The Falasian man glared at him, but Katya’s eyes widened with surprise, staring at him as if she’d seen a ghost.
‘Fokk,’ he heard her whisper.
Without waiting for a response, the Rider reached for Katya’s hand, pulling her away from her dancing partner.
‘What the hell do you think you’re doing?’ the Falasian man snarled.
‘Saving her from a fate worse than death,’ Xion growled, meta eyes flashing.
It was enough to have the man shuffling backwards in retreat.
Xion jerked his chin at the kinai, shot him another warning glare and, with his grip firm on Katya’s hand, led her through the crowd.
Once they were in a quieter corner of the ballroom, Katya rounded on him, her eyes glinting with unspoken emotion. ‘Are you stalking me, mister -?’
‘In these parts, I go by Lorian Caelix, an art dealer from Eden II, and I just saved you ass there. You wanted out,’ Xion said, his tone softer now. ‘I saw it in your eyes.’
Katya’s façade cracked, her badass exterior melting away to reveal the vulnerability beneath.
‘I suppose I should thank you,’ she said, her voice distracted. ‘Mr Caelix,’ she added.
Her eyes narrowed, and she leaned to whisper into his ear. ‘Or is it Sable? Xion Sable?’
His eyebrows rose. ‘So you do know who I am?’
‘Most people in my business know of you, Rider,’ she murmured.
Still holding onto his lapel, her husky intonation vibrating against his cheek, sending delicious thrills down his spine and to his stiffening cock.
‘What is your business?’ he prodded, leaning into her.
That’s when he noticed the halo of gems embedded in her temple pulse with a soft glow and wondered what they signified.
‘I play cards for the love of it,’ she breathed.
‘Bullshit,’ he rasped back. ‘You do it for the schills.’
She shrugged. ‘Doesn’t everyone, including yourself? I admit I was surprised to see the head of Eden II’s security at the card game the other day.’
He pulled her nearer, dealing her cards. ‘We’re always extra cautious on the rock; I had to ensure it was a clean contest with zero threat potential. That said, your game was quite the play.’
It seemed she was still playing it, given the way her eyes darted away at his words.
‘Question, who are you?’ He asked, well apprised of her background, wanting to see what she’d admit.
She cocked her brow and tilted her head, gazing up at him with those alluring eyes, hitting him in his core, hardening his cock. ‘Who do you think I am?’
‘A conundrum wrapped in a freakin’ riddle, Katya D’Landra,’ he rasped, need colouring his words.
Her eyes widened at the sound of her name, but she glanced away, not saying a word.
‘The question is, what are you doing here?’ Xion pressed.
‘I’m a connoisseur of excellent art,’ she flipped, slicing her eyes back to him. ‘Why are you here?’
‘You ran so fast from Eden II before we could become well acquainted,’ he hedged.
She raised an eyebrow. ‘So this is personal. You don’t seem the type to chase skirts, Rider. By all accounts, they come chasing you.’