Page 17 of Zayrik

She wasn’t just pissed about me winning the ship.

She wasnervous.

I leaned against the console, arms crossed. “This ship has a history,” I said, voice low. “Tied to smuggling rings. Non-regulated space. Dirty trade routes.”

I looked at her. “Do you know anything about this, thief?”

Shefroze. Just forhalf a second.

Just long enough for me tocatch it.

Then shescoffedand kept working. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Right. I pushed off the console.

This was about to get interesting.

6

Nyla

I HADthree problems.

One. I was stuck on asmuggling shipwith someone I believed to be a Protectorate warrior who wastoo damn observant for his own good.

Two.Said warrior was now digging into the ship’s past, which meant it was only a matter of time before he put the pieces together.

Andthree?

Helooked too damn goodleaning there, all relaxed dominance and silent judgment. Like he was sizing up my soul.

I mentally slapped myself for that last thought. Zep trilled from his perch his tiny body warm against my shoulder.

Nav’s voice hummed dryly through my neural link. “You’re being reckless again.”

I ignored him.

Zayrik stood across the cockpit, arms crossed, staring at me like I was a puzzle he was two moves away from solving.

I didn’t like that.

“Alright, thief,” he drawled. “You’ve got thatlook.”

I arched a brow. “What look?”

“Theshit’s about to go sidewayslook.”

Damn. He waspaying attention.

Not good.

I forced a lazy smirk. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Zayrik didn’t blink. Didn’t move. Just watched me. Like healready knew I was lying.

Nav hummed in my ear. “See? He’s smart. I like him.”

My mouth tightened. “Not the time, Nav.”

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