Chapter 44 Dax
Dax
The cargo hold door had barely closed when Mercer began demanding answers.
“What the hell, Dax? She just gets to make decisions for the ship?” He gestured at Lacy, who stood close to the door that would take her to the crew quarters. I didn’t think he was a danger to her, but I was glad she was near an exit.
Burn stood between her and Mercer, and that was where he directed his ire next. “And you, Burn. Just laughing like a loon. Last I heard, you voted to leave her on the mining station, too. Now here you are aiding and abetting.”
Burn stopped laughing and glared at Mercer. “Calm the fuck down, dude.”
I had to get control of the situation. I couldn’t openly side with Lacy, though I was impressed with her logic. Showing up with cargo made a lot more sense than just showing up and poking around.
I hooked two fingers into my mouth and whistled. It echoed in the empty cargo hold and more than one person winced.
Oops.
“Stand down, “I demanded. “Let’s act civilized here. First, introductions. Lacy, meet Mercer and Orion. Mercer, Orion, meet Lacy.”
Lacy nodded at them.
I glanced over at Burn. “You all know Burn.” Burn smiled and waved, her middle finger extended. I sighed and rubbed my eyes.
“Second, yes. Lacy was a stowaway. Yes, she tried to steal our ship.”
Lacy muttered, “I did steal it.” Given the way everyone glared at her, they’d all heard her comment too.
Did she not get I was trying to help her?
“But,” I said, holding up my hand to forestall any comments, “she’s made amends. She’s secured us valuable cargo and has been teaching Burn and me the ins and outs of this new business. And I gotta tell you, we were in over our heads here.”
“You trust her?” Mercer asked. “Finn said she’d served on Orpheus Blazer’s ship.”
“Yes, I trust her.” I had my own thoughts on what her role on that ship had been. If I was right, things could still blow up in our faces. So I kept my suspicions to myself. “In this, yes, I trust her.” I flicked my eyes over to her. Hoping that she knew that this wasn’t the only way I trusted her.
Her gaze met mine briefly and I hoped she’d gotten my message.
“What about you, Burn? Finn said you were against her too.”
Hands wrapped around the railing, Burn leaned forward, eagerly watching Mercer. “You’ve talked to Finn? He’s awake? How’s he doing?”
Mercer shoved a hand into his hair, his features pained. “Yeah, shit, sorry. Called to check up on him on our way here. He woke up two days ago. I couldn’t talk to him, but the doctor said he was groggy, in pain, and pissed that you’d left him there.”
His tone turned soothing. “Based on his injuries, you guys made the right choice. He’s had two surgeries.
They’re keeping an eye on one of his legs, just in case they need to do another.
You made the right choice.” He nodded at me and at Burn, then turned to Lacy. “Still not sure about you, though.”
“What’s his prognosis?” I asked Mercer.
He whistled low. “Best guess, two to three months. Maybe less if he’s an ideal patient. But you know Finn. He’s never been an ideal patient.”
“No kidding,” Orion muttered. It was the first time he’d spoken.
And while he wasn’t the most talkative guy, that seemed unusual for even him.
I’d check on him later, but for right now, we needed to hash out the Lacy situation.
None of us could afford to be distracted when we made the rescue attempt.
“Thanks for the update, Mercer.” I meant it. I’d hated to leave Finn there, but without a qualified medic onboard, I’d been afraid we’d lose him.
The cargo hold was silent for a moment as we all thought about Finn.
“So, your girl, she handles the cargo?” Orion asked.
I ignored the “my girl” part, although I wished it were true. “Lacy has been teaching us as much as she can since we left Harrier, but there’s a lot to learn. So, yes, she’s in charge of the cargo for now.”
“Until we drop her off somewhere.” Mercer again.
My breath hitched. “Yes,” I said though I felt like I’d been punched in the stomach.
“And what is it you do?” Mercer asked her, slipping into his snooty, high-society voice.
“I’m a mechanic,” Lacy answered calmly.
“And you let her near our ship?”
