Chapter Three

Max knew as soon as he heard their destination he was in for trouble. Of all places to be headed, Haverty was a nightmare. He had no choice now, considering Cooper had put all of Remy’s money on his chip and then used his palm to lock the rest of the money down.

Son of a bitch.

While Katie took care of refueling, Max left the ship with Remy to get the supplies they needed. He damn sure didn’t want to be in a position to control her funds. It made him itchy, and he wanted to be rid of that responsibility.

How could she not have a transaction pad? Everyone in the quadrant had one if they wanted to do business off-world. Only folks who lived on the planets or moons, those who spent their days with their fingers in the dirt, didn’t have one. No wonder she had to resort to taking shady cargo from people like Cooper.

He wanted this money off his chip. The sooner the better.

“Have you ever flown an Emerson class before?” She spoke under her breath as they walked through the madness of the main shopping district in the station. It was a mixture of canned pickles, blacksmiths, gunsmiths, and freeze-dried meals. Men on horses ambled past to be followed by others on hovercrafts. The smells and sounds had always intrigued Max. As a boy who’d grown up on a remote moon, hustle and bustle always drew him in. Today, however, his gut was tight with tension.

“Of course,” he lied smoothly. “Half a dozen times.”

She snorted. “Why do I not believe you?”

He shrugged. “I’ve been nothing but trustworthy. I haven’t even spent one credit.”

“If you do, I’ll cut off your hand and keep it in a jar.”

This time he laughed. She was so gruff and ballsy. It was damn attractive, something he didn’t need to think about, considering how enamored he was with her physically. When her eyes sparked fire and her face flushed, he was a goner. Max had fallen prey to his own foolish attraction to females, well, a lot. He’d lost good jobs because of it, nearly lost his dick once. It was only through his wit that he escaped with all his limbs intact.

Generally, he was the charming rogue, not the knight in shining armor for a damsel in distress. It was a new role for him, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t play it. Remy drew him in. Beyond the ridiculousness of the situation in which he was knotted, he wanted to know her, to be a part of the ragtag family she’d created on the Steel Coyote. Why, he couldn’t even begin to guess. Saint would have an opinion and would no doubt express it.

“What’s your story, Fletcher?” Remy broke the silence.

He shrugged. “I’m a pilot, and I take jobs to make money so I can eat.”

She snorted. “As if I believe that’s all of it. Where are you from? Where are your people?”

“I’m from nowhere and I have no people.” He wasn’t ready yet to tell her anything about where he was from.

“Interesting. Was Cooper right about you? Do you fuck at an epic scale?”

It was his turn to laugh. He wasn’t the Lothario in the reputation that followed him around, but he was no innocent, either. “Rumors are stories that get twisted the more they get told. Was Cooper right about you?”

She sucked in a breath. “Touché. I don’t think I like you.”

“Too bad. I’ve already decided to like you.”

“Fucking hell.”

“Perhaps, but we’ll finish this job.”

“If we don’t, I’ll have to shoot you.”

“You’ll have to catch me first.”

A strangled sound came from her throat. “I’m going to find out who you really are, Max Fletcher. I promise you that.”

Memories of Haverty crowded him. He pushed them back with effort, although one pulsed through his mind. The people who lived on that moon were the poorest of the poor, people who literally had nothing. If he was going back there, he would bring them something. He had to, even if they’d never forgive him for what he’d done.

When they stopped at the bakery to buy bread for the journey, the scent emanating from the small enclosure made his mouth water. However, he stayed back, allowing the captain to walk in without him.

“Be right back. I need to, uh, use the facilities.” He didn’t wait for a response. He ran around the corner to the equipment yard. Most types who ran these places liked to barter, and he had less than ten minutes to make arrangements.

The equipment yard was a mish mosh of machinery, vehicles, tires, bits and parts, and anything in between. Someone would have to know the exactly layout to find anything. It was a giant puzzle stacked two stories high in some places.

The figure who emerged at his knock was a small, wizened lady who peered at him through, of all things, a monocle. “Eh, what you want?”

“Blessings upon you, good lady.” He clasped his hands in greeting.

She harrumphed. “And hale be thou. Now, what you want?”

“I’ve got less than two hours, good lady, but I’m willing to pay for what I need.” He smiled his most charming grin. “Have you tractor tires?”

The old woman’s brow went up into her wrinkled forehead. “Mebbe. What do you need them for?”

Max took a deep breath and searched for the right words to convince her. “My family is in dire need. They are simple farm folks, tilling the soil from day until dusk. Tires, feed, and anything else you can spare.” The emotion that flowed through him threatened to overwhelm and his voice grew thick. “If you can help, blessings will surely be upon you.”

