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“You think I will not have time for you or want you by my side?”

Before she could answer, Sloan was boether She not only saw them but felt them, too She felt what Xan felt the first time he saw her in that cell He saw her as a vision there to save hi laps of the ship together, their tiht in the bar All of it hit her so fast that Sloan hadn’t realized that she was holding her breath until the visions stopped, and Xan took her face in his hands and brought their lips together

“Anywhere in the system with you at my side is where I would like to be I do have responsibilities and a family, but that includes you now You are the most important person in my life, and I will not be able to continue without you by my side Please do not make me” Xan stared at her with such intensity that Sloan felt her eyes filling again

Blinking tears away, Sloan could only nod because she was afraid that her voice would crack as her heart soared at the thought of being able to remain at Xan’s side Xan kissed her forehead, then bent to pick up their clothes They dressed in silence

Chapter 19

The revelation of Xan’s true identity would have caused a coood cover story The D’Arian Guard were not keen to allow Xan to travel with Sloan to the ship to deliver the news—not on his own, at least Showing up to the ship with about twenty D’Arian guards had brought up more than a few questions Most of which they couldn’t answer because Cain felt that they should keep Xan’s resurrection, as it were, from everyone until they reached D’Arian

So, they had to go with the unlikely story that Sloan and Xan were selected for a transport job that required the two of theh Dev, Eaon, and Erl were skeptical, Sloan reassured the to be perfectly fine Xan threw in that the financial rewards would be beyond any job they had seen before, and the whole creould be able to take at least a year off after they completed the job

Sloan gaped at hih They hadn’t discussed any amount ofwith hi like that out of their ti this, it certainly wasn’t for the credits But once he let that bit out, everyone pushed theer for Sloan and Xan to complete their work as they were to deliver the fuel rods to Seru Prime

“We have this, Cap I’ll plot a course to get us safely there, with no run-ins or detours Don’t worry,” Eaon said, trying to reassure Sloan

“And on’t even stop at Barkin Station for any gaa” Dev’s barely perceptible smile played on his lips

“Dev, don’t you dare take my ship near Barkin Do you hear me?” Xan attempted to walk her out of the ship with his hand placed on her back She struggled to maneuver around to confront Dev “Do you understand me? If there is so much as one scratch on her hull or you’ve lost any piece of ave thelare

“It’s okay, Captain I’ll keep an eye on them,” said Erl from behind her At least she had one sensible person on board ould hopefully keep her ship in one piece

They addressed a few fore sent to Xan’s ent of D’Arian Cain let her know of Xan’s discovery and pending arrival to D’Arian Cain did not want Xan speaking with his mother or anyone else to let them knoas alive, except Yaris, of course, in case there was an attempt on his life while they were en route to D’Arian

There were other ites, and other ite Xan’s imperial brand First, they had to heal the horrible scar left behind where his previous one had been Thankfully they were able to use nuents to ensure Xan felt no pain Next, the brand was redone and left to heal so that the scar would be invisible They would be leaving for D’Arian in a few short hours, and Sloan was pacing her assigned quarters, which were connected to Xan’s

Sloan was on her coo over the particulars of the drop-off and ensure there wouldn’t be an issue while Xan was getting fitted for all his regal attire This was the first time she had let her ship out of her control, so she was like aher child leave for their first day of school on their own