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

This mission was too important to risk that kind of fallout. Even though his fingers itched to slowly tug the zipper of her dress down until it bared more of her velvety skin—and if it hit the carpet, well, it looked better on the floor anyway.
    That was also another problem. She’d never shown even the slightest bit of interest in him. She didn’t even flirt back when he tried. He’d never admit it, but it kind of injured his pride. Was she just not interested? Or was it something else?
    The elevator dinged as it came to a stop on their floor. The doors slid open and Keva straightened, stepping away from Viktis. “Thanks,” she said, rolling her neck. “Nothing like a pair of heels to throw your spine completely out of alignment.”
    That’s not the only thing they’d thrown out of alignment, he thought, shifting to hide the sudden bulge in his tux pants. Viktis cleared his throat. “Your stop, Lieutenant. I’ll be one floor up, monitoring the conversation.”
    She nodded and tapped the silver pendant around her neck. “Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.” Keva glanced down the empty corridor before turning back to Viktis, a troubled expression marring her lovely features. “Look, are you sure we’re doing the right thing? She’s a dangerous woman, and with Myka and Dr. Aldani, we can’t risk getting caught.”
    “I know. The timing is awful. But this is our best shot. The woman rarely leaves her compound on Hesperia. This is the first time she’s been accessible in two years. It will be okay. I promise.”
    “I wish I could believe you.” Keva sighed. “Guess there’s only one way to find out.” She squared her shoulders and started down the hall.
    Viktis watched her, enjoying the view as she walked away. Nothing like a finely sculpted ass to make a man’s pants tight in places they normally weren’t. His physical reaction to Keva was uncomfortable, constantly jumping to attention without release, but this was business. And a wise man didn’t mix business with pleasure, although Viktis knew – beyond a shadow of a doubt – that doing the horizontal mambo with Keva would be nothing short of amazing. But now was not the time to indulge in fantasies. He needed to get back upstairs and monitor her comm. To keep her safe.”
    He let the elevator doors slide shut and adjusted himself again. It was going to be a long night—just not the kind he preferred.

    Kitty Cordoza had reserved an entire floor of the hotel for herself and her entourage. The only sound in the hallway was the hum of air recyclers and Keva’s heels thumping softly on the carpet as she walked. The silence made her skin prickle. She’d bet her blaster she was being watched. And not just by Viktis.
    She shook her head. The man drove her crazy with his constant flirting and innuendoes. Mostly because she was horrible at both. And he was always laughing at her, like he thought she was some kind of joke.
    Keva adjusted the too-tight dress and tugged at the holster on her thigh. It didn’t help that she felt completely exposed in this outfit. It was ridiculous the things some women would wear. She’d much prefer her uniform and boots. At least she could move in them. Right now she felt like a tied up tastar pig waiting for slaughter.
    She shook her head. Not too far from the truth, since she was walking into the Black Widow’s lair. Why had she agreed to help Viktis? She didn’t even like the man.
    Liar , a small part of her brain whispered. Fine. She liked him. A smidgen. At least enough to have sex with—provided he could shut up for that long. But one night stands with handsome pirates weren’t exactly her thing. She frowned. Maybe they should be. When this was all over, she was going to have to seriously reevaluate her life choices.
    If she lived that long.
    All too soon, she’d reached Kitty’s door. Keva paused, her hand poised to rap on the façade. The dim lighting in the hallway cast shadows that perpetuated the