CHAPTER 6

Jayne stormed from the cargo bay to the passenger dorms, his mind in a whirl, looking to kick some serious gou shi out of Mattie. He burst through the door to her room, panting angrily, staring her down. She was on the bed, leaning half-upright against the wall, her legs calmly crossed at the ankle, her comm supported by both hands. She considered him with a placid frown, raising one eyebrow, making no move to hide the device. For a moment, Jayne considered the possibility that he was wrong.

“More estate issues,” he challenged, gripping the door frame so tightly it cracked.

She smirked disrespectfully. “Coming to say good night again?”

Snidely, she slid the device under her pillow, swung her feet around the side of the bed, and walked toward the door, ready to crowd him out of the space.

“I came to see who you been talkin’ to,” he growled, stepping around her easily and snatching the handheld. She didn’t even try to stop him; she just leaned haughtily against the door frame.

Either the device was encrypted or she’d done nothing but play games on the thing since she’d come on board. Jayne waved the device at her angrily. “Rule number one! Go radio silent as soon as the job starts!”

“Rule number one?” she laughed, loftily, sauntering in and taking the device. “Are you trying to teach me about crime, Mr. Cobb?”

“I am trying to save your life, girl.”

She stepped even closer to him, invading his personal space, but he refused to back up. Her voice was low and sure. “I don’t need you to save me. I know what I’m doing.”

He couldn’t help but sneer at her arrogance. “Don’t lie to me, girl. I will find out what you’re up to and I will stop you,” he promised seriously, placing emphasis on each word. They were almost nose to nose now, and Jayne took advantage of the short distance. He grabbed the comm from her hand and with a quick swing, smashed it against the floor. Mattie quickly masked the concern and fear that swept across her face with a look of annoyance.

“That was… rude,” she snipe