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Greer hurried over to a cabinet.

“All right.” I met everyone’s gazes. “Hunter Squad, let’s do what we do best.”

“Kick some monster ass,” Marc said.

And stay alive while we did it.

Greer

The morning had passedin a blur of preparation. Maxim had rigged my crossbow so it would fire the electro device. I hefted it now. With the device attached to it, it was much heavier.

I’d practiced with it several times. We’d set up a target on the grass near the dam, and Maxim had given me a dummy device that was the same weight as the electro weapon.

“You’re a damn good shot,” he said.

I snorted. “I’m not just an engineer, I’m Shaw Baird’s daughter.”

“True.”

“You’re the same. You didn’t take after your dad on the art side, but what you do, inventing, it’s kind of an art.”

Maxim’s father Nico was a brilliant painter. But I was well aware he’d been a lot of other things during the invasion, along with Maxim’s soldier mother, Mackenna.

“I’m pretty handy with a knife, like dad.” Maxim smiled.

Looking back at the target, I dragged in a breath.

I had to get this right. If I failed…

He stepped closer and pressed a hand to my shoulder. “You’ve got this.”

“Right, all I have to do is aim at a giant monster from a moving quadcopter. A monster is a little different than that target.” I nodded my head.

“Hunter Squad will be with you.” He cocked a brow. “Besides, our fearless leader won’t let you get hurt.”

“I know.”

Like I’d summoned him, Jameson appeared. He was dressed in his armor, his face grim. He looked tough. My rough, passionate lover from last night was nowhere in sight.

“Ready?” he asked.

“As I’ll ever be.”

“Just think, soon, the monster will be dead.”

I swallowed. “I know.”

Maxim nodded. “Good luck. As soon as I know the device is inside the monster, I’ll detonate it with the remote. I’m going to check on the others.” He strode away.

“You’re worried,” Jameson said after he’d left.

“Of course I’m worried. That creature almost killed you and Lisa yesterday.”

He rested his hands on my shoulders.

“I don’t want to lose you, Jameson. Not when I just finally have you.”

He hauled me in for a hard kiss. I gripped his shoulders and kissed him back, filling the kiss with all my rioting emotions.