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“No! Don’t let her out.”

He tied a cloth over the Gente’s mouth. “Just remember, you make a sound, it’s your funeral.”

Striker left the room and hurried along the other side of the corridor. He checked the next room, which was empty. He tried the final door on that side, but it wouldn’t open. He bent down and was checking the access panel, when the door sprung open.

Wren launched herself out, a thin metal bar held over her head as she threw herself at him. Her eyes widened, and she jerked away just before the bar made contact with his face.

Striker grabbed her by the shoulders, his pulse hammering. “Wren! Fuck! Why are you attacking me?”

She threw her arms around him. Her whole body trembled as he held her close. “I thought you were a bounty hunter back to finish me off. The one who got me, he threatened... well, to do all sorts of gross things. I wasn’t letting him touch me.”

Striker clutched her against his chest, feeling her pounding heart pressed against his. “It’s all good. I’m here. No one can hurt you now.”

She pulled back. “We’re on board a ship flying to who knows where. We’re still not safe.”

He grinned as he pushed her hair off her face. “I can get us out of any mess.”

“Cockiness doesn’t guarantee success.”

“I have the skills to back up my claim.” He was stroking her hair, unable to stop from touching her to make sure she wasn’t hurt. “You weren’t giving up.”

“Of course not. I won’t let anyone sell me in some sick auction.”

He fisted his hand in her hair. “I’d have bought you. You’d make a nice prize.”

“Quit the funnies. I was handling things.” Her wide-eyed gaze ran over his face. “How did you get on the ship?”

“I’d tell you, but you’d be so impressed you’d fall straight into my arms, and I need you focused on the mission.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “I can resist you.”

“Are you sure about that?” He lowered his head an inch, his mouth dangerously close to hers.

She huffed out a laugh. “You’re hot, but we’re in trouble, so I’m focusing on that. We have to get off this ship. And I’ve got an idea about how to do that.”

“I bet my idea’s better.” He’d do a hell of a lot to get a taste of her luscious mouth.

She whacked him in the chest. “Striker! Enough with the arrogant act.”

“Nope. And it’s not an act. How about we steal ourselves a ship and return to the Apocalypse with a cargo full of animals?”

Chapter 6

“What? There are animals on board?” Wren clung to Striker as she stared into his eyes. “Don’t kid me about this. This has been one hell of a stressful day.”

“Thirty of them. Jammed in tiny cages stacked on top of each other. Some aren’t doing so well,” Striker said.

“We have to get them off here,” she said.

“And to do that, we need to take the ship. I’ve already disabled one bounty hunter. How many have you seen?”

“Only the one who took me.” Wren loosened her grip on Striker’s arm. She didn’t want him to think she needed him, but she was grateful for the rescue.

“Have you heard anyone else since you’ve been on board?” Striker held onto her elbow as he guided along the corridor, his touch gentle as if he was worried she might break.

“Maybe two more on board. And someone must be flying this thing.”

“So, we could be dealing with another three Gente,” he said. “That’s not a problem.”