Varik.
She’d recognize his profile anywhere. Of course, he’d be meeting with a disgusting gasbag. Hell, he was one.
The other male made her pause, shifting deeper into the crowd for cover. Something about him was familiar, but she was sure she’d never met anyone from that weird swamp planet she couldn’t recall the name of at that moment. No other beings had that particular gray-green sponginess. He turned slightly toward her, raising his arm to flag a server. Blaize narrowed her eyes as she inspected his face. Her gaze caught his, and his muddy gray eyes flashed white with black striations.
Her heart split in her chest, and she choked on a gasp.
Cifer.
Her lungs spasmed as she raced to the ladies’ room.
The alcoholic contents of her stomach rushed up her throat. She’d suspected Cifer was bad news from the start. But she’d doubted herself. To be fair, he’d worked really hard to get her to trust him. And she had.
She groaned inside the stall she’d locked herself inside. So stupid. Part of her insisted she slink away and pretend she’d never met him. The other part, the drunk part, itched to punch him in the face for convincing her he might be a good guy. Was everything he’d told her a lie?
She’d take her proof to Dez. If Cifer was working with Varik, there was no way Cyra would want to transport him.
Maybe she could sneak out there and find an open table closer to the trio so she could hear what they were saying. Then she could get absolute evidence of Cifer’s criminality—like stowing away hadn’t been enough.
Rather than dwell on her mistake, she did her business and washed her hands, avoiding the mirror. If she didn’t like what she saw, she couldn’t do anything about it, so no point looking. She exited right into Cifer’s arms.
“Blaize.” His voice poured over her body like warm honey to pool in her panties.
She slapped his chest. “Let me go.”
“Forgive me. I can explain. Not right now. But soon. I’ll come to the ship.”
“Don’t bother. I’m telling Cyra. You won’t be going with us.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about you being a criminal. Now I know.” She hiccupped. “For sure. I knew before. But now I know.”
“You’re drunk.”
“And I still know.”
“You know that I want you. That you’re the best thing that ever happened to me. That I adore you more than anything.” He leaned in to kiss her.
She turned her head sharply. “You left me.”
“It was important. I can explain.” He stroked her hair. “Please. Just go back to your table. Don’t let the males I’m with know that I know you.”
“You mean Varik. The bastard.” She pushed against his chest. “Cyra hates him almost as much as I do.”
“Blaize. Please. I’ll explain. But you have to stay safe. Take a sled. I’ll pay.”
“I don’t want your dirty credits.” She wrenched herself free and made it back to the table, where Veda was nearly asleep.
“Can we go?” Veda asked with a yawn.
“Hell yes.” Blaize searched the dance floor for Rhysa or Bodi. Bodi was near the entrance with a male she had pressed against the wall. It looked like one of her hands was on his crotch. Blaize grabbed Veda’s hand and pulled her through the crowd. She spoke to Bodi’s back when they passed. “We’re out.”
Bodi held up her free hand in acknowledgement. Good enough. A short sled ride later, Blaize was back on the ship. She would talk to Cyra at first meal.
Cifer was as good as gone.
Chapter 20
