Zayn’s hands slid up to cup her breasts, his hips thrusting upward every time she thrust down, lodging him deep inside her. “You’re a damn fine rider after all, cowgirl.”

  Ria came again with laughter on her lips, wishing the dawn would never arrive.

  ***

  Zayn pulled the horse to a stop at the peak of the hill. “There’s Bedlam. Tweedle-dee and Dumb didn’t take us too far away.”

  The small town lay nestled on the plain below. A small cloud of dust rose above it and the metal roofs of the buildings glinted in the morning sun.

  “Let’s go find Lala,” Ria said from in front of Zayn. “And get off this horse.” She shifted for about the hundredth time. She was so sore.

  Zayn smiled. “I’m trying to have sympathy for you.” He leaned down and nuzzled her neck. “But since we both had such a damned good time making you ache, I’m having trouble drumming up more than a twinge of guilt.”

  “Yeah, well, you owe me a massage, flyboy.”

  He tugged her back against him. “Whatever the lady wants. It’ll be no trouble for me to strip your clothes off, lay you back on my bunk on the Infinitas and caress you all over.”

  The image was so clear in her head and had desire curling in her belly. She turned her head, battling a smile. “Such sacrifice.”

  “For you, anything.”

  Her smile slipped and she just watched him. She saw discomfort crawl across his face.

  “I mean, since I helped make you sore, it’s the least I can do.”

  “Of course. Now, let’s find Lala and avoid any more cowboys who want to kidnap us, sell us to miners or blow us up.”

  They left the horse tethered at the edge of town. “The saloon’ll be the best place for information.” Zayn flashed her a grin. “And I wouldn’t mind a cold ale.”

  Ria rolled her eyes. “Men are all the same, no matter where they’re from.” She took a step in the direction of the saloon.

  Suddenly a hand grabbed her arm and spun her around, sending her bouncing up against a hard chest. Zayn dipped his head, his lips tickling her ear. “We aren’t the same. Us space jocks, we have that little something that makes us different.” He nipped her ear. “And you haven’t ever met a man like me.”

  Ria shivered. They’d had each other three times during the night, and still desire fired inside her like a supernova. “We’ll see, Phoenix. We’ll see.”

  He let her go with a predatory grin that lit up his face. “I like a challenge.”

  She just bet he did. She wondered, if she did manage to escape the Guild with her life, would she also escape Zayn Phoenix with her heart and body unscathed.

  They walked side-by-side to the large building that housed the saloon. Sloe-eyed girls lounged on the upstairs balcony smoking long thin cigarettes, watching them with heavy-lidded curiosity.

  Zayn pushed opened the swinging doors and Ria followed him inside.

  An honest-to-God Pianola sat against the wall, playing a cheerful, tinny tune. It was made of wood and she suspected there wasn’t a computer inside but old-fashioned pneumatics. The jaunty music filled a room that was crowded with cowboys of all shapes and sizes. A long, wooden bar ran the length of one wall and two bartenders—one bear of man with a bright-red bow tie and a tiny flame-haired woman—worked hard serving frothing ales and amber liquid in glasses of questionable cleanliness.

  A few women circled the room, pausing here and there to laugh with customers and lean over a shoulder to offer unobstructed views of generous cleavage. There was no doubt to their occupation. Their outfits consisted of dresses in gaudy, bright colors, long in back and cut high in front to display bare legs or silk stockings. Tight corsets cinched in tiny waists and accentuated clearly enhanced breasts.

  Ria felt a stab of pity for them. She studied one girl, who looked so incredibly young, sporting too much makeup, artificially-blonde hair piled high on her head, and jaded eyes. How sad to have no other options but to sell your body.

  Ria followed Zayn to the bar, taking the opportunity to admire the back view of him in his jeans. The man was built long and lean and she liked it far too much.

  He leaned against the bar and waved a hand at the bartender. The huge man lumbered over. “Whisky or ale? We take gold or silver, no e-creds.”

  “We’ll take two ales.” Zayn slapped two gold coins on the scarred bar. “And you if can tell the location of a certain young explosives expert, there’s more coin for you.”

