When they woke the next day, Tabby rolled out of bed and put her robe on. She smelled the scent of frying bacon coming from the kitchen. Excited to see Oro cooking, she hurried through the bedroom door and into the kitchen.

He was still wearing the ridiculous khaki pants and button-down shirt look, but this time the shirt was pink. Tabby giggled as she slid into the stool pushed up against the bar, facing Oro in the kitchen. He slid eggs and bacon onto a plate with toast, and pushed it towards her with a cup of coffee.

“When did you learn to cook human food?” she asked.

“On the way over from Draconia we were required to study human culture, anatomy, and relationships. Cooking your food was one of the many skills we acquired during the long trip.”

Tabby dug into her breakfast. It was a simple meal but expertly prepared and delicious. She groaned as she ate her eggs and then took a bite of toast.

“So what is the plan for today?” she asked, hoping that they were going to spend the day together instead of being left alone in this strange little house in the suburbs.

“I must complete my mission today,” he said, dishing up his own breakfast. He sat beside her on a stool and began to eat, his eyes focused on the granite countertop as if he were deep in thought.

“I was hoping we would spend some time together today,” she said. This had all started out as a way for her to get off of Earth and to have all of the things that she felt she deserved. Now, it felt more important to spend time with Oro. Every day, she had a stronger connection to him. Every time they held each other, she wanted him more.

Leo hadn’t exactly been a good boyfriend, but she knew how attached she had been to him, especially in the beginning. Her feelings for Oro were already stronger than any feelings she’d ever had for Leo.

It was strange and exhilarating to think that she could actually love someone, especially the person who was so absolutely committed to her in every way.

“There will be time for that later. Now, I must leave you.”

“But how will I get a hold of you if I need you?” she asked, feeling worried and abandoned. Oro pulled a small device out of his uniform and handed it to her. She flipped it over and realized it was a cellphone.

“My contact information is programmed into this cellphone. If you need me, just call or text, and I will come right away.”

“Okay,” she said hesitantly. She was beginning to believe that Oro was here to take out Juan Norte. That idea scared her more than a little. Juan was Leo’s boss. Leo was a brutal, ruthless man. But next to Juan, Leo looked gentle and kind.

“What is your mission?” she asked again in a low voice.

“I told you, it’s classified.”

“Oro. I think I know why you’re here.”

“What do you mean?” He slid out of the stool and looked down at her. He towered above her small form, his eyes dark and hooded. Tabby bit her lip and looked away.

“Before we met, before I entered the lottery, I was involved with this guy.” She couldn’t meet Oro’s gaze. She didn’t want to tell him about Leo. It almost felt like she’d been unfaithful, even though that was ridiculous. She glanced at his face to see the jealousy burning in his dark irises.

“What about this guy?”

“He saved me from the poverty of the ghetto where I grew up. Both my parents got hooked on the techno-drugs after the Draconian technology leak. That stuff is everywhere now. Taken over whole parts of cities. Arizona is drowning in it. There are people who are willing to take advantage of the weaknesses of others. This guy who saved me from the ghetto, he just happened to be the guy supplying all the drugs.”

“Who is this man? What is his name?”

“His name is Leo Hendrix.”

Oro crossed his arms and looked thoughtful for a moment. He nodded and frowned. “Why are you telling me this now?” he finally said.

“Because you told me that you are here to take down a major criminal in the area. Leo’s boss was Juan Norte. I know you are here to take him down.”

Oro’s eyes grew wide. He put his hands on his hips, staring down at her. He heaved a sigh and turned away, shaking his head. Slowly he turned back to her, a determined expression on his face.

“Since you already know, I don’t see any reason to keep it from you. I’ve been tracking Juan Norte for the past several days. It is my mission to take him out through stealth. I must catch him alone to prevent him from using the computer codes he has that would enable him to control all of the people who are addicted to the techno-drugs. He would have an army of addicts, willing to obey his every command.”

“What?” Tabby said, disgusted and appalled. “I knew it was bad, but I had no idea it was that bad.”

“It may be even worse than that if I can’t get Juan alone. If I have to attack without the element of surprise, it will give him the opportunity to dispatch the code only he knows. He could cause them to self-destruct or he could cause them to attack. It’s a worst-case scenario the Draconians want to avoid at all costs.”

“I can see why.”

“You said that you knew of this man. Do you have any insight into his movements?” Oro gave her a hopeful look but then his expression turned skeptical. The truth was, she didn’t really know anything about Juan Norte’s routines.

“I don’t. I’ve never even met Juan. But I know that Leo works for him. I know he’s a bad dude. He’ll kill and torture people for fun. I’ve heard the stories.”

“What about this Leo character? What is his relationship to Juan Norte?”

“Leo is the leader of one of Juan’s districts. He oversees the drug distribution in Phoenix.”

“When does Leo meet with Juan?”

Tabby thought for a moment about Leo’s schedule and routine. Leo usually left on Mondays and wasn’t back until the next morning.

It’s possible that he visits Juan on Mondays.”

“It’s Monday today.”

“I’ve lost track of time,” she said. She had lost track of time. The days with Oro sped by in a daze of pleasure and excitement. He had provided such a comfortable atmosphere for her that it was easy for her to forget herself. It was easy to forget that she was still in Arizona and in Leo’s territory. It was easy for her to forget how much danger she was still in.

“Leo has access to Juan. And you have access to Leo.”

“What are you thinking?”

He shook his head, seeming to reconsider. “No, I can’t put you in that kind of danger.”

“I’m a tough girl. I want to help. Want to help you. The sooner we get this done with, the sooner we can be together.”

Tabby was surprised by the words coming out of her mouth. All she had wanted a few days ago was to get as far away from Leo as she possibly could. Space, if that’s what it took. She was so close to being free of him forever, and yet now, she was willing to put herself back in the lion’s den to help Oro with his mission.

Oro was a Draconian warrior of the highest order. Why would he ever need her help? But the idea that a man like him needed her help on an important mission sent a hot thrill down her spine. It settled in her core and tingled there. She wanted to help her mate in any way she could.

“If I turn myself in to Leo today, he’ll have no choice but to take me to Juan’s. I can get access to Juan and signal you when we’re alone.”

“It’s too dangerous. I’ll never put my mate in that kind of danger. That is the end of it. Don’t mention it again. Now, I have to go. Stay inside. Lock the door. Stay safe. If you need anything, anything at all, call me with your cellphone. I will return immediately.”

Tabby was disappointed. But it wasn’t like she hadn’t expected him to say that. He had traveled across the universe to find his mate. Having her was a once in a lifetime opportunity for him. It would be kind of stupid to put her in danger, at least from his point of view. She still wanted to help though.

He leaned down and cupped her chin in his hand, tilting her face up towards him to kiss. He planted his full lips on hers, stealing a soft moan from her throat.

“Do you have to leave?” she asked, wanting to go back into the bedroom and finish what they’d started. She was ready to let him claim her. He was being so careful, it just made her want him more.

“Yes.”

“All right,” she said breathlessly when he let her go. “I’ll stay inside.”

“I may not be back before dark,” he said. He kissed her forehead and squeezed her hand before turning towards the front door. When he opened the door, he turned to her and reminded her to lock herself inside. She agreed and watched him walk away. The door clicked closed and she was alone.