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I assumed the national park was all bushland filled with monsters.

“They have solid walls around the town.” North’s brow creased. “How come people were out at nighttime?”

“They didn’t go out.” Sasha’s voice was grim. “They were guards. Five of them were taken. A group of monsters attacked the wall.”

He straightened. “Hell.”

“Jameson is coming to your place to pick you up.”

North glanced at me. “Um…”

I nodded.

He raised his brows.You sure?

I nodded again. I wasn’t one to try and hide things. I’d face the consequences head on.

“I’m not at home,” he said.

“Oh?” Sasha paused. “Give me your location, and I’ll pass it along to Jameson. I hope you left the lucky lady happy.”

He sighed. “I’m at Jess’ place.”

There was a long beat of silence. “Ohhhh.”

“Not now, Sash. I’ll catch you later.”

“You sure will, North Connors.”

He rose. Luckily, I’d put his clothes in the dryer earlier. As he dressed, I pulled on cargo pants and a black T-shirt.

The cat was out of the bag now. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. Nerves skated through me. Still, I’d welcomed North to my bed. I couldn’t resist him. I had to woman-up and accept the consequences.

“You okay?” His hands rested on my shoulders.

“Yes. Ready to kick some monster ass?”

“Hell yeah.” He dropped a quick kiss to my lips.

As I finished tying my hair up in a ponytail, there was a flash of lights outside the front of my house. I pushed the blind aside and saw a rugged all-terrain vehicle idling on the street.

“Ready?” North asked.

I lifted my chin. “Ready.” Then I remembered something. “Wait.” I snatched up the small object off the bedside table where I’d set it earlier after I’d thrown his clothes in the dryer. I’d found it in his pocket. “Don’t forget this.”

I held up the small robot.

His hands curled around it.

“Hudson said it would keep you safe,” I murmured.

He dropped a quick kiss to my lips, then slid the robot into his pocket.

We headed out the front door, and I ensured it was locked behind us. When we reached the vehicle, I saw Jameson sitting in the driver’s seat. North opened the front passenger door.

Our squad leader’s face was serious as he looked at us.

I slid into the back seat. “Hey.”