Desideria made a sound of extreme annoyance, then smiled. “Oh it’s true. I do.”

Zarya laughed at them, wondering how a prince could also be a Tavali pirate…

The insanely handsome blond with them stepped forward without an introduction and offered her his hand. “I’m Nero Scalera.”

A strange rush went up her arm as she made contact with him. It was as if he had some kind of aura so powerful, it sizzled in the air around them.

“Hi,” she said, hoping she didn’t betray her unease. There was something about Nero that was truly frightening. Even more so than Nykyrian, and that was saying something.

Hauk draped his arm over the other Andarion. “This is my socially inept, evil older brother Fain.”

“Who is destined to become an only child in the near future.” There was a wicked glint in his eerie eyes as he narrowed his gaze at his younger brother.

Hauk took his threat in stride. “Nah, you love me and you know it.”

“You go on and believe those lies if you want. I know the truth and it doesn’t scare me.”

“All right.” Chayden broke them apart. “Hauks behave. I don’t want to have to wash blood out of my clothes again today. I’m out of fresh shirts.”

“Don’t worry,” Desideria said to Zarya in a loud whisper. “You’ll eventually learn all of our names and quirks. It took me awhile to keep them straight myself.”

As Zarya glanced around them, trying to remember who everyone was, she noticed one person was missing from the group.

Jayne. That wretched bitch who’d sold her…

Thank the gods for small favors. She was one person Zarya didn’t want to ever see again.

But that good grace didn’t last more than about an hour.

Sitting between Sorche and Lise, who were studying while they waited for Syn to update them, Zarya had just started to relax when the door opened.

Jayne came in with a smile on her face.

A smile that died the instant she met Zarya’s gaze. Growling something that had to be a curse in whatever Jayne’s native tongue was, she rushed toward Zarya.

Zarya shot to her feet, ready to battle the woman until one of them was dead.

But before Jayne could reach her, Nykyrian caught Jayne by the waist and tossed her over his shoulder with so little effort that it was truly frightening.

And impressive since Jayne was not only tall, but well muscled.

“Damn you, Andarion!” Jayne said between gritted teeth. “Put me down!”

Nykyrian tightened his grip on her as she tried to kick him. “Not until you get a hold of yourself.”

Jayne made a sound of supreme agitation before she settled down. Somewhat. “What’s she doing here?”

Drake answered. “Apparently seeing my brother…” He slid an insidious glance toward Zarya. “Among other things from what I’ve heard.”

Zarya’s face flamed.

Jayne froze as she looked around the gathered men for confirmation. “What?”

“Yeah.” Drake grinned up at Jayne since Nykyrian had yet to put her down. “And if you harm her, Darling will probably hurt you over it.”