  The man slid the other coins off the bar, filled two glasses from the pump and set them on the bar with a clunk. “I wouldn’t have much business if I was known for opening my mouth when I shouldn’t.” He nodded his head toward the center of the room. “Plenty of others here happy to take your coin for opening their traps.”

  Zayn nodded and took a sip of his ale. Ria watched his throat work and hastily picked up her own drink. Alcohol wasn’t something she indulged in often.

  “Damn, that’s good.” He took another sip.

  Ria followed suit, then coughed. “It’s horrible.”

  “Homemade, a little rough around the edges.” Zayn rubbed the condensation off his glass, his gaze scanning the room. “But it has a certain charm.”

  Just like the man drinking it.

  “Come on, Ms. Assassin. Let’s find someone who knows where Lastite Lala likes to hang out.”

  They circled the room, wary gazes following their progress. Ria studied the occupants. “Drunk, happy crowd in the corner might be willing to help.”

  Zayn studied them. “Maybe.” He took another step when someone stepped in front of him cutting off his path.

  “Looking for something, sugar?” the woman purred.

  A waft of perfume hit Ria and made her eyes water. The woman had an impossibly thin waist and huge breasts barely contained by her red gown. Ria rolled her eyes. “We’re fine.”

  The woman’s dark eyes flicked to her. “Honey, I’m sure the man can talk for himself.” The woman reached out and ran a finger down the buttons of Zayn’s shirt.

  Ria arched a brow. “Yes, he can. And I can talk fine too, along with a whole lot of other things I can do.” Ria leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Like killing people in a thousand different ways.”

  The woman’s eyes widened.

  “I like seeing you jealous,” Zayn whispered.

  “I am not jealous.”

  “Betty, sweetheart, Jason Garrett just walked in, why don’t you go make him feel welcome?” Another woman, this one in an emerald-green dress, nudged the red-dressed one away. “We don’t need any bloodshed here. My girls mean well and I don’t like seeing them hurt.”

  The newcomer had a whisky-deep voice and stunning, dark looks. Ria wasn’t happy to see that this woman was probably around Ria’s age and exceptionally beautiful. Her slim but curvy figure was accented to perfection by her corset and her dark hair was loose in gypsy curls. Her makeup was discreet, kohl accenting unique silver eyes.

  Her intelligent gaze drifted over Ria and settled on Zayn. “You aren’t a cowboy.”

  Zayn smiled. “Not usually.”

  The woman tilted her head. “My name’s Ursalla. I run the business…upstairs.” She flicked some hair back over one creamy shoulder.

  Ria watched Zayn watch the move. Was he really attracted to a woman who sold herself to the highest bidder? Ria felt a rush of something hot and ugly.

  “Let me guess…” Ursalla took her time, letting her gaze linger over every inch of Zayn. “You strike me as a man who likes to go fast. Pilot.” Her red-lipped smile widened. “I like it fast, too.”

  “You’re good,” he said.

  “Honey, you ain’t seen nothing yet. But I’d be happy to show you.”

  Ria almost choked. When Zayn’s smile grew, she wanted to reach out and hit him.

  “You come in here looking for something, Mr. Not-a-Cowboy?” Ursalla asked.

  Zayn tipped his hat up. “Most definitely.”

  “Well, I’d offer to give it and much, much more, but—” her silver eyes flicked to Ria “—I think your lady might take a swing at me.”

  Zayn eyed Ria, that stupid smile still in place. “Nah. She’s more likely to sneak into your room at night and slit your throat.”

  Ursalla looked taken aback for a second but quickly regained her composure. “Well then. You want to tell me what you need, if it isn’t a fast, sweaty ride to heaven?”

  He slapped a hand to his chest and this time Ria smacked him in the shoulder. She looked at the other woman. “We’re trying to find where Lastite Lala lives.”

  Usralla’s thin brows rose. She reached under the ruffles of her skirt and pulled out a slim metal container, withdrew a cigarette. A man walking past stumbled over himself to light it for her. She offered him a brilliant smile, then blew a cloud of smoke into the air. “I suggest you leave Lala alone.”

  “We can pay—”

  “I don’t want your money. Lala’s dangerous, no doubt about that, but what most people forget is that she’s a child.”

  “We don’t plan to hurt her,” Zayn said. “This is a life or death situation and only she can help us.”

