Page 35 of Maar's Girl

I turn back to the room, my gaze falling on the half-empty Martian Sunrise Laar left behind. The vibrant orange liquid seems to mock me, a reminder of the easy rapport Alyssa shares with everyone but me.

My padd chirps, and I quickly check the message. It's from one of my contacts, confirming that our identities are still secure. I should feel relieved, but instead, I'm hit with a wave of exhaustion. How long can we keep this up?

I sink onto the couch, rubbing my temples. The sound of running water from the bathroom tells me Alyssa's in the shower again. Probably trying to wash away the memory of our earlier conversation.

"Fuck," I whisper, the weight of our situation pressing down on me.

I close my eyes, and unbidden, memories of our time on Mars flood my mind. Her laughter, the warmth of her touch, the way her eyes lit up when she looked at me. Back when she thought I was Raaj, the hero who saved her life.

Now, those same eyes only hold contempt when they meet mine.

The bedroom door opens.

I watch as she crosses to the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of water. Her movements are fluid, graceful, and I'm struck again by how effortlessly she's adapted to this life on the run. A life she never asked for.

"I know you hate me," I say quietly. "But I need you to know that everything I've done, I've done to keep you safe."

Alyssa turns, her eyes meeting mine for the first time in what feels like forever. "That's the problem, Maar. You decided what was best for me without ever asking what I wanted."

Her words hit me like a physical blow, and I struggle to find a response. But before I can, she's walking away again, disappearing into her room.

The click of her door is like a final punctuation mark, leaving me alone with the realization that's been growing for months: I can't imagine my life without her. And that terrifies me more than any threat we face.

CHAPTER 24

ALYSSA

Iwake up in the middle of the night with a start.

Voices.

Are they here to kill me?

I creep towards the bedroom door, my heart pounding in my chest. The voices are clearer now, and I recognize one of them as Maar's. Carefully, I crack the door open just enough to peek through.

Boss Sneed's bulky frame fills my vision. He's lounging in one of our cheap chairs, looking entirely too comfortable for my liking.

"Your girl's quite the dancer, Maar," Sneed drawls, his voice oily. "Can't keep my boys off her much longer. They're itchin' for a... private show, if you catch my drift."

I feel bile rising in my throat. Maar's voice is tight when he responds. "Anyone touches her, they die. Simple as that."

Sneed chuckles, the sound grating on my nerves. "Now, now. No need for bloodshed. I've got a proposition for you."

"I'm listening," Maar says cautiously.

"One job. That's all. Take out one of my partners, and you're free. Both of you." Sneed leans forward, his eyes glinting. "I'll make it worth your while. Enough creds to be your own man.Protect whats yours. And word'll spread – no one'll dare touch your pretty little dancer again."

I hold my breath, waiting for Maar's response. He hesitates, and my stomach twists.

"I left that life behind," Maar says slowly. "Alyssa... she's my jalsaghar. My fated mate. She makes me want to be better."

Sneed's laugh is harsh. "Sometimes, boy, you gotta get your hands dirty to keep the good things clean. Ain't that the way of the galaxy?"

There's a long pause, and I strain to hear Maar's reply.

"You're right," he says finally, his voice heavy. "I'd lose my soul to save her life."

I stumble back from the door, my mind reeling. Quickly, I slip back into bed, pulling the covers up to my chin. My thoughts are a jumbled mess as I try to process what I've just heard.

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