Chapter 31

Chapter

Thirty-One

Maxxon

T he 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 each other, 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.

But by leaving, I was also saving the friendship. This way, we would always have the past, and it would never be ruined by the woman who had come between us, even if Varek would never know that.

With a heavy heart, I completed the final preparations, raising the boarding ramp and hearing the resounding thud. Then there was something else, an unexpected sound from within the ship. I froze, straining my ears. There it was again—a soft rustling.

I jumped up, moving cautiously through the vessel's interior. I braced myself for confrontation, half-expecting to find a Drexian official demanding an explanation for my unauthorized departure. But the main cabin was empty, silent save for the faint hum of the ship's systems.

I was about to chalk it up to an overactive imagination when another muffled sound reached my ears. My gaze locked onto the door of a nearby storage closet, and I grabbed the blaster from my waist. In one swift motion, I yanked open the door and leveled my blaster, ready to face whatever—or whoever—was hiding inside.

"What the grek ?" I almost dropped my blaster.

Allie was crouched in the small space, her thin dress rumpled and her hair wet. She looked up at me with startled eyes that mirrored my own shock.

"What are you doing here?" I managed to ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

She stepped from the closet, blinking rapidly as if she'd just seen an apparition. "What are you ?" Her voice wavered. "They told me you left."

"I went to Earth to find you," I explained, the words tumbling from my mouth. "But your neighbor told me you'd signed up to be a tribute."

"I came here to find you." Her lower lip quivered. "But I couldn't find you, they told me you'd left, and it's all gone wrong so I was running away."

In that moment, I was overcome by the need to protect her just like I had on Earth, to shield her from whatever had driven her to hide in a storage closet on a transport ship. Without thinking, I held out my hand. "Then you can run away with me."

I barely had time to register her movement before Allie launched herself into my arms. Her legs wrapped around my waist, the sudden impact forcing me back a few steps. I instinctively grabbed her to keep her from falling as she crushed her mouth to mine.