Page 39 of Klaz

Mama Raza’s eyes narrowed. “Remember, Klaz. One wrong move, and she pays the price.”

She gestured to a guard, who put a tablet on the table next to me. “Everything you need to know about the casino is on here. Study it well. You have two days to prepare.”

I nodded, my mind already formulating a plan. If I could just buy some time, maybe my friends would arrive. Maybe I could find a way to get that anklet off Cinta.

The guards unlocked my shackles, and I immediately rushed to Cinta’s side. I helped her sit up, quickly checking for any visible injuries. Her eyes were wide with fear and confusion.

“What’s going on?” she whispered.

I leaned in close, my lips brushing her ear. “It’ll be okay,” I murmured, acutely aware of Mama Raza’s watchful gaze. “Trust me.”

Not that I had a plan yet, but I’d come up with something. Anything, to get Cinta out of this.

Standing up, I faced our captor, feigning resignation. “Fine. I’ll do it. But I want your word that Cinta won’t be harmed.”

Mama Raza’s smile was all teeth. “Of course, dear Klaz. As long as you play by the rules, your little friend will be perfectly safe.”

I caught Cinta’s eye. The determination I saw there matched my own. This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.

CINTA

Klaz’s lips brushed my ear, wrenching a soft moan from me despite our dire situation. His warm breath tickled my skin as he whispered, “Forced heist. Explosive anklet. Three days.”

My mind whirled, processing the information as I stared at the deadly, delicate thing around my ankle. A heist? That I could handle. But the explosive anklet... that complicated things.

“What’s the target?” I whispered back, careful to keep my expression neutral under Mama Raza’s watchful gaze.

Klaz’s red eyes met mine, his expression grave. “The Larain Diamond.”

I couldn’t suppress a small gasp. The Larain Diamond was legendary in certain circles - circles I’d always orbited but never quite penetrated. A massive, rare jewel that was rumored to be able to amplify energy.

Wait. Hadn’t I heard someone mention it possibly coming up for auction, back on the Empyrean Explorer?

My fingers itched. Wouldn’t it be fantastic to snag such a prize?

But not like this. Not being forced to work for someone who would kidnap us.

First, I needed to sell Mama Raza on our cooperation.

“Any plan would be better if we could work together,” I said, forcing my voice to tremble just enough to sell the fear. “But for that, I need to go shopping.”

Mama Raza’s eyes narrowed. “Shopping? For what?”

I swallowed hard, feigning nervousness. “If nothing else, we need clothing that’ll get us into the casino.” I pulled at the thin fabric that barely covered me, underlining my point. “And you don’t expect us to take on something like their security without any tools, do you?”

A slow smile spread across Mama Raza’s face. “Clever girl. Don’t fight me, and you might get out of this alive.”

As we changed into the warmer clothes Mama Raza had provided, I wondered about their previous owner. Another prisoner? Or one of Mama Raza’s gang?

The guards escorted us to the winter market, the festive atmosphere at odds with the gravity of our situation. Colorful stalls lined the streets, selling everything from hot spiced drinks to intricate ice sculptures.

I leaned into Klaz, partly for show, partly because his solid presence steadied me. “Remember,” I murmured, “we’re just two lovebirds out for a romantic stroll.”

We didn’t need to fool the guards who trailed behind us, but there was no way of knowing who else was watching the market.

And maybe, just maybe, I liked the idea of having a date with Klaz. Even if this was the worst possible time.

The winter market bustled with activity, a riot of colors and scents that assaulted my senses. I clung to Klaz’s arm, playing the part of the smitten lover while my eyes darted from stall to stall, cataloging everything that might prove useful.