The Gadget: The Rondon Chronicles Book One by V. Timlin (speed reading book .TXT) 📕

down to his hands. Next time he spoke, his voice was a mere whisper. “I was the only one who survived.”

The carriage jumped into motion after standing in a traffic jam for a few minutes. The soft chuff chuff quickened as it accelerated.

Horror and pity twisted in Anouk’s heart like a rough-edged shard. She held back her tears. “I… I…” she stammered and reached to touch Nat’s hand.

The shard smashed through her heart, and she wanted to do something to take his pain away. Before Anouk realised what she was doing, she leaned in to kiss him. His lips were soft and warm. For a short moment he was caught off guard, but then he responded, parting his lips and pulling Anouk tight against him—his kiss was hot and passionate. A burning sensation spread into her entire body, threatening to engulf her.

“No.” Anouk pulled away from Nat, breathless and backing all the way to the other end of their seat. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what got into me. Nat, please, believe me, I’m so, so very sorry.”

“No, it was my fault. I should have remembered my manners.” Nat’s voice was hoarse. “Please, forgive me. It won’t happen again.”

Anouk’s jaw dropped. His face was red, and he did his best to avoid looking at her. Never before had she been in a situation where a man took full responsibility. She had been the initiator, not he.

“Nat, there is no need for you to apologise. I was the one who forgot my manners, and I’m sincerely sorry. It was a genuine mistake. I assure you, it definitely won’t happen again.”

Nat gave her a wary look. “We are partners. I shouldn’t…”

Anouk lifted her hand to stop him. “Alright, we both made a mistake. We speak of it no more.”

Nat nodded, looking somewhat relieved and reiterated her sentiment. “We shall speak of it no more.”

Anouk turned to look out the window. Her gaze rested on the traffic flowing by, but she didn’t see it. She wanted to bang her head against the wall until she got some sense in there. Why did she deliberately go and complicate things that were already complicated in a life-threatening way?

She was going back to London if she survived this gig. She couldn’t deny she was attracted to him, but there was no future for them. Besides, she didn’t even know whether he had any feelings towards her other than protectiveness and loyalty. He had said he never mixed business with pleasure. She groaned inwardly. Why had she kissed him? Why did it have to feel so damn good?

The taxi stopped. After paying the driver, Anouk and Nat walked towards the woods in silence, giving each other more space than before. Anouk stole glances at Nat, but he kept his face forward, an unreadable mask on it. Brilliant, Anouk, just bloody brilliant.

Subdued, Anouk turned her attention to her surroundings. Royal Restroom wasn’t much different from Outer Rim Park; maybe a tad more wild.

A faint scent of smoke drifted to her nose. Vari and Fitzwil…

Anouk cleared her throat. “I noticed you were careful not to mention Vari and Fitzwil’s involvement to Rose, Chief Constable Loka and Madam Valeria.”

“They are retired, no need to drag them in the middle of this. They like to help, but they also deserve to be left in peace.”

“Quite.”

They came to the edge of a small clearing. The familiar red-green wagon was parked in the middle of it, and Vari, sitting in front of it, was stirring a pot that hung over the fire. The sight made Anouk’s stomach rumble; they hadn’t eaten since breakfast.

“Hi.” Vari waved. “Your timing is perfect. The stew is just about ready, so sit down and have a bite.”

“Thanks.” Nat accepted the plate Vari was offering.

Anouk found a seat next to Vari and filled her plate with the steaming meat stew. She took a bite—a strong gamy flavour mixed with herbs filled her mouth, raising goose bumps all over her body. “Mm, this is good.”

Vari smiled. “Glad you like it. It’s hare.”

“Hello there, you two,” Fitzwil called, walking toward them. “Vari, love, the horse is groomed and fed.”

“Good. Sit down and eat.” Vari extended a plate to him.

“Cheers, love.” Fitzwil took it and started to spoon stew onto it. “So, did your enquiries produce any results?”

“Some.” Nat paused and sighed. “The chief constable told us Rekka’s body was found yesterday in The Pits.”

Vari and Fitzwil both grimaced.

“That is unfortunate,” Fitzwil said.

“Aye.” Nat took a spoonful of stew and blew on it. “Then Madam Valeria called off our cooperation.”

Vari frowned. “Why? What happened?”

Nat’s mouth was full, so Anouk decided to answer the question. After all, it was because of her. “She made me the offer again, I declined. She didn’t believe me, and Nat stepped in.”

Nat swallowed the food and added, “She sent three of her goons after us.” He relayed the whole chain of events, from the start of the meeting.

Vari whistled. “She really wants you, Anouk, doesn’t she? But it can’t be just because of your eyes. Has she learned you’re not from here?”

“I don’t know.” She glanced at Nat. He had already answered her once, but she wanted to check if he still held the same opinion. “Has she?”

“Only we, Amanda and Stalo know your origin. Amanda doesn’t have dealings with Madam Valeria. If it were Stalo, I wouldn’t have walked out of the brothel alive, and you’d have been forced to stay. But as I told you earlier, Madam Valeria is always on the lookout for new girls. She knows you’re different, and she’s determined to find out why.”

Anouk shuddered. “Every girl wants to feel special, they say, but this is a bit too much.”

Nat gave her a crooked smile. “Well, you sent her a clear message by cutting off that man’s hand. Knowing her, though, it won’t lead to the desired outcome.”

“I suppose it won’t.” She sighed. “Next time it has to be hers then. Maybe that will help her to change her mind about me.”

“Maybe.”