  Another puff of smoke. “I heard you helped her out with the Baker brothers yesterday.”

  “We might even be able to help her,” Ria added. “Get her off this rock.”

  “This rock is a home to many. It’s the only refuge Lala’s ever had.” Ursalla gazed around the room.

  Ria knew the woman had noted the location of all her girls and what they were doing.

  Ursalla pinned them with a hard look. “You promise me you won’t hurt her?”

  Ria and Zayn nodded.

  “Fine. She lives in an abandoned mine on top of Nitro Hill. Just outside town to the east.”

  Zayn nodded. “Thank you.”

  Ursalla held out a smooth, milk-white palm. “I’ll take the payment now.”

  Ria frowned. “I thought you didn’t want the money?”

  “A girl can never have enough gold.”

  Zayn handed over some gold coins with a grin. “Thanks.”

  “Anytime, sweetheart. And if you ever ditch Ms. Snarly and Dangerous, come track me down.” She blew him a kiss. “I’ll make it worth your while.”

  Ria gripped Zayn’s arm and dragged him back into the street. “I can’t believe you. You still have my scent all over you and here you are all smiles for that…woman.” Ria wasn’t going to lower herself to name-calling. But the hard kernel of emotion inside her, one she didn’t quite recognize, was egging her on. “Why don’t you just drag her upstairs? Then I won’t have to watch you drooling and grinning like an idiot—”

  The shove slammed her up against the wall of the saloon. A big, male body crowded her in, pressing her breasts hard to his chest.

  “I’m not interested in Ursalla.”

  Ria turned her head to the side. “Could have fooled me.”

  His hands slid up her sides, then continued up to cup her cheeks. He turned her head, forced her to look at him. “I was being nice so we’d get our information. That’s all.” He leaned down and nipped at her lips. “There is only one woman I can’t stop thinking about.”

  Suddenly Ria was hot. Her skin flushed and her insides melted. God, she was easy.

  “Only one woman I want to kiss and stroke and touch.” He kissed her, a long drugging kiss that left her head reeling. “Only one woman whose cries I want to hear in my ear when I slide myself inside her.”

  “Zayn.” A husky whisper. Now she felt like an idiot.

  He nipped her lips again before he stepped back. “Come on, let’s go climb Nitro Hill, get our girl and get off this rock.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  It was a short ride to Nitro Hill. The midday sun was now blazing and Zayn felt sweat sliding down the back of his shirt. He and Ria climbed to the top of the rocky hill, then dismounted. They found the cavernous entrance to the old mine near the top. A hand painted sign declared “No Trespassers or I’ll blow your ass up!”

  “I think we’re in the right place,” he said.

  Ria peered into the mine tunnel. An iron rail track disappeared into the darkness. “I see light farther ahead.”

  “Let’s go.”

  Zayn walked into the tunnel, Ria one step behind him. At intervals along the tunnel, oil lanterns hung from the walls, their glow illuminating the rocky walls.

  “You think she’s set booby traps?” Ria asked.

  “I think we should expect anything.”

  With each step, Zayn felt the walls closing in. He liked to have controls under his hands, the chance to race off if needed. Here, trapped in tight confines, under tons of earth, he felt smothered.

  “Surely you can’t be claustrophobic.” Ria’s voice echoed around him. “You squeeze into tight cockpits.”

  “I’m not.” He shrugged his shoulders. “In a cockpit, you can hit interstellar speed, maneuver your ship. Here…you’re just stuck.”

  Her hand slid into his and squeezed. “I’ll take care of you, flyboy.”

  He heard the laughter in her voice and looked down at her. She had a smudge of dust on her cheek, but she looked like the most beautiful woman in the world. “Good to know.”

  They did spot some explosive booby traps embedded in the floor and walls but managed to avoid them. Then a metallic clang echoed from ahead, the sound reverberating down the tunnel. Zayn held a finger to his lips.

  Ahead the tunnel opened out into an enormous cavern. The ceiling was so high it disappeared upward into the darkness. Lanterns, some as tall as Ria, illuminated the area.

