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“You still need to shower,” Zeke said. “You stink.”

“So do you.” Marc elbowed his brother.

“I need to debrief General Masters,” Jameson said. “Clean up and go home. Good work, everyone.” He looked at me. “Really good work.”

The others headed for the locker room.

Jameson grabbed my arm. “North, you all right? I know this would’ve dredged up some memories.”

I blew out a breath. “I’ll get there.” Hell, it was Zeke who should be messed up, not me. He’d lived through being kidnapped by a monster. I needed to get a damn grip on this.

My friend nodded. “If you need to talk, call me.”

That wasn’t happening. I knew he’d be busy with Greer. “Thanks, J.”

The others finished up in the showers, and called out their goodbyes. I didn’t see Jess anywhere. I stripped my gear off, taking my time. Then I finally stood under the hot water. I dipped my head and stood there for a long time, letting it pour over my head.

I watched the water circle down the drain, and wished the old memories and old pain were as easy to wash away.

Jess

I finished scribblingmy notes in my communicator, then closed my locker.

I’d taken a quick shower, then headed straight to the lab to get my samples analyzed. Squad Command had a well-equipped lab and excellent staff. They’d have some results for me tomorrow.

Those cocoons… I had to work out what the monsters were doing.

The sound of running water caught my ear. The shower was still on in the men’s locker room.

I bit my lip. The others were gone, so I knew it was North still in there. I fiddled with the hem of my clean T-shirt.

Don’t think about him wet and naked.

I knew something was off with him. He should be happy about saving the boys. They were alive because of him.

Go home, Jess. Don’t get involved.

I blew out a breath. I was already involved.

I’d been involved the moment those blue eyes hit mine.

And definitely after we’d had a quickie against the wall in my living room.

The shower turned off and I tightened my ponytail.

But North didn’t come out.

I moved to the shower room door. I saw him, with a white towel wrapped around his waist and his chest bare, sitting on one of the benches. The air was steamy and his hair was damp. I let myself take a second to look at the tattoo on his chest. It was a dragon. It was amazing black ink that hugged his muscles and wrapped around his back.

Then I focused on him.

The white towel looked stark against his tanned skin. His handsome face was blank, but tight. One hand was bunched up by his side, and the other was turning Hudson’s small robot over and over between his fingers.

“North?”

He didn’t move or look up. “I’m not good company right now, Jess.”

I walked over and sat beside him. “I wasn’t expecting witty conversation.” I paused. “Do you want to talk about it?”