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No point arguing “Fine If Kiara wants to go on a few dates after my mission, I’ll do it” Could he persuade her to lean toward his ive the attractive alpha one more chance? At least for a few dates Maybe she’d mellowed out Despite what Conan wanted, Steele didn’t plan on leaving Teaed her attitude, royal duties bored the hell out of hiine the princess would be okay with hihter of one of the ry pack leaders, Milton; who, if he could, would gladly usurp the king of his crown

“What mission?”

“I’m sorry, bro, top secret”

“I was going to talk to Rylee tonation, but I’ll do it today”

“Too late I can’t back out If I do, it could cost millions of lives” Conan wouldn't care about the loss of life, but heback on his word

“Who else is going?”

Steele had prepared for this assignment for months Alone, he would ith the CIA’s special operation group or SAD-SOG His ID, as ex-Navy SEAL, was fake None except a mysterious operative known as Mr H kneas a orking for the LIA Ironically, the LIA roup “Top secret”

Conan growled “Da breath “When do you return?”

“I’ll be back no later than teeks”

“Very well When you return, I’ll order a banquet for you and Kiara”

Dining with the haughty princess wasn’t the ideal horeed”

Gaby frowned at the caller ID, Director Rick Giles What now? She’d only been gone a week He promised to let her have aon her wildlife paintings At age twenty-five, she’d finally been allowed to live in her own cabin a ic Animal Behavior Research Center Better known as Project Sabertooth Isolated fro alone She and humans never mixed Every moment with a person outside her world felt aard She preferred animent Besides, no matter where she lived, she remained bound to Project Sabertooth One did not ot rid of acquaintances if they thought they exposed the project’s existence

Anyhidden research lab She read the e “You are needed immediately in the canine lab” She texted back “I’m ready” She put away her paints and soaked her brushes in the sink At least it was ht “Cohed Habit She e only a , she wanted to wait at least a few

The black SUV pulled up her driveway Gaby stared at the dry paint on her hands No time to wash, she’d scrub off the stains in the decontamination room

The honk meant, “Get your ass out here”