Maybe it wasn’t his real name. Although, why bother to lie?
His lips thinned. “It’s mine.”
Obviously a sore spot. She, better than most, understood that. “Good to meet you, Zaxe. I’ll be going now.” She pointed off in the other direction. “That’s where you came in. Backtrack and I’m sure you’ll find your way to wherever you came from. Stay out of Samar’s way and you’ll be fine.”
Her good deed for the day was done. Whoever Zaxe was, she needed to stay as far away from him as possible. She had enough problems of her own without getting involved with his.
It was harder than it should be to walk away from a man she barely knew, yet with each step she took, all her instincts screamed she was leaving behind something special. It was the same response she had when she stumbled on some new find on her trading route. Only those were things, items to barter and sell. It had never happened with a person.
Swallowing past the lump in her throat, she put one foot in front of the other. This was just another in a lifetime of difficult choices. It had to be the worry over her brother making her more fanciful and emotional. She’d never had any trouble walking away from a man before.
“I want to hire you.” His voice was closer than it should be. Quieter than a wild liger, a giant cat that stalked the mountains in the Western Territory, he’d somehow managed to be a few steps behind with her knowing.
Crossing her arms over her chest, she glared at him. “And just what is it you think I do?” He’d heard Samar’s insinuations. Zaxe wouldn’t be the first man to think he could offer her money for sex. While she didn’t look down on women who were forced by circumstances to do just that, from a young age, she’d vowed she’d find another way.
“Well?” A fist gripped her stomach, but she kept her back straight. The circumstances of her birth couldn’t be changed, but she had pride. Sometimes it was the only thing sustaining her.
“You’re a local and I need a guide. A thousand amants a day.” A light breeze gusted up, ruffling the edge of the cloak around his face.
That was a lot of money. “For what, exactly?” In her experience, if something seemed too good to be true, it was. There was no such thing as easy money.
“Not what you’re thinking.” He ran the tips of his fingers over her cheek. Warmth spread out from that point, radiating throughout her entire body. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, but I’d never disrespect you by insinuating you could be bought. I need a guide around the city. I need information. I can get it myself, but it will take less time if I have someone who knows where to look.”
It was the first time in her life someone other than her mother had told her she was beautiful. Not even her father or brother had ever said such a thing. Unusual, half-breed, different, bastard—those were the terms usually applied to her.
Don’t believe it.
This stranger was a smooth talker who wanted something from her. “A thousand a day. I do nothing but guide. Money for each day upfront.” She held out her hand.
“You want me to pay you now?” The slightly raised brows and tilt of his chin suggested he was more amused than offended.
“You want me to trust you. You have to trust I’ll show up tomorrow morning.”
He shook his head. “Tonight. The places I need to visit and people I need to see? It has to be tonight.”
More confirmation that this was a dangerous man likely up to no good. “Fifteen hundred.” If she was going to stick her neck out, it was going to cost him. “And I don’t go in anywhere I’m not comfortable.” There weren’t many, but there were a few places she wouldn’t step foot.
“Agreed.” Zaxe pulled out some money, counted out her fee, and handed it to her. “Meet me here at nine this evening.”
“Not here.” She took the money and stuffed it into her pants pocket. “The marketplace fountain at the opposite end. It’s easier to move to any section of the city from there.”
Zaxe held out his hand again. When she frowned, he shrugged. “I want to shake on the deal. Make it official.”
Didn’t matter to her one way or another. She still got paid. When her hand slipped into his, she realized it was a huge mistake. His large hand engulfed her smaller one. This was no pampered aristocrat. The skin was hard in places, calluses that only came from hard work. When she tried to withdraw, he tightened his hold and tugged her under an awning. The cooler shadows made her shiver. Or maybe it was Zaxe himself.
“I shouldn’t do this,” he muttered. Before she could ask what he meant, he lowered his head.
He’s going to kiss me.
She’d been kissed before, but only twice. Neither experience had been anything to get excited about. But this time, her heart raced, her breathing getting quicker, and he hadn’t even touched her beyond holding her hand.
Then his lips were on hers, firm and warm. Tingles spread down her neck and chest, making her nipples pucker. Her toes curled in her short leather boots.
He lifted his head and released her hand. “I’ll see you tonight.”
Wits scattered, all she could do was nod. He didn’t seem nearly as affected as her. And why would he? It was a simple kiss—fleeting and innocent—no different than one might share with a friend or relative. There was no real passion. Then why was she sweating?
Pull yourself together.
Determined to get back on equal footing, she called after him, “It would be easier if I knew who you were looking for.”
His gaze sharpened and there was a new alertness about him. “A man named Helldrick.”
It felt as though all the blood drained from her face. It shouldn’t come as such a shock, considering the way this day had gone. Did he know? Was that why he’d hired her?
Giving a curt nod, she walked away. As soon as she was out of sight, she broke into a run.
Chapter Three
Zaxe watched Jamaeh until she was out of sight, fighting the urge to go after her. She was Helldrick’s daughter. He knew it in his gut. Her hair and eyes were very distinctive, and the expression on her face when she’d heard the name was all the confirmation he needed.
“By the god Melton and his fiery hell,” he muttered. Melton was the god of the Zaxian version of Hell, and in this particular case, it seemed as though he’d fallen right into it. He took his communicator out of his pocket and pulled up the pictures he’d taken while he’d been on the rooftops following her. He had several excellent shots of her face.
It wouldn’t take him long to uncover all her secrets. He ignored the slight clutch in his gut. Information often meant the difference between success and failure. And he never failed.
A hush had fallen over the city, everyone retired inside for the next two or three hours. A few people shuffled along the street. Probably on their way home.
Keeping to the shadows as much as possible, Zaxe made his way toward the docking station. He kept the pace steady. Hurrying might attract attention, and he’d already garnered too much of that as it was.
You are your father’s son. The vendor’s words whispered in his ear. Zaxe clenched his back teeth and kept his attention on his surroundings as he left the more populated area of the city and reached the outskirts. He was alone, but it paid to stay alert.