Undercover(31)

“Don’t you have a chaperone?” Sera looked around.

“No. I’m supposed to, but they’d have to deal with Tifrit’s wrath if anyone harassed me. Tifrit’s wife doesn’t need an escort; why should I?” Rina sniffed, and they began to stroll toward her home.

“I imagine it becomes tedious to have to be escorted everywhere.”

“Among other things, yes. It’s bothersome to always be on display.” Rina laughed when she caught Sera’s look. “What? Did you assume we didn’t know? Or wouldn’t mind?”

“I suppose I figured you’d made peace with it.”

“Have you?” Rina unlocked her door, and they swept inside. The chaperone took his leave, and for the moment it was just Rina and Sera there.

“Have I made peace with being supervised at all times here in Nondal Major?”

“Here, let’s drink while we get philosophical, shall we?”

Well, women often knew things because men either told them or spoke as if they weren’t there. Rina was far more clever than Sera had given her credit for.

“I like that you’re not an idiot.” Rina handed her a glass of smoky amber liquor, and Sera took it, breathing in the scent.

“Well, thank you. So tell me? Or is this not the place?” Sera wanted to hear whatever Rina wanted to share.

“It’s as good a place as any up here.” Rina shrugged and sat. “Have I made peace with my place? With being in the shadow of another woman for as long as Tifrit suffers my presence in his life? What do you think? How does it make you feel, Sela? I see the way you look at them, this is more for you.”

Sera sighed. “How can you ever be at peace with a tiny portion of what you should possess fully, but don’t, due to birth? Am I less worthy because my mother is unranked? Less worthy than a woman like Kira Pela-Walker?”

“At least Tifrit’s wife is a fool. Women like Kira aren’t. But she treads dangerously, and your men do as well. My Tifrit plays in waters too deep for a councilor from Nondal, but his pride pushes him far from shore. And men like Owen and Perry thrive on people like Tifrit.”

Sera wanted to tell her to get to the point she danced around, but that wasn’t Rina’s style, so she waited, trying hard to be patient.

“But there are others who are in even more precarious positions, like Delia, for instance. Giles isn’t a fool; he’s worse. He’s in debt and hungry for money and attention but too weak to get it in the way a normal man should. The thing about being born where you and I were, we know what it means to dig our way out, to climb and work. These ranked people don’t. And so they end up drunken, indebted messes like Giles, sad shadows like Tifrit, or soulless traitors like Owen. The Brandts and Ashes of the world are rare, but even Ash dumped aside his prior love for Kira Pela.” Rina’s eyes narrowed a moment, and Sera’s heart beat a bit faster, wondering if Rina knew.

“What is happening, Rina? If my boys are in danger, I would know. You said yourself you saw how I looked at them. I love them both deeply.” Sera didn’t have to act at that point.

Rina squeezed her knee. “I know you do. Even if they’ll leave? Choose a wife from women who are not of our class strata?” She paused and looked at Sera again. “I suppose I have the answer with you sitting here, don’t I? Times are dangerous, Sela. Some associations are best severed. If I knew someone who considered getting involved with the likes of Stander or Owen, I’d tell them to get on a transport and head back toward the Center. The Edge is less and less secure. The people Owen is involved with, the things they do . . . I’m afraid, and it’s probably too late for me. But not you. Get out while you can.”

Before Rina could say anything else, the chimes at the door rang.

“Ah, guests. Let’s go then and have a nice luncheon.” Rina stood, and Sera touched her arm.

“Thank you. Can I help you at all? Perhaps you would like to come and visit with me on Ravena?” If things were that dangerous, Rina had just risked her life to speak up to warn them. Sera couldn’t just walk away without trying to give in return.

“I may contact you later,” Rina said quietly as they went to the door. By the time she opened it, her seriousness had gone, replaced by the sultry, playful Rina; the one Sera was used to.





“ Perry tells me you’ve been very disinterested in Family economics. Why now?” Owen Alder looked Ash over with a careful eye.

