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“He will help me. I know he will.”

Ivy nodded. “Maybe he will.” This was a new side to Karn, a side she liked. He cared about another individual. She remembered how fondly he spoke of his brother. Karn was not as selfish as he made out he was.

She looked down at Karn. He didn’t seem in great shape. His skin kept changing color, going from white to blue. “Can someone take a look at Karn?”

The co-pilot turned in her seat. “He’s fine. We’ll get him treated when we’re back at the station.”

“You could at least untie him. He’s not doing any harm.”

“We ran his DNA. He’s wanted for more than a dozen crimes. Theft, escaping holding, breaking and entering, damaging private property, I could go on.”

“You don’t need to. I get he’s a big, bad criminal. He’s also an unconscious, injured criminal. He must be in pain.”

“He’s had something to numb the pain.”

“It’s nice to know you care,” Karn muttered.

Ivy dropped to her knees next to him. “I didn’t realize you were awake. How are you feeling?”

“Like I’ve been punched too many times, and someone shot me with a laser.”

“What were you thinking coming after me?”

“That you might need help and that you’d never ask for it.”

“I would have made sure she was okay,” Marcus said.

“You be quiet.” Ivy jabbed a finger at Marcus. “You were going to sell me to the aliens.”

“I’d have sold you to a nice alien.”

“Idiot,” Ivy muttered. She turned her attention back to Karn. “You’re in a lot of trouble.”

“It was worth it to make sure you’re safe.”

Ivy’s heart did a strange flip-flop. “I’d have managed on my own. Maybe Marcus is right, and I’d have found myself a sweet alien at the auction.”

“You’d have been sold to a Banti, and he’d have eaten you.”

Ivy grimaced. “Maybe. That worried me.”

“You don’t have to worry. I’ve got your back. Even when you don’t want me to, I’ll always keep an eye out for you.”

“Why?” Ivy stroked damp hair from Karn’s forehead. “I’m horrible to you.”

“You have your moments of being truly terrible, but you can also be sweet and funny. When you let your guard down, I see the real Ivy. The Ivy who loves animals and secretly eats chips. The Ivy before she got messed up by that loser over there.”

“You’re the loser,” Marcus snapped.

“I’ve warned you,” Ivy said. “I’ll get the security team to shoot you if you keep talking.”

“We won’t do that,” the co-pilot said.

Ivy glared at Marcus. “Karn’s right. You messed me up.”

Marcus shrugged. “You did okay when we were together.”

“As did you. Spending too much and taking advantage of everything I had.”