He looked at Zion and shook his head. “It’s not like her. She’d at least have come to collect the rest of her money.” And say goodbye. She seemed that sort of person, though he didn’t have much evidence one way or another. The thought of her not showing at all rankled him, left him feeling unbalanced. He was bad at expressing his emotions, always had been, but since Jayme’s death he’d retreated into himself even more. He’d thought to shield himself from further hurt, but in retrospect it felt a lot like hiding.
Meja frustrated and challenged him, but he liked who he was around her. Her being shot had scared him, made him want to retreat again, only to find that she wouldn’t allow it. The idea that she could sever their connection without any word cut deeply.
“Company’s here,” Barr said. The security chief had dressed the part today, with a battle harness worn over his standard uniform of a black T-shirt and cargo pants. The plasmacaster over his shoulder was a new edition, but it radiated enough danger to keep most of the spaceport riffraff at bay.
Layth followed Barr’s gaze. A modern, silver and black hovercar glided across the tarmac toward the shuttle. After it parked, the rear door opened, and Pierce stepped out. Layth thought there had been two Pierce sons, but he honestly couldn’t remember which one was which, or which stood in front of him now.
Pierce’s too-sharp eyes scanned the area twice before coming back to rest on Layth. “She’s not here.”
“She had other business.” The hair on the back of his neck itched. “You didn’t think we’d be foolish enough to put everyone and the merchandise all in the same place, did you?”
The smirk on Pierce’s face told Layth he did, in fact, think they were that dumb. Or at least amateur enough to not consider it. He inclined his head in acknowledgment. “Fair enough. And as for my merchandise?”
“If you’ve got the credits, I’ve got it here.” Layth raised the makeshift carrier with Austen inside. He hoped she wouldn’t be angry. Without her input, he’d elected to keep Bennet; she was his favorite after Collins. Then he remembered Meja hadn’t shown up yet, that there wasn’t an answer at all from her. His other hand slipped into his pocket, reflexively fingering the strip of name tape.
Pierce took a step around the back of the hover, and Layth heard the rustle of webbing on cloth as Barr unlimbered his rifle in the space behind him. Pierce glanced in Barr’s direction and held up his open hands. “Just collecting what’s mine.”
“Don’t mind him, Mr. Pierce. He’s simply…dedicated to protecting his friends.”
“How endearing.” Pierce stooped and picked up the container with the second cat. “May I ask their names?”
“This one’s Austen. The male you have already has been going by Collins.”
Pierce smiled. “Nice. Any other advice?”
Layth thought about it. “Austen is bossy, but also likes to explore. She’s the adventurer. Collins likes to be cradled, and they both seem to like fabbed tuna paste.”
“Yikes. We’ll just have to see how well you do with the real thing, shall we?” Pierce pressed his face to the box, peering inside. Austen made a happy mrowl in response. He straightened, the childlike joy on his face washing away like taking off a mask. Or putting one on. “Same account?”
Layth nodded. “If you please.”
Pierce made the transfer from his omni, then paused as if caught in an internal debate. “Things are getting dicey on the planet. I’m not saying anything, but the chatter is Golden Ratio Companion Animals is paying a high bounty for someone they think is planetside. I’m sure you don’t know anything about that, though.”
Panic tapped in Layth’s blood again. He resisted the urge to tug out his omni and check for any response from Meja. He fought to keep his voice level. “Of course not, but I appreciate the warning all the same. It’s been a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Pierce.”
“Likewise.” He paused, then handed him a card. “And it’s Sean Pierce. I only barely remember that trip, butI was supposed to be learning the business. I don’t know if we were introduced.”
Layth had a memory flash through his brain; a younger Sean Pierce, clearly academic and cowed by his mother’s bulldozer of a personality as the woman dragged him through to his parents’ offices. He smiled and said, “It’s Layth. Layth Ali.” He took the card, and Pierce’s hand stayed extended. After a moment, Layth gripped it and shook. “And you were awfully young to be forced into the business already.”
“We were all different people back then, Layth. On the plus side, I’ve finally got time and money to enjoy the things I want.”
“Sounds like we each found what we were looking for.”
“Indeed. Enjoy the rest of your day.” He loaded the cat into the hover with him, and the silver vehicle glided off on silent engines.
Zion walked up to stand next to him. “You doing okay?” When Layth didn’t answer, he gave a low sigh and said, “It’s fucking horrible when they get their hooks under your skin. You’ll do everything they ask, and the worst ones know it.”
“She never asked me to be anything other than what I was,” Layth whispered. It was a statement true of the Sentinel’s crew as well, probably the only place he’d ever felt like he had a home, or a family. God, he was turning into Barr.
“I’m shit for giving advice, Doc. And I’m certainly in no position to lecture. But I’ll say you’ve been happier looking the last month than I’ve seen you. Ever. A lover that puts that kind of smile on your face, well, they don’t come along every day.”
He tugged out his omnidevice and checked again, futile though he knew it was. He sent one last message to her, hoping she’d at least answer. Come back. I have so much more to say.
No answer came, and he tucked his omni back in his pocket.
Barr called down to them, indicating the front of the spaceport with a tilt of his head. “Kids, I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news, but things are heating up at the gates.”
Zion pulled out his viewers and peered through them. “That’s a lot of security, and someone waving around an omni. Whatever it is, it doesn’t bode well.”
“We should be going,” Barr said. “All aboard as going aboard.” He jumped off the top of the shuttle and jogged up the ramp into the hold.
Ache and longing tugged Layth to the tearing point. His home was the ship, but without Meja it would never feel like home. If she wanted to say no to what he had to offer, then she could say it to his face rather than ghosting him completely. And if she was in trouble, God forbid, then he’d never forgive himself if he hadn’t done something to help.
“Tell…” He swallowed, tried to start again. “Tell Captain Barnes I’m sorry. I’ll get passage to meet you at your next stop along the way. But I’ve gotta…”
“You intend to see it through.” Zion nodded, then reached out and squeezed Layth’s shoulder. “I give you a lot of shit, but you’re okay, Doc. Hope to see you soon.”
He peeled Zion’s hand off his shoulder and pulled the other man into a hug. Zion stiffened for a moment, then hugged him back.