“Look,” Lacy said, cutting me off before I could defend her. “This shit is getting old. I’ve already done this whole song and dance with Finn.” She stepped forward next to Burn and addressed Mercer and Orion from the platform on the stairs.
“You don’t like me? Fine. You want me off the ship?
Great. You can have that—after you help me rescue my sister.
Burn and Dax gave me their word. They promised you would help too.
If not, why don’t you get back on your little red ship and get the hell out of here.
I don’t need your shit endangering my sister. ”
She took a deep breath and continued. “Tonight we’ll get the cargo. Tomorrow we’ll head to Kottke. Hopefully we’ll have Layla free within twenty-four hours. After that, as soon as you find an acceptable planet, we’ll be off your ship. A week max. That’s all you have to suffer my presence for.”
She glared at Burn and me. “Take care of the cargo when it gets here.” Then she whirled around and stomped through the door to the rest of the ship. The door slammed behind her.
Thattagirl.
“Yep, I like her,” Orion said.
My eyes widened as my gaze whipped toward him.
“Yeah, me too,” Burn said. “You were kind of rude to her, Mercer.”
What was even happening here? I choked back a laugh when Mercer’s jaw dropped.
“What the hell, Burn? Finn said you didn’t like her either.” Mercer sounded as confused as I felt.
“I didn’t, and then I did. And wait ’til you hear about the treasure!” With that, Burn followed Lacy through the door.
“Treasure?” Mercer asked incredulously.
I rubbed my forehead. “It’s a long story.”
“But treasure? Finn didn’t mention anything about treasure.”
I was as tired of the questions as Lacy was. I studied the members of my squad. My best friends. Men I considered family. “Look, Lacy had the right of it. Are you in or out? Anything else threatens the mission.”
Mercer studied me. I let him. The man had saved my life more than once. I considered him a brother. “You’ve got it bad, don’t you, Dax?”
I started. “What?” That was not the diagnosis I’d expected.
Behind him Orion nodded. “He’s right. I’ve never seen you like this before.”
“It’s not—” I started to deny it, but he was right. And I was tired of hiding. “Yeah, maybe I do. So what?”
“Are you sure you’re thinking clearly?”
I gritted my teeth. I understood why he was asking and maybe someday I’d appreciate his concern. And I would for sure remember this when he finally brought a woman around, but I still hated having to justify my feelings.
“Yes, I’m sure. She’s been upfront with us about everything.” Except maybe that last secret I thought she was keeping. “She’s made connections for us and earned us more money than I’d hoped for right out of the gate. We got off to a rocky start, but things have smoothed out.”
“You believe this story about her sister?”
I nodded. “I do. I’ve seen the videos and I agree with her logic.”
“Videos?” Mercer asked.
“Yeah, if you’re in, you can hear all about them. If not, I’d rather respect her privacy.”
Orion and Mercer looked at each other. Orion shrugged. “I’m in,” he said.
“Are you sure?” Mercer asked.
“It’s Dax. Of course I’m sure. If he trusts her, I trust her.” His smile broke through the new beard he was sporting. “Plus, I want to hear about the treasure.”
“It’s not as exciting as you think it is,” I warned. I still didn’t believe it was out there.
Mercer threw his hands up. “Fine, I’m in too. I’m not letting you idiots go down to a backwater planet without backup.” He paused. “So tell us about this treasure.”
I shook my head. “Nope, that’s Lacy’s job. While I wait for the cargo to be delivered, you two head back to the spaceport and grab dinner for all of us. Noodles if you can find them.”
Orion nodded. “What kind?”
“Spicy garlic. Or whatever they have, I guess.” Maybe Lacy would accept the noodles as a peace offering.
“What, we’re out of heat-and-eats?” Mercer joked.
“No. But while we’re on station, we might as well eat real food.”
Mercer stared at me. “You’re not going to leave without us, are you?”
“Despite whatever Finn might have told you, I’m not abandoning my crew. That’s you guys.”
“C’mon, Orion,” Mercer said and stomped toward the exit.
I crossed to the steps so I could lower the ramp. “Drinks too,” I called out behind them.
Mercer raised his hand and flipped me off, while Orion laughed.