Page 43 of Revealed

For a moment, I felt a pang of guilt. Varek wasn't a bad guy. He was trying his best to make me feel comfortable, to start building a connection. It wasn't his fault that my heart belonged to someone else.

"Perhaps we could start with something simpler," Varek suggested. "Would you like to take a walk along the beach? The holographic sunset is quite spectacular."

I glanced at the balcony, where the simulated sun was indeed beginning to dip toward the horizon, painting the sky in vibrant oranges and pinks. It was beautiful, and under different circumstances, a sunset walk on the beach with a handsome alien might have been exciting.

But all I could think about was Maxxon and how much I wanted to be holding his warm hand and walking by his side.

"Allie?" Varek's voice pulled me back to the present. "Are you all right?"

I realized I’d been silent for too long. "I'm sorry, Varek. I don't think I can take a walk right now. I'm still feeling a bit tired from the journey." I touched a hand to my stomach. “And queasy.”

When in doubt, mention stomach issues. That isn’t sexy to anyone.

His face fell slightly, but he quickly masked it with a smile. "Of course. Perhaps we could have dinner later? I could have something brought to the suite."

The thought of a romantic dinner for two in this paradise-like setting made my stomach churn. I needed to get out of here, to clear my head, to figure out what I was going to do.

“Sounds great,” I lied, taking a step back and clutching my stomach. “See you later?”

He nodded, walking quickly to the door and leaving faster than I’d even hoped.

I should feel guilty for making the guy think I was two seconds from racing to the toilet, but I didn’t. Sure, I’d fucked up. I’d done something rash and impulsive. But I’d done it because I thought Maxon was the one. I’d thought he was the person—check that, the alien—I’d always wanted. And I’d done a bunch of boneheaded things to find him.

Well, I was through with all that, and I was done feeling bad about taking a big swing and missing. I grabbed a pair of sandals from beside the door, slipped them on, and left my suite.

I couldn't stay in that suite for one more minute. And I couldn't pretend to be the mate Varek deserved, when I clearly wasn’t

I reached the inclinator and jabbed at the call button repeatedly, as if that would make it arrive faster. When the doors finally slid open, I darted inside, my heart pounding.

As the doors closed and instrumental strains of “Beat It” played in the background, I leaned against the wall, trying to catch my breath. I’d been wrong before. I could run away from this.

I managed to move my hand in front of the control panel until the inclinator started to drop. Some lucky transport heading to Earth was about to get a stowaway.

Chapter

Thirty-One

Maxxon

The constant hum of machinery, punctuated by the sharp clangs of tools against metal and the occasional hiss of hydraulics, greeted me as I strode into the hangar bay. Sparks flew from welding torches, casting fleeting shadows across the exposed steel beams of the ceiling. The acrid scent of engine fuel had once made my pulse flutter with excitement and wanderlust as I’d headed out to procure more brides. Now, it only reminded me of what I was about to leave behind.

I weaved through the bustling mechanics, my steps purposeful yet careful not to draw attention, as I honed in on a transport ship I'd used countless times on my missions to Earth. I recognized the small dent in the hull, one that had never been pounded smooth.

As a procurer, I'd spent more time on the vessel than I cared to admit, though always as a passenger. Today, that would change.

Slipping aboard unnoticed, I made my way to the cockpit and sank into the pilot’s seat. My fingers trailed over the control panel, muscle memory from my days at the Drexian Academy kicking in despite the years that had passed since I'd last piloted a ship.

Every Drexian cadet was trained in flight, even if I did go on to focus on battle as a Blade, so even though it had been a while since I’d sat in the chair, I knew what I was doing. About flying, at least.

The gravity of what I was about to do—stealing a ship and leaving everything behind—quickly banished the lingering effects of the Cressidian gin. But there was no other choice. Not for me. Not if I was to retain my sanity.

I couldn't bear the thought of watching Allie, the woman who had consumed my every waking moment since I left Earth, marry my best friend. The pain was too much to endure.

With a deep breath, I began the pre-flight checks, my mind racing through potential destinations. An outpost might offer anonymity, a chance to lose myself in the vastness of space. Or perhaps I could return to Earth, throw myself into the planet's rebuilding efforts. My experience from numerous trips there could prove valuable, as I’d told Mandy. As long as I steered clear of Allie's hometown, I might find purpose in helping restore the world I'd once exploited.

Or I could return to Drex. That idea gave me pause as memories of my time at the Drexian Academy washed over me. Varek and I, young and ambitious, learning to fly and fight side by side. We'd been each other's copilots not just in the simulator, but in all aspects of the warrior training school. We'd pushed eachother, supported each other, dreamed together of the adventures that lay ahead.

The thought of severing that bond, of saying goodbye to both Allie and Varek, sent a sharp pain through my chest. I rubbed at the ache, trying to focus on the task at hand. This was more than just leaving a potential romance behind; I was abandoning a friendship that had defined much of my life.