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“You’re missing the point, Booby. I don’t do much as it is.”

“You explore and adventure in space. You talk to me. I cannot lose your friendship.”

Talyn’s smile held a hint of sadness. “I’ll still be here.”

“Your body will be but nothing else. We will have to start again. It would be like meeting a stranger.”

“What’s to say you’re not bored with me? You might like a new pilot.”

“I understand your attempt at humor. I don’t find it funny. Do not go through an expunge.”

“I give the orders around here, Booby. I should have done it a long time ago. I’d have no voices in my head, and I wouldn’t have to cope with those conflicting feelings bouncing into me from people who can’t control themselves.”

“And you’d have a desire for nothing,” Booby said. “That includes Sinead. You will no longer care for her. You will feel nothing for anybody.”

“Which Sinead will find a bonus. She doesn’t want this relationship. She pushes away my feelings and my attempts to get through to her. If I do this, everyone’s problems are solved. Sinead can move on with her life.” When someone had an expunge, everything in their life was wiped clean. That included any partnership they had. Sinead would no longer be joined with him.

“This is wrong,” Booby said.

Despite having slept all day, exhaustion washed over Talyn. He was torn about going through an expunge but had to consider it. It had been in the back of his mind for some time. If he’d already had an expunge, he would never have messed with Sinead’s life. He’d have no desire for a mate, and they wouldn’t be in this situation.

“It’s a way to set me free and to set Sinead free. It would be like we never met.”

“If you’d never met Sinead, you’d have never found true peace or love. You’re going to give this up because it’s difficult, because you rushed into things and are struggling to find a way to make it work?”

Talyn closed his eyes. “I’m giving up because I should have done this a long time ago. This is simply another reason for me to get rid of something I can’t control. My ability is hurting others.”

“You’re giving up because you’re scared. Because you’re a coward.”

Talyn gritted his teeth. “I’m no coward. I’m making things right.”

Booby was silent.

He sucked in a breath. “This is the right thing to do.”

Chapter 13

“Are you still working?” Avril Anwell nudged Sinead as she walked past the back of her chair. “I’ve never seen you so focused.”

Sinead glanced up from her work. She’d been on a roll today, despite stressing out about Talyn and what had happened between them yesterday. “I had a great sleep. It’s amazing what it does for my productivity.”

“No kidding. You’ll have to share your secret.” Avril smiled at her.

“Oh, it’s nothing. A lucky break. It won’t happen again.” At least, it wouldn’t if she kept running from Talyn and the intoxicating stroke of his skin against hers.

“It’s a guy,” Kendra Hilton said from her seat on the other side of the desk. “I bet that’s what’s got you more smiley than usual.”

Sinead looked away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I’ve been watching you. In between making all those awesome matches you send my way, you keep smiling as if you’re in on your own private joke. I know only one thing that makes me smile like that.”

“Then you have a dirty mind,” Sinead said.

Kendra laughed. “Come on. What gives? You weren’t around yesterday, and Vegas has no clue what you were up to. Is it a guy?”

Sinead glanced at Vegas’s empty office. She’d been out all day with Diadora, and Sinead was glad of it. She didn’t have a good excuse for why she’d vanished yesterday but knew she’d have to face the consequences soon.

“Is it a guy?” Avril asked. “I didn’t know you were seeing anybody.”