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As that question got answered, Peyton thought back to his talk with Mary…and then he looked at Novo

The training prograive up on It was a good guess that Novo was going to try to pull back fro to want to separate herself fro her distance froain--to lie with her on some bed, somewhere, her head on his chest, his arht," Phury announced "This class has been working pretty ood opportunity for everyone to regroup in their heads and hit it fresh on Saturday"

It wasn’t until after people started to disperse that Peyton realized he’d been in an enclosed space with Paradise and hadn’t given her any thought at all

In the back of his head, notions of being proud of himself warred with the idea that maybe he’d just traded one addiction in a female form for another Noas all about Novo

And yet the shit with her felt very, very different

As he wide-stepped it down to the floor, he was not surprised to find his head was fucking pounding, and he loitered on the periphery as the Brothers walked out and the trainees ith them--with Novo in that chair in thethe others as a shield

"The bus is leaving in tento beat the shit out of you first thing ht Saturday, so sleep well, children!"

Out in the corridor, Peyton glanced to the office and wondered if he could find her address in a file or soo For one, it was automatic dismissal under the whole privacy deal For another, it put him squarely in stalker territory

Which he was so not

As he trailed behind her

Wondering how to get her alone

Yeah, he was sooo far away froency-order-of-protection territory

Besides, she was not being discharged tonight No way

In the end, he let her be, hanging back as her surgeon returned her to her room And God, as that door eased shut behind her, it seeether, him naked, her as soft as he had ever seen her

Peyton was all the way down at the end of the corridor, about to go through the steel door to the bus, when he realized he’d left his tuxedo shoved into one of the lockers Whatever He had two e, he decided to--

Craeg was standing by the bus Like he had been waiting

On the approach, Peyton did a quick review of the s Hands were curled into fists by his sides Jaas locked and loaded

Shit Really? They were seriously going to do this?

Standing beside herCome on Get on the bus" And then she put herself in front of the guy "Craeg Don’t be stupid"

Peyton was the one who addressed her "Give us atell her what to do" Craeg’s pecs swelled as he took in a deep inhale "She is none of your fucking business"

The female reached out and touched her et on the bus"

"No," Craeg said without looking at her "Gilanced back and forth between the one of theet yourselves kicked out," she snapped "You’re a pair of hotheaded animals"

After she disappeared onto the transport, Peyton closed the distance and said in a low voice, "Do it"

"Do what," Craeg growled

Peyton flashed his palms…then deliberately linked thee "I hereby offer you a rythe I do so in recognition of ard of your status as a bonded male unto the female Paradise, hom you have been mated It is not my intention to justify this behavior in any fashion, and I wish toto the Old Ways"

Craeg’s face becalish, Peyton said, "Take the free shot and let’s put this behind us I’nize she is yours and you are hers I had a knee-jerk reaction that came fro to swear on that shit But in the meantime, come on, man, just do it"

There was a period of silence, only the low hu the quiet Dimly, Peyton are that Axe and Boone had crowded into the open door of the bus, the two trainees staring over