Fortune's Risk: A Star Thief Novella (Star Thief Chronicles #1.5) Read Online Free PDF

backside and Viktis’s gaze dropped to her perfect ass as she disappeared into the crowds. Two more men appeared from somewhere on the casino floor and flanked her as she exited.
    Viktis swallowed. That had been a little too close for comfort. He needed to shower off the grime he felt at her touch now. He nodded to Finn and Keva, and the trio quickly left the casino as well, pausing outside the building.
    Finn pulled them out of the way of a group of human tourists before saying, “I didn’t catch Kitty’s bodyguards when I arrived. Where were they hiding during the game?”
    “Next table over. Far enough away they can’t hear her, close enough to help if she gets into trouble. The woman’s smart.” Viktis shook his head, a frown twisting his features. He didn’t have the luxury of second thoughts, but meeting the woman in person had been…interesting.
    “She’s terrifying. I thought she was going to ravish me at the table a few times before you showed up,” Finn said.
    Keva cleared her throat. “I’ve never been that close to pure evil before. You could feel it rolling of her. And the way she looked at you guys…” She shuddered.
    Viktis nodded. “Yeah, we’re going to have to rein that in a bit. The lady is known for her conquests. Normally I wouldn’t mind, but…”
    Finn grinned. “Fragging the queen of the Cordozas probably isn’t very healthy, especially if you plan to screw her over later. Literally.”
    Viktis groaned. “You’re so punny.” He turned to Keva, eyebrows raised. “It’s time for Phase Two. Lieutenant, you ready?”
    Keva nodded. “Let’s get this over with. Captain, I’ll see you later.”
    Finn saluted automatically, quickly dropping his hand. “Sorry about that. Good luck, Lieutenant. We’re all counting on you.”

CHAPTER 5
    Viktis and Keva stepped into an empty elevator, and he pressed the button for the thirty-fourth floor.
    Kitty’s floor.
    He was no stranger to dangerous situations, often walking into them willingly. But usually he did them alone. This time he realized, as a sense of dread snaked through his belly and took up residence in his chest, it was different. If his plan didn’t work, more than just his own life would be on the line.
    Soft music filled the space. Beside him, Keva let out a sigh. “Gods, these shoes are killing me.” She stepped out of her heels and curled her toes in the plush rug lining the elevator. “I hate dressing up,” she said. “Always makes me feel like I’m trying to be someone else.”
    Viktis let his gaze drop to the tantalizing bit of cleavage he could see. “But that dress suits you.” In so many ways.
    “My uniform suits me better.” She rubbed the back of her neck, her shoulders hunched around her ears.
    The girl was a bundle of nerves. If he didn’t calm her down, she’d never convince Kitty she was telling the truth. Viktis brushed her hand away. “Let me.”
    Keva stiffened as he curled his long fingers into the knotted muscles of her shoulders kneading gently, then a moment later, relaxed under his touch. She let out a shaky breath. “Don’t get any ideas, Pirate, but oh my gods that feels amazing.”
    He grinned, even though she couldn’t see him. “You are not the first woman to tell me that.”
    “You know what? I don’t even care. Just keep doing what you’re doing.” She let her head drop forward, giving Viktis better access.
    Her skin felt silky soft beneath his fingers, but there was a layer of hard muscle beneath. She definitely spent more than a few hours a week in the ship’s weight room. She could probably take him down pretty easily in a fight. The thought was strangely arousing.
    His fingers drifted down her upper back, rubbing deeply as he went.
    She arched her back, moaning softly.
    Viktis’s mouth went dry and he swallowed against the sudden sandpaper in his throat. He’d been telling the truth to Kitty. He couldn’t risk getting emotionally, or physically, involved with Keva.