Page 36 of Her Lawless Prince

The Lykan made a low growl, indicating he’d heard her insult. Hey, the truth could hurt. He did reek. She listened to his steps but didn’t turn to watch him go.

Payton continued glancing over the crowds. She found wings and webbed fingers. A short green woman with horns poking out of her head looked as if she were seducing a tall, thin, translucent creature without any recognizable facial features.

They moved through the doors to enter the main complex.

On the surface, it didn’t look as if anything nefarious was happening at the trading center, but Payton knew appearances were deceiving. Every unscrupulous businessperson, corrupt politician, disgraced doctor, bounty hunter, mercenary, pirate, slave trader, or overall degenerate ended up here at some point. She had even once heard it referred to as a fallen angel’s playground. If it was illegal or immoral, it could be found here. Someone would be willing to sell it.

The crowd thickened around a center bar and cheering erupted over the complex. Holograms showed overhead, revealing several gamblers playing Frendle’s Chips.

“That game does not look complicated,” Yevgen said. “Do you want me to win it for you, my wife?”

“I think entries are probably closed,” Nyle dismissed the idea.

“No. Let’s try not to draw attention,” she said. “All right, so we’re here. How do we get a ride?”

“Give me the chip.” Nyle held out his hand to Yevgen.

“I am in charge.” The cyborg refused.

“I need the space credits,” Nyle said. “I’ll get us drinks and mention to the bartender we’re looking to pay for a ride. Someone will find us.”

Payton didn’t think that sounded too safe, but she wasn’t sure what choice they had.

“You go. We will get our own ride,” Yevgen dismissed. “I am in charge.”

“No,” Payton interrupted. “I am. We’re not splitting up. Give him the chip, Yev.”

Yevgen did not look pleased as he did what she ordered.

13

Nyle keptan eye on Payton and Yevgen as he made his way to the bar. People crossed by his vision, and he did his best not to crane his neck to see past them. If he made it too obvious that he was worried about Payton, it would only draw attention to her.

Being as she was the most beautiful creature in all the universes, she didn’t need help bringing attention to herself.

The one good thing about Yevgen is that he would do anything to protect Payton. The bad thing about Yevgen is that living alone for decades had given him little in the way of social graces. He didn’t exactly blend into their environment. If the cyborg had his way, he’d be standing on the table announcing he was the biggest crime boss in the universes, and all must bow to him. Not exactly subtle.

Nyle watched bets being placed as a new round of competition was announced. He found watching Frendle’s Chips about as entertaining as watching a robotic arm in an assembly line. The game required skill, but he didn’t think it rose to the level of sport some people did. The game boards were a large grid with metal discs floating at various levels. In round one, the contestants took turns finger-sweeping discs off the grid without getting shocked by random electrical zaps. For round two, they then threw their gathered discs to knock out the opponents’ pieces. Electricity would eviscerate the disc in play if they went even the tiniest bit off course. And back and forth the game went.

Boring.

It still didn’t stop the wild crowd from placing bets on the winners. Aside from that, they also placed bets on how many drinks a player might have between rounds. Or who would get into a fistfight. Or lose a ship. Or who would disgrace themselves in any number of ways. Or even end up dead.

Nyle pretended to ignore the small fights breaking out around them after each play. He tapped the bar top to bring up a holographic drink menu and ordered two hydration shots.

“Fifty for the woman.”

Nyle frowned at the deep voice coming from behind him. He ignored it as he glanced in Payton’s direction. She was speaking to a couple.

A hand clamped down on his shoulder. Nyle glanced to see dark red fingers gripping him.

“I said fifty for the woman. Twenty for the droid.”

“She’s not for sale.” Nyle slowly turned without finishing his order.

The red demonic creature’s black eyes stared down at him from an impressive height. Though he had human features, he did not look like any human Nyle had dealt with.

“Everything has a price,” the alien insisted.

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