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“That’s good to hear. Those asshole Pecket haven’t screwed things up. We look forward to having you back on the Apocalypse. Keep me informed. I’ll speak to you tomorrow.”

“Will do.” Eden sat back on the couch as the comm link disconnected. She gently stroked the now sleeping doggo.

Everything was running smoothly with the mission, the ship was being fixed, and the animals were where they needed to be. That all felt in control.

The big issue she had was what to do about Blaze. How should she handle him now she knew how he felt about her?

Mr. Nice Guy had just revealed his hand, and she was freaking terrified about letting him in.

***

Blaze took a minutejust to breathe as he drifted back to consciousness. He peered down at his arm. There was no pissed doggo attached to him, gnawing down to the bone. There was a bandage wrapped around the injury, and his limbs felt oddly heavy as if he was trying to swim through tar every time he moved.

A faint rumbling grumble made him tense. That sounded unwelcomingly familiar. Blaze slid his gaze to the left, just as a small, gray paw appeared on the edge of the bed. It was followed by two large dark eyes and a furry head.

“You have got to be kidding me!” Blaze narrowed his eyes. The doggo was back for another fight?

The doggo made another rumbling purr grunt then leaped onto the bed.

Blaze held up his arm to protect his face from those vicious little fangs. “Buddy, if you think you’re biting me again, you’ve got another thing coming. I’m not below taking you down, even though you’re small.”

The doggo turned in a circle then snuggled against Blaze’s leg.

“What the hell?” he whispered. This thing wasn’t biting him. It was nuzzling him like he was a long-lost friend.

“Hey, you’re finally awake.”

He looked into the dark corner of the room. Eden was uncurling herself from a chair. She stretched her arms over her head.

“How long have I been out?” Blaze kept his attention on the lethal little furball snuggling against him.

“They had to hit you with some strong sedation to get you to stay under. It’s been eight hours,” Eden said.

“I feel weird. Out of it. And what is this thing doing here?”

“That’s most likely because of the venom. Nipper sank a lot of it in you.” Eden walked over to the bed.

“Nipper?”

“I named him.”

“You named the beast that savaged me?”

“It’s a good name, right?”

“I guess it suits him.” Blaze lifted a finger and gently nudged the doggo. “Why isn’t he attacking?”

She chuckled. “He’d never do that to his mate.”

Blaze stared up at Eden. She couldn’t mean him?

Her grin broadened. “Yep, your furry little friend there is smitten with you. I read up on him while you were recovering. During the mating process, the male bites the female. It’s a sort of claiming. You know, putting his mark on his mate, so no one else will go after her.”

“That’s disturbing.”

“It happens on Earth, sometimes. Women brand themselves with their boyfriend’s name. Bad luck for them if he leaves, cheats, or turns into an asshole.”

His gaze slid over Eden. “Did you ever brand yourself with a guy’s name?”