Deadlands Heat (Doomsday Lover Book 1) by Sienna Cole Read Free Book Online

tablet in front of him and then continued, “The item was not there.”
    “Well, you’ve already seen everything I’m hiding.” I gave him a flat look.
    Max scowled at me and then at Amir, who’s eyelids had lowered a fraction.
    “That’s what I’d thought too,” Amir said. “Until I had them search your room.” He pulled the cylinder from the folds of his robe and placed it on the table in front of him.
    “That’s mine,” I said. My hand itched to snatch it back, but I held myself in check.
    “I don’t appreciate being lied to.” Amir said.
    “I haven’t lied,” I bit back.
    “Indeed not?” Amir sat back. “Then how would you have explained this?”
    “For starters, I would have told you to toss this assclown to the wolves.” I crossed my arms. “And then I’d thank you not to interfere with official courier business.”
    “It’s my job to interfere .” Amir took a sip from his glass. “I keep the peace here by arbitrating disagreements.”
    “Oh yeah?” I reached out before either of them could react and double-tapped the cylinder. “Courier 362536. Initialize .”
    A holo-display flickered to life above the table, projecting a spooling list of stats and information—the transaction log for this particular package. I flicked my fingers, scrolling while highlighting relevant passages: the bill of lading, shipping point of origin and destination, designated courier ( deceased , poor Danny), the illegal intercept (when Danny’s life signs failed), the Deadlander’s attempts to hack the cylinder and finally, my registration of repossession for delivery.
    I leaned back and crossed my arms, looking smugly from Max’s stunned face to Amir’s impassive one. “Arbitrate that .”
     
     

 
    Chapter Nine
    Signed, Sealed & Delivered
     
    WHY DIDN’T YOU tell me?” Max asked.
    I gave him the look the comment deserved. “It never pays for a courier to advertise their presence. It’s a great way wind up dead—like Danny.” I shrugged. “You seem like a nice enough guy, Max. And I understand you thought you were ripping off Deadlanders—maybe if you’d found out differently you would have given it back—but I’ve learned the hard way that there’s no honor among thieves.”
    “ I’m not a thief! ” Max thundered. “ I’m the goddamned recipient! ”
    “ The goddamned recipient is Reid Maxwell! ” I yelled back.
    “Yeah. Reid Max well.” He reached over and took my hand, shaking it by way of mock-introduction. “Pleased to fucking meet you.”
    I snatched my hand away and frowned.
    Amir looked from me to him and back. “Why do the two of you look so grim? This is wonderful news. The matter is settled. All that remains is to complete the delivery.” He inclined his head to us. “If you please?”
    I glanced at Max and he nodded. I don’t know why, but the whole situation pissed me off. I felt like the butt of some cosmic joke. Judging by the way Max kept looking at me, he probably felt the same.
    I picked up the cylinder. “Initiate custody transfer: Jenna Malone to Reid Maxwell.”
    The AI spoke in a calm, uninflected female voice. “ Registering custody transfer now... ” Two seconds later the device chimed. “ Neuronet-confirmation for recipient required. ” I held it out to Max and he wordlessly pressed his thumb to the scanner. “ …Recipient identification confirmed. Reid Maxwell. Transfer of funds indicated to complete transaction: confirm transfer or deny .”
    Max gave me a look. “Confirm.”
    “ …Transaction complete. Thank you for your patronage. ”
    “Are you both satisfied?” Amir asked.
    Max nodded.
    I sighed. “Yeah.”
    “ Then cheer the fuck up, ” he said. “You look like someone insulted your grandmother’s cooking.”
    I snorted. “What?”
    “That’s better.” He held clapped his hands and the little steward rushed forward from whatever crevice he’d been hiding in. “This is cause for a celebration!” Amir declared. “Bring