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Sitting watching Honey sleep is something I could do all day. Nothing on her gives a clue to what she does or who she is, not that I searched her or anything. But coded purses are not cheap, especially one as high end like this.
“Fynn,” Sawyr pops his head in the door. “We’re headed back with a few pigeons. Roberd and I got a party so you’re off the hook. Let us know when you get back.”
Looking up, I smile at him. Of the five of us, he’s the oldest and most serious with little to say. He was purchased a few years after us and has never spoken of his past. Something tells me that it wouldn’t be a happy story.
“Thanks. I think we’ll just hang here, and once she’s awake I will escort her wherever she’s staying.”
“Well, be careful and make sure to take Relly back with you. You know how the streets are.” He waves goodbye. His reminder of the streets causes me to shiver. There’s a reason that we tend to go places in groups after work. The later, or for some the earlier you’re out, the more dangerous it is. Behind the main street of the city, there are alleys and backways that aren’t safe. It’s a haven for the lawless.
***
“WHA?” A GROGGY VOICE has me jumping up from the book I had been reading. Honey is awake, but her eyes are clouded, and she has trouble keeping them open.
“Hey there!” I move so that I’m kneeling next to her.
“What happened? Where am I?” Her voice has a hint of command in it, tinged with panic.
“It’s alright.” I keep my voice calm and speak quietly. “You passed out during the floor show. I thought it best to bring you back here to sleep it off.”
Recognition dawns in her face, “You!” Then her cheeks turn a delightful pink as she says, “Please tell me it was a dream. That I didn’t end up face first in your lap.”
Laughing, I shake my head, “No can do, Honey. It was probably one of the most unique ways of being asked to spend the night with someone.”
She throws her arm over her face, hiding behind it. “I’m so embarrassed. I don’t understand what happened. One minute I was getting ready to enjoy the show and eat a nice dinner, next I couldn’t focus on anything and then nothing.”
“You sure it wasn’t too much to drink?” She takes her arm off her face and glares at me. “Okay, so you didn’t drink too much. So what did happen?”
“My coded purse!” She sits up suddenly, looking around.
Reaching behind me, I grab it off the table. “Here it is, safe and sound. You know that there was a couple here who were pretty interested in you and that purse.”
“The couple who sat next to me? Mr. Fur and Ms. Fake Jewels?”
“I think that would describe them. I call them Mr. and Ms. Sleazy. When you passed out they tried to get me to let them take you to your room. It felt off, so I brought you here.”
“Thank you...I didn’t get your name.”
“Fynn.” I smile at her.
“Akiyra Ronzi.” She sits up, rubbing her head. “I really should get back to my ship.”
“Oh, there’s no way you can get back there now. All the hoverboards have closed by now and the streets aren’t safe.”
She clutches her purse in her hands, biting her lip. It’s as if I can see the gears working. “I guess I could get a room, but I hate to do that, especially when I don’t know who that couple was or what they want.”
I eye her purse wondering what secrets it hides. Every male alive knows that the purse is a treasure trove of knowledge into a woman if they dare to try and get into it. The guys are going to kill me and we will have to hide her from Umbri, but it’s the right thing to do.
“If you trust me, you could come back with me for the night. The guys and I will be a perfect gentleman, then in the morning when the streets are safer you can grab a board and go back to your ship.”