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Wren turned away, heat traveling up to her cheeks. “He’s found his soul mate. It’s adorable.” She placed Dinky back on his bed and turned to Striker. Her heart sailed into her throat. He stood in front of her, his intense gaze sending shudders to her core.
“I don’t want you on this mission. It’s too risky,” he said.
“You heard Cleo. I’m needed. I’m the ship’s expert when it comes to these animals. I have to be there.”
His hands settled on her shoulders. “No, you don’t. We can link you in via remote comms. I’ll wear a head camera, so you see everything I do. You can monitor the conditions of the animals from a distance without risking your life.”
“Do you know how to treat a naxtic with shock? Or a toothless apex with a fever?”
“No, but you—”
“And what would happen if a jinty had a seizure? Do you apply heat or cold? Do they need an injection of hyrdotaxlin or minolin?”
“We’d figure things out. And I’d have Dallin with me. You can tell him everything you know.”
“If I had ten years, maybe I could. Striker, I know you don’t want me to get hurt, and I’ve got no plans to do that, but I have to be there.”
“No, you don’t. Say you’re busy with the new intake of animals and you can’t go. I’ve got this covered.”
She let out a sigh and rested her forehead against his broad chest. “I know why you’re doing this. And I appreciate you watching my back, but it’s decided. I’m on this mission whether you want me there or not.”
A growl rumbled through him. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.
She responded in kind, embracing him, holding him tight against her. He was her lifeline for now, but she wouldn’t get used to this. It was too risky to fall for Striker.
He kissed the top of her head. “I’ll do anything to keep you safe.”
“Let’s hope you won’t have to. We’ll figure out a way to sneak in, grab the animals, sneak out, and the Gente will be none the wiser. No one will get hurt. No shots will be fired, and the animals will be safe.”
“Is it ever that simple?”
She tightened her hold on him. “It isn’t usually, but it’s time we got a lucky break.”
“I still think paying them off or finding something to trade with them could work,” Striker said. “You don’t need to go anywhere near that damn ship.”
She released her hold on him and stepped back. “If we pay the Gente, it’ll encourage them to keep doing this. They’ll go out and get another ship full of animals then demand payment. It makes the problem worse, not better.”
“It’ll get High Command off our backs. All they want is the animals.”
“For now. What happens the next time? A bigger payout?”
“So, you want to teach them a lesson? You’re with Rexx? You want to go in all guns blazing and make sure they think twice before doing this again?”
“No, not if the animals are put at risk.”
“The Gente are scum. They’re always on the lookout for easy money.”
“They’re not getting that from us. We can’t pay them. It’s a short-term fix, not a long-term solution.”
Striker closed the gap between them. He rubbed his hand down her back. “I like it when you get passionate.”
She bit her bottom lip. He was such a wicked temptation. “You’re distracting me.”
Striker slid down the zipper of her jumpsuit. “A little. Do you like it?” He kneeled in front of her and kissed her stomach.
Desire spiked through her as his fingers slid inside her jumpsuit and found the edge of her panties.
His tongue teased down her stomach, and he tugged at her clothes with his teeth. “I’d love to get you out of these clothes. Why don’t we take this conversation into the bedroom?”
