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“Yes! Yes! Yes!” Wren’s body tensed before she fell back onto the bed.

He grinned. “Having fun?”

She grabbed him by the shoulders, her eyes wide and a huge smile crossing her face. “Oh my stars! I’ve figured it out.”

“That I know how to give you mind blowing orgasms?”

She nudged him away. “Well, that was amazing. But I’ve got it. I know what we need to do.”

“So do I.” He tried to grab her around the waist and pull her down onto his cock.

She whacked him on the chest. “No, not this. Sex!”

He rubbed his chest. Somehow, he didn’t think they were talking about the same thing. “Yeah, that’s exactly what we were about to do.”

Wren leaped off the bed and stood at the end, her hands on her hips. “The Gente. They need fertile females. They’ve been having reproductive issues for decades. The last I heard, they were arranging a trade deal with the Zarlen, but it fell through at the last minute. We can offer them something they’re desperate for.”

Striker’s gaze traveled over Wren’s naked body. How could he focus on anything else when something so tempting was in front of him?

She snapped her fingers in his face. “Stop leering and listen. We’ve got women on-board the Apocalypse.”

“I know that. I’ve got one hot, naked one in front of me who I plan on devouring. Why is that important?”

She waved her hand and grabbed her jumpsuit off the floor. “Not me. Focus on my words, not my lady bits. Women! We have something the Gente really need.”

His gaze shot up to hers, dread settling in his stomach and swiping away his desire. “Am I understanding you right? You’re suggesting we trade the crew of the Apocalypse for the animals?”

“We don’t actually do the trade. We pretend that’s what we’re going to do. We pretend we’re going to swap. It’s perfect.”

His humor died, and all thoughts of fun with Wren faded. “No, it’s madness. It’s too risky. What if the trade goes wrong and the Gente capture the women?”

Wren grabbed her underwear and shimmied into it. “It won’t go wrong. How about three women for all the animals?”

“Wren, it’s not happening.” He held out a hand. “Come back to bed. Let me convince you that we can find another solution.”

She leaned over and kissed him. “This is the perfect idea. Let’s go. I need to tell the others.”

He groaned and flopped back on the bed. She was out of her mind if she thought this would work.

“Striker! Hurry up,” she called, already out in the lounge.

He rolled out of bed and glared at Dinky, who was standing in the doorway growling at him. “Don’t say a word.”

Dinky turned and scurried away.

He grabbed his things and dressed. He had to find a way to stop Wren from going through with this crazy scheme.

Chapter 13

Wren jiggled in her seat as everyone filed into the briefing room. It had taken less than half an hour to get everyone back here. Every second she waited had felt like torture, but she was sure this would work. They’d trick the Gente and get the animals.

She only stopped jiggling when Striker’s hand rested on her shoulder and he lowered himself into the seat next to her.

“This won’t work. Cleo won’t agree to this. You’re too valuable to risk in a trade.” His voice was low and his tone sullen. He’d been like this since she’d suggested the idea.

She leaned over, keeping her voice down. “Then what solution do you have?”

He growled at her. “Anything but this. I support sending in Rexx to take them out on his own. He’s always bragging about what an amazing fighter he is.”