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“I need to speak with you.”
“We have guests, sir.”
Julia halted abruptly. Reuben hadn’t sounded happy, necessarily, but there also hadn’t seemed to be any overt warning in his voice. Emerson’s steps slowed, and then he stopped entirely. “Guests?”
“Novem. They’re waiting in the mess hall.”
Novem? Why would any of my people be here? Did Sosa send someone to check on me?
Emerson looked at me with the same question in his eyes, and I lifted my hands. “I have no idea why they’re here.”
He tapped his com again. “We’re on our way.”
Julia gave me a side glance as we started walking again. “Think this is going to be trouble?” she asked quietly.
“Your guess is as good as mine.” I kept my voice quiet as well, though I didn’t think we needed to be so cautious. My tribe wasn’t my enemy. “It may not have anything to do with us.”
She pursed her lips. “I doubt it’s a coincidence.”
“Yeah, I don’t believe in coincidences.”
Minutes later, we arrived at the mess hall. It was an open space with tables set up in rows and food dispensers along one wall. It was utilitarian in concept for cleanliness and sanitary reasons. Several of the tables were occupied with crew members, who immediately ceased conversation when Emerson entered.
At the far end of the room, six Novem men sat around a table. Emerson moved towards them immediately, ignoring his crew. From the other side of the room, I couldn’t see anyone well enough to recognize them, but I could tell clearly that they were Novem.
“Gentlemen.” Emerson’s voice was firm, but not unwelcoming. I tried to look around him and Steel, but I couldn’t see much. I stepped to the side to get a good look at the newcomers but was blocked by another table.
“Captain Emerson. Greetings.”
I know that voice. I pushed against Steel’s arm to get him to move, but immediately removed my hand when he glowered at me. I tried to ignore the look and squeeze between him and the table. My eyes immediately dropped to the man sitting in the middle of the table, showing his place of honor. He was already rising to greet Emerson.
“S—Goliath?” I almost used his real name but stopped myself in time. Julia might know Sosa was Goliath, but it was a secret I wouldn’t reveal to anyone else. Keeping his identity hidden was important.
Sosa turned from Emerson to look at me. A grin split his face, and he stepped away from the table and immediately wrapped his arms around me. “Ethan!Da mein, rinwayo.”
I couldn’t hide my smile as I wrapped my arms around him. “Da mein. It’s good to see you, brother.”
The last time we had seen each other in person was months ago. Because of my work schedule and his sensitive occupation, we rarely got to see each other in person. Part of it was also for my benefit, though I chafed at the thought that I was kept from my brother simply for safety concerns. Some things were more important than that.
Sosa leaned back, clasping both of my arms. He looked me up and down before nodding. “You’re looking well. I half expected to see you malnourished or at least for the weather on Cadium to have worn on you, but I see you’ve come through unscathed.”
I laughed. “It was a little touchy there, but I survived.” I turned to look at Emerson and Steel. Julia was standing partially behind them, lips pressed together in a thin line. I focused on Emerson. “Captain Emerson, this is Goliath. Brother, this is Captain Emerson. He’s the one I told you about.”
The captain held his hand out and Sosa shook it warmly. “Your reputation is well-known among my business associates. It is good to finally meet you in person.”
Emerson nodded demurely. “And I know your reputation as well, Goliath. Welcome aboard.”
“Thank you for your hospitality. Your first mate was very considerate of us.”
I tried not to interrupt them. There were too many people present, and both Sosa and Emerson had appearances to maintain. That was part of what it meant to be leaders, and I knew for two people who were as powerful as them that there were formalities to observe. While Emerson might not have been the leader of a gang with as much influence as Sosa, he was still powerful in his own right.
Emerson gestured around him. “You are welcome here, and you are welcome to dine with us.”
“Thank you. I believe we shall accept the invitation.”
I glanced around at the other faces at the table and couldn’t hold back another smile when I saw Asher. He grinned back at me, and I circled the table to hug him.
“Asher! It’s been too long, my brother.”
