Page 54 of The Last True Hero

"Rykker," Vex practically purred, extending her hand.

The black-haired man knelt on one knee, kissing the backs of her fingers. "Warlord." The pair of them shared a fond look.

"Good hunting, it seems," Vex said, raking Sage with a mercenary look. "She's glorious."

"Hit upon a small mother lode," Rykker replied. "Got myself a new route."

Son of a bitch. Those were herpeoplethat he spoke so callously about.

"Relax," McClain murmured, his breath stirring the tight curls that brushed her ear. His steady hand stroked soothing circles on her thigh.

"It seems tonight's the night for people offering me fresh slave routes," Vex said.

Rykker's gaze cut to Mia and the two men with her, but he lingered longest on her, and there was something dark and canny in his gaze that unnerved her. Better if he was looking at her, rather than Ellie, who hemightrecognize, even if the girl kept her face lowered as she knelt at Jake's feet. He dismissed Mia eventually, his flat gaze locking on McClain as if he knew who his adversary was. "I don't think we've met."

"Most likely not," McClain said, not bothering to offer his hand. "I'm McClain. Bounty hunter by trade, someone with his eye on the cash by necessity. This here's my cousin, Jake McClain, and my woman, Mia. We came to pay our respects to the Warlord of Rust City."

"Where you from?" Rykker demanded.

"The Rim."

"Rykker," Vex called, leaning back in her chair and lighting a cigarette. Clearly she didn't like the attention shifting from herself for the moment. "I like this talk of a mother lode. Enlighten me. Just what have you brought back for me?"

"A gift for you, Warlord," Rykker said, yanking Sage forward.

For once, Mia was glad that she and Sage were adopted from different parents. Physically, there was nothing to link them. Nothing to make anyone suspicious.

Cypher examined Sage with a satisfied smile. Mia's hands curled into fists, but she didn't dare open her mouth. Any misstep and she'd condemn them all. Even if the mere thought of shooting Rykker in his sneering face made her heart beat a little quicker.

"She's beautiful. All of that red hair will look wonderful in my menagerie. Well done, Rykker." Vex gestured her daughter forward. "Give Rykker his reward."

Zarina withdrew a small pouch from her belt, and tossed it to Rykker, whose eyes lit up. He slid the pouch in his pocket with a faint smile. "You're generous, Vex."

"I can be. Sit. Enjoy my new friends. We're just getting acquainted."

Rykker settled in the chair directly next to Vex. Clearly the other woman was playing games—she'd deliberately left the chair empty as if she expected him.

"So how many others did you bring me?" Vex murmured, stroking his arm.

"Five," Rykker replied. "One or two of the girls might suit the General's causes."

"Five?" Those stroking fingers stopped. "I thought you said you hit the mother lode."

"A slight difference of opinion developed in Vegas," he replied, gesturing to the shoulder wound he carried. "Yanno and his men double-crossed me. The bastard shot me in the shoulder, and I was forced to retreat with what I had."

Vex blew smoke in his face. She'd withdrawn her hand. "And yet you ride in here like a champion."

"Yanno's a dead man walking," Rykker replied. "I just needed to get this shoulder stitched up, and then I'm going to find that prick, cut his throat, and take back what's mine."

"They'll be ruined by then. Good for little more than fieldwork, or maybe the brothels." Vex ground her cigarette out.

Mia's rage brewed.

"Something wrong?" Rykker asked, noting it.

"I've barely met you," Mia said swiftly, "and already you seem like the kind of man who likes to make excuses."

Rykker paused. "You let her speak for you?" he asked McClain.