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“Rexx is suggesting we make a grab for it. I told him that wouldn’t work. This creature’s nose is way too sensitive to have an Apexian charge him. He’ll get one whiff of the testosterone and die of fright.”
“Agreed,” Wren said. “We have to wait till he goes in the trap.”
“We should use a tranq dart.” Rexx’s voice came over the comms.
“Have you had a sighting?” Wren said.
“I haven’t. But Rexx thought he saw something. You know what he’s like, always claiming to have superpowers,” Daisy said.
“I don’t claim any such thing.” Rexx’s tone was tight. “I have seen it. It’s not my problem that your weak Human eyes are unable to locate the creature.”
“I have twenty-twenty vision,” Daisy said.
“He’s slowly moving closer this way,” Wren said. “Head around from the back way. We’ve got an open location in front of us. It’ll be easier to tranq him from here.”
“I can easily grab it,” Rexx said. “It’s no challenge.”
“Ugh. Will you quit saying that?” Daisy said. “Wren, I don’t suppose you want to swap partners, do you?”
“Sadly, I’m happy with the one I’ve got.” She looked over at Striker and winked at him. “But this Apexian is almost as bad. He rarely follows orders.”
“Hey, that’s not true. I obey the rules at least twenty percent of the time,” Striker said. “I know that, sometimes, it pays off.”
Daisy laughed. “You’re lucky to have him. We’ll be over in thirty minutes.”
Wren checked the scanner again and shook her head as Striker’s arms wove around her waist one more time.
“I really like Daisy,” he said.
“Because she said I’m lucky to have you?”
“She’s an amazing judge of character. I’ve always thought so.”
“And she has the patience of a saint, working with Rexx.”
“He has his good points. I’ve seen him smash down a wall with his bare fists. I’ll always want him on my side in a fight.”
“The guy’s a machine,” Wren said. “He never gets tired, he heals quickly from his injuries, and he’s so protective of Daisy.”
“He’s the perfect Apexian,” Striker said. “Well, he comes in the top ten. Of course, I’m number one.”
“Only because of your modesty.”
He laughed and squeezed her tighter. “So, do you think you’re lucky to have me?”
“Don’t you see yourself in the mirror every day?”
“Even an amazing warrior like me needs to be told he’s special, especially by the woman he’ll be spending the rest of his life with.”
Wren turned, settled the scanner on his shoulder, and stared into his eyes. His solid, warm body and sincere tone made her glow. They’d be together forever. “Striker Bandidar, I’m the luckiest Human in the star system. And I’ll feel even luckier once we’ve captured this creature.”
His gentle kiss brushed across her lips, and the heat in his eyes promised so much more once they were alone.
“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go catch ourselves even more luck,” he said.
***
“Will you get off the counter? I bet Wren doesn’t let you in the kitchen when she’s cooking.” Striker waved a hand at Dinky.
