Page 121 of Stars At Dusk

‘You’d better be. We’re counting on you,’ Kage said.

He turned his attention to Harlow, who’d since nabbed a glass of water and was sipping it at the kitchen table. She glanced at him, and he caught the worry clouding her eyes.

‘Got to run,’ he told his team, moving quickly to her. ‘Harlow needs me now. Xion, please send a sec and clean-up crew. I’ll meet them out front, give them access and then head to my place with Harlow.’

‘I’ll come over myself,’ Xion reassured him.

‘’Tis late,’ Kage countered.

‘’Tis family. It’s what we do.’

Kage smiled. ‘Santebrother. I’m out.’

He comm’d off and strode to Harlow.

‘How are you doing,kara?’ he asked, setting down his weapon on the kitchen counter to wrap her in his arms.

She trembled slightly. ‘I feel violated. And a little shaken, to be truthful.’

‘I hear you. We’ll not let these bastards get away with what they had done. I’m working with Xion and Mirage, and we’re doing everything possible to find them.’

‘Who did this?

‘We have some ideas.’

Harlow pulled back away from his hold. ‘Kage, what aren’t you telling me?’

He gave her a long look. ‘We think it’s Ruben.’

Her eyes widened. ‘Work Ruben?’

‘The very same.’

She shook her head, confused. ‘Why would he do anything like this?’

‘Because he’s desperate. Not for you, sorry to dissuade you of that notion.’

She lifted her eyebrow and side-eyed him, and he gave her a half smile. ‘Although you are very alluring, baby,’ he continued.

‘What’s he after?’

‘Our Sable Group tech, and that includes the hybrid fuel formula you’re developing.’

She shook her head in disbelief. ‘What gives him the balls?’

Kage pushed a hand through his already mussed hair. ‘He’s not who you think he is. He goes by the pseudonym Ruben Sogen. But that’s a fake Rhesian ID. His official name is Ruben Rinnax. He’s a hacker, engineer and member of the Rinnax family, owners of Rinnax Forge. They’re a Rhesian shipbuilding components company. Shafts, tubing, general machinery. Much smaller than our components division. They’re also working with some unknown entities in what seems to be an ever-unfolding plot to bring The Sable Group down.’

She seemed visibly shaken. ‘I thought Ruben was annoying, a tad strange and secretive, but overall, harmless.’

‘Look around. He’s anything but.’

‘Holy Dunia,’ Harlow said. ‘So what do we do now?’

‘Xion is coming over right now with a sec team and clean-up crew. They’ll gather, clean and pack any of your clothes and belongings that weren’t damaged and bring them to my place. After that, we’ll have to seal off the apartment until it can be repaired. So you’re staying with me indefinitely. Unless, of course, you’d prefer your own space. Don’t want to assume.’

Harlow reached a hand and placed her palm on the side of his face, gently stroking him. ‘I’ll stay with you, baby. It’s where I feel safest.’

‘Grateful,’ Kage said, bending down to give her a soft, sweet kiss.

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