“They were counting on my being shoved aside in favor of Drake inheriting. No doubt, they still are.”

Ryn snorted. “Well to that, all I have to say is… surprise.”

“And they were. Though in retrospect, killing so many of them probably wasn’t the wisest move I’ve made. Oops.”

Oh, his humor was bad. But then, he’d always had a dark side.

Another knock sounded on the door.

“What the hell?” Darling growled. “Did I miss a memo? Who opened my bedroom for public access?”

Laughing, Zarya went to the door to find Hauk there, along with two extremely tall men flanking him. “What are you doing here?”

Hauk flashed a wicked, fanged grin at her. “So good to see you again, too, lovely. Thanks for the warm welcome. ’Preciate it.”

Her face flamed at her unintended rudeness. “I’m sorry, Hauk. It’s just late and most people are in bed.”

He leaned down as if to impart a secret to her. “In case you missed it, I’m not people.” Looking past her to the bed, he jerked his chin toward Darling. “And I’ve come to protect Lord Hard Head.”

“Pardon?”

“Is Darling still awake?”

She stepped back so that he could see Ryn. “He is.”

Hauk headed for the bed. “Fain sent me a note about what’s going on with the locals. I’m here with backup.”

Darling growled. “Not helpless, people.”

“Not people, human,” Hauk said in an exasperated tone.

Darling made an obscene gesture at him. “I thought I got rid of you when I left the hospital.”

Hauk clutched his chest as if those words wounded him. “Aww now, Dar, you’re going to hurt my feelings.”

“You don’t have feelings.”

“True. Just think of me like a bad STD. I always show up at the worst time.” He glanced back at Zarya. “So much for your hot date, huh?”

Darling groaned. “You are ever a pain in my ass, Hauk. Should I reset the timers on my explosives in the city? Might give the Resistance pause if they think I’m going to take them or their families with me.”

Ryn shook his head, but didn’t comment on Darling’s threat. “I’m sure you need to rest. Get some sleep and we’ll take care of everything else.”

Hauk moved to sit in the chair near Darling’s closet.

Arching his brow, Darling scowled. “What are you doing?”

“Taking my post.”

“Yeah… no. Get your hairy ass out.”

Hauk scoffed at Darling’s protest. “Let me be honest with you. Nyk scares me. You don’t. Not even a little. Besides, you’ll sleep better with a bodyguard.”

Zarya stepped forward. “He has a bodyguard.”

Hauk raked her with a less than complimentary grimace. “You’d be dead before you could scream.”

“Try me.”

When he stood up to confront her, Darling laughed. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

“You’re not me.” Hauk moved to pin her.

Zarya dodged, and twirled out of his reach. She grabbed the blaster off his belt and angled it at his head. “Like I said, he has a guard.”