Finally, they headed out the front doors of the Woomera main building. There was a small rock garden, with native plants and a metal sculpture, out front.
“Being pregnant with the first Eon-Terran baby is full of surprises,” Eve said.
“You’re okay now?”
“Yes, but I have an overprotective warrior baby daddy.” She glanced at the building. “Uh-oh, incoming.”
Kaira saw Davion Thann-Eon striding out the doors, his brows drawn together. He walked like he owned the place. Clearly, a man used to being in charge.
And with him was the sexy silver fox she’d spotted earlier.
Kaira straightened.
The man’s gaze met hers and she felt a jolt through her body. He had black eyes crisscrossed with strands of bright green.
“Eve.” Davion moved to his mate.
She held up a hand. “I’m fine. Just a bit dizzy, and I needed some air.”
The big warrior put his hand on her belly, a tender move. “Let Thane check you over.”
Thane. Kaira had heard the name. Medical Commander Thane Kann-Eon of the Rengard.
As the doctor checked Eve over, he murmured quietly to her.
Davion nodded at Kaira. “Thank you for assisting Eve.”
“It was no problem.”
“You’re fine, Eve,” Thane proclaimed. “You just need a little more rest.”
Davion let out a gusty sigh. “My mate isn’t good at sitting still.” He slid his arm around her.
“Your baby is healthy,” Thane said.
The couple smiled at each other, then Davion pressed a kiss to Eve’s lips.
Kaira moved away to give the couple some privacy. She skirted the metal sculpture and Thane followed her.
“We haven’t been introduced. I’m Medical Commander Thane Kann-Eon.”
“Commander Kaira Chand. Australia Air Force and head of Woomera Security.”
“I’m friends with Sabin. He told me you were excellent to work with.”
“That’s high praise.” She held out her hand.
Thane took it.
As soon as their fingers touched, electricity skated up her arm.
She gasped.
He jolted.
Instant desire flooded Kaira. The green strands in Thane’s eyes glowed.
“What the hell?” she breathed. Their fingers twined together.
“Kaira.” His voice was deep, guttural. He pulled her close and their bodies collided.
Heat. She felt like flames were licking her. “What’s going on?” she whispered.
“I don’t know.” Thane lowered his head, his hands tightening on her skin. “Can I kiss you, Kaira?”
Her belly clenched. It was what she wanted. More than anything. “Yes.”
Then his mouth was on hers firm, hard, and demanding.
The kiss exploded. As their tongues tangled, he pulled her off her feet and she wrapped her legs around his waist. They devoured each other.
“God. God.” She bit his bottom lip.
He growled and they writhed against each other. She felt a very sizable bulge rub against her. Mmm. Kaira wanted to strip her clothes off, and feel this big warrior move inside her.
“What’s happening to us?” she panted.
Suddenly, his black-scale armor flowed over his skin.
“Thane?” She lifted her hands.
He frowned. “I’m not controlling it.”
Then, without warning, the scales flowed onto Kaira. Her mouth dropped open.
The armor covered them both.
Their gazes met.
Thane looked shocked. “Instant mating is unheard of.”
“Mating?” A crazy mix of emotions churned inside her. “No. No way.”
Then, without warning, a Kantos soldier burst out of the darkness.
Hurriedly, Thane set Kaira down and they spun.
A second and third soldier appeared.
Even with the new armor on, it hadn’t covered her holstered blaster. She grabbed it and fired.
“Davion, Kantos!” Thane yelled. “Get Eve inside.” A long sword formed on Thane’s arm.
Kaira and Thane attacked. She fired on the Kantos soldiers, and Thane’s sword slammed against another’s sharp arms.
Suddenly, something hit Kaira, wrapping around her.
She fell, struggling against the bindings. It was some sort of net made from a sticky brown substance.
“Kaira!”
Thane slashed with his sword and knocked a Kantos back. He ran toward her.
She saw another net hit him. He managed to stay upright, but his sword was trapped against his body. He fought the bindings.
Then the Kantos soldiers were on him. They hit him and Kaira felt a pulse of pain through her body. No.
Thane went down. They held up some black substance and slapped it over his wrist. Her scale armor dissolved, and so did his.
A Kantos stepped in front of her, blocking her view. She took in its hard, jointed legs. Then she was lifted and hefted over the alien soldier’s shoulder.
She tried to fight, but it was too strong.
The last thing she saw before the Kantos marched into the darkness, were two soldiers carrying a trussed-up and horribly still Thane between them.
Fucking hell. They’d just been abducted by the alien enemy.
Finley paced the span of her lab, chewing on a nail and waiting for news.
She reached for her elastic band and realized she wasn’t wearing it. She hadn’t been since she and Sabin had been abducted. She straightened.
The celebration party had ended abruptly, with the base being locked down. Sabin and the other warriors, along with the security team, had gone to deal with the Kantos.
Everybody knew that Thane and Kaira had been attacked.
Eve sat in a chair nearby, her hand slowly rubbing her belly.
“Are you okay?” Finley asked.
“I’m fine. Dammit, at any other time I could have fought them off.” There was frustration in her voice.
“Protecting your child is your number one priority right now.”
Eve nodded, but still looked annoyed.
The door opened, and Sabin and Davion entered.
Finley stepped forward. “Kaira? Thane?”
Sabin shook his head. “No sign of them. A small Kantos strike team snatched them and ran.”
“Why?” Finley said. “Why take them?”
Davion hugged Eve close. “I suspect they were after me and Eve.”
“What?” Eve looked up at him.
“There’s some Kantos chatter about them planning to target you.”
“And you didn’t tell me? The baby.” She rested her hand protectively over her belly. “They want our baby.”
Davion put his hand over hers. “That’s not ever going to happen.” He lifted his head. “We spoke with King Gayel. The Desteron has been tasked with retrieving Commander Chand and Medical Commander Kann-Eon.”
“God.” Finley went to Sabin, and he hugged her tightly.
“We’ll get them back,” he said.
“Eve, we need to get back to the Desteron, and you need to rest,” Davion said. “I want you safe aboard the warship.”
She nodded. “Finley, it was a pleasure to meet you. I’m sure we’ll see you again soon. We’ll keep you updated on your friends.”
“Thank you, Eve. Take care.”