Page 64 of Star Defenders (My Alien Mates 2)

I rolled my eyes. "I'm sure the rest of the Freytauri on board would suggest their trauma is worse than yours."

His smile faded and he gave me a rare, serious look. "I know," he said softly. "I wanted to—"

"Make me feel better?" I suggested. "I know, I just…" Tears prickled my eyes.

"We'll find him," Slek said firmly. "We'll save his sorry little ass and get him to Agus to finish his studies. Before you know it, he'll be a commander and as bossy as J'avet and Zarex."

"Nicer than J'avet, " I growled.

"With a better ass," Brinley added.

"Oh, I don't know, J'avet has a pretty hot ass," Slek said.

I grimaced. "Yeah. Shame he is one, too."

Slek chuckled. "Yes. He certainly keeps us all on our toes."

"Yeah." That reminded me. I told Slek about how one of the Iri had hit him hard in the groin, but all he'd achieved was to break the blaster.

"Pubic plate," Slek said.

"Come again?" I asked.

He grinned. "I'd love to." He wiggled his brows. "Parvoran men have a plate of bone over their genitals. It's like an eyelid, but hard, and over his cock."

I blinked and shook my head. "That sounds like quite the evolutionary advantage."

Slek cocked his head. "It really does, doesn't it? I'm jealous. I wonder if I could get one made." He scratched his head while I laughed softly.

"You could try staying out of trouble," I suggested.

"What would be the fun of that?" he asked, a twinkle in his eye.

The ship jolted and I froze. I pushed down the rising fear and listened to a metallic clang from somewhere else on theHalcyon.

For a moment I thought something else had gone wrong. Then I realised what I was hearing.

"It sounds like theChimerahas arrived," Slek said.

Heart in my throat, I followed him and Brinley out the door and toward the pod bay. Just let them try to keep us out. I had to find out what they knew about Danec and I had to know now.

18

"We attempted to intercept the pod,"Yaranin said.

Getting in was easier than I anticipated. In fact, Zarex was waiting with an open door and outstretched hand. He drew me to his side while J'avet scowled.

Let him scowl, I thought. I drew myself up and put my professional face on. Whatever the captain had to say, I would listen and I wouldn't cry, scream or shout until I was well away from J'avet. He wouldn't see me lose control ever again.

"Attempted?" Zarex asked.

"We passed within communication distance," Yaranin said. "We had a brief conversation, but they cut and ran. They hid amongst a comet field.Halcyonwas the priority. The IF will seek them out."

"Can we see that conversation?" Zarex asked. He gave me a sidelong look and reassuring smile. Which didn't reassure me, but I appreciated the effort.

Yaranin's eyebrows twitched, but he nodded. He glanced over to a commander behind him, who disappeared back into their pod.

"I'll have the message relayed to the screen in here." He eyed me speculatively, as though uncertain as to why I was there, but he said nothing.

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