Chapter 1
The stars blurred into streaks of light as The Crimson Dagger shot through hyperspace. KayT leaned against the rail of the crew's observation deck, staring out at the swirling colours. The hum of the engines was soothing, but it couldn't mask the simmering anticipation thrumming through her body. They were approaching Vaylax--the final leg of a mission that promised riches and power beyond imagination.
The Heart of Vaylax. She had heard rumors of it for years, the whispers growing louder with each job she and the crew took. Some said it was a weapon; others believed it held the key to controlling entire star systems. But to KayT, it was an opportunity--a priceless prize she would get her hands on, no matter the cost.
Her reflection stared back at her from the glass--bright green eyes that always carried a flicker of mischief, full lips that could curve into a sultry smile or twist in amusement. The black jumpsuit she wore clung to her body, accentuating the curves she had never hesitated to use to her advantage. Her long auburn hair cascaded over one shoulder, a tangle of seduction waiting to be unleashed.
"KayT, Captain wants to see you in the briefing room," a voice called behind her. It was Jyn, the ship's first mate and electronics wiz. Tall, dark-haired, and ever-so-serious. KayT had teased him more than once, but Jyn knew better than to mix business with pleasure--at least, for now.
"Thanks, darling," KayT replied, a sly smile tugging at her lips as she pushed off the rail and sauntered past him. "Don't wait up."
Jyn rolled his eyes, though KayT could see the way his gaze lingered on her as she walked away. He wasn't the first man--or woman--on the ship to fall under her spell. But Jyn was a professional, and that made him predictable. Predictable wasn't useful to her right now.
The door to the briefing room slid open with a hiss. Inside, Captain Rex Blackthorn stood by the holomap, studying the layout of Vaylax's planetary defenses. He didn't look up when she entered, but she could sense the tension in the air. Blackthorn was always like that--cold, calculated, and infuriatingly aloof. He was the only one who didn't seem affected by her charm, and that made him a puzzle KayT was determined to solve one day.
"KayT," Blackthorn said, his voice rough but controlled. "We're about to enter Vaylax airspace. I assume you're ready?"
KayT sauntered over to the table, sliding her fingers across its surface as she circled around him. "Always ready, Captain," she purred. "The question is--are you ready for what comes next?"
His dark eyes finally met hers, a spark of something--irritation? Interest?--flashing across his face before he turned back to the holomap. "This isn't a game, KayT. We're walking into Consortium-controlled territory. One misstep, and we're dead."
KayT leaned against the table, arms crossed, a slow grin spreading across her face. "You worry too much, Blackthorn. That's what I'm here for, remember? To make sure things go smoothly."
He snorted. "Smooth isn't the word I'd use to describe you."
"Oh, come now. You know I'm your best shot at getting the chip," KayT said, stepping closer until she was standing just a little too close for comfort. "Captain Vero's expecting a meeting with a 'smuggler liaison.' He'll have no idea what hit him." Her voice dropped to a husky whisper. "Or who."
Blackthorn's jaw tightened. "Just make sure it doesn't get messy."
KayT flashed him a wicked smile, leaning back just as provocatively. "Oh, I always clean up my messes, Captain. You can count on that."
Without another word, she turned and left, a soft laugh escaping her lips. She could feel Blackthorn's eyes on her back, the tension in the air palpable. He tried to act like he was immune to her charms, but everyone had their breaking point. She knew it was only a matter of time before his composure cracked. But that was a game for another day.
For now, she had a different captain to seduce--and an artifact to steal.
The planet Vaylax loomed in the viewports as The Crimson Dagger descended through its atmosphere. The city of Vaylax, imaginatively named after the planet, stretched out below them, a sprawling metropolis of glittering spires and neon lights, all under the tight control of the Galactic Consortium. Somewhere beneath that facade of wealth and power was the key to finding the Heart of Vaylax, locked away in a vault only Captain Lex Vero had access to.
KayT stood in the airlock, checking her appearance one last time. Her jumpsuit had been replaced by a sleek, low-cut dress that left just enough to the imagination. Her hair fell in waves, framing her face perfectly. She looked every bit the part of a high-class smuggler ready to negotiate.
The hatch hissed open, and she stepped onto the landing platform, the cool night air of Vaylax brushing against her skin. A Consortium officer was waiting, his eyes widening slightly as he took her in. Good. She wanted them off-balance from the start.
"Captain Vero is waiting for you, miss," the officer stammered, trying to maintain his composure. KayT smiled sweetly and followed him through the corridors of the fortress.
Inside, the opulence was undeniable--crystal chandeliers, marble floors, and guards posted at every turn. But KayT wasn't here to admire the scenery. She had a job to do.
The doors to Vero's private quarters slid open, and there he was--tall, broad-shouldered, and impossibly handsome. His uniform was crisp, his expression unreadable. But KayT could see the hunger in his eyes the moment he saw her.
"KayT," he said, his voice smooth and dangerous. "I've been expecting you."
She smiled, stepping into the room with a graceful sway. "Captain Vero," she purred. "I'm sure we can come to an arrangement that benefits both of us."
As the doors closed behind her, KayT knew the game had begun. And she always played to win.
Chapter 2
The door slid shut with a soft hiss, sealing KayT inside Captain Lex Vero's private quarters. The room was dimly lit, with the soft glow of neon lights from the city below casting a blue hue across the sleek furniture and glass walls. Vero stood at the far end of the room, a drink in his hand, his eyes never leaving her.
KayT felt the tension in the air--a delicious mixture of anticipation and danger. She was playing with fire, and she loved every moment of it.
"Would you care for a drink?" Vero asked, his voice smooth but laced with control. He was trying to keep the upper hand, but KayT knew better. Men like Vero always thought they were in charge, right until the moment they realized they weren't.
She glided across the room with the grace of a dancer, her hips swaying slightly as she moved. "That depends," she replied, her voice soft and teasing. "What are we drinking to?"
