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He groaned. “Eden, I want this so badly, but I need to get in touch with my parents. They have to know I’m alive.”

“Oh! Of course.” She kissed him one last time then moved away, keeping their fingers tangled. “They must be worried about you. I can’t believe this asshole tried to ransom you.”

Madrie glowered at them.

“I need to find somewhere secure to put him,” Blaze said.

“I’ll deal with the tied-up asshole,” Eden said. “I reckon I’m still stronger than you. I’ll punch his lights out if he tries anything.”

Blaze sucked in a breath. He did feel better, but there wasn’t an inch of him that didn’t hurt. “You think you can handle him?”

“Are you kidding me? I’m pumped full of your energy. I could take on the universe and survive. Give me five minutes.” She pressed a quick kiss on his cheek then strode over to Madrie and yanked him to his feet. “Let’s find you a nice comfy cage. I know one that has room.” She grabbed a gun, smiled at Blaze, and then stalked out with Madrie in front of her.

Blaze shook his head as he watched her leave. How the hell had this turned around so fast? One second, he thought he was done for, and the next he had Eden in his arms, kissing him like he was the only thing that mattered to her.

And it felt damn amazing.

He hurried to the control panel and opened a comm link to his parents. He used the private line only the family had access to and input the code to unlock it.

It was answered immediately. His mom appeared and gasped when she saw him.

“Mom, relax. I’m okay. I got free. Don’t pay the ransom.”

“Oh! What a relief. You got out. What happened?”

“I had a friend help me,” he said. “You haven’t transferred the funds, have you?”

His dad appeared next to his mom, anxiety and relief on his face. “It’s good to see you in one piece. We were worried about you. And no, the money hasn’t been transferred yet. How did they take you?”

Blaze gave them a short version of how he came to be on a Pecket ship. He tried not to make it sound too dangerous, but their faces were pale by the time he finished.

“I’m so glad you’re safe,” his mom said. “You are safe? You look like you’re still aboard the Pecket ship.”

“I’m still here, but the Pecket have been incapacitated.”

“By you?” his dad said. “No offense, son, but you don’t look too good.”

He chuckled. “I must look like death warmed up, but I feel a hundred times better than I did, thanks to my partner.”

“We must meet this partner,” his mom said. “We have a big thank you to give her.”

Blaze’s stomach tightened. They might not be so thankful when they found out just how much he cared for her and how much he wanted to put on the line for her.

The door to the cockpit opened, and Eden walked in. She paused. “Oh! Sorry, I didn’t know you’d still be talking to your parents. I can go.”

“No, stay here.” Blaze held out his hand for her to take.

After a second of hesitation, she joined him, shifting from foot to foot and smoothing a hand over her hair. Was she nervous about meeting his parents?

“You must be Blaze’s partner,” his mom said. “It’s a pleasure to see you. I believe you had a hand in helping our son escape.”

“I only did what was needed.” Eden glanced up at Blaze, and for the first time in his life, he saw uncertainty in her eyes.

“You’re in our debt,” his dad said. “We’d have been devastated if his last few months of adventure ended in tragedy.”

Worry dug into Blaze’s gut. Of course. He was leaving.

“How long have you been working with Blaze?” His mom’s expression turned shrewd as her gaze traveled over Eden.

Blaze could never hide anything from his mom, and Eden was standing so close to him that he could feel her body heat.

“Almost eighteen months,” Eden said.

“We’re glad you’re both safe,” his dad said. “Come home to us as soon as you can.”

“Sure. I’ve got to go. We’ve got work to do. We need to get the animals back to Tiavac and then report back to the crew. I’ll be in touch.” Blaze suddenly had a strong desire to talk to anyone but his parents. He needed to handle this right. If there was a right way to smash a promise he’d made to the people he loved.

“Stay safe,” his mom said.

Blaze cut the link and let out a sigh.

Eden pressed a hand to his chest and looked into his eyes. The purple glow in her irises was already fading, but there was still a faint shimmer there, along with a desire so hot it made him groan.

“What do we do now?” she said.

He caught her in his arms. “I know exactly what we need to do.”