Page 36

What a waste of time. Dar will be disappointed – we were hoping to draw out the Grolgath through Hurst's show. But this guy couldn't attract flies to honey.

The autumn wind whips down the street as I step outside onto the cracked sidewalk. I dig in my purse for my phone to call the car.

Someone bumps into me hard, nearly knocking me off balance. "Hey, watch it!"

But they're already gone, vanishing into the crowd of people rushing past. Something feels off though. I reach into my coat pocket and my fingers brush against paper that wasn't there before.

My heart races as I unfold the crisp white sheet. One sentence in precise block letters stares back at me, along with what looks like a phone number:

WE BELIEVE YOU.

The paper trembles in my hand. Maybe this wasn't such a waste after all.

CHAPTER 14

DAR

"Your performance was exemplary, Miss McGee." Pyke's hologram flickers with approval. "The podcast has already gained significant traction."

My claws dig into the leather armrest. The silver tracking choker gleams around Olivia's neck, a small comfort given what Pyke suggests next.

"Make contact with this group. Find out what they know."

"Like hell she will." The words escape my maw. "At least let me shadow her."

"Dar." Pyke's voice carries that edge of command. "You know better. The Grolgath's bio-sensors will detect any Vakutan presence within half a mile."

"Then we send in human agents-"

"Who lack the necessary clearance for this operation." Pyke cuts me off. "Miss McGee has proven herself more than capable."

Olivia straightens in her chair. That fierce determination I love blazes in her eyes. "I can handle this, sir."

"Excellent." Pyke's hologram winks out.

The silence weighs heavy. I shift back to human form, my scales melting away to skin. Olivia's perfume fills my nostrils - jasmine and vanilla mixing with her natural scent.

"Olivia." My voice cracks. I reach for her hand across the desk. "Promise me you'll be careful."

She threads her fingers through mine. "Darwin, I-"

"I'd die if I lost you." The words pour out raw and honest. "I love you."

"I love you too, you big scaly doofus." Olivia's voice trembles with emotion.

My heart stops. Then soars. I pull her into my arms and press my lips to hers, savoring her sweetness. The kiss remains gentle, tender - everything I feel for this remarkable woman poured into this moment.

Breaking the kiss, I cradle her face between my palms. "Promise me something."

"Anything." Her green eyes sparkle with mischief.

"No unnecessary risks. No playing hero." My thumb traces her bottom lip. "Come back to me, Olivia. You have to come back to me."

She rises on tiptoe and plants a soft kiss on my cheek.

"Face it, boss man. You're stuck with your bratty pet human now." Her fingers trail down my chest. "Nothing's gonna change that."

I force a smile, pretending her words ease the knot of dread in my gut. They don't. But hearing her say she loves me... that makes everything brighter. Better. Even as my heart races with fear for what's to come, it also swells with joy at finally having those words from her lips.