Page 14 of Stealing Samantha

For a moment, Lithi looked as disappointed as he felt before she tilted her head to the side and then smiled. “Ah, yes, the human obsession with credits. I will need to consult with our human relations liaisons before I give you an official offer, but I can have that information available for you after tonight’s performance. You’ll be attending with Captain T’xith and his mate, correct?”

“Yes, I’ll be there tonight,” Sam replied. “I’ll think about it, and I look forward to your offer.” She shifted her weight on her feet, swiveling slightly so that she faced him again. “Until tonight,” Sam said, and then she backed up before she turned away again, lowering herself down to the stage to disassemble her flute.

Jaess was about to follow her down when he felt Lithi grip his forearm and hold him back. She hissed softly. “The others are waiting. We must leave now—you’ve already delayed long enough. Come.”

He didn’t want to go. He wanted to stay in place until she looked back at him, until her lips curled up in that small smile he was already longing to see cross her mouth every time their gazes caught.

Jaess walked backwards under the sharp tug of Lithi’s grip as he watched Sam, but her hands were busy at her open instrument case, and the sharp set of her shoulders told him she would stay occupied. He let Lithi pull him away, consoling himself with the promise of seeing Sam again later that night. It didn’t stop him from waiting for a glance that never came, not until he reached the wings and he watched her walk away. The stage was empty, quiet, and hollow now. He didn’t think it would come back to life for him until she played once more, until her song echoed through him again—his mate.

8

The demandfor compensation had been a bluff. Sam was honest enough to admit that to herself. She wasn’t going to be receiving any callbacks from her performances the other day, and despite her initial wariness, there was an excitement she felt at the idea of playing for the Xithilene—for Jaess—that she hadn’t experienced at the thought of providing background music for weddings and corporate parties.

They’d be leaving again soon for that evening’s performance. She was back aboard theBite of the Fa’asathwith Kayla. Sam was fussing with her hair, pretending that she cared about the reflection looking back at her in the mirror. She didn’t see herself when she lifted her head. She saw Jaess and the intoxicating way he’d moved to her music, as if he’d thrust a hand beneath her breast, cupped her heart and squeezed.

Sam had played her own music that afternoon.

She hadn’t played her own songs for any of the auditions, not even the punk band who might’ve actually wanted to hear something original. She hadn’t dared.

“I don’t think pulling it again is going to change anything,” Kayla said with a light laugh as she tipped her head towards the loose curl Sam had been tugging. A quick glance at her sister made it clear that Kay knew something was up. She had that concerned look—the look that meant it was time to tiptoe around Sam again.

“I’m ready,” Sam said with a forced grin. “The rehearsal this afternoon was pretty amazing.” She hadn’t said anything about Lithi’s offer, and she wasn’t planning on it until after she received the official version, yet she couldn’t imagine she’d say no.

Kayla’s smile was too bright, too eager. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.” She looked down at her lap. “It didn’t remind you of—”

“No.” She was tired of being fragile. Nothing had even happened. She’d had a week of forced vacation in a forest village. Big deal. Uvaess hadn’t hurt her. Not really. “If I’d thought it’d be a problem, I would’ve declined the invite—simple. You and T’xith don’t have to take care of me. I’m an adult, in case you’ve forgotten. One rescue doesn’t mean I can’t function anymore. Enough, Kay. Let’s just go.”

Sam kept her head down. She didn’t want to discuss it further, and she didn’t want to see Kayla’s face right then; she knew it’d be full of hurt.

“I didn’t mean anything by it. I just worry about you.”

“I know. I’m sorry for being bitchy. I just can’t dwell on that time anymore, you know?” Sam stood up and joined her sister where she waited by the door, bumping their shoulders together. “Sometimes I miss being your big sister. I’m the one who’s supposed to be taking care of you.”

They stepped out into one of the ship’s nondescript jade corridors and headed towards the front exit hatch where she assumed they’d be meeting T’xith and some of his men. Sam hadn’t noticed any signs of hostility in the city, but apparently a Xithilene captain and his mate could be a potential target. She fell back so she was walking a few steps behind and looked at Kayla, really looked at her. Her sister had ended up being the strong one, the adventurer of their family, and Sam couldn’t say it didn’t suit her. Sam swallowed hard over an ugly emotion that tasted like disappointment but burned like envy.

“T’xith!” Kayla sped up when she saw T’xith pass through the now closing double doors of the bridge. Sam nodded and gave him a brief smile.

“Kayla, Samantha,” he said as he moved towards her sister. He slid his arm against hers, taking Kay’s hand as if it were as natural as breathing. They really did make a pretty pair. “Our escort will meet us inside the transportation center.”

“Airport, babe—airport,” she heard Kayla whisper under her breath.

She needed to get off this ship. She didn’t know what was wrong with her. Sam wanted Kayla to be happy. She needed to breathe fresh air and clear out all this bitterness—this wasn’t who she was. She hated feeling this way.

“You must’ve watched the entire performance already, Lady Samantha,” said T’xith. “I didn’t expect you to stay so long at the theater. I hope you won’t be bored this evening.”

She didn’t know T’xith well enough yet to be able to tell whether that was an attempt at humor or a serious observation. “I doubt it,” she replied with a brittle grin. “It was beautiful. Besides, there’s a special magic to opening night—no rehearsal is ever quite the same. I can’t imagine being bored tonight.” That was no lie.

Would they find it odd that she wanted to see Lithi afterwards? She might not even need to say anything herself. T’xith was probably already planning on taking them backstage to congratulate Jaess. She let out a slow exhale, hoping they wouldn’t hear how loud it sounded in the empty hallway. Everything would be fine.Chasing fate.That’s what he’d called coming to Earth, but it felt like the words belonged to her now, too. Her luck had finally turned. She couldn’t let this chance get away from her.

Somehow she made it through the drive to the theater without ringing any of T’xith and Kayla’s alarm bells. She must’ve replied to their polite questions, but she couldn’t remember what she’d said. Sam only knew that she finally felt as if she could breathe again once she stepped out of the transport. It pulled to a stop at an alternate entrance, and two Xithilene soldiers waited by the door while another followed them out of the transport.

She nodded away the offered alien arm as T’xith led her sister forward. Someone else took their coats, and they didn’t walk long before the expectant murmur of the rest of the theatergoers droned through the air. Anticipation tingled against her skin, dancing electric as they moved towards the crowd. She could practically feel the warmth of the keys beneath her fingertips that she’d played for Jaess earlier that day. Her hot breath had coaxed out the notes of a song she’d never shared before, that he’d taken and thrown it back again—better, deeper, richer—reflected in the grace of his dark body.

“Are you okay, Sam?” Her sister’s soft voice wavered in the air.

“Fine.” Another quick smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

They’d turned down a hallway leading to the boxes on the right side of the theater. Her gaze fell to the plush carpet beneath her scuffed heels as they descended, and the first genuine grin of the night tugged on her lips. It figured they’d have the best seats in the house. How was this her life? None of it felt real.You’re a long way from Cherry Ridge.The grin faded.

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