“I suspect this is the longest they’ve been together since their escape,” Kira said as Alexander looked in their direction.
“That’s kind of sad.”
It was.
The two were quiet until another commotion on the dock attracted their attention. The noise level dipped as two men strode into view. Kira could recognize the smaller of the two as Graydon. His matte black synth armor gleaming with a subtle threat that caused those in front of him to give way. A second man prowled at his side. He had a hood pulled over his head, his features impossible to distinguish behind the energy field he used to hide his face.
“Does the emperor think he’s fooling anyone in that getup?” Jin asked with a snort.
Kira frowned as the person Jin identified as Emperor Torvald leaned over to Graydon and said something.
She stiffened as Graydon’s gaze swung her way.
“Wait. Why are they heading in this direction?” Jin asked in alarm as Graydon and his companion changed course toward the Wanderer. “Kira, do something.”
“What do you want me to do?”
It wasn’t like she had the power to order the emperor around. The man owned this station and every inch of space for thousands of light years.
“I’m blaming you for this,” Jin hissed, disappearing into the ship as Kira sputtered.
“Jin,” Kira started to say, but he was already gone.
She stared at the spot where he’d been in disbelief. If she’d known all it took to make Jin retreat was the threat of the emperor’s presence, she could have saved herself a lot of trouble all those times he irritated the living daylights out of her.
A throat clearing at the bottom of the ramp redirected her attention to where Graydon and his companion waited.
Graydon propped one foot on her ramp, his roguish smile sending a flood of warmth and alarm spreading through her.
Graydon’s draw went far beyond his looks. It was infused in the predatory way he moved. Every word and gesture possessing a charisma that was bewitching.
Worse. The reality of Graydon was far greater than even the promise of him.
Graydon was a drug. One hit was never enough.
Kira was already addicted.
Her challenge lay in not letting him realize that. If he ever knew how deep she’d fallen, he’d own her—body and soul.
She wasn’t ready to let that happen.
“Are you lost?” Kira drawled.
“If I am, will you give me directions?”
Do not react, Kira warned herself as tingles erupted, knowing that was exactly what he wanted.
Kira was contrary enough to go out of her way to not meet expectations. Call her cruel but she enjoyed challenging him.
He liked it too if his expression was anything to judge by.
“Maybe but I’m pretty sure you won’t like where I send you. I noticed a few airlocks that could be tricky to escape from.”
Gagging sounds issued from the bowels of Kira’s ship. “Save the flirting for later. Ask him what he wants.”
“I’m getting to that,” Kira shouted over her shoulder. She rolled her eyes before she focused on Graydon and his companion. “As ridiculous as he is, he has a point. Why are you here?”
He and the man beside him should be concentrating on their own journey to the planet. Kira couldn’t think of one good reason for him to be standing there.
