Lover Enslaved: Thieves of Aurion, Book 1 by Jodi Redford Page B

dockmaster contact me when you’re ready for pickup.” After tipping his cap, the captain waddled back into his quarters.
    With nothing left to do, they abandoned ship. Their bags waited with the rest of the Sea Surfer’s cargo on the pier and after collecting them, Mara and Dash walked the short distance into town with Piper fluttering overhead.
    Steel-sided buildings clustered tightly together on the other side of the dusty road. They possessed a disreputable quality, as if the simple act of looking at them might infect the casual observer with the black scourge.
    “This place doesn’t look very friendly.”
    Mara mentally agreed with Piper’s assessment.
    “That’s the point,” Dash said, his gaze diligently scouting the area. “They don’t want folks lingering.”
    Mara shot him a curious glance. “Why?”
    “ Sher ’tian , stuff goes down in hellhole places like this you’re better off not witnessing.”
    She gulped past a lump of anxiety. “We’re uh…not staying long, are we?”
    “Not if we wish to live.”
    Sucking in a breath, she hastened her step to keep up with his long strides. They approached one of the shady-looking structures. The wind whistled an eerie tune between the sheet metal riveted to the exterior, and apprehension slithered down Mara’s spine. “Is it really necessary we go in there?”
    Dash didn’t answer, merely tightened his fist around the handle of his bag before elbowing the door open and striding inside. After sharing a mutual shiver of the heebie-jeebies, Mara and Piper darted through the swinging steel door. A thick blanket of acrid smoke swirled in the air. Mara choked on a cough. Thunking her valise to the ground, she covered her mouth. Here she thought the rotting fish were stinky.
    Bare light bulbs swung over the scarred wooden bar situated near the far wall, casting lambent yellow shadows over an assortment of tattooed males smoking from Huluki pipes.
    “I thought those pipes were outlawed,” Mara blurted in surprise.
    Dash slid her a quick look, his jaw tight enough to crack the toughest fruta nut. “From here on out, don’t open your mouth.” His expression turned fiercer when she threatened to disobey his command. “Damn it, Mara, these men don’t abide any laws, and your fool tongue is two steps from getting us killed.”
    Scowling, she shoved her hands into the pockets of her corded vest. When put like that, how could she argue?
    One of the males glanced at them, shock freezing him in place when he spotted Dash. He elbowed his nearest smoking partner, who granted them the same incredulous stare before poking the next fellow. Soon they owned the entire room’s attention.
    “As I live and breathe.” The male occupying the last stool hefted his considerable bulk from his seat and crossed the room with an arrogant swagger. His bloodshot eyes traveled over Dash. “Rumor is you’re dead, Rhyder.”
    Dash lowered his bag but didn’t relax his rigid stance. “Then I must be the healthiest dead bastard around.”
    A chuckle shook the other male’s shoulders and he clasped Dash in a hearty embrace. Mara blinked. She would never have placed the pony-tailed ruffian for a hugger. He stepped away from Dash and took his time giving every inch of her a thorough inspection. “Understandable, when you’ve got your own personal nursemaid.” He winked and nudged Dash in the ribs.
    Mara opened her mouth and Dash sent her a warning stare. She closed it with a jarring click of her teeth. This’ll be hard. Real hard. Resisting a swear word when the mop pail runs over your foot hard. And she hadn’t managed very well when that unfortunate occurrence happened, so who the hell knew how she’d fare with this.
    “Plan on stayin’ in the area?”
    Dash shook his head. “Just long enough for a snatch and run.”
    The other male’s bushy brows lifted. “What’s the stake? Anything I know?”
    “No.”
    Mara glared at Dash’s profile. Why didn’t he mention the