She stared at him hard enough to make him want to turn and run. Finally she spoke. “What berth?”

Relieved, Max kissed her cheek. “Three twenty-three.”

After a few more minutes of haggling with the merchant, he returned to the bakery at a dead run. When he rounded the corner, he nearly ran face first into Remy. Her arms were folded and her brows in an angry vee.

“I was about to report you to the Corporation for stealing.”

Guilt pulled at him. He’d stolen some of her money to pay for the supplies. If he were lucky, she wouldn’t discover it until they were ready to leave—the old woman had promised to deliver everything within an hour.

“I had to use the facilities.” He wiped the sweat off on his sleeve. “It was a lot of work.”

“Hm, remember I don’t trust you yet, Fletcher. Now let’s get the rest of the supplies ordered. We’re running out of time, and I want to be out of here as soon as the fuel tanks are full.” She spun on her heel, and her ponytail almost slapped him in the face.

He let out a breath of relief and started after her. They stopped in half a dozen more places, making arrangements for immediate delivery of the food and supplies they needed. Max trailed behind her, paying for everything she ordered. She spoke to each merchant evenly and fairly, haggling when needed and accepting a good offer when presented. He refused to think about what she would do when she discovered he’d bought things with her money and without her knowledge.

“What’s your story, Captain?” Max thought it only fair he quizzed her, too.

She raised one brow. “None of your business.”

He raised the same brow. “We’re going to be in close quarters for more than two weeks. I reckon we should get to know each other.”

“I don’t think so.” She pushed open the door to the apothecary’s shop. “I might catch something.”

This time he laughed out loud. “You’re my kind of smart-ass, Captain.”

Her mouth twitched, but she kept the laugh inside.

Max was intrigued. There was more to this woman than she let the world see. She was tough and savvy. He’d do well to find out what he could about her.

They left the last store with soap and toothpowder in hand. He carried everything while she marched ahead of him.

“What about the transaction pad?” He gestured to the handyman’s shingle at the end of the street.

She kept walking, her pointy boots, and he knew how pointy they were, kicking up dust. Either Remy was ignoring him or she hadn’t heard him.

“I said, what about—”

“I heard you, Fletcher. I told you, they only sell piles of shit in the shape of a transaction pad.”

“There’s a handyman’s shop ri—”

“I said not here. The goods will be at the ship in the next hour, which gives us barely any time to load everything before Katie will be done with the refueling. After we finish this job, I’ll take care of getting a new transaction pad.” Her arms swung hard as she picked up speed. “I’m done talking about it.”

Max was flummoxed, and he was damn glad she couldn’t see his face. There were plenty of thoughts rolling around inside that stubborn head of hers. Each interaction with her just made him want to find out more about her. He had two weeks to peel back the layers, and he’d be on board the Steel Coyote for the entire trip.

She glanced to the right. A woman stood there in the shadow of a tattered awning. She wore a nondescript blue shirt and black trousers with a scarf wrapped around her hair and face. She raised her hand and Remy startled. Within seconds of seeing the unknown woman, Remy took off running so fast Max was frozen for a few beats. Then, he bolted after her.

She sprinted around horses, avoiding three different wagons, and damned if she didn’t jump over a hover bike like a fucking gazelle. Max fell behind, almost no match for the woman’s speed and agility. There were too many people, horses, and other brouhaha at the station to run around or through.

By the time he made it to the ramp at the Steel Coyote, he was certain his heart would burst, and he was breathing so hard he was dizzy. He pounded up into the ship and found his fearless captain in quiet conversation with Katie. Her hair was stuck to her forehead in a sweaty mess, but she had obviously regained her breath already.

“How…did…you…” He held up a finger and sucked in a few breaths while they watched him, amusement clearly written on their faces. As he tried his damndest to regain some semblance of his manhood, the captain sent her engineer outside to check on the refueling.

“Apparently you can’t run as fast as I can.” One blond brow cocked.

“I didn’t realize it was a race or that you were part cheetah.” He wiped his forehead on his sleeve and ignored the rivers of sweat running down his spine. Later, he’d squeeze out a half a cup of water from the pitiful water purifier and wash up.

“I slowed down so you could catch up.”

Damn woman.

“I, ah, appreciate that.” There was no other response readily available in his oxygen-deprived brain. “Why the hell did you run?”

She stiffened, and her lips compressed to a tight white line. “We were done shopping, and I wanted to get back quickly.”

