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After a minute, he tugged his hand away from Rexx. “I’m good. Go help Cleo.”

Her eyes narrowed a fraction. She could tell Hunter was lying, but he’d be damned if he’d get the full treatment while his woman was in pain.

Rexx turned and pressed a hand gently on Cleo’s injured side. “I don’t need to cut you to make any connection. Those are some deep slashes you’ve got there.”

“We met an invisible beast in the Siblet caves.” She spoke through gritted teeth, her eyes closed and sweat beading on her forehead.

“Ash gave me a brief rundown,” Rexx said. “Invisible beasts?”

“Yep. Big, foul smelling, and mean,” Hunter said.

Rexx grunted. “That doesn’t sound too difficult to kill.”

“I’ll let you handle a pack of them the next time we meet some.”

He shrugged. “No problem.”

Hunter glanced around. “Hey, where’s the little rodent guy gone? Did he make it out?”

“He’s in my equipment pack.” Cleo tugged it over and opened the flap. The silver rodent poked his head out and purred when he saw Hunter.

He held out his hand, and the rodent scurried over, jumped on his chest and snuggled down.

“What you got there?” Rexx asked.

“This hero helped me fight a beast,” Hunter said.

Rexx grunted and lowered his hand from Cleo’s waist. “How does that feel?”

“Better. Thanks.”

“Anytime. You need some more?” Rexx asked Hunter.

“Nope. Feeling good.” He still felt like crap, but the pain was less intense.

Rexx nodded at them, then returned to the cockpit.

Hunter gestured Cleo over. “Stay with me.”

“Give me a minute. I want to clean you up.” She returned with a bowl of water and a cloth and started wiping his face.

He caught hold of her wrist and kissed the inside of it. “I was worried I might lose you.”

“There’s not a chance of that ever happening.” She carefully wiped blood and dirt off his forehead. “Where you go, I go.”

“Even into war zones?”

“Even then. I’m still in shock that you got stationed on Rowick.”

“The planets don’t want us to be apart, so they joined us back together.”

Her sweet smile hit him in the heart. “I reckon they did. And when we get back on the Apocalypse, I’ll find a way to make sure you stay there. If High Command refuses to have you back on my crew, I’ll resign. We can start something new.”

“You’re not resigning. You love what you do, and I won’t be the reason you give it up. We’ll find a workaround.” He pulled her down for a kiss.

She let his tongue into her mouth, sighing softly, but then pulled back. “No making out. You’re hurt.”

“So are you. Too hurt to fool around with your guy?” Hunter kissed her again.