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Daisy nodded. “I feel like hell, but I’m back. Rexx, I shot you!”

“You did. I’m just glad you’re a lousy shot. How are you feeling?”

She drew in a couple more deep breaths. “Better. More myself.”

“And you don’t want to shoot me anymore?”

“No. Damn, I didn’t mean to do that.”

“Hold on to that thought. We don’t know how long this energy transfer will hold off the alien tech inside you. And we’ve got some jerks outside to deal with.”

Their gazes locked, and the icy ache of uncontrollable terror faded as Rexx’s commitment shone from his eyes.

“Okay, let’s go kick alien butt,” she said.

Rexx released the wrist restraints. “Are you okay to fight?”

“Never better. How about you? I mean, I did just shoot you.”

“I can fight. So long as I’m fighting with you and not against you.” He flashed her a smile that warmed her insides, but there was a tightness to it. They had a lot to talk about if they got through this alive.

“Computer, what’s the location of the Gente outside the ship?” Rexx said as they gathered their weapons.

“The ship is surrounded,” the ship’s computer said. “They’re attempting to access the docking ramp. There are six life forms at that location.”

“We won’t be able to hold them off for long,” Daisy said. “This ship is meant for transport, not combat.”

“Then we go say hello,” Rexx said. “We take the escape hatch route out of the bottom of the ship. Surprise them from below. We can kill a few before they even realize what’s going on.”

Daisy grinned. This was more like it. It felt like she was back with her old partner. They fit together so well. “I like your thinking, warrior.”

Rexx led the way out of the room and along the corridor.

“The docking ramp has been compromised,” the ship’s computer said. “Lifeforms are preparing to board.”

“They’re almost in.” Daisy looked back along the corridor, her heart racing.

“It’s time to abandon ship. They’ll probably blow this thing up when they don’t find what they want,” Rexx said.

Daisy paused. “Wait! We can’t leave the cats behind.”

Rexx hissed out a breath. “We can’t take them into battle.”

Her throat tightened. “We can’t leave them. They’re here because of me. And there’s no guarantee we’ll make it back on the ship if the Gente get their hands on it.”

“Where are they?”

“I let them out of the pen.” She dashed to the room and let out a relieved sigh. They were all snuggled inside the pen. “They’re in here.”

Rexx grabbed a backpack and scooped up Asshole. “No protesting. You’re in charge of the kittens. You’re the boss. Keep them safe.”

Asshole head-butted Rexx’s chin and then slid into the backpack without a protest. The kittens were more of a handful, but they were small and easy to deal with.

Rexx eased the backpack onto his broad shoulders. “I’ll keep them from being harmed.”

They dashed to the escape hatch in the middle of the ship.

Rexx eased it open. He leaned down and looked outside then gestured for Daisy to follow him before lowering the weapons and cat-filled backpack to the ground.