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We both knew it meant that this creature had some human DNA. The Gizzida had held hundreds of thousands—maybe millions—of people in their labs. Done terrible things to them.

I blew out a breath. “Thanks.”

Kai lifted his chin.

“Is he still alive?” Sasha’s sharp voice.

I met Kai’s gaze. His unique brilliant green eyes that he’d inherited from his mother were alight with amusement.

I shot him the finger. Yeah, we both knew that our comms officer would give me a mouthful about going in alone and ignoring her when we got back to base.

“I’m still breathing,” I said.

Sasha’s harsh expulsion of air came across the line. “You’re supposed tolistento me, Jameson Steele.”

“I do, Sasha. I promise I do.”

She made a grumbling sound.

Kai and I headed for the front door. “Is the monster contained?”

“Yeah. It’s dead.”

“Scott okay?”

Kai winced. “Ah, no. Not sure he’s gonna make it on the squad.”

Damn. When we stepped outside, I spotted Scott sitting on the ground. He was fine, but his expression was vacant, and he was still covered in sticky, gray monster goo.

North was with him. We often teased North for being pretty, but the guy was a hell of a medic. He had a calm demeanor that people responded to. He was a trained doctor, and I was secretly glad he also liked being a soldier.

The twins were slicing bits off the monster. Zeke was named for their uncle who had died during the invasion. Marc was named after my father, Marcus.

“Quit that, you two,” I called out.

Marc held up a fang and grinned. “These are worth good money.”

I stomped forward, hiding my limp. My hip hurt like hell and my ribs were throbbing. Dammit, it probably meant a trip to the infirmary when we got home.

“Call Colbie,” I said. “Let’s get out of here. I need a beer.”

Kai moved into step beside me. “You’re hurt.”

“I’ll get it looked at when we get back. It’s nothing to worry about.”

“You need more than a beer. You need to get laid.”

I scowled at him. “Says the man who never gets laid.”

Kai shrugged a shoulder. “I’m choosy.”

No, he wasn’t. He’d had the same problem as me. We both wanted women who were off-limits.

My thoughts turned to blonde hair, light blue eyes with dark eyelashes, and a wide smile. My pulse jumped.

Then I squashed it.

I wasn’t going there.