Ultimate Nyssa Glass by H. Burke (ebook reader browser txt) 📗

under the circumstances.” The smell of bacon and eggs rose from the tray which he placed on a folding table at the end of the bed. “So I’m eating alone. No delightful meal time conversation with Mr. Rivera?”

“I can stay and keep you company, if you’d like.” He smiled.

“No, thank you.” She sat at the end of the bed and took up her fork. Aito left, closing the door behind him.

Nyssa shoveled the food into her mouth. It was good enough, and she knew she’d need her strength, but it was hard to enjoy the meal knowing their plans for the day. Dalhart Manor … She considered slipping the butter knife into her sleeve. No, it’s not sharp enough to do any damage, and if Rivera catches me with it, it’ll just antagonize him.

Aito returned as she swallowed her last bite. Sparks and shocks, was he watching me somehow?

“Mr. Rivera had me pull the car around back. If you’ll follow me.”

They left the room and went down a back stair. The house was deathly quiet, their muffled footsteps on the carpet and Nyssa’s own breath the only sounds.

“Are you the only servant here?” Nyssa asked. She watched, wondering if calling the obviously competent and dignified man a servant would get a reaction. He didn’t flinch.

“Mr. Rivera likes his privacy. He has me keep this house for special guests such as yourself.”

She snorted. “Special meaning ‘unwilling.’” They reached a back hall with an empty coat rack and a wooden door. Beside it, Rivera sat on a bench. He clutched an ebony cane with both hands.

“Good morning, Miss Glass. Are you ready to go?”

“One thing …” It was a risk, but perhaps worth it. “If I’m going to be working with you, I need my tools.”

“Everything you need will be provided.” Rivera frowned.

“Are you mechanically inclined, Mr. Rivera?” She tilted her head. This needs to be convincing. “You must have some skill to be half of Dalhart and Rivera. One doesn’t just stumble into a business selling cutting-edge technology without at least a mild understanding of it.”

He leaned forward. The cane shook slightly, then he tightened his grasp, his knuckles whitening. Nyssa held her breath.

“Your point?”

“My point is, if you have the aptitude, you know that a mechanic’s tools—or an electrician’s or even a locksmith’s—are like an extension of their being. I’ll be of much more use to you if I have my own tools. I know they were with me when I received my ‘invitation’ here.” She eyed Aito.

Rivera followed her gaze.

Aito shifted from one foot to another. “I do have her belongings, sir. I went through them in San Azula. There was some sort of weapon, but I left that behind. Other than that, it was just basic tools, some lockpicks, and small personal items. Nothing that would put us at risk while she’s under our observation. We had planned to give her access to tools anyway, if needed.”

“I had hoped it wouldn’t be. Well, bring out the items and I’ll look them over in the car.”

Aito bowed at the waist and disappeared up the stairs.

Nyssa crossed her arms. “It’s polite for a man to stand when a lady enters the room.”

Rivera gave her a sardonic smile. “When one does, I’ll be sure to do so.”

Her ears warmed. Shock me, why am I trying to poke the tiger? Still, it’s infuriating to let him push me around like this without at least giving him a bit of sass.

The corner of his eye twitched. Nyssa chewed her bottom lip.He’s still hiding something, something he’s not telling me, but what? I’ve got to keep my eyes open around him.

“I’ve got it.” Aito returned carrying Nyssa’s satchel. The worn but polished leather called to her like an old friend. She resisted the urge to snatch it.

Is Ellis’s handheld still inside? Even if it is, it’s not like he’d be close enough to get the signal … Sparks and shocks, I wish I could talk to him.

“Then let’s be off.” Rivera rose, leaning on his cane.

Aito led them into the alley behind the house. A long, black steam car awaited, the obsidian glass windows reflecting the early morning light. Aito opened the door to the back for them then settled into the driver’s seat once they were safely inside. He passed the satchel through the sliding window that separated the front from the back.

Rivera opened the satchel and poked through Nyssa’s belongings. She squirmed.

“Easy. It isn’t as if I’m going through your unmentionables.” He scoffed. “This seems to be mostly tools.”

“For me, those are almost as personal.” She turned her gaze to the window. They pulled out of the alley into a pristine neighborhood of brick townhouses and manicured elms. Clanks and rattles rose from Rivera’s excavation of her bag, but she forced herself not to wince.

“Give me one good reason why I should hand these things to you?” he asked.

“Trust. We’re working together. I’m counting on you to eventually turn over proof of my innocence. Giving me those tools would go a long way towards making me feel less like a prisoner and more like an employee.” She angled herself towards him. “You said this was an opportunity. Let me believe you.” She held out her hand. “Deal?”

His gaze narrowed, then he smiled. “You are quite an impressive young woman.” His hand slipped into hers for a firm shake. “Deal. You can have your tools.”

Nyssa hugged the satchel to her chest for the rest of their drive. Rivera remained silent as the area changed from well-kept houses with swept sidewalks and trimmed trees to a shabbier neighborhood with once fine homes boarded up and out-of-control ivy consuming everything like mold overtaking old bread.

Her heart rate quickened, and cold sweat broke out on the back of her neck.

The mechanical voice of Ellis in computer form rang through her memory, desperate because of what his father had done to him, trapped, confused … She’d called him Hart, short for Dalhart Integrated