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Click.

Followed by the whine of the next laser energy charge cycling up.

She took a shaky breath. ‘What are you playing at, Eugene? Put that toy away.’

He ignored her, waving the firearm at her.

‘Are they our enemy?’ he drawled. ‘Or are they not?’

Click.

She didn’t flinch, but her jaw locked so tight her molars ached.

Click.

‘You’re bold,’ he muttered. ‘Always were. It’s what I like most about you.’

Click.

The weapon fired.

This time for real, blinding light flaring from the barrel

Suddenly, arms went around her, unseen, and she was enveloped in a grip of muscled strength.

Her body was shifted to the side, as Eugene’s pulse laser blasted past her temple, close enough to singe the skin.

Milliseconds later, the grasp around her shoulders released, and the sensation of the arms enfolding her disappeared.

She fought a gasp even as Eugene grinned up at her, lounging back like he hadn’t just played a dicey dance with her life.

Somehow, he hadn’t sensed any other presence in the room.

The weapon vanished into the folds of his velvet coat as if it had never existed.

She thought she saw a flash of violet lightning pulsing in the air, but when she blinked, it was gone.

What in Hades’ hell?

Eugene was speaking, and still swaying, she fought to focus on him.

‘You work for me,’ he murmured, his words razor-edged now. ‘So does your father. Your mother. Your brother. Your best friend Lelah, in hydroponics.’

The threat was as soft as silk and as cold as death.

He tossed his cigar to the floor, reached beside him, lifted a chrome briefcase, and flipped it open with a flick of his lotioned hand.

Revealing stacks of high-denomination schills plus a notary scroll bearing the commission crest was already marked with his sigil.

‘Go to Alexandr Roman on the down-low. Buy us a ship, one of his new Class-4 interceptors. If you say one word about illegal weapons, if you embarrass me or cost us this deal -.’

His smile shifted into a cruel, menacing slash.

‘Don’t come back.’

She stared at the valise. At the burden of blood and obedience inside.

Her hands were shaking when she took it.