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Her breathing grew shallow, and she licked her lips. “We’ve yet to find that out.”

His mouth crushed against hers, kissing her like she was the last thing he’d ever taste.

She pulled back, her breath gasping out as she clung to Striker. “What are we doing?”

“Ignoring the warnings. Taking the biggest risks of our lives.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “I shouldn’t want you, but I can’t stay away. You’re mine, whether you like it or not.”

“I do. I really like it.” She pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. “Striker, I’m going on this mission. You have to trust me. And if anything goes wrong, you’ll look out for me.”

The pain in his eyes made her chest ache as he seemed to accept her determination to do this.

“I’m not letting you go. Not now I have you,” he said.

She blinked, surprised at how serious he was. Striker was never serious about anything. But entwined in his arms and seeing the desire and sincerity in his eyes, she knew he meant those words.

Her alien warrior had let her in. And what was scarier was that her barriers were also down. She felt ready for him. Was her heart lost forever to this guy?

***

“Have you got everything you need?” Striker knew he was bugging the hell out of Wren as he tracked her around the prep room, but he was determined she’d be prepared for this crazy assed mission she insisted on being a part of.

They were less than half an hour out from the meetup point with the Gente, and every passing minute made him tense, and his desire to hit something spiked.

“I’ve got everything.” Wren turned and placed a hand against his chest. “Please, we know what we’re doing.”

“Have you double-checked your comms link? And what about your gun? Did you find somewhere to conceal it? And have you got the tracker on you? Are you sure it’s been checked? These things can be faulty, especially with the atmospherics out there.”

“Striker, stop!” Amusement and frustration danced in her eyes. “We’ve got this.”

“You really have to quit pissing her off.” Eden pulled on her boots. “Otherwise, she’ll dump your fine looking ass and get herself a new partner. One who’s a hell of a lot less irritating.”

“Eden!” Wren shook her head. “Striker’s only looking out for me. He’s looking out for all of us.”

“Yeah, and I know how annoying that is. Blaze has been on my back all afternoon, making sure I haven’t forgotten anything. He’s acting like I don’t know how to tie my own shoelaces.” Eden swung one leg over the other and waggled her foot. “I suggested he come do it for me, and he got all surly and stomped off. Apexians, they’re so touchy.”

Daisy marched in, her expression tight. Rexx was hot on her heels. She slammed open her locker, almost hitting him in the face.

He yanked the locker door out of her hand and stepped in front of her. “I was only asking how many hours of target practice you had.”

Daisy glanced at the other women and shook her head. “I don’t know what’s gotten into him, but he’s turned into a giant nag.”

“He’s doing it because he cares.” Striker reached for Wren, but she brushed him away and shook her head.

Rexx glared at him. “This is none of your business.”

“You made it our business when you stamped in here throwing out those sexy testosterone vibes for us to soak up,” Eden said. “What gives? Daisy knows her way around a gun. I’d have her watch my back any time of the day or night.”

Rexx grunted, his hard gaze lazered on Daisy. “You haven’t answered my question. How many hours?”

She spun toward him and shoved him in the chest. “Enough! I’ve got enough hours that I could take you down if I had to. And the way you’ve been hounding me, I may do that. Back off.”

“I thought you said the women could handle themselves,” Striker said. He enjoyed seeing Rexx bossed around by someone so tiny. Rexx had it bad for Daisy, even though he’d never admit it.

Rexx growled and his hands flexed. “That was before...” He waved a hand at Daisy.

“Now you know how I feel,” Striker said.

Daisy tutted. “You should both leave. You’re only making us tense and lose focus.”