“Ah, that’s a load of horseshit.” He narrowed his gaze. “You ran as soon as you saw that woman.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Supplies should be here in thirty minutes. For now, get up to the bridge and start the prep checklist.” She walked away, her boots crisp on the metal floor of the cargo bay.

Max leaned against the side of the ship and took in more air. There was something she was hiding, but then again, so was he.

Remy was a stranger, but she’d gotten under his skin fast. She was smart, strong, brave, and she scrambled his brains. He’d rarely fallen for a woman, none of them like a tornado named after a rifle, fast as a bullet, and tougher than the steel beneath his feet. He’d never felt so out of control, which said a lot, since he’d spent the last fifteen years in one scrape or another.

Now he was stuck on a ship, beholden to Remy, and heading back to the moon he’d escaped from. Things couldn’t possibly get any weirder.

…

Remy focused on the preparation to take off. The fueling was almost complete, and Katie was finishing with the engine checks. All they needed were the supplies, which were on their way. She should be in a good mood, but she wasn’t. Seeing that woman had spooked her. She suspected the stranger was part of the Great Family watching her, and she needed to heed her father’s warning. Not to mention the last hour spent with Max that had sent her off kilter.

Max Fletcher wasn’t what she expected. As of now, she never knew what he’d do next, from being a mischievous boy to a competent pilot.

She stood in the shadows and watched him run through the preflight checklist. He was a natural in the pilot’s seat, his movements sure and swift. His long arms reached this way and that, tapping the screen, checking gauges, and flipping switches. She’d been doing it herself since she could reach the helm and knew someone who had skills. The hologram sat on his shoulder, murmuring softly.

Max hummed to himself as he worked. A melody she’d heard before but couldn’t remember where or when. He had a nice voice, a deep baritone that didn’t miss a beat. When he leaned over to pick up something he’d dropped, his coat grew snug on his shoulders. Although distracted by the sight of his muscles, she managed to clear her vision and see the guns, two of them, strapped nice and tight in a vertical line beneath the material. He was well-armed and stealthy about it. Another piece to the intricate puzzle of Max Fletcher.

Remy chastised herself for spying on him—she didn’t need to be complicating things by getting too involved with the man. The only thing she needed from him was to fly to Haverty and offer up his hand when they got there. Nothing else.

She walked onto the bridge and put her hands on her hips. She was the captain, dammit. “Need you to get down and pay for the fuel. Katie is almost done.” She didn’t look him in the eye as she spoke, her gaze on the instrument panel. “How’s the ship?”

“She’s old, but she’s solid. These turtles were built to last.”

Remy’s back went up at the comment. “To enlighten your obvious ignorance, the Steel Coyote is not a turtle.”

The Emerson-style ships were round, dome-like, with the bridge sticking out the front in a circular frame that resembled a head. When the landing gear was deployed, they appeared to be the four feet. Thus, it could, in certain lights, look like a turtle. That didn’t mean she had to like the moniker.

He shrugged. “It’s just a nickname, Remy. One everyone uses.”

“I didn’t give you leave to call me by my first name, if I recall. And the Steel Coyote is not a standard Emerson. She’s had modifications.” Remy was on the defensive, again. She swallowed back the annoyance. It would be a long two weeks if she kept at it. “Katie is a genius with anything mechanical. The Steel Coyote can outrun almost anything in the sky in her class.”

At this, he turned and looked at her. “How interesting. Who do you need to outrun? That woman who waved at you? Or someone else?”

Her muscles tightened. She didn’t know who that woman was, but it was the second time she’d seen her. Someone was following her, so the faster she got off Station Twenty, the better. She didn’t want the Great Family to know who she was or what she was doing.

“I’m not running from anyone. It’s survival. It’s a cargo ship, so the faster I get to my destination, the more jobs I can take.” She cuffed him on the shoulder, a very solid shoulder. Wide, too. Damn it. “Finish up and get back downstairs to pay for the fuel. The supplies should be here soon, too.”

Max had proven to know what he was doing on a ship. Even if she didn’t plan to trust him, she respected his pilot skills.

Remy made her way back to the ramp, surprised to find two men inside the cargo bay and Katie facing them alone. The tiny redhead could do a lot, include kick some serious ass, but the last thing they needed right now was a problem. One of the men was dressed in common work clothes, and she was certain he’d been the one to make the arrangements for the fuel. The other man was definitely not a worker. His starched clothes were perfectly pressed without a smidge of lint or dirt on him.

Remy strode in, shoulder back and chin up, trying to appear as captain-like as she could. “Well met, Katie, gentlemen,” she greeted them.

