Cinta

CINTA

K laz’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.

A few stalls down, the glint of metal caught my eye. Knives of all shapes and sizes were laid out on a velvet cloth, their blades wickedly sharp. I remembered Klaz’s story about the Festival of Blades, how it had been a rite of passage for young Vinduthi warriors.

An idea began to form in my mind. A way to show Klaz that I was committed to our partnership, that I trusted him.

We continued through the market, gathering supplies under the guise of preparing for our “date night.” A spool of high-tensile wire here, a bottle of industrial-grade adhesive there. Nothing too suspicious on its own, but together, they formed the beginnings of a toolkit that would serve us well during the heist.

As we approached the electronics sector, Klaz’s eyes lit up with interest. He began examining a complex-looking device, engrossed in its intricate circuitry.

“I’ll be right back,” I murmured, squeezing his arm. He nodded absently, barely registering my words.

Heart pounding, I slipped away into the crowd. My feet carried me swiftly back to the weapons stall we’d passed earlier. I made my purchase quickly, tucking the small package into my coat.

When I returned to Klaz’s side, he was still absorbed in the electronics. I slid my arm through his, as if I’d never left.

“Find anything useful?” I asked, keeping my voice light.

Klaz blinked, coming back to the present. “Maybe. We should move on.”

Another step through the market and a small booth caught Klaz’s eye. ‘Wait here,’ he murmured, disappearing into the crowded stall. He emerged moments later, slipping something into his pocket. At my questioning look, he showed me a two tiny silver balls nestled into a sleek black case.

“Communication devices,” he explained quietly, showing me the case. “Short-range, but secure. Could come in handy.”

I nodded, understanding the need for caution. But there was something in Klaz’s eyes, a spark of an idea forming, that made me think these little silver balls might be more than just comm dots.

“Anything else catch your eye?” I asked, scanning the market stalls.

Klaz’s hand brushed his pocket, where he’d stashed the comm dots. “Just keeping our options open,” he replied, his voice thoughtful. “Never know what might prove useful.”

Clearly there was more to his purchase than he was letting on, but I trusted him.

I had to.

Whatever he was planning, I hoped it would help us get out of this mess alive.

Finally, we reached a clothing store nestled between two larger buildings. The window display showcased an array of formal wear, perfect for a night at the casino.

“Shall we?” I asked, gesturing towards the door.

Klaz nodded, his expression unreadable as we entered the shop.

The interior was warm and inviting, and racks of dresses and suits lined the walls, a rainbow of fabrics and styles.

“May I help you?” A saleswoman approached, her smile just a touch too wide to be genuine.

“Yes,” I said, slipping into the role of excited girlfriend. “We have a big night out planned, and I need something absolutely stunning.”

The woman’s eyes lit up at the prospect of a sale. “Of course! I have just the thing. Follow me.”

She led us to a dressing room area, pulling dresses from the racks as we went. “I’ll leave these here for you to try on. Let me know if you need anything else.”

As soon as she was out of earshot, I leaned closer to Klaz. “Keep an eye out,” I whispered. “I’ll be quick.”

I ducked into the dressing room and slipped on the first dress, a sleek black number with strategically placed cutouts. The fabric clung to my curves, leaving little to the imagination. I stepped out, watching Klaz’s reaction carefully.

His eyes widened, roaming over my body, making heat pool in my belly. “You look...” he trailed off, clearing his throat.

I grinned, twirling for him. “Cat got your tongue?”

Klaz’s lips quirked up in a small smile. “It’s certainly... eye-catching.”

I laughed, retreating back into the dressing room. “Let’s see what else we’ve got.”

The next dress was a deep emerald green, with a plunging neckline and a slit up one thigh. When I emerged, Klaz’s breath audibly caught.

“That color,” he said, his voice low. “It reminds me of home.”

A heated blush crept up my cheeks. “Is that a good thing?”

He nodded slowly. “Very good.”

I tried on a few more dresses, each eliciting a different reaction from Klaz. But it was the final dress that I knew was the one.

It was a deep, midnight blue, adorned with thousands of tiny crystals that caught the light with every movement. The bodice hugged my torso before flaring out into a full skirt that swished around my legs.

As I twirled in front of the mirror, admiring how the midnight blue fabric hugged my curves, my eyes caught the glint of metal around my ankle. The explosive anklet. A stark reminder that this wasn’t just another con, another game.

My throat tightened, then I pushed the thought away. No use dwelling on what I couldn’t change. I had a job to do, and I’d be damned if I let a little thing like imminent death throw me off my game.

When I stepped out of the dressing room, Klaz stood, his eyes never leaving me. “That’s the one,” he said softly.

I twirled, watching the skirt flare out around me. “You think so?”

He nodded, a rare smile gracing his features. “You look beautiful, .”

Oh.

In my ‘work’ I’d made sure to get compliments and admiration from my marks. It was just part of the job.

But somehow it was different with Klaz.

“Thank you,” I managed, suddenly feeling shy.

“Now,” I said, clearing my throat. “Your turn.”

Klaz looked surprised. “My turn?”

“Can’t have you looking shabby next to all this finery,” I teased, gesturing to my dress. “Come on, big guy. Let’s find you a suit.”

I grabbed his hand, pulling him towards the men’s section. The saleswoman, sensing another sale, hurried over to assist us.

“Something classic,” I told her. “But with a bit of an edge.”

She nodded, pulling out a sleek black suit with subtle red accents. “How about this?”

I looked to Klaz, who shrugged. “Go on,” I urged. “Try it on.”

He disappeared into the dressing room, emerging a few minutes later. The suit fit him perfectly, accentuating his broad shoulders and trim waist.

“Well?” Klaz asked, amusement in his voice.

I swallowed hard, suddenly very aware of how attracted I was to this man. “You clean up nice,” I managed, aiming for nonchalance.

Klaz smirked, seeing right through me. “I think this will do,” he said to the saleswoman.

As we made our purchases, I stole glances at Klaz. The formal wear had transformed him, highlighting the dangerous grace that always lurked beneath the surface.

I let myself imagine what it would be like if this were real - if we were just a normal couple, preparing for a night out.

But the weight of the anklet around my leg brought me crashing back to reality. We weren’t normal. We weren’t even free.

But as Klaz’s hand found mine, squeezing gently, I realized that maybe, just maybe, we could be something more than partners in crime.