  In the center, Lala, wearing enormous goggles, was mixing a large pot over a fire. Beside it sat a work bench covered in glass tubes and containers bubbling with liquids in a multitude of colors. Over her shoulder, a small round metal ball floated in the air, following her movements.

  Zayn sucked in a breath. “Jesus, she has enough explosives in here to blow the entire top of this mountain.”

  “Let’s not spook her, then.”

  “I suggest a more upfront approach this time.” He took a step forward. “Lala.”

  The girl’s head snapped up. Her eyes were magnified by the goggles. She let out a gusty sigh. “Not you two again.”

  Ria held her hands up in the air. “We aren’t here to hurt you.”

  Lala shoved the goggles up on her head and thrust her hands in the pockets of her skirt. This time, it was a bright-purple one over denim jeans. “Right. Just to kidnap me.” The small floating robot jiggled around, red lights spinning on it.

  “Look,” Zayn began, stepping closer. “I think we started off on the wrong foot. Let’s just—”

  “Nope. Not interested.” Lala spun, yanking her hands from her pockets. She threw something at them.

  “Shit.” Zayn saw two bright-blue balls hit the ground in front of him and Ria. He dived, tackling Ria to the ground. The balls bounced back into the air.

  The small balls hit again and rolled along the floor. Right toward them, automatically adjusting their course. Like little heat-seeking missiles.

  He squeezed his eyes shut and braced himself.

  The balls exploded with a splat.

  Fluid splattered all over Zayn. There were no flames or shrapnel.

  He cracked open an eyelid and looked over his shoulder. His back, side and neck were splattered with sticky blue goo.

  “What the hell?” Ria shifted under him, staring at the mess.

  Raucous guffaws broke out, filling the cavern. Lala was bent over, her hands on her knees, laughing so hard she was crying. The robot was doing loops around her.

  “What is this stuff?” Zayn got to his feet and pulled Ria up with him. They both slapped at the goo but it was stuck fast.

  “Oh, just a little bit of fun I’ve been cooking up. You should have seen your faces!” Lala swiped at her eyes. “Wouldn’t get too close to naked flames though. That stuff could still ignite.”

  Zayn swiped the goo off his face. “Lala, we really need your help.”

  She tilted her head and the gesture made her look young. “Kidnap didn’t work so you’re going to appeal to my good side? I don’t think so. I don’t have a good side.”

  This time she grabbed one of the bubbling beakers. One full of something that was a lime green froth. She threw it better than a VelocityBall quarterback.

  Zayn and Ria were already backing up. The glass smashed on the rocky floor and this time the explosion was blinding.

  The whole cavern shook. Zayn was knocked backward by the blast, slamming into Ria. They tumbled to the ground and he felt the searing heat wash over them.

  Fuck. The little crackpot was going to bring the roof down and kill them all.

  He jumped up and sprinted across the space. Lala threw another beaker. He leaped over it, ignoring the boom behind him. Again the place shook and several large rocks fell from the roof, smashing to the floor.

  He skidded to a halt near the girl. “Stop it! You’re going to kill us all. I told you, we aren’t here to hurt you.”

  Lala paused, a tiny vial full of violent-pink goo clutched in her hand. “What do you need? Some special undetectable explosive? Something to blow up a small planet? Explosives disguised as something else?”

  “No.” Zayn shook his head, then paused. “You could really blow up a small planet?”

  Lala cocked a hip. “I could try.”

  Ria, her hair coated in rock dust, walked toward them. “I need to lure out some bad people. You’re my best bet since I know they…don’t like you very much.”

  Lala’s expression was considering now. “So, I’m bait.”

  “Yep,” Zayn said. “But we won’t let them get you. Help us and we’ll drop you back here, or anywhere else you want to go.”

  “Who are these bad guys?”

  Ria drew in a deep breath. “The Assassin’s Guild.”

  The girl’s eyes widened. “In the Devil’s Nebula.” She whistled. “Cool. I love being bait! Bring it on. I can’t stand those fussy assassin bastards. They got me to do a bunch of jobs and I made up batches of some of my best explosives. You know what they did then?”

  Zayn shook his head.

  “They tried to stiff me. Tried to kill me.” She sniffed. “I blew up their base on Thoth in retaliation. Oh, and their safe-house on Rainin and three of their starships.”