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.He had replaced his normally fancy overcoat with a simple waistcoat and a vest of burgundy brocade, his long legs in a striking pair of pinstripe trousers.His ice blue eyes were full of mirth when he looked at Edge, which didn’t improve Edge’s mood.Dax snapped his fingers and a butler appeared to help Kit out of his coat.Edge glared at the man, pushing his goggles up into his hair and holding his long coat out.Niceties out of the way, Dax gestured toward a doorway framed in colored glass and polished wood.“This way, gentlemen.”Edge warily entered first, aware of Dax and the bodyguard at his back, between Kit and the exit.The sitting room had a massive fireplace as the centerpiece, overstuffed sofas angled around it and a pile of ornate rugs.A young girl looked up from the thick picture book spread in her lap.She was petite, draped in shawls of pastel blue and green, curled blonde hair piled on her head haphazardly with pins.She smiled tentatively at them, but Edge could see the bruised look of illness around her eyes, in her waxy complexion.“Kit, Edge, I would like to introduce my daughter, Mrais.”Edge said nothing as Kit went forward, perching on the sofa next to her.“Good evening, Mrais.It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”They were rewarded with a shy, “Hello.”Kit’s smile was warm, compassionate, but his demeanor was that of a health professional as he gently started asking her questions.Edge glanced at Dax to see his reaction.The other man was just watching, a pleasant smile on his lips that didn’t reach his eyes.Definitely worried.But Dax caught him looking and inclined his head slightly to a sideboard, where a decanter and glasses rested.Edge raised an eyebrow and followed him over.The bodyguard had waited in the foyer.Edge may not have trusted Dax that far, but the businessman was sharp.Neither man was going to do anything stupid as long as the occupants on the couch were present.Not that Edge thought Dax posed a physical threat to Kit.Quite the opposite, was the problem.Kit had, on occasion, accused Edge of being overly paranoid.And a little jealous.Edge saw no problem with this.“So,” Dax said quietly as he poured a finger from the decanter.“I hear Sartorine Industrial had an unfortunate accident today and their textile factory burnt to the ground.”Edge said nothing, accepting the glass.“How unfortunate,” Dax continued with a sigh.“I suppose that leaves my factory as the sole textile exporter in Oilsmouth once more.However shall I deal with the lack of competition?”“No doubt you’ll manage,” Edge said dryly.“Hmm.No doubt.” Dax kept his eyes on the sofa’s pair as he sipped from his own glass.“He’s good with children.”If Edge were a nosy type, he’d respond with a question about Mrais’ non-existent mother, or the child’s illness, or ask why the draff they were in Dax’s parlor like this was a social visit.But he wasn’t, so he merely shrugged.Dax caught the motion and smiled into his glass.“You’re a hard man to get to know,” Dax murmured.Edge kept his expression neutral.“I personally know your completion rate in Oilsmouth is incredible.That little band of yours is loyal to you beyond what money can explain, and you can be counted upon to keep your word, which is rarer than you can imagine.“Yet to hear you described on the street, you’re a demon with those blades, possessing skills far beyond an ordinary mercenary, especially one so young.You’re ruthless and cunning, and won’t hesitate to plow down any in your way by whatever means necessary.”Edge worked not to bristle under that heavy gaze.Dax took another casual sip, ignoring the fact that Edge hadn’t raised his own glass yet.“To say nothing of your extraordinary companion,” Dax mused quietly.Edge finally glared.“Yes, let’s not say anything of my companion.”Dax grinned, but acknowledged the rebuff.“As you wish.I merely wished to state that I find the conflicting reports of you.intriguing.”Kit was asking Mrais to open her mouth and stick out her tongue.Edge finally lifted his glass to his lips.“I have another job for you, if you’re available,” Dax said quietly, almost too quiet.Edge glanced at him, then away.“I suppose that depends on the job.”Dax turned from the tableau on the sofa to refill his glass.Edge stepped closer under the pretense of offering his own glass.“I’ve had several disturbing reports today,” Dax murmured.“The Imperials are sending a troop of centurions into the Dregs.Imagine my chagrin.”Edge’s blood ran cold.“Why would they risk that?”The laws of the Uppers had no place amongst Dreggers, and that had been proven time and again through bloodshed and violence.Decades ago, the Imperials had decreed Oilsmouth and its towns off limits to its citizens.Only high demand trade goods made it through the guarded border crossings.“Funny that,” Dax mused, swirling his glass.“They think a centurion deserter is here, with the Senator’s son he kidnapped.Apparently the man was special forces, on a protection detail, and the Senator has the Imperial’s ear, so a rescue party has been mounted.A few years late, if I’m to understand correctly.But mounted nonetheless.”Edge held himself perfectly still.He needed to breathe normally.Just breathe.“They’re sending a troop down in plain clothes,” Dax murmured, studying the color of his liquor in the gaslight.“They can’t risk an open confrontation between centurions and Dreggers, so they assembled a hit squad, of all things, to retrieve the victim.”Dax snorted elegantly.“The Senator’s son was kidnapped on the eve of his wedding, so I suppose both families are upset with the turn of events.They’ve had spies sniffing around down here for months, but only recently confirmed the deserter’s location.”With a knowing look at Edge, Dax said, “Far be it from me to speculate on the whys and the hows.All I know is that centurions, plain clothes or not, have no place here, and someone has been spying for them.So we have some house cleaning to do.We Dreggers look after our own, right?”Edge nodded, stone-faced.Dax opened a sideboard drawer at his hip, brandishing a buckled band discreetly.“This is something one of my men has been working on.Your young Taurn might have some input on the design, but it serves my purposes.” Dax held out the wrist band, its metal face glinting in the candle lights.Edge took it warily, setting down his glass.The face popped open to reveal a glass display, like the computers the Uppers were so fond of.“The centurions were foolish enough to threaten one of my shipping men for passage,” Dax continued, lifting his glass again.“When he delivers them on the Oilsmouth side tonight, their location will be transmitted to that little device there.”Dax looked up at him from under long lashes, ice blue eyes sparking.“If you have need of further assistance, I can arrange that as well.”Edge met his gaze, clicking the face shut without looking away.“I’ll handle it.”Dax smiled, his own ruthlessness lurking underneath.“I’m sure you will.”Without another word on the subject, Dax turned back to the sofa, leaving his glass behind
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