Why not?

The Outlander refilled both glasses, and they both drank, more slowly this time, savoring the taste and feel of the brandy as it slid through them. They talked about what they thought it tasted like, neither one an expert. After a few minutes of meaningless small talk, he asked a more serious question. "So, how's it going, working with Gault? Be honest."

Hylo sat on her desk and sighed. "The work part is great. As long as I make sure to keep the purse-strings tight and not let my people get talked into any of his confidence schemes, he's a huge help. He's got more backbone than he used to - I guess you rubbed off on him a bit. He's better at sizing up a mark, and while he still won't walk away from a big score, he's a lot slicker about going after it. Gault is better than Tyresius ever was. And that's what makes it such a damned shame," she said.

"What's wrong?"

"Vette. He's been taking her under his wing, teaching her the tricks of the trade, you know? Except it's more than that. He's seducing her, playing it so slow she probably doesn't realize it's happening. And if you said anything to her about it, she'd deny it to your face, then think about it on her own and realize that if he is, then she wants it to happen. I'm not even sure he's doing it consciously. But I can see it, because I've been on that side of it."

The Outlander wasn't sure what to say, whether this was mere jealousy or something more serious. "Do you need me to have one of them stationed somewhere else for a while?"

Hylo shook her head. "No, that'll make it worse. But I do know how you can help. Seduce Vette yourself - take Gault's score out from under his nose. He won't dare cross you, and he knows when a job's gone south. Fact of the matter is, he might even respect you for it."

"So you want me to seduce your partner's protege so he'll come back to you?"

She laughed, short and bitter. "Oh, he'll come back to me one way or the other. She's too young for him and once he's gotten what he wants, he'll lose interest. No, this is just part of payback for what he still owes me."

"I don't feel right about hurting Vette just so you can get some petty ****," The Outlander said.

"So don't hurt her. Can you honestly say you wouldn't be interested in having some fun with a nubile little Twi'lek like that?" Hylo asked. "You don't have to make a commitment to her. You don't have to lie to her. She was a **** to the Sith, she knows about just looking for some short-time passion, and at least you aren't likely to use a shock-collar on her."

The Outlander considered that. "Well..."

Hylo stood up and walked over to him, then sat on his lap. "I can promise I'll make it worth your while," she nearly purred, tracing his square jawline with her green fingers.