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Tag’s brows shot up. “Oh, you consider her part of your crew?”
Aidan didn’t respond. Saying yes would be a lie, but saying no also felt untrue.
“Tough break about that wormhole.” Tag leaned back in his chair as though moving on to another subject, but Aidan suspected it hadn’t changed at all. “Interesting that you avoided it at the last minute.”
Aiden’s suspicions grew. “You saw that, did you?”
Visibly suppressing rage, Tag replied through his teeth, “I was right behind you. Made it through.”
Now it made even more sense that Onnika was working for—orwith—this asshat. Had it been his ship that had shot at them? If so, he’d shown clear disregard for Onnika’s wellbeing. Why would she ally herself with such a man? He couldn’t see her putting up with that sort of behavior, even for a payday.
“Last minute entry,” Tag volunteered, answering an unasked question. “Started the race just after you did. Your delay was strange, yeah? Looks like we both missed the slaughter.”
“Lucky, I guess.”
“Lucky.” Tag snorted, then took another swig. “Lucky, lucky, lucky.” He paused and glanced up at the view screen. Aidan hoped their interaction was finished, but Tag went on. “I’m surprised she hasn’t screwed you over yet.”
Hasn’t she?“Why do you say that?”
Glancing at the live feed, the man’s lips formed an irritating grin. “It’s compulsive with that one. Sticky fingers and a penchant for trouble.”
Aidan suddenly felt like he was missing a piece to a puzzle. On a hunch, he said with certainty, “She stole from you.”
Tag’s gaze snapped to his. “Did she tell you that?” The sudden intensity in his eyes took Aidan aback.
He shook his head. “She came to us with nothing.” Not even the chips she’d swiped fromhimthat first day. “Whatever it was, she likely sold it long ago.”
Tag relaxed slightly. “Oh, make no mistake, she has what I want.” The statement seemed more tawdry than the subject called for.
“And what is that, exactly?”
Instead of answering, he said, “She’ll come back to me. By my side is where she belongs. She’ll figure that out soon enough.”
The urge to strangle him was nearly undeniable, as was the desire to keep Onnika very far from this man. “I think you ought to leave her alone.”
Their gazes locked for a tense moment. “You’re a fool if you think she’s not using you.”
As if I didn’t know.Still, it hurt to hear it confirmed by this prick.
“You can’t tame that one. At least not without the right tools.”
“And what does that mean?”
With one large swig, Tag finished the rest of his drink and then stood. “Just got to know which buttons to push.” He chuckled to himself, then turned to leave. “Good luck to you in the race.”
“See you around,” Aidan muttered darkly. Another bout of thunder rolled as if to emphasize his statement.
“No,” Tag replied. “You won’t.”
