Gemma watched him retreat, grateful for the moment of reprieve from his ever-observant eyes. She’d have to thank Imara later for giving Gemma a chance to breathe.
“Isn’t this incredible?” Imara gawked at the ballroom, her head swiveling from side to side.
“Oh, uh, yeah,” Hawk replied, snapping out of his drooling stupor. “My parents spoke about this place in one of their halo messages, but I never imagined it looked like this.”
“It is unreal.” Christian appeared next to Gemma with four drinks in his hands. He passed them out before closing the gap between him and Gemma, slipping his arm around her waist.
The gentle stroking of his thumb on her hip reminded her that she didn’t need to turn heads to be wanted. She smiled, her heart fluttering despite the twist in her gut.
She was lying to him; he had no idea he held an assassin in his embrace.
For at least twenty minutes they stood talking, waiting on the fifth member of their team, but Colton still hadn’t shown.
Odd. But then again, Colton did seem like the type to forgo formal parties. Maybe he’d opted to stay in his flat and sleep. If it weren’t for her mission—and Christian, she had to admit—Gemma might’ve done the same.
“Next round’s on me!” Hawk left their little group to find the bar.
“He does know the drinks are free, right?” Imara chuckled, downing the rest of her glass.
“I doubt he cares,” Gemma replied.
Hawk had swallowed his beverage in large gulps rather than small sips. She had a feeling that growing up alone had equated to many nightsof swallowing his sorrows. Stars knew Gemma had been tempted many times after Nadine was gone, and she was definitely tempted to slug her drink right now to satiate the increasing jitters with every passing minute.
Where is Rami?
When Hawk returned with another round of alcohol, the four of them found spots on plush sofas and swapped stories, to which Gemma paid extra-close attention in a heightened effort to distract herself.
Several more times, Hawk and Imara enjoyed the free beverages, until the two of them were thoroughly intoxicated and falling into each other.
Hawk stood unsteadily and held out a hand to Imara. “Dance wi’ me.”
Imara flopped her hand into his. “My pleasure, siiir.”
Gemma pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh when Imara almost fell back onto the sofa the moment Hawk tugged her upright. When they were in the middle of the room, though, Gemma could barely tell they were sloshed. They both were, surprisingly,thatgreat on their feet.
Several others also found their way to the makeshift dance floor, even though it was clearly not meant for that purpose.
Christian nudged her. “You want to?”
Gemma wanted to say no—she had to watch for Rami’s arrival. But it would be a good way to distract Christian. Not to mention, the nausea in her gut had only increased since she’d arrived, and sweat had already formed on the back of her neck. Any minute, her legs would begin to bounce, and he’d start asking questions.
Yes, dancing was a great idea.
Gemma smiled and stood, taking his hand in hers, and they joined the group.
The people of Perileos had definitely learned to dance, given the lack of activities in their underground city. So, the turns and dips in whichChristian spun Gemma forced her to laugh so hard that she snorted—a thankful reprieve from her relentless nerves.
And for a moment, she imagined her and Christian traveling the galaxies, her people partying amongst the stars instead of beneath a blinding, blue sun. After tonight, when her mission was complete, everything would change.
The music changed its tune once the musicians realized how many of the winners danced in the center of the room, and how many had seemed to have found themselves a partner.
Christian held Gemma’s body against his while they waltzed to a slow beat. His hazel eyes were so golden tonight, reflecting the color from the accents that saturated the aesthetic of the room. Gemma couldn’t help but stare into them, memorizing their colors and patterns.
“Is something wrong with my face?” He chuckled, giving her waist a squeeze.
Gemma blushed. “Yes, it needs to be less attractive.”
Christian grinned, leaning closer into her. “I could say the same to you.”
