"Or more likely, you're just a thief from some far country." The girl stood very erect before Burke, oval face even lovelier for her anger. "What brought you to my chambers, dog? Or must I have you flayed alive to get an answer?"
The trouble with taking command of a situation, Burke decided, was that you had to be willing to go all out. And he wasn't.
At least, not with this slim young beauty.
Desperately, he tried a final gambit. "You, Theseus! Seize her!"
But now the Athenian's eyes had narrowed. His head came forward, just a fraction. It had the effect of making his body loom even larger than before. He looked belligerent and dangerous.
Burke tried again. "Theseus—"
"No."
Without volition, Burke found his finger tightening on the Smith & Wesson's trigger.
Beside Theseus, the maid whimpered. "Master Theseus—the thunderbolts—"
The Athenian snorted. "He's no god; he's a man. But if he reaches Minos with a tale of having found me in the Princess Ariadne's quarters, I'll be a long time dying." He licked thick lips. "No. Better that he should die. Here. Now."