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Ivy opened her eyes and smiled down at Karn. He was letting her in. Underneath his superspy veneer, she had a feeling Karn was a big softy. They’d need to work on his honesty, but Ivy had a few things that were overdue changing about herself. They could change together.

Karn’s gaze went to her stomach. “We have a lot to talk about.”

Ivy’s cheeks flushed. “I know. Even if things don’t work out between us, we’ll have to keep seeing each other. We need to keep things civil.”

“What are you talking about?” Marcus growled.

“Ivy’s having Karn’s baby,” Billy said.

Marcus’s jaw dropped. “What the hell? Why didn’t you tell me? I’d have gotten double the money for you at the alien auction if they knew you came with a kid. Aliens go crazy for human babies.”

Billy launched himself from his seat and head-butted Marcus.

Ivy kept a hand clamped on Karn, who struggled to join in the attack, despite being injured and restrained.

“Break it up.” The co-pilot jumped from her seat and yanked Billy off Marcus.

Marcus’s nose streamed with blood. “I’ll kill you for that.”

“Bring it on. No one sells Ivy, not even Karn.”

Ivy laughed. “You tell him, Billy.”

Karn’s glare softened as he looked away from Marcus and back at her. “I’ll never hurt you. Trust me. We can make this work. I want you in my life. I need you by my side.”

“We’re docking in five minutes,” the co-pilot said. “Behave yourselves until we’ve landed, or you’re all going in the cells for a week with no outside communications.”

Billy and Marcus both nodded as they continued to glare at each other.

“What do you reckon, Ivy Blain? Shall we give this love thing a go?” Karn asked.

Ivy leaned down and kissed his lips. “If you mess me around, I’ll slice your balls off and wear them as earrings.”

Karn sputtered a laugh. “I thought you might say something like that. That’s a look I hope you never get to wear.”

“You two make me sick,” Marcus muttered. His voice sounded thick through his swollen nose.

“Shut up,” Billy, Karn, and Ivy said at the same time.

As the ship docked at Prodigy, some of Ivy’s happiness faded. They would have to answer for what they’d done.

The docking ramp slid down. Ivy glanced out and grimaced. Diadora waited at the bottom of the ramp.

The station security team escorted Marcus out. One guard assisted Karn while keeping Billy in front of him.

“Don’t miss me too much.” Karn winked at Ivy as he was taken away.

She wanted to go with him, but Diadora stood in her way, her arms folded. “Hold that prisoner.” She pointed to Karn.

The security team exchanged a glance. Everyone knew Diadora’s scary reputation.

“He needs treatment,” the foolishly brave female co-pilot said.

“I don’t see any injuries that he’ll die of in the next half an hour. This alien has interfered with My Single Alien. I require answers.”

“Five minutes won’t hurt.” The security team took a step back.

“Alone,” Diadora said. “This is confidential. If he causes trouble, I have the means to restrain him.” She removed her glove to show her metallic fingers.