“Well met, Captain Hawthorne,” Katie spoke through clenched teeth. She never called Remy by her title. Something was wrong.

“So this is the captain?” The nattily dressed man spoke, his voice smooth and clear but without even the standard, polite greeting. “I’ve never heard of you.”

He spoke as though she wasn’t standing in front of him. She crossed her arms and brought forth her fiercest expression.

“I am Captain Hawthorne. Why are you on my ship?”

The man’s gaze drifted behind her, and she knew Max had arrived. He didn’t speak, for which she was grateful. It was her fight this time.

“I’m from the dockmaster. I’ve come to check your cargo for, ah, irregularities.” His smile was white and even. Creepy. Her instincts were screaming that this was a Corporation man.

Their lives were forfeit in about five minutes when he found the cargo Cooper had loaded.

“I’ve already cleared our cargo with the dockmaster.” She gestured to the other man. “How much do we owe you for the fuel?”

The man’s gaze darted between her and the officious fool. “Er, two thousand credits.”

So much! But it couldn’t be helped. Haverty was a long distance, and she didn’t have time to stop and refuel. They needed the tanks at maximum capacity.

“Max, pay the man.”

Her pilot did as she bade, another surprise, and had a short, quiet conversation with him. The transaction pad came out and within a minute, the man was on his way, paid in full. Max was at least six inches taller than the other intruder, his lean frame more muscular and appealing. The other man was rectangular, as though he were made entirely of muscle and bone. Not too dissimilar from Cooper’s men, only dressed better.

“I shall inspect your cargo.” He stepped forward, and Max made a growling sound in his throat.

It made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. It also made the other man stop in mid-stride. He glanced at Max in confusion.

“Who is this dog?”

Remy’s smile held nothing but disdain. “Max is my pilot. Katie is my engineer. I’m the captain. You are not welcome here.”

“You can’t receive clearance from the dockmaster without my inspection.” He dared to smile at her, obnoxious creature.

“Well, I reckon you ought to get inspecting, then.” Max took on the persona of a very rural man, not the smooth-talking sophisticate he was. “We gots lots of goods for the colonists on that there moon, I thank it’s called Haverty.”

He stepped around, pointing at crates and gear. To her a surprise, an entire rack of giant tires was around and on top of Cooper’s cargo that lay in the lower smuggler’s hold. What was he up to, and how the hell did this stuff end up on her ship?

“This here’s the seeds and such for farming.” Max pointed to burlap sacks stacked in a neat pile. He kept up the charade, talking and pointing out all kinds of things Remy hadn’t authorized for the voyage. He must’ve done this when they were ordering supplies earlier, the sneaky and clever man.

“And here’s tires for them tractors. They do all kinda farming I hear.” He smiled at the man like a simpleton.

Max Fletcher had a thousand different faces beneath that handsome exterior. Where had this one sprouted from?

The official inspector, although she doubted that’s who he was, pulled a tablet from his pocket and tapped away as he reviewed all the goods. Remy’s gut clenched with each tap. If he asked for records or, God forbid, to move any of the items, he’d discover their ruse. Max was taking a very big chance, but if he hadn’t been there, if the other cargo hadn’t been, what else would she have done?

He’d likely saved them all.

Remy didn’t want to be beholden to him any more than she already was. Yet there it was, happening right in front of her. The situation with Cooper and the woman from the Great Family had sent her into a tailspin. She should’ve planned for a cover for Cooper’s cargo but she hadn’t. She was off kilter and it was Max’s fault. Not really, but he was an easy target.

She opened her pocket watch and checked the time, her gut twisting in tighter knots. “We need to leave. Are you nearly finished with your inspection?” The annoyance came through in her voice, regardless of her need to keep it restrained.

The man didn’t answer her, but continued poking around the cargo bay. Max trailed behind him, pointing out useless information he’d already provided. His foolish act should have made her smile, but she was too jacked up.

“The manifest says twenty tires.” The man pointed out a figure on the tablet only he could see. “I only count ten.”

Max cocked his head and regarded the stack. “The other ten are in the rack. They weigh about a hundred kilos. If you help me, we can get them all out so you can count ’em.”

The inspector made a face as though he’d tasted something sour. “No, I wouldn’t want to do that.”

Wouldn’t want to get his pretty clothes dirty was more like it.

“It appears as though everything is in order.” He held the tablet out to Max. “If you could sign this, I’ll be on my way.”

Max affably signed the tablet and clapped the fool on the back. “Thank you for getting us on our way. We can release the mooring clamps and be off.” He smiled his court jester’s grin and walked the man out.

