First Reply The Smuggler and the Flame

[Kaelon Virex]

He stood, walked slowly to the wide window behind the desk, arms behind his back like he needed to process… which he did.

Because godsdammit, she was good.

Smart. Beautiful. Controlled. Dangerous.
Everything that used to turn him into a puddle with a heartbeat and a smirk.
And right now? She was offering gold-plated shackles in the form of a business proposal.

He hated how tempting it sounded.

 

[Arq*]

"Kaelie, darling, this is where you don't breathe wrong."
Arq's voice chimed softly from the intercom — he was watching through the hallway cam, of course.
"Remember what I told you: don't show your hand unless you're sure theirs isn't a vibroblade under the table."

 

[Kaelon Virex]

Kael glanced down and clicked the comm once — a silent reply.
Arq was right. But the real question was:
Do I tell Sommer?
She'd kill him for entertaining this. But if he dismissed it outright, and Therin's backers came harder later, they might lose their edge entirely.


This wasn't a bribe.
This was a threat wearing perfume.

"Tell your consortium," Kael finally said, turning back toward her, "that their timing's cute. But this club doesn't sell. Not to shadow firms. Not while Sommer's name is on the walls."

Therin approached him slowly — close enough that he caught the scent of warm spice and some perfume he'd definitely smuggled years ago on a pleasure cruiser.

"Is it Sommer's name that matters…" she said, her voice soft as a secret, "or yours now?"

Kael's heart thudded once — louder than he liked.

She knew. Not everything, but enough.

He smiled, but it was the dangerous kind.

"I'm just the karking babysitter. You want something sold? Try the kitchen droid."

She leaned in. "You'll change your mind."

He stepped back. "You'll lose your balance."

Therin laughed — light, delighted. She turned for the door with no further protest. But just before she left, she looked over her shoulder.

"Let Sommer know… if she comes back late, the Veil might already be part of something bigger. It's business. Nothing personal."

And then she was gone.

 

[Arq*]

Arq entered the room a few moments later, arms full of outfit changes, a half-drunk caf, and a datapad he immediately tossed onto the couch.

"She's corporate," Arq said. "But not basic. She's bait, Kael. Pretty bait. Wrapped in words and stock options."

 

[Kaelon Virex]

Kael nodded. "I know."

 

[Arq*]

Arq raised a brow. "You gonna tell Sommer?"

 

[Kaelon Virex]

Kael didn't answer for a long time.

Then: "Not yet."

 

[Arq*]

Arq looked like he wanted to argue.


But then he smiled slyly. "Good. Now you're playing."