Page 130 of Stars in Halo

When he reached out a hand to touch her arm again, she deflected, maintaining her distance. ‘Save your apologies, Akira. I’ve seen enough of your act to know better.’

‘I meant it, beautiful,’ he whined, playing the aggrieved card.

Tilting her head, she let a wry smile play on her lips. ‘Oh, how could I ever doubt your sincerity, Akira?’

His expression darkened at her words, his charm faltering for a brief moment before he composed himself.

She also caught a sliver of raw emotion and jolted. The man was still in love with her?

She sighed, sensing his hurt at her breaking up with him.

But hadn’t he abandoned her, preferring to take off unannounced at whim on many a long pirating caper?

‘You always did have a sharp tongue, my dear,’ he murmured, masking his frustration. ‘But let’s not dwell on the past. We have more pressing matters to discuss, such as why you’ve been stealing from me.’

She pressed her lips. ‘It’s not like you missed a jewel here and there. Others required your generosity.’

He huffed. ‘So what, you’re now a do-gooder phantom lady thief?’

Katya’s smile widened at his sarcastic remark. ‘I’ve never pretended to be anything else. You on the other hand -.’ Her words hung in the air, heavy with the truth they carried.

Akira’s facade cracked further, revealing a glimpse of the distressed man beneath the charm and charisma. His eyes narrowed as he studied her, a dangerous glint appearing. ‘You always did think you were better than me, didn’t you? ‘Tis why you left me. Played me then, and I wonder whether you’re playing me now.’

His voice was laced with contempt.

Katya remained unfazed, her demeanour calm and collected. ‘I’m not playing at anything, Akira. As for the jewels, I was righting the wrongs you and your crew have perpetuated for far too long.’

Akira’s eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flashing in them. ‘You always did have a flair for the dramatic, Katya. But let’s not forget who holds the cards here.’ He gestured around the sleek spaceship, a silent reminder of his influence and control.

‘You owe me,’ he went on, ‘and I intend to ensure you never return to your family until you pay back every schill.’

She raised a brow. ‘I’m to be your slave then?’

‘The right title is bondwoman. Regardless, I intend to make you pay, Katya.’

Akira’s voice was like ice, his gaze piercing through her with a cold intensity. ‘Trust me, you’ll be working off your debt in all sorts of ways for years.’

His words hung heavy in the air, his face twisted, leaving no doubt that Akira was dead-set on exacting retribution to assuage his bitterness.

He turned away from her with a brow lift and sneer.

Katya sat back in her chair, her hands clenched around the armrests, gazing at the stars streaking by, waiting for the man she adored to help her save the day.

She sighed, hoping against all that Xion was safe and able to catch up with her.

Because this whole plan would go tits-up without him.

The tension inside the Tachy was palpable as Xion and Mirage sped through space towards their destination.

The Rider’s eyes scanned the endless expanse of stars outside the cockpit window while Mirage focused on navigation.

The vision of Akira and the D’Hanna siblings fleeing the chaos at the hotel kept replaying in Xion’s mind.

Even though he’d seen them lift off safely, and his holo map was tracking Katya’s signal, worry gnawed at him.

His fingers drummed on the armrest. ‘ETA?’ Xion’s voice was curt, and his impatience was evident.

Mirage glanced at the coordinates flashing on the screen before responding. ‘Fifteen minutes.’

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