’t find her when this is done.”
The glare she gave him should have melted him on the spot. Good thing he liked the heat. He’d be lucky if she didn’t gut him with the knife strapped to her waist instead of guiding him.
Reman threw back his head and laughed. “You are quite the mercenary. I understand that.” He waved his hand in front of him, like some benevolent ruler granting a favor to one of his subjects. “She may go with you, but one of my men will accompany you. To oversee my investment, of course.”
Zaxe tilted his head to one side. “Is this where I complain you’re questioning my honor?”
“I have only your word you’ll pay me if you find Helldrick. Consider it extra help.” He snapped his fingers, and a huge man stepped into the room. He had several inches on Zaxe and appeared more battle-hardened than the other guards. “This is Baraj. He will go with you and bring you back here once you’re finished dealing with Helldrick.”
“We’re so dead.”
Jamaeh’s whisper irritated him. Did she think him incapable of dealing with Reman’s paid killer?
She has no idea who I am.
And he didn’t know her either. It was a harsh reminder that they both had agendas. While she’d come to his aid before, she’d likely betray him in a heartbeat to protect her brother. He’d do well to remember that.
Zaxe gave Reman a short bow that bordered on insolent and left, but not before his keen hearing picked up Reman’s next order. “I want to know everything about this man.” It wasn’t surprising. He expected to be investigated. He’d assumed there would be no problem in that area considering he’d left here as a child and his history since was protected. But after his discussion with the vendor earlier today, his past could be a huge problem. Reman’s people would be showing his picture everywhere and asking questions.
Was the elderly vendor in danger?
He hoped not, but approaching him to give warning would only bring more danger to his door. It had never been his intention to put others in harm’s way. He’d only started his mission this morning and already the two people who’d helped him were at risk.
This was why he preferred being a silent assassin. Get in and out without being seen or heard.
But this job wasn’t like any of the others. For one thing, this was one he’d chosen to do, not one he’d been forced to take on to save his family. His sisters would live whether he succeeded or not, but accomplishing the mission would cancel a debt he owed Gravas and gain him the goodwill of a powerful ally.
Jamaeh was beside him as they silently made their way through the outer restaurant and stepped out onto the street. It was quieter, but the streets were far from empty. “What now?” she muttered.
“Now we go to your place.” He counted off the seconds, waiting for the explosion.
She whirled around and slapped her hand against his chest. “Are you out of your mind? No, don’t answer that. I know you’re crazy. Why else would you have insulted Reman and then hand over fifty thousand credits without blinking an eye. Fifty thousand.” A muscle under her eye twitched.
“It’s not my money. My employer can bear the cost.” He was very aware of Reman’s man watching and listening from several feet away.
“And who is this mysterious employer?” She was trembling. Not with fear but fury. Every muscle in her lithe body was coiled as she began to pace before him. She stopped suddenly and glared at him. “Wait, you can’t tell me, because then you’d have to kill me.”
He inclined his head, letting her draw her own conclusions.
“You’re maddening. All men are maddening.” She spun around and stalked down the street.
Zaxe glanced at their new shadow. “Coming?” There was no reply, but Baraj did fall into step behind him as they followed Jamaeh. People glanced in their direction but quickly looked away once their gaze fell on Baraj. A man like that, considering the job he did, would have a reputation that preceded him.
Jamaeh picked up her pace. She was trying to lose him. Her courage was admirable, but it would do her no good. He knew where she lived and would venture that their shadow did as well. If she’d done business with Reman before—and didn’t that make his blood run cold—he’d know her address, no matter how well she thought herself hidden.
He walked faster, easily falling into step beside her. “Don’t run.”
“Think I can’t evade you? This is my city.”
She was so independent, so self-assured, he hated to burst her bubble, but her safety came before her ego. “I know you can’t. Furthermore, you can be assured Reman knows where you live.”
He waited for the denial, but again, she surprised him. “You’re right.” She rubbed a hand over her face and dug her thumb and forefinger into the inner corners of her eyes, as if trying to relieve the pressure there. “He knows everything. By the hells of Melton, you probably already know where I live.”
“Yes.” He might not tell her the truth about himself, but he wouldn’t lie to her.
Her shoulders slumped slightly. He wanted to offer comfort. The need so foreign, he almost didn’t recognize it. Zaxe loved his sisters, but given their upbringing and training, he’d forced himself not to comfort, instead encouraging them to be stronger, more self-sufficient. It had kept them all alive, but it had hurt him in ways he’d never truly understood. Now those long-neglected urges were roaring to life, demanding release.
He reached out a hand and then pulled it back. An emotional involvement wouldn’t do either of them any good, especially not with Baraj watching and listening. Everything they said and did would be reported back to his boss and used against them.
“We should hurry. We have plans to make.” Frustration made the words come out gruffer than he’d intended. Her spine straightened, and her eyes snapped with anger.
“Of course. Sorry for the delay. I don’t want to hold up your plans.” The sarcasm was as sharp as a blade. Jamaeh was one tough lady. Life had left her little choice.
He understood her better than she knew.
There was little chatter as they wound through the side streets, the residences getting smaller and not as well kept as they went. An air of desperation permeated the lane she turned up. The buildings were narrow and jammed next to one another, with no space wasted. These were not private homes, but apartment buildings three floors high.
The itch between his shoulder blades worsened. There were eyes on them beyond Baraj’s. The silence screamed. The tension could snap any moment.
“They’re with me,” Jamaeh announced.
The neighborhood seemed to release a collective sigh. Zaxe caught the slightest movement from several windows. This might not be the best part of the city, but it seemed people looked out for one another here.