And he was coming too close. Shy away and don’t let him see how vulnerable she was right now. Of course she’d get over it, but he was too sharp not to pick up on every nuance if she didn’t hide it carefully. “You’re right.” She had to wait a minute before she could meet his gaze and force herself to smile ruefully. “It’s not like me. And I’m tempted to slug you for accusing me of being overemotional.” She paused. “If it wasn’t true. I’m still tempted, because you wouldn’t accuse Gilroy of being too emotional under any circumstances. Is that reserved for women in your eyes? However, I might not have been thinking straight, and this is too important to me to let that happen. I have to take a step back and consider all angles.” She turned away. “So I’m going to curl up in my sleeping bag and do just that. I’ll talk to you in the morning.” She dropped to her knees beside her sleeping bag. “Your rations are over there beside your backpack. Good night, Korgan.”

He didn’t answer for a moment. “Good night.”

She could still feel his gaze on her as she crawled into the bag and turned her back on him. She’d been a little abrupt, but he’d probably accept that she was pissed off because of the chauvinism she’d accused him of. She’d lie here and close him out and tomorrow she would have herself thoroughly under control.

And he would never know why she had been thrown into such shock and panic at the thought that it was not only Sasha who could be in danger when they made their move on Jubaldar.

She might lose Korgan, too…

*  *  *

Next Day
2:40 P.M.

Alisa could see Margaret waving to her as the helicopter cautiously descended. It was so good to see her. She lifted her hand and watched until the copter reached the ground. But the rotors had barely stopped whirring when Korgan stepped forward and opened the passenger door for Margaret. “Good to see you.” He lifted her out of the cockpit and watched as Juno jumped to the ground beside her. “And you, too.” He took out her duffel and set it on the ground before turning back to Alisa. “I don’t know how long I’ll be. I’ll let you know later. You’ll be all right?”

“Of course I will,” she said impatiently.

He nodded. “Of course you will,” he repeated. He jumped into the helicopter. “Let’s go, Harris.” He motioned to the pilot to take off. “Take care of her, Margaret.”

“You’re joking.” Margaret laughed as she stepped back away from the chopper. Then her amusement faded when she caught his expression as the aircraft lifted off. “Or maybe you’re not…” She turned to Alisa. “What’s happening?”