Mercs & Strippers by Meraki P. Lyhne

Author:Meraki P. Lyhne
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: lgbt, science fiiction, space opera, found family, series
Publisher: MarLau Publishing
Published: 2022-12-06T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Black Ryder looked dark and dead at the end of the road, and Ryder felt like his hope deflated for every step he took toward the dream he’d built almost by hand.

“You’re sure we shouldn’t ask Tommy first?” Ethan asked as they walked slowly from the shuttle tracks toward Black Ryder.

“No matter what, I need to train Hayden if he’s going to earn that much money, and I need to talk to Brutus first, and that’s where Hayden is. But you should call Tommy as soon as we’re home. Have him come over. We’ll see if Cook can help whip up something for a little homecoming party for you.”

“Tommy and I can cook.”

“You, Butterfly, have a doctor’s order to take it easy.”

“Cooking doesn’t have to be that strenuous.”

“You misunderstand. The doctor’s order sounded, to me, like an order for me to keep you off your feet and stocked up on happiness and joyful experiences best enjoyed from a restful pose.”

Ethan laughed, and the sound lightened Ryder’s heart.

Upon closing in on the building, Ryder noticed that someone was walking around outside, and the guy was armed. Weapons on Ore 5. He’d never thought he’d see it. Of course, after almost getting gutted by a huge ass knife, he’d reevaluated that part, but this weapon was huge.

“Mr. Ryder?”

It was a woman’s voice coming from the merc, and Ryder wondered if she was the one Brutus kept asking Ryder to give a lap dance.

“Yes?”

“Command, this is L fifteen. Mr. Ryder and Mr. Becker have returned.”

“Copy that, send them around back.”

That was Brutus’ voice.

She looked at Ryder and smiled. “I guess you know the way, and the Lieutenant trusts you, so I won’t be following on your heels.”

“If you prefer to, do so,” Ryder said, guiding Ethan on their way. If she was the one, then Ryder was not going to grind his ass on her lap, no way. She was...rude. She didn’t follow, though, judging by the lack of footsteps behind them.

Another merc opened the door and stuck his head out just as they were coming up the steps on the back of the building.

“Welcome home.”

“Thanks.” Ryder didn’t let go of Ethan who was still a bit insecure on his own when testing his balance.

Ryder liked order, and there was some sense of order to the chaos that met him in the back room, but everything in him itched to get his hands on his own building again and make it neat. The itch on his back was still greater, though, so he’d wait and spoil Ethan. And maybe train Hayden. Ryder felt excited about the news he was about to break to the young man, and he’d tried to imagine how Hayden would react to knowing that he had a way out of the debt on Terra.

Opening the door to his apartment, Ryder heard laughter from the living room further ahead. It was Brutus’ full belly laughter, and Hayden’s hitched laughter through the end of a story. It put a smile on Ryder’s face.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.