I’d lost my damn mind. How someone so small could wield so much power over me was a mystery I might never unravel. All I knew was every time I looked at her, I wanted.

And now that obsession had put her in danger. There were no boxes in the ventilation system. I knew because they were purposely left empty so we could smuggle goods in the tight space. Styx legion had specially designed containers that hooked together in a chain for easy removal once we reached our destination. They were also designed to look exactly like the rest of the space. An inspector could look right at them and see nothing.

Definitely not a rubber duck box, whatever the fuck that was.

None of our smuggling containers blocked more than half of the space. Abby would have been able to pass by one of ours. It would be a tight squeeze for her, but she could have done it. She was so damn small. Vulnerable. Weak. How was I going to protect her?

Impatient now, I watched as Abby finished putting on her boots. She looked her part once more, wearing the Styx legion’s armored uniform with the silver band on her arm. And I could breathe knowing she had at least some protection.

“Come.” I held out my hand, half afraid she would refuse to take it after the way I’d fucked her earlier. I’d been out of control. Completely feral.

I nearly sighed with relief when her soft hand slid into mine and she smiled up at me. “Where are we going?”

“Back to pilot controls. I need to scan the ventilation system.” I took a step but encountered resistance. Abby had her heels dug into the floor and was trying to pull me back to her. “You are not strong enough to move me.”

“I don’t want to move you. I want you to kiss me. Then I’ll go with you.”

“This is not a game, Abigail.”

“Oh, I know, mate. This is our life. Much more important.”

I considered her words. She was mine, my female, my mate. I wanted her to be happy, to choose to be with me. And I wanted to kiss her at least as much as she wanted the kiss.

Instead of moving to her, I tugged her to me and gently took her lips with mine. I buried my fingers in her damp hair and groaned as the soft scent of her surrounded me once more. When my cock rose to attention, I pulled back. “That is enough. I do not have time to fuck you properly.”

Her laughter was a cool breeze blowing through the hell I’d lived in most of my life. “You already did that. More than once.”

“Not enough.”

She smiled, her hand resting on my cheek. “It’s probably a good thing. I’m not used to so much activity, and I’m pretty sore.”