Page 65 of Solan

“That’s not how this works,” Vegas said. “Diadora, give him his money back.”

Diadora tapped her fingers on her arm and smirked at Vegas. “He paid an excellent price for you.”

“He paid for something that wasn’t for sale.” Vegas scowled at Diadora. This monster was going to sell her down the space river. She hoped Diadora choked on the money. As if she had any plans to use the funds for the station or the business. She was probably going to get an upgrade for her arm. Or look into surgery to see if they could thaw her frozen heart. Evil bitch.

“You should not have presented yourself to me if you did not wish to be chosen,” Boros said.

“I presented you with nothing,” Vegas spat. “This ends, now. The deal is off.” She looked at Diadora, who stood with her arms crossed, her expression blank. “Make this stop.”

Diadora shrugged. “If the Galaxars wish to fight for you, then who am I to stop them?” Her gaze slid over Vegas. “But I am not certain of the appeal.”

Vegas shook her head. Diadora was a stone-cold horror.

Before she had time to imagine the horrible ways she wanted Diadora to die, Solan’s arm wrapped around her waist and lifted her off her feet before setting her against the wall.

“What are you doing?”

“Keeping you safe,” Solan said. “Stay out of the way. Boros and his guards will attack you if you try to protect me.”

“You can’t fight them on your own.” Vegas’s anxious gaze shot to Boros. “There are too many of them. He’ll kill you.”

Solan pressed a quick kiss to her forehead. “You underestimate me. You have not seen me in battle before.”

“He’s a brigadier,” Vegas whispered.

“Which means he’s gotten fat and slow by issuing orders to other Galaxars.” Solan stared into Vegas’s eyes. The intensity made her heart skip a beat. “I will beat him. For you, I will beat him so we can be together.” His lips brushed hers before he turned and strode back to Boros.

Vegas stayed by the wall. Solan was a born fighter. She’d seen images of him in battle. But she’d never expected to see it up close. She couldn’t risk him being killed because he was protecting her.

She took a step forward, but a vice-like grip on her upper arm stopped her from getting any closer.

“My advice is to stay out of the way,” Diadora muttered. “You cannot help your Galaxar. He has made his decision to fight. A Galaxar does not back down once a challenge has been accepted.”

Vegas tried to shake off her grip, but Diadora remained clamped on her arm. “We wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for you. How could you make a deal like this?”

Diadora’s gaze flicked around the corridor. “The space station is on its knees. Earth is not providing the funding we need to keep it operational.”

“What do you mean?” Vegas kept her attention on Solan and Boros, who were staring each other down. The air around them simmered with anger. Several other aliens had stopped farther along the corridor, watching the fight as it brewed.

“I mean, the money Boros provided me with will save this place. I can also employ more staff for My Single Alien. It would also mean you would have the break you keep bleating about.”

Vegas stared at her. “You really took that money to safeguard this place?”

“I’m not such a stone-faced bitch as you think I am.” Diadora leaned closer until her mouth was by Vegas’s ear. “Don’t let anybody else know that.” She dropped her hold on Vegas’s arm.

Vegas took a step away. Was she serious? Diadora actually cared? This was too much to handle. No matter her reason, there was no way in this star system Vegas would be Boros’s mate.

“We still have to stop them,” Vegas said. “Boros and Solan can’t fight.”

“I’m surprised you don’t think it’s romantic,” Diadora said, “two Galaxars fighting over you. I’ve seen your screen saver; I know how into Solan you are. This must be like all your fantasies coming true.”

A growl of anger from Solan had Vegas spinning on her heel. This time, Diadora didn’t stop her from approaching the angry Galaxars. Before she’d reached Solan, Boros’s blade flashed through the air.

Vegas staggered back with a horrified gasp, expecting to see Solan’s blood splashed on the floor. She blinked several times. There was nothing.

Her heart leaped. He’d avoided the blade.

Solan ducked and spun, avoiding Boros and his guards as they stabbed and sliced at him.