Warrior's Pain (Cadi Warriors Book 4)(83)

Riley noticed Nequam standing vigil outside the office.

There’s one thing I can do to offset my sins.

“The Overseer is letting me pick my bodyguards, and I’ve chosen you to be one of them,” Riley informed the Verrater. If she kept Nequam close, then one less innocent man would be caught up in the blast.

Riley looked up to see Hoda coming their way. She wasn’t the amphibians biggest fan, but the woman was useful.

Put on your game face.

“Hello Hoda.”

“I didn’t think we’d meet again so soon, human.”

“We’re going to be working together. This time I’d like to get in on some of those bets you have going.” Riley winked at her.

“Of course.” Hoda’s broad, thin-lipped mouth gaped in toothless smile. “Here’s your access band.”

“Thanks,” Riley said as she put on the wristband. “You mind if we do a quick tour, so I don’t get lost? I know everything is parallel to the public esplanade and galleries.”

Riley started walking down the hall, heading in the direction she recalled the elevator that led to engineering.

“I have a minute to show you around, but I thought you needed to get a new wardrobe,” Hoda replied as she and Nequam caught up with Riley.

“You know the best stores, so it won’t take long to find what I need. Is there a lounge where you guys blow off steam? You know as well as I do, Cuttles is going to make me dance till I drop.”

As they walked Riley silently counted off her steps. A hundred paces would put them a safe distance from the explosion.

“I can show you a few areas,” Hoda said. “I’m impressed. You got rid of your owner rather quickly. I heard he and one of the other Cadi are locked in the slave wing.”

Riley perked up at the mention of Cyprian and Vintor. She was banking Hoda would know where to find them.

“I just manipulated the situation a little, when I saw an opportunity. Although I will miss a certain part of him. That man was good in bed. Do you think I can get a private visit before he’s sold?” Riley replied as she cast Hoda a broad grin.

The suggestive excuse was the only thing she could come up with on the fly, to get in to see Cyprian.

“I don’t see the appeal.” Hoda shook her head in disbelief.

“Well you wouldn’t, unless you stripped him nude,” Riley forced a laugh.

“I have a feeling things aren’t going to be dull with you around.”

Yeah, I’m going to be a blast.

“The recreation area you were asking about is down this hall. There’s also a quartermaster, where you can get anything you might need, at a slight discount.” Hoda pointed out.

“Is that before or after the mark-up?” Riley asked.

“After, of course,” Hoda chuckled.

It took a great deal of restraint to walk past the bank of red doors that led to the slave wings, without stopping. Riley wanted to coerce Hoda into showing her where Cyprian and Vintor were being kept, but that had to be her last stop. There was no way Riley could break the men out of their cells without raising attention. As much as she hated it, the other explosive had to be planted first.

“Hoda, isn’t this the exotic female?”

“Yes. Her name is Riley. She’s one of the crew now.”

“At least until she loses favor with the Overseer,” the new amphibian said.

Aren’t you a ray of sunshine, Riley smirked at him, but kept her mouth shut.

“He’s just mad. He bet against you during the competition, and lost a sennight of wages,” Hoda said and they walked away from the guy.

“I guess I’m not going to make many allies being the Overseer’s newest pet,” Riley commented.

“Eh.” Hoda shrugged and kept walking.

The yellow elevator door came into view, and Riley got an idea.

“That’s where your friend works, isn’t it?” Riley pointed to the elevator.

“You mean Zi. Yes. He’s a tech down in the data processing center.”

“We should go talk to him. I need to make at least one friend. I should also apologize to him in advance,” Riley urged.

“Apologize? Why?”

“I sort of screwed the data techs, back in Cuttles’ office. The Overseer is going to have a lot of extra work for them, with the money-making venture I pitched. I don’t want everyone here to hate me.”

“I don’t know,” Hoda looked hesitant, shifting from one foot to the other.

Riley recalled how the froggy female acted around Zi, and it dawned on her that Hoda had a crush on the other amphibian.

“Does Zi know you like him?” Riley asked.

“Well, uh, I don’t know,” Hoda stumbled over her words.