Anna lurched in her seat as Foster thrashed at breakneck speed away from the dying hive. She watched through the small, dark windows at the rear of the vehicle as red and orange flames consumed the nest.

The Chittrix would rebuild, continuing to push humans to the edge of their limits. But now they had a real way forward, a technology to make a real difference. She closed her eyes and said a small prayer of thanks that they were all still alive.

When she opened them again, she had made a resolution. She’d been stuck in the past long enough. She possessed the technology and skills to do some serious damage to the Chittrix population, and have Garrick at her side while she did it.

She dragged her gaze from the burning devastation to Garrick resting beside her, hanging on to a green roof-strap with one hand. His head drooped, exhaustion weighing heavily on his shoulders. She cradled the back of his neck with her hand as the vehicle swung and bounced under Foster’s erratic driving skills. Expletives from the front cab where Violet was sat reassured Anna they’d get home in one piece.

Garrick settled his hand on Anna’s thigh, its heat soaking through the thin fabric of her trousers. She placed her hand on top, and let her fingers slip between his. A wave of peace swept through her body. With Garrick, she could just be herself.

I don’t have to fight all the time. I can let go.

He was watching her. His dark eyes steady, taking her all in.

He turned her hand over and traced the delicate bones of her wrist, then slipped a possessive hand behind her neck and pulled her close, his lips finding hers. She let the warmth and scent him soak into her. She’d thought she’d never be in his arms again.

She broke away from his kiss, breathless, searching his face. “You can’t change your mind. If you want this, you have to want all of it. All of me. I’m difficult, and I like to get my own way.”

“I know.” He bumped his forehead against hers. “I’ve made some stellar bad decisions in the last year.” His thumb grazed the edge of her jaw, tracing the line of skin from throat to ear, filling her belly with butterflies. “But you are not one of them.”

She squeezed his hand. “Flatterer.” Her eyes burned, as he bent and kissed her lashes, brushing away salty tears.

“I mean it. I want to take my time and enjoy every minute.”

A heated flush spread over her cheeks, and she smiled. She looked down at the gritty floor and tried to catch her breath despite her racing heart. “Don’t mess with me, Garrick.”

He shook his head, his voice serious. “I’m not messing.”

She kissed him hard on the mouth then pulled him fiercely to her. “I can get used to that,” she muttered against his cheek.

“Guys. Get. A. Room.”

Anna opened her eyes as Violet lobbed a ball of crumpled paper at Garrick from the front cab.

Anna broke away from him laughing, wiping at the corner of her eyes with the back of her hand. “Of course, you know this means you can’t hog the maps anymore?”

Garrick grinned. “I can do that.”

* * *

Anna dozed most of the bumping journey. Exhausted from the adrenalin overload, sweet fatigue stole into her bones and pulled her under. She rested against Garrick, the comfort of being next to him enveloping her in a haze of safety.

He woke her with a gentle shake.

“Hey, sleepy. We’re nearly back at the base. Violet’s radioing us in.”

Anna rubbed the sleep from her eyes and sat up. Her entire body ached as if she had done ten rounds in a boxing ring, but with Garrick beside her, none of it mattered.

The radio crackled in the front cab, and Violet spoke into the handset. She turned and shouted over her shoulder as the Coyote started to tilt downhill.

“Another five minutes. They’re expecting us.”

Anna shot a questioning glance at Garrick, he’d already explained what had happened with Fox when he’d left the base. His face was composed, the creases at the corner of his eyes relaxed. “Fox just needs time,” he reassured her.

Violet continued to speak with the base as they descended, finally hanging up the mouthpiece as Foster brought the Coyote to a standstill. Thick, rumbling doors ground closed behind them. Anna was back at the Command Base.

Garrick insisted on unclipping her seat-belt and then before she jumped down from the metal step, his hands enclosed her hips in a firm grip. He lifted her, his gaze never leaving hers, a smile on his lips. “Safe now,” he said. When he released her, the imprint of his fingers still scalded her skin.

She blinked in the bright lights of the base, relishing the cool subterranean air. It soothed her lungs after the long drive in the stuffy confines of the Coyote.

The Jackal was parked next to them, Hardy and Sawyer were already unloading weapons.

“Garrick!” Anna recognised Fox’s clipped, no-nonsense tones and turned to see the man striding up, face flushed, arms tight at his sides. Edwards the medic accompanied him. A small wave of anxiety and concern for Garrick swirled in Anna’s belly. He was part of her now.

Garrick held up two placating hands.

Fox stopped a few feet away. His nostrils flared and he tapped one shiny boot on the hangar floor, clearly searching for words.

Garrick gestured at Foster, Anna, and the others behind them. “Everyone’s safe.”

Edwards stepped forwards, breaking the ice. “Let’s check people out then.” He hooked his fingers at Anna with a follow me gesture. “Reckon I can handle this,” he said, eyeing her bloody shoulder.

But Fox stood blocking their exit, immoveable, fixated on Garrick. “You left against my direct orders.”

Garrick sighed. “With all due respect, Sir, you are not my commanding officer. I did what had to be done. I’m not going to apologise for that.” Garrick indicated the hangar around them. “I don’t expect this base to be run as a democracy, but I do expect to have a choice in who we choose as a leader. Everything is changing. We can’t just run things based on how it was before. We’re all going to die if we keep repeating ourselves.”

Anna glanced at the faces of the rest of the group. These men around her, were experienced and efficient. Fox wasn’t foolish enough to risk losing their skills and talents, and for all his bluster, indecision flickered across his face. Even if he was selfish enough to only consider his own safety, they were all more secure with this team on board. She’d seen the evidence of that today.

Garrick slipped his hand into her uninjured one and took a step forward.

Fox straightened his chest and pulled his shoulders back.

Garrick didn’t wait for a decision. He skirted Fox and began to move towards the entrance to the Command Base. Anna fell into step beside him.

Fox cleared his throat. “Debrief at eighteen hundred hours when you’ve cleaned up and had some rest?” The question in his voice said it all; the subtle shift in the air palpable.

Garrick nodded as he scanned the rest of the group for agreement. Small nods and grunts. Everyone began to move past Fox, muttering acknowledgments. Anna followed Garrick, leaving Fox standing his ground beside the now-empty vehicles.

Violet jogged up to Garrick. “You’re going to have to work for this, brother.”

Garrick grinned over his shoulder. “I wouldn’t expect anything less, V.”

Then they were out of the hangar, and Garrick took off down the corridor, Anna matching his long stride.

He squeezed her hand, and she knew she was home.