Page 38 of Warrior's Reign
—Whatever You Like grab Annoyance by the scruff of his neck,lifthim, and throw him into the crowd.
Then he strode forward as Annoyance picked himself up off the ground, arms flailing in an attempt to defend himself, and grabbed him again, this time whirling and tossing him into the bar.
It happened in the time it took Reign to blink, gape, then scramble out of the way, head tilted because what the fuck she had not seen that coming.
“That’s enough,” she said, grabbing Whatever by the arm. He was about to go too far. Hard muscles clenched under her hands and his gaze snapped to hers, bright and dangerous, familiar energy uncoiling under the surface of his skin.
. . .she’d underestimated him. The blandness peeled away from his aura even though his features didn’t change.
A horrible, sneaking suspicion pierced Reign.
She wouldmurderhim.
Their gazes held for five seconds.
“Very well,” he said softly, then stepped away. He glanced at Annoyance, who was shouting and gesticulating. Whatever shifted forward.
Reign snatched him back. “I’m not getting kicked out because you caused a scene. Give me your credit chip.” She glanced at the bartender. “He’ll pay for the interruption of the peace of your establishment.”
After a moment, ‘Whatever’ produced a thin piece of metal. Vykhan wouldn’t let someone scan his print, not on an op.
She snatched his credit chip and slapped it on the bar. “I mean it, get out of here or I’ll drag you out myself.” Reign glared at him, furious even though he had to go along with her lead or risk blowing this op.
The man with Vykhan’s eyes glared back, but turned stiffly and disappeared through the crowd.
Reign glanced over the crowd. A few amused patrons met her gaze, and one even raised a drink in salute, but most people went back to minding their own business once it was clear the spillage from the scuffle was over.
Great. She loved working with professionals. And just from the subtle physical tells, Reign now was able to spot most of the professionals in the bar. There were enough civilians scattered to keep up appearances, but. . .maybe she wasn’t the most dangerous thing present tonight.
The bartender was staring at her sourly when she righted a stool and sat back down, but she shrugged. “It’s hard being a woman on Yedahn.”
He sighed and filled her drink order again. Staff quietly took care of the debris, and that was that.
What the hell had Vykhan been doing? He’d danced with her, flirted. Serious flirting, too. The kind of look in his eyes males gave you when they were already certain they wanted to take you home for the night—all night. Had he been testing her? Or enhancing her cover?
She grabbed onto that thought because she wasn’t ready to think about the other possibility.
“You seem like you need more than just one.”
Reign glanced over at the male who sat down, even after all that drama.
“Your male seems possessive,” he added.
“He has the wrong idea about our relationship,” she said.
The male pursed his lips in amusement. “So I saw. May I have the privilege?”
His intonation and accent were what passed for upper class in the province. He’d had some extended education and probably traveled quite a bit. Planet bound Yadeshi tended to keep their provincial dialects even in the city.
Reign shrugged. “Sure.”
The bartender slid a flight of drinks in front of them with a telling look at Reign. “Third time’s the charm, right?” he muttered.
Reign toasted him ironically, then pursed her lips after taking a sip. Top shelf. “Thanks,” she said to her newest companion, and swiveled to look at him.
He was what Vykhan’s disguise was attempting to accomplish. Middle of the road handsome, middle of the road bland. Not dangerous, but not prey. Hair not too long, clothing tasteful and well made but not extravagant. Manners polished enough to prevent accidentally giving a stranger offense. “I’m Reign.”
“I know.” He smiled but didn’t give his name. “I recognize you from the palace.”
