Page 55 of Starfighter’s Salvation

"Oh, shush. Don't ruin my fun."

I was listening to pure feminine chaos on comms as I kept the Salvation moving toward Mia and Kassius's ship. They were flanked by two more Velerion fighters, and I finally let myself breathe. We weren't going to die today.

I watched as the remaining Scythes all lost coordination at once. Jamie and Alexius took out two. Vesh's and Priya’s Scout ship appeared long enough to kill one from behind and vanished again. Three more flew straight into the ground like they'd been aiming for it. The last fighter broke and ran.

"Oh, no you don't." I wasn't sure, but I thought that was Jamie's voice again as two of our saviors gave pursuit.

The plasma cannon batteries were destroyed seconds later. There were no more enemy combatants to fight.

"Thank you for the assist." I slowed the Salvation, relieved to be surrounded by a formation of allied ships.

"What's your status?"

I wasn't sure who asked. Not that it mattered. Arturri was a full gate-transit away, and Gina was bleeding in the back of my ship. "Multiple wounded, including my mate. The ship took too much damage to go through the gate."

"We'll escort you to the Resolution."

A set of coordinates appeared on my display. I set the course and turned on the autopilot. "Thank you." I meant it. I'd never meant it more in my fucking life.

Gina appeared in the cockpit doorway. Blood covered the side of her flight suit, dark and spread wide across her small body. Her normally radiant face was pale, and she had a light sheen of sweet on her brow. I was out of my seat in seconds.

I wrapped an arm around her shoulder and tried to lead her to the copilot's seat. “Sit down.”

“I wanted to see the cavalry.”

“Where are you hit?”

“I told you. Ribs. The fragment is out. Bleeding is controlled.”

“How much blood have you lost?”

“Less than Tavar.”

“That is not an answer.”

She stepped into my arms and rested her cheek on my shoulder. “You did it."

“Did what?”

“You got us out of there.”

“We got lucky and we had a lot of help.”

“Told you we weren't going to die today.” Her tired smile made my chest hurt. "But you can tell me you love me again. I liked that part."

I did notice she hadn't said it back. “Sit down before I restrain you.”

She lifted her face for a kiss and I obliged, pressing my lips to hers with a gentleness that shocked me. Her contented sigh made my bones melt. “Kinky. Maybe later.”

With a tired grin, she pushed me away and returned to the medbay. She was just out of sight when I processed what she'd said. Even bleeding, even swaying on her feet, she could drive me to distraction. The only thing I'd be able to think about for the rest of the ride was tying her to my bed and fucking her until neither one of us could walk straight. I did not know what to do with a woman like that.

Gina completed her rounds for the entire flight. I watched her on the internal feed and could not make myself look away. She checked every line, dressing, and monitor while keeping one arm pressed against her ribs, and she never once allowed any pain show on her face. If she had, I would have strapped her onto a stretcher and taken care of her myself.

I had flown with hardened warriors who guarded themselves more and cared for others far less. I was in love with the bravest person I'd ever met. I had plenty of time to think as we hobbled toward the Resolution at less than half the ship's normal speed.

She'd agreed to come with me to Velerion—even though I was four days late fetching her—and left everyone and everything she knew behind. She'd flown straight into danger, twice, immediately after her arrival and never complained, never blinked. She'd given me her heart and forced me to stop hiding mine. She cared for everyone on the ship and never complained about her own injury. She was incredible. Too fucking good for a male like me, but it was too late. She was mine and I would never give her up.

We made it to the large battleship without further incident and the Resolution’s bay doors opened to reveal a crowd of medics and deck crew waiting for us. The stretchers came off one by one. Gina stood at the top of the ramp directing the handoff.