Page 36 of Star Crossed Delta
Which only served to challenge and drive Mak harder, fueling his lightning-fast conditioning.
Mak lunged at Kaal, who flew into the air with a roundhouse kick with the uncanny ability to appear light as a feather despite his brawn.
It hit Mak dead in the chest, and he lifted a hand to call a halt to catch his breath.
‘I win, again.’
Mak raised a middle finger to his brother. ‘That’s because I let you.’
Kaal’s eyes narrowed. ‘ Nada , that’s because whatever you’re thinking about messed your reflexes. Want to talk about it?’
Mak took a drag of water from his bottle before turning to him.
‘Nope. I do want to discuss business. Any word on Nightshade and Phantom Codex?’
Kaal and the rest of the Signet pack had embarked on a covert operation in the last few weeks, working tirelessly to gather intel on the nefarious organization.
Mak huffed as he noted the glint of triumph in Kaal’s eyes as he tracked to his bag and back with his comm tab.
‘We’ve struck gold, brother,’ Kaal growled.
‘We’ve uncovered a web of deceit and corruption that stretched far beyond our initial suspicions, reaching into the highest echelons of power and influence.
Additionally, Codex was responsible for hiring the sachem hit and for ongoing sabotage, DarkNet schemes, and cyber-attacks against Signet and Sauvage’s secure networks.
We’ve repelled the incursions pretty much every time.
I have proof of their illegal dealings, connections to criminal enterprises, and plans to manipulate governments for their gain. ’
Mak studied the documents on the screen Kaal held out to him. Each tab was filled with damning evidence.
‘Zolan is not involved, is he?’ Mak grumbled.
‘Why’d you ask?’
‘He might have warned us about Nightshade, but I’ve often wondered if he’d been influenced by them whatsoever.’
Kaal lifted a brow but shook his head. ‘ Nada , the ratbag’s clear.’
‘Good, I have no desire to ratchet our already strained rivalry. Keep him away from my woman, though,’ Mak growled. ‘I swear if I find him near my wife ever again, I’ll slit his throat.’
Kaal gave Mak a close, long look. ‘That sounded territorial as fokk . You’re starting to like her.’
Mak clenched his jaw. Nada . The reality was way more life-shattering.
He was beginning to fall in love with Saba.
He shot Kaal a warning look and ignored his insinuation. ‘Who runs Phantom Codex?’
‘Some shady guy called Deimos Vale. He’s ex-Accord, and his ship has been lurking on the edges of the flotilla, tagging along for the ride to Pegasi.’
‘I want to set my eyes on him. Also, see if we can pinpoint his weaknesses.’
Kaal arched a brow. ‘I’ll see what I can do.’
SABA
‘How is work going?’ Saba asked one evening as they sat at dinner.
Mak glanced up from his plate, his knife and fork held in a pause.
He tilted his head back and studied her for a long moment. ‘It’s a fokkin ’ battle every day.’
He revealed his issues with some of his legal contracts, those related to holdings owned by both the Sauvage and Signet corporations.
He outlined the challenges of managing a crew of thousands under immense pressure.
Including the constant demands of keeping The Sombra and its fleet of shipbuilders, armed skiffs, and gunships afloat.
Also, what it took to maintain security for the flotilla amid the headwinds of enemy and sachem attacks.
Saba listened as he shared his frustrations and some anecdotal incidents from the last week.
It was the most talkative he’d been with her, and she savored the moment.
As his guarded demeanor melted away to unveil a warm, witty, and fokkin ’ attractive man underneath.
It was more than she could have ever asked for.
Silence fell for a beat when he ended until she reached across the table and placed her hand on his.
‘Mak, you’re a warrior with wit,’ she murmured. ‘I admire that, and the work you do.’
He narrowed his eyes and cocked a brow.
‘ Sante , Saba,’ he muttered, his voice thick with emotion.
He leaned back into his chair with a sigh. Soon after, however, a smile played on his lips.
‘It’s not all doom and gloom,’ he rasped. ‘We’re making some fokkin ’ progress on the Nightshade matter. There’s something I require your help with.’
She raised both brows, surprised. ‘What exactly?’
‘I need a beautiful woman on my arm for an event.’
She fixed her eyes on him with a flirtatious smirk. ‘What are you paying for the privilege?’
Mak’s mouth quirked at her response, a glint in his eyes. ‘A front-row seat view to how I work and all the diamonds you can ask for, dripping all over you.’
‘Sound enticing. Count me in.’
‘Hell yeah,’ he rasped.
‘I can’t wait.’
Their eyes connected for a beat longer.
The conversation drifted to more lighthearted topics, laughter mingling with the soft clinking of silverware.
Saba was imbued with a sense of contentment.
Maybe this unexpected union, this coerced connection, had a chance after all.
MAK
Mak sat back, eyes on his wife as she indulged in dessert.
He sipped on a neat brandy de Jerez , an aged oak barrel digestiv, savoring the rich and complex flavor profile of vanilla, dried fruits, and spices.
In his other hand was a synth cheroot which he smoked, eyes heat-seeking and locked on her.
She was oblivious to him as she moaned over her apple pie and ice cream bowl.
Freakin’ adorable.
Mak was beginning to live for her smile and the husky sounds under her breath, exclamations, joyous gasps, and tiny laughs. They were downright uplifting.
He also found himself rushing back through the Sombra to the lodge each evening after work, eager to be close to her.
Loving how it made him so languid and fokkin ’ relaxed.
Although he sometimes fell victim to his inner darkness and doubts, his trust in her grew.
He cherished her mind and her unwavering drive to learn and grow.
She obsessed over something until she mastered it.
Of late, she had been working on a slew of long-forgotten dishes from ancient recipe scrolls she had found in their library.
The result was meals of otherworldly, untamed flavors that were, at times, stunningly delicious.
He admired her body, her curves, her soft skin, and her wavy tresses, which he always wanted to run his hands through.
Saba likewise had the best ass of the flotilla, rounded and with perfect proportions.
However, it was her face and eyes, when she gazed up at him, that had him in the feels.
He also appreciated her sanity in the face of his dark moods.
She was always sensible and calm, steadying him in the ocean of his unrestrained emotions.
She compelled him to strive to be a better man, reconsider his revenge against her family, and approach life with greater optimism.
She was reeling him in, and he welcomed the lure, ready for more with her.
If she’d have him.