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A desire to rip off this jerk’s head filled Avel. Holly was making it clear that she wasn’t comfortable being around him, but he seemed oblivious to how she felt.

“Mind if I get out?” the Koob beside Avel said. “I need to use the restroom.”

Avel stood and let him out, straining to hear what the alpha douchebag lieutenant was saying to Holly.

Lieutenant Busby caught his eye and smirked before leaning closer to Holly and whispering something in her ear.

Avel forced himself to sit. As much as he longed to, it wasn’t wise to start a fight in a confined space, especially not with some idiot who had a laser strapped to his hip. He’d be dumb enough to discharge it and kill them all by blowing a hole in the ship.

Lieutenant Busby stood and strolled over to him. He sat in the seat emptied by the Koob. “She’s something else, isn’t she?”

Avel glanced at him. “Do you mean Holly?”

“First name terms already?” Lieutenant Busby chuckled. “She’s changed. When I knew her, she was so uptight. I had to take her out three times before I even got a kiss.”

Avel ground his teeth. “She’s a woman with high standards.”

Lieutenant Busby nudged him with his shoulder. “I call that frigid.”

“Were you together long?” Avel hated himself for asking, but his curiosity got the better of him.

“Sure, a while. She was one of my regular girls.” Lieutenant Busby nodded. “Holly was always so willing to please. And she’s dynamite in the kitchen. If you haven’t sampled her food, you need to get her to cook you a meal. Man, it’ll blow your mind. I kept her around for longer than I’d planned because of her food. And her cupcakes. Boy oh boy, I never thought I had a sweet tooth until I tasted one of Holly’s cupcakes.”

Avel grudgingly nodded.

Lieutenant Busby’s gaze ran over Avel. “How do you know her?”

Avel wasn’t sure how to answer that. “We have a business relationship.”

“Holly Lipinski running a business.” Lieutenant Busby laughed. “I never thought I’d see the day. She was so timid when we were together. She’d cower and nod and agree to anything I asked her. At first, it was endearing, but it got boring. She’s changed more than I realized.”

“It sounds like you don’t know her all that well. Holly’s great.”

Lieutenant Busby stared at him, his eyes narrowed. “Just a business relationship, you say?”

Avel nodded. “That’s right. How serious was it between you two?” He wanted to know everything about this jerk. From the way he spoke about Holly, he had no respect for her.

“She’d have married me if I’d asked, but I wasn’t interested in that.” Lieutenant Busby sank into the seat. “I kept telling her to smarten up her act. I warned her so many times what would happen if she didn’t sort herself out.”

“Holly seems sorted to me,” Avel said.

“She might have changed a bit but not enough to convince me to put a ring on it.” Lieutenant Busby leaned closer. “I still would, though.”

“You still would what?” Avel growled from the depths of his chest.

“Take her for a ride for old times’ sake.” Lieutenant Busby smirked. “She was always grateful for my attention. Maybe I can tempt her to the restroom and do her now. She can show me how grateful she is for being rescued.”

In his head, Avel had already lunged at Lieutenant Busby and ripped his throat out with his bare hands. He talked about Holly like she was an object he could use and throw away.

“Lieutenant Busby,” one of the troop members called. “We’ve got an incoming message. Another pickup.”

Lieutenant Busby patted Avel on the knee. “Catch you later.” He stood and sauntered over to his troop.

Avel bared his teeth. He hated and envied this guy. He’d been with Holly. He’d felt her love even though he didn’t deserve it. Avel wanted that. He wanted intimacy with Holly like they had this morning when waiting to be picked up. He wanted to feel her love. Avel wouldn’t screw around like this guy had done. He’d return it. He’d show her how incredible she was and keep showing her until she believed it.

No wonder she was full of doubt if this chump had spent months breaking her down and convincing her she was worthless.

Lieutenant Busby finished talking to his troop before wandering back to Holly. He took hold of her hands and tried to pull her out of her seat.