With one last dark glance at Remy, the inspector left the ship. Katie hit the button to close the ramp and the three of them waited in silence until it clanged shut.

“What in the fuck was that?” Katie stared at Max, her eyes wide.

He shrugged. “I recognized him. He wasn’t an inspector from the dockmaster.”

A rush of adrenaline careened through Remy. “Then who was he?”

“He was from the Great Family. One of their lieutenants.”

Max’s words slammed into Remy, stealing her breath. As much as the Corporation frightened her, the Great Family was far more dangerous. And since it followed the encounters with the woman, it was no coincidence.

“Holy shit.” Katie shook her head. “That was a brilliant cover.” She looked to Remy.

“It wasn’t me.” Much as it begrudged her to admit it.

They both turned to Max, who smiled sheepishly. “I figured we could make use of the trip by bringing supplies the colonists need. You can mark them up twenty percent and make a profit.”

Remy was flummoxed. He was absolutely right, and if she hadn’t had her head so far up her ass, she would have thought of it herself. No doubt he’d arranged for this purchase while he was using the “facilities” and she was in the bakery. Her cheeks heated as she stared at him.

Max had saved her again. Pretty soon, she’d owe him more than she could possibly repay, and she didn’t mean in credits, either.

“I’m impressed, Max.” Katie put her hands on her hips and looked him up and down. “I would’ve expected it from Remy but not you.”

He chuckled half-heartedly. “Ah, thanks, but I’m sure she had another plan and the tires just happened to be convenient. And heavy. I’ve got to get to the bridge.” He looked at Remy with a bit of desperation in his gaze. “Right?”

She wondered what was beneath that mercurial face he showed the world. Something deeper. Darker, perhaps. “Not yet. The actual supplies will be here soon.” Remy narrowed her gaze. “How did you pay for the rest of this cargo?”

“You’ll make a profit.” He looked as guilty as a puppy that had peed on the carpet.

“If you spend one more credit of mine without my permission, I’ll dump you into the vacuum of space as soon as we clear orbit.” She wanted to make sure he didn’t waste any more credits, although the cargo for the colonists was a good business move. One Gunnar would have thought of, too. That sentiment would never cross her lips.

He held up his hands in surrender. “I await the delivery of our supplies. And your next orders.”

Katie grinned until Remy frowned at her. “Get below and fire up the engine, so we can be off this rock the minute the supplies are secured.”

“Fine, but I’d rather stay up here. This is getting interesting.” She flicked her gaze to Max.

“Get moving, Katie. I need you to be at your best so we can get this job done.” Remy didn’t wait to see if the engineer complied. They both knew the desperate straits the Steel Coyote was in. Her father made plenty of money smuggling, but even he wouldn’t have done business with a man like Cooper.

She left the cargo bay and climbed up to the bridge with a knot in her gut. She had to get a handle on her emotions. For pity’s sake, she was about to embark on the most dangerous trip of her life and needed her wits about her. There was too much at stake to be anything but at her best.

Katie appeared ten minutes later. “Engine’s ready and fueling complete.” She plopped into the pilot’s chair and pulled up one knee. “Now, tell me what the hell is going on.”

Remy shook her head. “You know we needed this job. I don’t like Cooper, but we were at the edge of existence.”

Katie let out a breath, her eyes glistening. “I was scared we were going to have to leave the ship.”

“Never. No matter what, I’ll make sure we’re a couple of old hags cackling at the universe from the Steel Coyote.” Remy resisted the urge to hug her friend. Katie had made it clear from the moment they met that she didn’t like to be touched.

They had been young girls who’d bonded instantly, but Katie always held something back. She was absolutely brilliant and could do heavy calculations in an instant. Yet she never allowed anyone too close to her. Her sense of humor disguised what bubbled beneath the surface.

She was good enough to work on any ship, including luxurious boats where she could have enough food to never go hungry, but she stayed on the Steele Coyote by Remy’s side.

“I feel like there’s darkness coming toward us.” The engineer rested her chin on her knee. “And this pilot you hired. What the hell? You always talk about stuff with me first.”

“Fletcher pushed himself into being my pilot. We weren’t going to get the job without him.” It was galling to admit that was true.

“I don’t trust him.”

“Neither do I. We’ll keep an eye on him, and so will Foley. If he does something to put us in danger, then we get rid of him.” She knew of a number of space stations, planets, and moons in the direction they were headed. It would take only a few days to figure out if he had underhanded intentions. “I won’t let you down, Katie.”