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“She’s not mine.” As much as Ash wanted her to be, Georgia was still a free woman. She could make her own decisions, and that included going on this revenge mission, facing off with her enemy, and probably getting killed.

“You’re acting like she is,” Rexx said.

Daisy nodded. “You’re acting like Rexx does around me. And he’s the biggest alpha in the room.”

“That’s debatable,” Hunter muttered.

Rexx growled at him, and he raised his hands.

“I’m kidding. You be alpha dog if it makes you happy.”

Daisy looked at Ash. “You’re into Georgia, and we all get that. But if you keep on being an alpha...” She looked at Rexx. “Honey, you know I love you, but you know what I need to say.”

“You can say it. I’m an alpha douche, and so is Ash,” he said.

Daisy grinned. “Yes, if you keep being an alpha douche around her, you’ll push her away. She may have that hard as nails exterior, but she’s been through a lot.”

“Which is exactly why I don’t want her on this mission,” Ash said.

“Maybe she needs to be on it,” Sloane said, “or those Siblet will haunt her forever.”

“But I have to keep her safe. That’s my job.” Ash looked to Cleo for help. “You understand?”

She rested her fingertips on top of the table. “You’re assigned to protect the human you’ve been partnered with, but Georgia has all the skills needed for this mission. And she has the advantage of knowing Siblet behavior. Having been in their hands for several weeks before escaping, she also knows their weaknesses.”

“Just like they know hers,” Ash said. “That makes her vulnerable.”

“Whoever goes on this mission will be at risk,” Cleo said. “Anyone who comes into contact with that poison could die. Angel is working on an antidote, but it will take time.”

Ash looked at his crewmates. He didn’t want to shove any of them in the path of danger, but his only thought was protecting Georgia.

He sighed inwardly. All he’d managed to achieve was to alienate her and humiliate her in front of people she respected. He should have kept his cool and talked to Georgia alone. Now, she’d never listen to him.

“You should go after her,” Daisy said.

“Bad idea. She’ll whack your head off your shoulders,” Hunter said. “Georgia was pissed with you.”

“No, she’s not angry with Ash,” Daisy said, “She’s angry with the Siblet. That’s the reason she’s always so uptight. Georgia needs this. Until she’s faced them, she’ll never be able to relax.”

“Georgia doesn’t know what that word means,” Hunter said.

“She does. She’s just forgotten,” Daisy said. “And Georgia needs us on her side. We’re supposed to work together, not stop her from doing something she needs to do. And yes, it carries risk. Every mission we go on has risk, but if you’re going to be with one of us, Ash, you’ll have to accept that as part of the package. None of us will give up the work we love just so you don’t get stress lines.”

“I have dozens,” Rexx said. “Every time Daisy goes out in the field, she just about gives me a heart attack.”

She whacked him on the chest. “I do not. You love having an independent woman by your side.”

Rexx’s stern expression softened, and he kissed Daisy’s cheek.

Ash looked at Cleo. “Am I good to go? I’ve got something that needs fixing.”

“You’re fine. Sort things out with Georgia and then report back to me. We have to move quickly. I’ve already diverted the ship to the next experiment site. If you and Georgia aren’t going, I need to decide who takes part.”

He pushed away from his seat and headed to the door. “We won’t let you down.”

Damn! He’d really screwed this up. He had to find a way to get Georgia to forgive him and convince her he was only looking out for her.

He jogged to her room and thumped on the door.