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Blaze had always kept his feelings muted because he knew where his future lay. It had never been with a spitfire like Eden.

But not anymore. He’d sacrificed everything for her. She was worth it.

Madrie glanced over at him as Blaze was dragged along the corridor. “Don’t go dying on me now. You need to stay alive so your parents pay the ransom. Once we have their money, you can do what you like.”

“They won’t pay you anything,” he slurred out. “They don’t give in to tyrants.”

“Have they ever been faced with this situation? They’ll pay if they want you back. They’ll want to make sure you’re safe and returned to them.”

Blaze grunted, forcing breath to go in and out of his lungs. Everything was taking on a fuzzy glow as his vision dimmed. He was fading. It wouldn’t be long now. He’d be dead, and the Pecket wouldn’t get what they wanted if they only had his corpse to barter with. And by that time, Eden would have found a way off this ship.

A door opened at the end of the corridor, and he was dragged into the ship’s cockpit.

“Get him upright,” Madrie said.

Blaze couldn’t stand. The second he was released, he stumbled, sank to his knees, and bowed his head.

“That’s perfect. When your parents see you like that, they won’t be able to help themselves. They’ll have to save their child.” Madrie rubbed his hands together. “This mission will make us wealthy. We’ll sell the animals, ransom the baron, and then we can retire for a few years.”

A faint flare of anger flickered in Blaze. “Go jump out of an airlock, dickhead.”

“Watch him,” Madrie said. “Make sure he’s not playing with us. If he makes a single wrong move, knock him out but keep him alive so his parents can see he’s still breathing.”

Blaze grunted out a laugh. They had no clue what they were doing. All their efforts were focused on him, when they had a deadly weapon in their cargo hold, and she’d go off any minute.

Madrie turned away from Blaze and studied the screen on the console panel in front of him. “That was fast. We’ve had a response. Let’s see how keen your family is to get you back.”

“They won’t give you anything,” Blaze growled out. “And when they figure out who you are, they’ll hunt you down and rip this ship apart, you included.”

Madrie ignored him as he read the message. “They’re sensible. They’re demanding proof of life before they agree to negotiate. Let’s show them what we’ve got.” He keyed in a message on the panel in front of him.

“What did you tell them?” Blaze said.

“That if they want to see you, then that’s what will happen. It’s cruel to deprive parents of their son.” He sneered at Blaze.

“I’ll tell them not to pay any demands.” Blaze struggled to get the words out. His life was ebbing away. With every breath he took, he felt weaker. It wouldn’t be long before he was gone. Then the Pecket would get nothing.

But Eden would be free. And she’d fight tooth and nail to get out and get the animals back where they belonged. These assholes would fail.

“They’re keen on seeing you. Olark, establish a scrambled link so they can’t track our location,” Madrie said. “It’s time to meet the family.”

Blaze gritted his teeth, his hands clenching. Despite what he’d said, his parents would pay. He’d had a great upbringing, full of love and encouragement. His parents were proud of all their children. And even though he’d shocked them when he’d demanded time out from his responsibilities, they’d accepted it. They’d always looked out for him. He owed them big time.

His heart clenched as his thoughts turned to Eden. He loved her, and he longed for his parents to accept her as his match, but she wasn’t what they expected. He couldn’t blame them for that. It was all they knew. And it was always what he’d expected to do.

Blaze had never expected to fall in love.

If he’d accepted his parents’ way of living, he wouldn’t have been on his knees about to die. But then he’d have never met Eden and been a part in all their adventures. He’d never have been a part of such an incredible crew on the Apocalypse. And he’d have never known what real love was all about.

“The link is ready,” Olark said.

“Bring him over here so they can see him,” Madrie said.

The two Peckets guarding Blaze dragged him into position.

“Let’s see what they have to say,” Madrie said. “Smile for your parents.”

Blaze growled in response.