not in a good way.”
“What did they do?”
Atun cocked his head and dipped his shoulder low. “What they always do. Took what they wanted and offered only insults for payment.”
He handed her a carefully wrapped packet of shecka, the bread still warm from the oven and rich with the scent of grilled meat.
“Did you tell anyone?” Her question came out in hushed, careful tones.
“No. Would only make things worse. You know how it is.”
She nodded. “I do.”
She tapped a few keys on her comm unit, paying for her meal and adding a little extra.
Atun checked the payment info, and scowled at her. “Too much.”
She smiled at him. “My finger slipped.”
Her mood buoyed up for the moment, she picked her way through the crowd, scanning the edges for a free space where she could eat. After a few minutes, the sense of unease returned again. She ignored it. It was because they’d talked about the Pheran trade delegation. That was all.
Someone touched her shoulder, and she nearly jumped out of her stripes.
“Xori? Oh my stars, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“Chance?” She smiled up at the cyborg female and her mate, Erik. “Hello, you two.”
“Hey,” the blonde man with Chance smiled down at her. “You okay?”
“Just finding the crowd a bit overwhelming today.”
“I know the feeling.” Chance pointed to a vacant table not far away. “Want to sit for a bit? We’re here for a bite to eat, and then we’re going up to the observation deck to see if I’m ready to look at some real stars instead of the ones in the sim-pod.”
“Good for you!” They moved to the table and every other interested party drifted away from the newly claimed spot the moment they spotted Erik. He’d been a cage fighter at the Nova until recently, and he carried himself with the same air of danger she’d sensed from Ward and Victor.
She and Chance chatted while Erik went in search of food, and the unsettled feeling faded again. She ate as Chance shared snippets of her new job and how much she was enjoying her new life on the station.
It struck Xori that Chance had risked everything to come out to the Drift looking for a better life, and she’d found it. It was a good reminder. Life was about taking risks. She’d taken big ones to get this far, but lately, she’d been playing things safe. It was time for that to change.
Chapter Six
Vic stepped out of the rear of the transport Tianna had provided for tonight and opened Xori’s door for her before the driver could do more than unfasten his harness. He offered his hand, and she took it, rising from her seat to stand in front of him. She was a vision, her hair piled up in some sort of elaborate do that he knew Ward was itching to disassemble, and her dress was a simple sheath of brilliant silver that showed off her slender shape to perfection.
Ward joined them, his eyes locked on Xori. “I know I mentioned this already, but you look stunning. You shine brighter than any star out there.” He waved toward the viewports that lined the docking area.
Vic hadn’t been to this part of the station since Tianna had taken over her father’s company and made Astek her new base of operations. This entire section was now the exclusive territory of Astek Corporation.
Royan had arranged everything, including putting their handprints on file as official guests. He’d also ensured no other Pherans had access to this area at the moment. So there’d be no risk of more unpleasantness from that quarter. Security was tight. They’d been required to prove their identities at two automated security checkpoints to get this far, and there wasn’t another living being in sight beside their driver.
“You did mention it, but I’m happy to hear it again.” Xori was smiling as she looked around in curiosity. “This whole section is just for Tianna and her business?”
“One of the many perks of being the boss,” Vic said.
It was a short walk to the docking hatch, and he noted with amusement that the carpet here was so thick he couldn’t hear the slightest noise from their footfalls as they walked over it.
“I’m almost afraid to touch anything,” Ward muttered as they approached.
“Me too,” Xori whispered. “Do we have a plan if an alarm goes off?”
“Sure. You and I run for it, and we leave Vic to take the blame. Sound good?”
She laughed. “Not really. I am