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“And I don’t want to leave, but I’m also not stepping away from something I’m responsible for.”

“This was my screw up,” Hunter said. “If you need to punish anyone, punish me.”

“That’s what we intend to do.” Jagger’s purple eyes flared with anger. “I’m ashamed of you, Hunter. You’re not fit to serve as a representative of the Apexians on board the Apocalypse. We only send the best to that ship, warriors we can rely on to develop intergalactic relationships this conservation project encourages. You have let us down.”

Cleo’s pained glance shot straight to Hunter’s heart, but he kept focused on Jagger.

“Since you’re admitting you are culpable, you’re to leave the Apocalypse,” Jagger said.

Hunter growled quietly. Of course, if they’d planned to make an example of Cleo, they’d do the same for him.

“Where will you send him?” Cleo said. “He’s a part of my crew. I should get a say in his assignments.”

“He’s no longer your responsibility,” Commissioner Viewick said. “There are several missions Hunter is better suited to serve. And he said he didn’t suit assignments that confined him to a ship.”

“Where are you sending him?” The words growled out of Cleo.

“Hunter will join a frontline squad in Quadrant B,” Jagger said. “Once he’s there, he’ll await redeployment.”

“I can’t afford to be without a partner,” Cleo said. “I’m not losing Hunter. He’s a valuable asset. At least keep him here until a replacement can be found.”

“You can’t have an unreliable Apexian working beside you,” Jagger said.

“More mistakes will occur if this isn’t remedied immediately,” Commissioner Viewick said. “If Hunter can’t be trusted, he must be moved to a different position.”

“He can be trusted,” Cleo said.

Hunter studied Cleo, his gut tightening. She might trust him when it came to the job, but she didn’t trust him enough to give him her heart to protect.

“What’s in Quadrant B?” Hunter said.

“It’s where we hold the frontline troops prior to deployment. We’re running low on combat warriors. You’ll be perfect for that position. You can get your hands dirty,” Jagger said.

“Hunter’s place is here with me. He’s not a frontline warrior.” Panic laced through Cleo’s voice, triggering Hunter’s protective urge.

“That’s exactly what he is,” Jagger said. “All the Apexians on your ship are bred to fight. Perhaps Hunter has become a little tame, which is why he made this mistake. He needs a decent battle, and time in the trenches to remind himself of the combat fire that runs through all our veins. If we don’t fight, we grow idle. A few months in the battlefield will shake the sense back into him.”

“And if I refuse to let him go?” Cleo said. “This is my ship and my crew. I should decide who remains here.”

“The decision has been made,” Commissioner Viewick said. “Hunter, you have the rest of the day to pack your things. You’re to leave the Apocalypse first thing tomorrow.”

“I understand.” Hunter’s heart throbbed with pain, but this was the only option. If he didn’t take the fall for this, Cleo could lose it all, and her career meant everything to her.

“I’ll put in a request to find you a suitable Apexian partner,” Jagger said. “They’ll join you as soon as one is found.”

“If I can’t have Hunter as my right-hand alien, then I don’t want anyone. I’ll manage on my own,” Cleo said.

“There’s no need to be stubborn,” Commissioner Viewick said. “You can’t handle the work of two individuals on your own.”

“I’ll manage.”

Jagger growled. “As you wish.”

The second the call ended, Cleo wheeled on Hunter. She shoved him in the chest. “Why did you do that?”

He caught hold of her hand. “You know why. This is your first and only love. This place means everything to you. If they suspend you or deploy you elsewhere, you’ll lose everything you’ve worked so hard to build up. I won’t see that happen.”

“So you decided for me? You ruined your own career!” She shoved him again.