He hesitated but then shrugged. “Fine. You sit on the other side, not near her.”

“You got it, Shadow.” Shane rushed past. “Nice seeing you again, Beauty.”

Beauty watched the task force member scurry away, giving a wide berth to the angry Species. She wasn’t sure if she should be irritated or flattered that Shadow was so protective. It had distracted her from her embarrassment with Shane. Shadow uncrossed his arms, approaching her.

“Let’s go. I put our bags in the helicopter. Officers retrieved them from the cabin. They are ready to leave.”

“Are you okay?”

He blinked.

“Shadow? It was innocent.”

“I don’t like anyone touching you.”

He was a man. Male, she corrected. Species weren’t exactly typical of regular men. Breeze had warned her Species could be possessive. She was beginning to understand that now. Shadow really would have attacked Shane if she hadn’t gotten in his way.

“I understand. I’ll try to remember that if there’s a next time. It’s not as though too many men are around me.”

Another task force member joined them. Beauty recognized him and smiled. Trey Roberts grinned as he clasped Shadow’s shoulder. “I’m glad you’re still alive, buddy. I heard you did some serious ass kicking. I bet you don’t hate me now nearly as much for all that gun-range practice I put you through.”

Shadow’s attitude changed as he grinned. “No. I still resent the hours you yelled at me but I know I needed it.” He reached out, hooked a hand around Beauty’s waist and pulled her into a protective position against his side. “This is Beauty.”

Trey glanced between them. “We’ve met. It’s nice to see you again, Beauty.” He put his hands on his hips. “I was there when she was rescued. Are you ready to come back yet, Shadow? The team misses you. I know you said you’d be back by the end of next week but we sure could use you now.”

Beauty heard the words and pain jabbed at her heart. He’s going back to the task force? Her gaze jerked to Shadow’s face but he was still smiling at his friend. Tell him no, she silently urged. She couldn’t lose him. He’d lived off Homeland when he’d worked with the task force. It would mean she’d never get to see him, or very rarely.

“I promised Wrath I’d spend some time at Homeland.” Shadow shrugged. “He thinks we need to connect with our people. It’s been good getting to know them and living with my kind.”

More pain shot through her heart. He hadn’t mentioned her at all. Did that mean she wasn’t important to him? Her focus dropped to the ground in case he glanced at her. She didn’t want him to see how his words hurt.

“Well, we miss you.” Trey released his hold, stepping back. “We got some new toys that I think you’ll like. I bet you miss the action.”

“It is a slower pace at Homeland.”

Trey laughed. “I heard they put you on patrol in the interior. I bet that gets boring. Species don’t cause too much trouble. They should have you assigned to the gates where the action happens.”

“Fury decided I would appreciate not having to deal with humans after living amongst them.”

“Yeah, we’re annoying bastards, aren’t we?” Trey chuckled and patted Shadow’s shoulder again as Beauty glanced up. “Come back soon. We had some upgrades done to the living quarters. I think you’ll really love the new digs. The bedrooms were enlarged and so were the bathrooms. I want to move in, they look so good. Tim even added in new big-screen TVs and put in fridges next to them so you don’t have to walk to the kitchen to get your soda fix.”

“That sounds nice.”

Too nice, she concluded. Worry nagged at her that their relationship was over before it had really gotten started. They were ha**ng s*x together. Didn’t that mean something to Shadow? It was a commitment to her but he might not see it that way. It would break her heart if he just walked away.

“Tim felt bad about Lauren having to live in such rough quarters. You know his daughter is mated to a Species.” Trey glanced away and waved to someone. “It’s time to go. Load up and call me tomorrow to tell me when you’re coming back. It can’t be soon enough. Your replacement is kind of driving me nuts. Thank God it’s only temporary. He growls too often, not understanding I’m riding his ass for his own good.”

“Feline? They don’t take orders well.”

“Nope. He’s canine.” Trey walked away.

“Let’s go.” Shadow tugged on her waist.

She willingly went with him, her mind in a tailspin. What would it mean if he went back to work for the task force? The end of them seeing each other? Would he possibly invite her to live with him off Homeland? The concept left her feeling cold inside. There was no way she could live around a bunch of humans and feel safe after the life she’d led. She trusted Species men but could she ever relax around the men Shadow worked with? She highly doubted it. One of them had already betrayed the NSO.

Shadow would leave her alone inside his quarters while he worked. Fear gripped her just considering how anyone on the team would have access to her at the task force headquarters. They could be similar to the guards who’d once tormented her. Shadow would end up killing someone if that happened. He hadn’t even liked Shane touching her arm. He’d really go insane if someone approached her for sex.