Ash leaned back and lit the tip of a smoking stick. “My disinterest, as he terms it, has been keeping my Family as powerful as its been for generations. It’s my work, together with my father’s, that has kept us strong. But the thing I find most interesting is how my cousin has a lot to say about my motivations when he barely knows me. Why is that, do you think?”

“I believe it’s because he doesn’t trust you.”

“Ah, honesty. Refreshing in a compatriot of my cousin’s. Unusual, and a quality he doesn’t have in great portions.”

“I’ve dealt with him; he’s made me money and helped me with problems. You’re an unknown. Why should I trust you enough to let you in on our dealings?” Owen asked.

Ash blew out the sharp smoke and raised one brow. “I wear the marks; he does not.” The marks on the back of Ash’s head were an indicator of honor and rank. His older brother didn’t even bear them. He’d proven himself an honored member of the Walker Family, and his place and rank were unquestioned. Ash had earned those marks by his twentieth year fighting in interverse wars and proving himself loyal.

Owen nodded. “And therein lies the problem, does it not? Those marks are of an honorable man. Honor that is unquestioned. I’m not looking for honor, I’m looking for loyalty. Perry is loyal. You are honorable.”

How could Ash argue with that? It was the truth, and Owen understood the difference in a way Perry never could. Perry just didn’t like having to share the power.

Ash shrugged. “It’s up to you. I’m sure you’re aware it’s my father’s line who controls Walker finances and not my uncle’s. One way or another, you will have to go through me, because we both know Perry is weak and will create problems down the line.”

Owen looked at him again, a vague smile on his lips. “Our business isn’t so typical that would be necessary, Ash.”

“And what business is that, then? I don’t like this vague pointing and inference. Show me something tangible.”

“You seem very interested in details.”

“Of course I am. You brought me here to offer me a business partnership, and now you play coy. I can buy and sell grain or women’s clothing with anyone. Why should there be so much secrecy here?”

Owen’s eyes flitted around the room, taking stock. “There are some issues we’re clearing up right now.”

Ash didn’t like the sound of that. He pinched out the end of the stick and disposed of it. “You know where to find me when and if you really want to do business.”

It was best for Ash to act that way. Desperation would bring suspicion. Standoffishness would serve him better.

Owen nodded. “Things are a bit unstable just now. But shortly they should even out, and I’ll be in contact.”

Something had changed. Ash was nearly certain it wasn’t his cover slipping. He’d be dead or at the very least, someone would have tried if that were the case. No, it was something else, and he had a very powerful urge to connect with Sera.

He nodded and turned, meeting Brandt’s eyes. “Something is up. Sera, are you all right?”

Brandt made his farewells, and they headed for the private transport that would take them back to the guest cottage.

“Yes, I’m here. So much to tell you when I see you. There are too many people here right now, I can’t concentrate on two involved conversations at once.”

Ash relaxed a bit when he heard her voice and knew she was safe.

“What the hells is going on?” Brandt demanded.

“Something has changed. I don’t know what, but I want you to be on your guard. We’re coming for you. Don’t leave with anyone or go anywhere until we get to you,” Ash told Sera.

“I’m quite capable of protecting myself.” The annoyance in her voice was so clear, Brandt looked at him and laughed out loud.

“Indulge me.”

The ride was over relatively quickly, and Brandt went with him to gather Sera from Rina’s home.





Chapter 18

Brandt didn’t like the look on Ash’s face. Not one bit. It was one thing before Sera was on their team, but now the two people who meant the most to him in the world were there. He’d protect Sera with his life, whether she liked it or not.

Rina opened the door herself and sent them a sexy smile. “I don’t suppose we could work out a trade? I could come with you two, and Sela could stay here?” She winked.

Ash leaned over in a bow and kissed her hand. “As lovely as you are, I’m afraid Sela has spoiled us for all other women.”

“And she’d find you and cut out your hearts,” Sela said as she sauntered to the door.

“That, too, sweet. We’ve come to collect you and take you to dinner. Are you amenable?” Brandt relaxed a bit when she took his hand, and he spun her neatly against him, loving her laugh.