“Why are you following me?” Zane gestured to the crowds around them. The room swam with the movement, but his head was already clearer than it’d been at the bar. “If you’re trying to stay hidden, you’re not very good at it.”
“Shut up and listen.”
Zane raised his eyebrows. She was fiery. Unexpected. “Manners, Princessa.”
Scowling, she jerked her head towards a wall of shadowy alcoves by the gambling tables. “Can we talk?”
Zane checked the chrono on his wrist. Half past midnight. All part of the show, so he didn’t look too desperate to hear her inevitable offer.
“My date’s waiting for me. I don’t think she’d be too happy to see me with another woman?—”
“Yes, I saw the two of you.” Hannover’s voice dripped with disdain. “I promise it’ll be worth your while.”
“In that case, lead the way.”
The alcoves in the back were the size of small rooms, meant for guests who wanted a private meeting with their mistresses or showgirls. Zane couldn’t help but snort at the wary, disgusted look on Hannover’s face. The wealthy reserved that expression for those they considered common rabble, but the people sitting in the other alcoves were all from the elite class her snobby family belonged to.
She slid into one side of the alcove’s rounded booth, shooting a pointed look at the other side. Her message was clear: there was no way he was sitting beside her.
Zane considered doing it anyway, just to piss her off. It would be a small measure of payback for all the Dalian royals had stolen from him.
Common sense won out. He took a seat on the opposite side and unhooked the gauzy curtains to conceal them from view.
Her wary expression didn’t waver.
“Relax. I don’t bite.” Zane spread his hands. “So, what brings you looking for me? I’m flattered, by the way, that you were so charmed that you decided to track me down?—”
“Oh, for Azura’s sake.” Hannover blew out an exasperated breath. “We both know why I’m here. Name your price.”
Zane grinned. “Anything?”
She glanced at the bar, where Crea lounged on his vacant stool. Her lips twisted into a grimace. “Within reason.”
Leaning back, Zane rested his arms behind his head. He’d thought he would have to remind her that he could expose her, maybe threaten to turn her in to Carik, then haggle over whatever pittance she offered him. But this was so easy. A raucous cheer rang out beyond them. It came from the travar tables this time, judging by the young man pumping his fist into the air.
Zane pulled a scrap of paper from his pocket, jotted down an obscene number of credits, and slid it across the table.
Her mouth fell open. She’d probably been expecting a request for a million credits, maybe five. Nowhere near the figure he’d written.
“That’s… an oddly specific amount of money.”
“Not really.” Zane drummed his foot against the floor, making a show of indifference “And I want a Dalian barony. Let’s say… Avington.”
Her eyes bulged.
“I’ll accept a payment plan.”
Setting the paper down, Hannover slumped against the booth. “I can… I can get you the money. If there’s a comm center onboard, I can ask my uncle to wire you a down payment?—”
“Word of advice. When you’re on the run, sending a message is like holding up a neon sign telling them where to find you.” As she raised her eyebrows, Zane shrugged. “Wouldn’t want anything to happen to my money.”
“Right.” Hannover swiped a hand over her face, breathing out slowly. “Okay. When we land on Aquis and I’m safe, I’ll have him send you the first installment. But the barony… I can’t just take a barony from its ruler?—”
“Your family’s done it before.”
Her bloodshot eyes narrowed to slivers, and he met her scrutinizing gaze with the weight of two decades of resentment. Some of his pent-up rage must’ve shown on his face, because she pressed against the wall, glancing at the crowded room beyond them.
“There are protocols to follow, people to consult. I can’t replace a baron without just cause, and I’d need the support of the count in charge of that region.”
