Page 30 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

He nodded. “That’s right. Gerans. Which includes me.”

“You’re a—” Jana widened her eyes. “I don’t understand. Why would they put us together? A Fridan and a Geran? On what planet would that make any sense?”

Milo stroked her cheek, and she calmed visibly.

“I don’t know the answer to that,” he said in a low voice. “But it seems it does.”

“Kiss me again?”

He didn’t hesitate, and once again a wave of bright joy rolled over him to have Jana in his arms, have her lips against his.

“We’ll work something out,” he murmured.

Then it struck him that he truly believed her.

She’s my mate.

He couldn’t doubt it anymore.

Milo kissed her fragrant hair. “Do me a favor? Keep a low profile? Try to stay out of trouble. Don’t go out of your way to aggravate any of the guards. I can’t keep an eye on you twenty-four seven.”

“I’ll do my best to be invisible, how’s that?”

He chuckled. “Sounds good to me.”

Maybe she had the right idea.They’ll release her one day, right?And then he and Jana would be free to be together.

He freed her from his embrace. “You’d better go.”

“Can we meet again like this?”

Yet another question Milo didn’t know the answer to.

“We can’t do this too often. It would only arouse suspicion, and that’s the last thing we want.”

Jana let out a heavy sigh. “I know I haven’t asked but… do you… have someone?”

He shook his head. “I’m single.”

Her face brightened once more. “Me too.” Then she chuckled. “Well, I was. Not anymore.” She paused. “Milo? Do me a favor, okay? Ask yourself this question: Why would they beforciblybreeding shifters? And don’t tell me they’re not, because I know otherwise.” She tilted her head to one side. “Do you believe in rape?”

Her words rocked him. “Why would you even ask that?”

“Because that’s what this amounts to.” She sighed. “Just… think about it, all right?” And with that, she turned and walked toward the door.

Milo followed. Outside, a soldier waited, and Milo gave him instructions to return Jana to the compound. The hardest thing was not raising his hand to wave at her as she walked away from him.

When she was out of sight, Milo stared at the admin block. Something Jana said had struck a chord, and he needed to investigate.

He strode across the compound, climbed the wooden steps into the block, then headed for the small room where seven laptops had been provided for staff use. Milo took the one in the farthest corner and logged on to the system. After searching for what felt like hours, he was ready to give up.

It seemed what he wanted to know was above his pay grade.

Fuck.

“That was a sigh and a half.” Roslyn Ollerton took the chair next to his.

Milo liked Roslyn. She’d transferred with him from Bozeman, and she had a no-nonsense way about her that was refreshing.

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