Page 42 of The Alien Warrior's Heart

Zar huffed.

“Chozo,” she whispered, easing him back, “what are you doing all the way out here? I thought your city was a long way back?”

“I was sent away.”

“Who did?”

“My parents.”

“Why?” Simone wrinkled her eyebrows. Suspicions crept into her mind as, once again, Chozo hesitated to answer. The despair in his eyes was real. She could sense that. But maybe Zar had a point. Maybe sheshouldbe more careful around this alien, even if he was a kid.

He’d won her heart over when he appeared crying and lost out of nowhere. She’d softened because he reminded her of herself, but that didn’t mean he was one of the good guys.

Simone loosened her embrace and stepped back. “Chozo, why did your parents send you away?”

Zar took her hand and pulled her behind him. She had no idea how he’d sensed her sudden uncertainty about Chozo. If it were anyone else, she would have been a little unnerved to be read so well, but it didn’t feel out of place to be protected by Zar.

It didn’t feel strange to beknownby him.

And that should be troubling.

It was.

Kind of.

Right now, she had bigger things to worry about. Like keeping Chozo alive and away from Zar’s murderous intentions. And figuring out the truth. She could worry about her relationship status when she’d sorted all this out.

“Because of this.” Chozo’s voice broke. He unfurled his three fingers that looked like frog legs and revealed a tiny black device on his wrist.

Zar made a warning sound in his throat, eyeing the device. Simone placed a hand on his before he could rip through his skin with that spine dagger again. Zar remained tense, but at least he didn’t pounce.

Chozo’s device whirred and a bright light emitted from the center of it. Simone lifted her hand to shade her face from the glare. Soon the light shifted and revealed two fully-grown Heronas wearing face masks.

She glanced at Zar and saw the fury spur in him again. What was up with the blue alien? Just the sight of the Heronas made his blood boil.

The light snapped away as Chozo abruptly ended the projection before it really began.

She studied him. “Why did you stop?”

“The footage seems to be upsetting the Plutonian. Should I not continue?”

“Give us a minute.”

Chozo dipped his chin.

Simone faced Zar and cupped his square chin in her palms. “Hey,” she whispered, “I’m right here. Nothing’s going to happen to me or you right now. Okay? I’m going to protect you.”

Chozo translated her words.

Zar’s eyes softened with amusement and he swiped her knuckles with his thumb. In a low, intimate breath, he said something to her.

Her gaze inched toward Chozo.

The young alien cleared his throat. “He said that he is the one who will do the protecting, but you are welcome to compete.”

She laughed. “Why am I not surprised by that?”

Zar pressed a kiss to her temple and held her close. Nodding at Chozo, he gestured for the video to continue.