Page 165

Xander stood frozen before the blank screen, muscles locked, chest heaving with silent, blistering rage.

The air around him vibrated with heat, not from the ship’s systems, but from him.

From the fury rolling off him in waves.

Savvine’s bruised and bloodied face swam in his vision, as did the recall of her whisper, and her calm defiance, which burned his soul like a brand.

He let Miral lead him into his ready room, away from the curious eyes of theSombra’sjunior bridge crew.

They were joined by his pack, who took their places around his conference table and eyed him warily.

He let his emotions rip, his spectral form snarling above him.

‘He laid hands on her! I’ll tear the mofo apart myself.’

His untamed rage ripped through the room.

Kaal stepped back, brows arched.

Santi whistled in shock.

Even Miral, always unfazed, gave him a wary glance.

Xander paced the room like a caged beast, jaw clenched so tight that it pulsed.

His eyes were wild, his breath ragged.

‘She asked to take my racer for a spin. All she needed was some relief, and now thatfokkbot’s parading her on holo like a prize.’

Miral crossed her arms. ‘We have to act. Fast. We don’t know what that thing might do to her. I can take him.’

Xander stopped pacing. His head snapped up. ‘I’m coming with you.’

Miral arched a brow. ‘Xander -.’

‘I said I’m joining you.’ His command was hoarse and final. ‘He’s got my woman out there.’

A beat of silence.

Kaal’s smirk slid into place. ‘Your woman now, huh?’

Xander shot him a lethal glare, but it was too late.

Santi chuckled under his breath. ‘Fokk, he’s in deep.’

‘Neck deep,’ Boaz chimed from the shadows, arms folded with amusement.

‘He’s drowning,’ Kaal added, hand on his heart like he was narrating a tragedy, ‘underwater with no re-breather.’

Xander whirled on them, eyes blazing. ‘Shut your damn mouths.’

The room went quiet.

‘You saw her face. Heard the pain in her voice. This is nofokkin’ joke.’

His words hung like lead.

The bravado drained from his brothers’ faces.