Hadrian’s cheeks reddened even more. “Sweetie.”

Now, she was even more confused by his actions. “Why would I assault you for that?”

“I just remember my brother telling me that women don’t like it and not to use it unless I was really familiar with the woman or wanted to get kicked in my balls.”

Jayne rubbed at her forehead. “Well, I can’t speak for how often Nero gets a kick to his jewels, but you’re safe from me . . . at least for the moment.”

“Joyous.”

Hauk shook his head at them. “Don’t we have something more productive and dangerous we should be doing?”

“Yes, we do.” Hadrian finally stepped around him to lead them toward this mysterious Tavali assassin.

Jayne wasn’t sure exactly who they’d be meeting. Given the legends of the Trisani, she expected someone regal and refined.

Or raw and lethal.

But when Hadrian knocked on the door and it opened to reveal Mordacity, she was a little stunned.

Not only did she have the bearing of a Ring prize fighter, but she wore smudged, heavy black eye makeup around her eyes that were so dark, it blended with her eye color. Indeed, that makeup made it hard to see if she had her eyes opened or closed.

Her black hair was pulled back from her angular face. Her green angular face that held a bold black geometric pattern. Jayne wasn’t sure if that pattern was a tattoo, or natural.

But it wasn’t just those factors that caught her off guard. Mordacity was absolutely tiny. As in she barely reached the middle of Jayne’s chest. Never mind the two males who towered over her like trees.

And it wasn’t just her height. She was so skinny that she reminded Jayne of a street beggar.

How could this tiny little waif be an assassin?

Mordacity scowled at their group. “Can I help you?”

Hadrian heard the question, but he was too fascinated by the frail sprig of a woman in front of him. To save his life, he couldn’t imagine his brother with someone like her.

Nero usually preferred robust, tall women.

In fact, he couldn’t figure out how Nero didn’t crush her. She was more the size of a doll than a full-grown woman.

And as she swept a gaze over him, she took a step back . . .

“Yeah,” he said as her thoughts hit him. “I’m actually taller than Nero. But don’t feel bad, you’re not what I expected either.”

Mordacity’s gaze narrowed. “Why are you here?”

When Jayne started forward, Hadrian gently took her arm to stop her.

“She’s innocent.”

Jayne scowled at him. “Wait. What?”

“She really has no idea why I’m here.”

“Stop playing in my head!” Mordacity growled at him. “Can’t stand it when Nero does it and I don’t want you there, either.”

He held his hands up in surrender. “You know I can’t help it. But can we come in for a minute?”

She glanced to Hauk as if debating. Finally, she stepped back so that they could enter her teeny apartment.