Page 22 of Across the Crimson Sands

Once I had her seated at a patio table, I slumped into a chair and pushed a mug of ice-cold Buerba into her hands. She surprised me by draining the glass, but not to be outdone by a tiny human, I matched her and ordered two more.

When she spotted the loaf of bread on the table, she dove in, attacking the pieces until nothing remained.

The waiter apparently found it as endearing as I did, winking at Arilee until I clenched my jaw and barked our order at him.

“You still have the manjtrua cakes?” I growled, clearing my throat to redirect his attention.

“Er, yes sir. They’re in season. But I’m afraid market prices are very high this year.”

“We’ll take them. And more Buerba. And some more bread, for fuck’s sake,” I snapped, wishing to spur him into action and away from Arilee. She seemed to be enjoying my growing irritation.

Of course she was.

“So you want to stay the night?” she asked, her tone laden with implication.

She was back to her old self now, with food in her belly and alcohol coursing through her veins. I watched her assess potential escape routes, eyeing the knife on the table.

But at this point, I found I didn’t care. Somehow her scheming was all part of her charm.

“I do,” I answered coolly, relaxing back in my chair.

I studied her across the table.

Damn, she made being ornery look irresistible.

It was no wonder Gorin went to such lengths for her. He was paying me well for the privilege of returning this woman, but not well enough.

She was worth so much more.

“You were pretty intent on unloading me if I remember. What’s changed?”

I knew this conversation was coming. Like any good captive, Arilee was already calculating her next move. But it didn’t matter. Now that I had her scent, I could do what any skilled tracker could. Here, Quixa, or wherever she planned – I’d find her.

Hell, it had been so much fun, I wouldn’t mind another chase, another chance to catch her before it was all said and done.

“Nothing’s changed,” I mused, draining the last of my mug and realizing that once she was gone, I’d be back to the same run-of-the-mill jobs. Thugs skipping bail, wayward gang members who didn’t want to be found. They made for good money, but never good sport.

“Glad to hear it,” she said, sipping the last of her drink and sliding it next to mine. “Because nothing’s changed for me, either.”

I heard the warning in her tone, but despite myself, I laughed.

“Well then, Arilee,” I said, extending my hand to shake hers. “May the best one win.”

ARILEE

“How about a few more drinks before we settle in?” Rokan asked, offering his arm for me to hold.

My smiles were usually meant as nothing more than calculated charm.

The genuine pleasure that ran through me was almost a shock.

“That sounds wonderful.”

Rokan began to lead me past rows of small shops and fast-food-like restaurants. The entire roof of the building was glass, allowing the breathtaking night sky to shine down upon us.

Finally, we came upon a bar with an opening in the back, leading to an outdoor area. It was teeming with patrons dancing and reveling in the evening’s festivities. Harried bartenders darted about, snatching up empty bottles and glasses before careless partygoers could send them crashing to the floor.

Rokan guided me to the bar and once again offered his arm, helping me onto the high stool. He sat beside me, his presence both comforting and unsettling. A young Nazok woman approached us, her smile worn but warm.

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