Page 124 of Stars in Halo

Akira’s sudden appearance was like a dagger to her well-thought-out plans. He wouldn’t hesitate to sabotage their operation if it suited his agenda.

Korin and K’Zito exchanged uneasy glances, aware of Katya and Akira’s tense history. He was a loose cannon, unpredictable and ruthless when crossed.

But she couldn’t let him tag her fear. Not now, with so much at stake.

With a forced calmness, she met Akira’s gaze head-on. ‘We don’t need a babysitter.’

‘But King K’Sumi wants to ensure all goes according to plan. And who better than me to keep an eye on things?’

His tone, although casual, was laced with menace, sending a shiver down her spine.

Ignoring the tension crackling in the air, Katya pasted a simper while struggling to regain her composure in the face of her ex-lover.

Having Akira involved could be a blessing or a curse, depending on how the winds of his unpredictable loyalties blew.

‘Looking beautiful as always, Katya.’

‘Still a con artist and flatterer, Akira,’ she returned with a fake smile. ‘What trick are you pulling now? Because you’ve always worked like a backstabbing stage magician. When everyone’s watching you pull a rabbit out of a hat, you’re hacking a showgirl in half, blood, guts and all. So if you’re here on K’Sumi’s behest, he probably thinks you’re gunning for him while you’re swindling him from behind.’

Akira smirked, his eyes gleaming. ‘You always were cunning, quick with words and cutting to the heart, Katya. Fokk, I’m still bleeding over you. But you’ll do well to remember who holds the real power in this operation now.’

He turned his gaze to her brothers, who sat frozen in their seats, unsure what to do or say. ‘Good to catch you three kinais.’

‘Never thought we’d see your face again. Still playing Pirates and Raiders?’ Korin sneered, referencing a popular holo game that young teens across Pegasi favoured.

Akira’s eyes iced over even as his smile widened, and he leaned back in his seat with rogue casualness. ‘I prefer Robbers, Looters and Bandits myself. It’s always a pleasure to witness the D’Hanna siblings in action. Especially when you’re in so deep that you need me to bail you out.’

The brothers exchanged wary glances as Akira grinned at them.

Korin spoke up with a forced nonchalance, his voice steady but tinged with caution. ‘What is your role in all of this, Akira? We have our plans in motion and don’t necessitate your interference.’

Akira leaned back in his seat, a smug smile on his lips. ‘Oh, I’m not here to interfere,

I’m here to ensure that everything runs without a hitch. Think of me as your insurance policy in case things go awry.’

His tone was mocking, filled with a subtle threat that sent a chill down Katya’s spine.

She locked eyes with him. ‘Like I said, we don’t want your ‘insurance policy. We’ve got this under control. We’ll send you a report card afterwards.’

Akira chuckled, enjoying the tension he was causing. ‘Oh, I don’t doubt your abilities, Katya. But you know as well as I do that unexpected complications can arise in the blink of an eye. Trust me when I say having me on board is in your best interest. Besides, I have a bone to pick with you.’

Her heart rate tripped. ‘Pray to tell.’

‘King K’Sumi was generous in his background intel on what you four have been up to the last few years. He revealed your activities on Enia and Galicia; he even shared footage of your visits to my establishments on both planets. It made for some interesting viewing.’

His lips were lifted in a smile, but his eyes glittered with cold rage.

Korin leaned forward, brow furrowed. ‘Fokk, Katya, what have you been up to?’

She opened her mouth, but Akira was the first to respond. ‘Oh, your dear sister here has been quite the busy bee, buzzing around my shops and picking up some of my stock at will like she owns it all.’

Akira’s voice dripped with disdain as he turned his gaze back to Katya, a twist on his lips. ‘I must say, I was impressed with your audacity, beautiful. But let’s say your little escapades didn’t go unnoticed. You owe me hundreds of thousands of schills. ’

Katya’s mind raced as she tried to piece together how King K’Sumi had obtained footage of her heists on Enia and Galicia.

The capers had been risky and had overstepped the boundaries of legality, but she’d rationalised them and used great care, never expecting them to come back and haunt her in this way.

Korin’s jaw clenched as he glared at his sister, shock and anger flashing in his eyes. ‘Katya, what have you gotten us into now?’

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