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"You don't have to feel bad. I know what you did, Allie. I know you seduced us to win your freedom. It wouldn't have worked – not unless you’d been our Fated Mate. As attractive as you are, we could have resisted you… Except you looked, and felt, and smelt so…right.”

I remember the heat and near-obsessive furor of the looks these three Aurelians had given me, right from the moment we’d first met.

“We could have resisted you,” Daccia repeats, “if you were any normal woman – but you’re not. We were drawn to you so deeply and so quickly because it was programmed into our DNA. Your plan only worked because we were destined to be Bonded. You areours, Allie – and we are yours."

Oh, Gods…

If nothing else, his words mean that Daccia can read the overwhelming sense of guilt I’ve been trying to hide. I’m going to have to get alotbetter at hiding my emotions if I’m ever going to outsmart him, or his two battle-brothers. I’m just lucky that Daccia thinks my guilt is for what I’ve done already – and not for the betrayal I’m planning to commit down on Salcus.

I lean closer to this towering, gorgeous alien.

“I need more than just words, Daccia,” I demand. “If youreallytrust me, you’ll restore my enhancements – like the electro-shock in my arm.”

Daccia’s face remains a mask, but I feel his curiosity through the Bond.

I answer his unspoken question:

“What happens if those Aurelians you meet down on Salcus decide to take me to Colossus, instead of you? Right now, nobody knows what you three have done to me. Until they do – or you three confess – I’m still a wanted woman.”

“Clever.” I can feel the respect pouring from him.

My guilt swells. Daccia is a good, honorable man. I hate the thought of what I’ll have to do to him.

“The second we’re safe,” the Aurelian promises, “we’ll send message to our Inspector. A full confession. They’ll send agents after us – that’s inevitable. Our crime is serious.” Daccia’s eyes meet mine. “But you won’t be in any danger – no one will find us. We’ll go out into the deep reaches of space… We’ll find those places where people go to just…disappear.”

Disappear.

Just like my little sister. Daccia might be right, after all. The universe is a big, dark place – big enough for four people to disappear forever, even if three of them are towering, Greek Gods of warriors, and one of them is a wanted fugitive from justice.

“So, that’s it?” My mind is still reeling. “Because of what you’ve done, my crimes are just…wiped away? Everyone says the Aurelian Empire has the harshest laws. Now, though, I’m justinnocentagain. My slate is clean?

This is the first time I detect that Daccia feels truly uncomfortable. I only sense it through the Bond, though. Any human would be shifting in his seat – but Daccia remains as still as a statue; always abiding to that incredible stoicism of his people.

Eventually, the towering warrior reaches forward, to take my hand in his huge palm. When our skin touches, I feel tingles down my spine. It just feels…right.

“What we did is against our laws,” Daccia explains. “The Aurelian Empire won’t accept that you seduced us. They will see a triad of officers having sex with a helpless prisoner – the vilest form of rape. If we’re captured, we’ll probably be killed, or at the very least jailed for the rest of our lives. Nothing you’ve ever done could come close to the stain we’ve left on the honor of Aurelian Law Enforcement.”

The warrior takes a deep breath.

“So, you aren’tinnocent– but our guilt is so great that you’ll no longer be charged.”

I swallow hard at his touch. I hate hearing him say this. I hate knowing I’m going to be the reason that Daccia, Hadrian and Kitos are going to be imprisoned… or worse.

But the only alternative is submitting to the Bond – of shackling myself for the rest of my now unnaturally-long life to these three towering, fugitive warriors. I’mnotabout to trade my newfound freedom for a different kind of servitude. I hate myself for it – but I can’t be weak right now. In this universe, only the strong survive.

The weak die.

Daccia slowly withdraws his hand. I crave his touch already.

“I do have one question, Allie: Where did the money go?”

Fuck.

Tears spring to my eyes. I pride myself on being strong, but that’s one open wound that will never heal.

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

Daccia shakes his head. "Ineedto be able to trust you, Allie. You took those Elites for a fortune. They lost their status, their rank, and their place in our society. Why did you do it? Where did that moneygo?"