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It was a hard life, traveling from planet to planet, playing to cheering crowds, but always winding up alone in some hotel room. Han got the impression that it had been a long time, perhaps years, since Xaverri had spent time with a man. She had many opportunities, but her natural reserve and suspicion made her resist involvements.

For the first time in his life, Han found that he was the person who had to open up, to try to get past barriers that made his own considerable emotional defenses seem puny. It was hard to do—several times he was tempted to quit, to give up his pursuit as hopeless.

But Xaverri intrigued and excited him. He wanted to get to know her, and he wanted her to trust him … even a little.

The third night he spent time with her, Xaverri gave him a quick kiss at the door to her room, before vanishing inside. Han went home smiling.

When he got ready to go out late the next night, Chewbacca rose to accompany him. Han held up a warning hand to the Wookiee. “Chewie, old buddy, you don’t have to come with me tonight.”

Chewbacca made a derisive sound. Han would get into trouble without him, he just knew it.

Han smiled, a slow, irresistible smile. “Yep. That’s what I’m hopin’, pal. I’m goin’ alone tonight. See you later. Much later—I hope.”

Smiling and whistling the beginning notes from Xaverri’s opening number, Han left his apartment and headed for The Chance Castle.

When he waited outside the door this night, Xaverri emerged, wearing a simple black and scarlet jumpsuit that set off her hair and skin. She looked pleased to see him, but glanced around, obviously searching for Chewbacca. “Where’s Chewie?”

Han took her arm. “He stayed home tonight. Tonight it’s just you and me, babe. If that’s okay.”

She looked at him, trying to look stern, then suddenly she smiled at him knowingly. “Solo, you’re a rogue, you know that?”

He smiled back. “I’m glad you noticed. That means I’m your kind of guy, right?”

She shook her head. “You never know.”

They went to one of the Hutt-owned casinos, and thanks to Han’s privileged status as Jabba and Jiliac’s pilot, they were given special treatment—free drinks, admission to special high-stakes games, plus good seats at the shows.

It was late before they left, and true night still reigned over this section of Nar Shaddaa. Han walked Xaverri back to her hotel. She asked him how he’d become partners with Chewie, and he found himself telling her about his time as an officer in the Imperial Navy.

“And so, after they threw me out,” he finished, “I found that I couldn’t get honest work as a pilot. I was blacklisted. I didn’t know where my next meal was coming from. But even though I got mad and ordered Chewie to go, he wouldn’t. Said a life debt is the most serious obligation a Wookiee can have. Even takes precedence over family ties.” He glanced at Xaverri. “Does that bother you that I was an Imperial officer? I know you hate the Empire.”

She shook her head. “No, it doesn’t bother me. You didn’t stay in long enough to get corrupted. For that, you should give thanks to whatever gods you believe in.”

Han shrugged. “I’m afraid that’s a real short list. Not even one entry,” he said, keeping it light. “What about you?”

She glanced at him, and her eyes were haunted. “Revenge is my religion, Solo. Revenge against the Empire for what they did to me … and mine.”

Han reached over and took her hand, gripped it strongly. “Tell me … if you can.”

She shook her head. “I can’t. I’ve never told anyone. I will never talk about it. If I did … I think it might kill me. I really do, Solo.”

“The Empire …” Han was guessing, “they killed your family?”

She drew a long breath, nodded, lips tightly pressed together. “Husband. Children,” she said flatly. “Yes. They killed them.”

“I’m sorry,” Han said. “I never knew my family. I’m not sure I had one. Sometimes, like now, I think that might not be such a bad thing.”

Xaverri shook her head. “I don’t know. You may be right, Solo. All I do know is that I never miss an opportunity to hurt them. My work takes me through the galaxy, and, believe me,