Page 80 of Red Marked

“I know how to dispatch a feral, Flint. I’ve had years to learn.” She holds my eyes. “I’ve told you all this before. I’m quick. I’m quiet. You’ve seen me hide. You haven’t seen me hunt, though.”

Hunt.

Why does that sound sexy? Fuck! It shouldn’t.

“And if something happens to you out there? What if⁠—?”

“It won’t, I swear.”

I make a noise of frustration. “You can’t swear on something like that.”

“Look, I can do this…okay? If I had any doubts, I would tell you. I’m safer on my own.” She steps closer, and the honey scent comes with her. “We left the mountain from time to time. We had to. When the Draig females were carried across the water, we tracked them through the thick of feral territory. There was no other choice. It took us many trips to find and rescue Koa, and on every one of those trips there were males all around us.” Her chin lifts. “We didn’t rely on strength. We couldn’t. We’re smaller than they are. Speed, agility, and stealth were what we used against them, and successfully, I might add. We’ve never lost a female to a feral. Not one.” She pauses. “I can do this. I need you to trust me.”

Everything in me wants to argue. Star is a warrior female, but she is still only one person.

She can see me thinking it through. I think she can sense she’s getting through to me, so she goes on.

“I will need information,” she says, watching my face. “You said the boundary is heavily guarded. I’ll need whatever you have on all of those movements.”

“It’s not just the boundary itself, but the jungle on either side of it. I can give you all the info you need.” I rub a hand over my chin. “I put every one of those patrols in place myself. I have all of it.”

“Then I’m all set.” Her whole face lights up, and it starts with those eyes. “I’ll probably make it out before you do.”

I choke out the start of a laugh and shake my head, smiling.

“Fine, but I don’t like it,” I push out. “You’d better make sure you study the info I give you and that you make it out in one piece.”

“Deal.”

She holds out her hand. I shake it. Her grip is firm and warm. She lets go first.

“What smells so good?” I ask.

“Pot roast.” She tips her head at the stove. “If you’re hungry, I can make a plate for you.” One of the straps of her dress is slipping off her shoulder, and she clearly isn’t wearing a bra.

Eyes up.

Crap!

“I think I’ll shower first.”

She nods once. “I’ll print out what we need and have the food on the table when you’re done.”

“Sounds good.”

“Thanks again, Flint. I will definitely owe you big time.”

“You can stop thanking me already.” I smile at her. “And you won’t owe me anything.”

“I will.”

The thought of Star owing me something has everything in me tightening.

She doesn’t mean it like that, you idiot!

27

Star