Page 69 of Trove’s Purpose

Rinnicks laughed. “Don’t mistake my intentions here, little one. I’m not sending you as my representative to negotiate. I’m telling you to steal that painting.”

Chee shook her head. “We don’t commit crimes, Rinnicks. They’re a delivery company; they’re not mercenaries.”

Though she couldn’t see them, she could practically feel the humor at that statement rolling off the males at her back. It just seemed hilarious considering everything.

“Please,” Rinnicks scoffed. “The male who has the painting stole it in the first place. His ownership is completely illegal. I was in the middle of buying that painting when he took it from the company delivering it. It was always meant to be mine. You’re just taking it back.”

Chee frowned, about to deny her again. It was still a crime. More than that, it was a risk. She wouldn’t ask Trove and the others to take on that kind of job.

But before she had a chance, Tanin said-

“Deal.”

She turned, looking at the captain, but he was focused on Rinnicks.

“Send us the details of your painting and we’ll get it for you,” he continued. “We’ll trade the cup for the painting and moon.”

“Deal,” Rinnicks agreed, waving them away. “Now, leave. I’m sick of looking at you.”

Chee actually believed that was true, not just her attempt at being insulting. The five of them turned and left together. And, just as before, they kept their peace until they had returned to the hotel room. Unlike before, however, Garnet was in her and Tanin’s room when they arrived. She was sleeping, curled up in the bed, pregnant belly supported by a pillow. But when they came in, she immediately popped up with a snarl.

Chee, startled at the furious look on her face, fell back a step. But it was gone as quickly as it came. Once Garnet recognized them, she immediately calmed.

“You’re back,” she said, pushing herself up, running her hands through her hair. “How did it go? What did she say?”

“We’ve made a deal,” Tanin said, seemingly completely unsurprised by the fury with which his mate had initially woken.

“Oh, yay,” Garnet yawned. “She accepted the moon? What about Trove?”

“I told her no,” he said, looking at Chee when he did so.

And she found herself smiling back at him. A polite, restrained kind of smile, but at least she could look at him this time.

“We’re fetching a painting for her instead,” Tanin said.

“You really don’t have to do that,” Chee said, frowning. “It’s not part of your contract with Hyde. And I know you guys don’t like retrieving things.”

Tanin shook his head. “If we kept denying her, she’d eventually refuse the deal altogether. Her pride is greater than her greed. She wanted something to replace Trove. This way, we can just get it done. Besides, Hyde is paying a lot for our services. He might as well get what he’s paying for.”

Chee smiled. “Thank you, Tanin. Really.”

He shook his head. “Forget it. Once we get the details of what we’re getting and where we’re going, we’ll start planning what we’re doing. We’ll stay here for the rest of the day, then head back up to the ship tomorrow.”

“But if it’s dangerous…”

Trove chuckled, jostling her gently. “You worry too much. It will be fine.”

“But this guy had the painting stolen. He clearly doesn’t care about things like legalities.”

“And you think we do?”

Chee opened her mouth, but she had no rebuttal. Because she knew that, no, they absolutely did not. These guys followed the law because it was convenient for them at the time. The moment it was no longer convenient, they would adjust accordingly and feel absolutely no guilt or shame about the things they had to do.

She kind of admired it.

In a weird, sideways, distant kind of way.

Since it was decided that they’d be leaving tomorrow, Garnet insisted that they all go out one more time. There was a weekly, public beach party that night. It promised good food, good music, lots of dancing, and a great time. She wanted to go.