Domik settled his hands on his knees and stared at the warrior who was a friend and confidant. “I have a request.”
Zac waved a hand for him to continue.
“I was recently contacted by Taurus High Command. They want me based on Taurus. In a weapons research and development position.”
Domik watched as his commander and friend nodded.
“And you want to accept.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes.”
Zac leaned back in his chair, one foot lifting to rest on his knee, arms crossed. He leveled an assessing gaze at the big weapons specialist. “Are you sure about this? Won’t you miss the action?”
Domik huffed out a laugh, getting a raised eyebrow from Zac in response.
“I am sure.”
“Have you spoken to CJ about this?” Zac asked.
Domik sat up straight in the chair, eyes narrowing. “Why would I need to do that?”
“Domik, you don’t need to hide with me. I’ve known for months how you feel about her.”
He had? What else had Zac noticed?
A hand landed on Domik’s shoulder, and he turned to look at his brother Oren. “We’ve all known how you feel about her.” He gave his shoulder a shake before pulling up a chair and dropping into it.
“What?” Domik looked between Zac and Oren, suppressing a groan when T’arq appeared to pull up a crate and perch on it with his legs stretched out in front of him.
“Will you teach me how to play chess, CJ?” T’arq mocked, pulling a face.
Domik glared at him, balling his hands into fists.
“That’s enough,” Zac said, before turning to Domik. “He has a point, though. You have genius level intellect. We all know you can thrash us at any game of tactics. Because you have. Repeatedly.”
Oren laughed. “But her? You never win a game. Ever.”
Domik crossed his arms over his chest, glaring at them all.
Bastards. Why won’t they just shut the hell up?
“You will not be able to glare your way out of this one, Domik,” Zac smiled, leaning forward and pushing a flask toward him. “Here.”
Domik took the flask and uncapped it, taking a swig of the fiery spirits and grimacing at the taste.
“That’s the stuff,” said T’arq, holding a hand out for the flask which Domik happily surrendered.
“That’s awful,” he gasped.
“Yep,” said T’arq, wiping his mouth. “But it sure takes your mind off what you need to do next.”
Domik must have looked confused.
“Tell her you love her.”
Domik held out a hand for the flask, and the three warriors who were his closest friends in the world laughed.
* * *
