“Don’t make me say goodbye to you.”

Tears filled her eyes but she blinked them back. “Don’t make this any harder. I’m never going to forget you but I can’t just walk away from my entire life. People would worry about me. I can’t do that to my family and friends. It’s not like I can call them on the phone from your planet, right?”

“You can’t.”

“I figured. Put me down, Coto.”

He didn’t want to let her go but he lowered her to her feet and stepped back, breaking their connection. Lynn bent and retrieved the shotgun. “I’m never going to forget you. Ever. I have to go.” Her voice broke. “Take care of yourself and don’t get into any more space battles with Collis.”

She spun away and took off down the hill. He tensed, the urge to go after her almost impossible to resist. He fisted his hands, forcing his body to remain stiff and still. She’d hate him if he forced her to leave her planet. He just couldn’t hurt her that way, even if watching her disappear down the hill made his chest hurt.

He heard footsteps behind him and tore his gaze from Lynn’s retreating back. Vhon spoke first. “She’s not coming with you?”

“It’s too painful for her to leave her world.”

“I’m so sorry, man.” Vhon just stood there, looking at him sorrowfully. “We could take her. Our brother got away with it. It worked out for him and Casey. I’ll tell our father that we had to do it to ensure she didn’t tell anyone about our visit.”

“She won’t do that. I trust Lynn. I’d rather lose her than make her suffer the loss of all she loves.”

Vhon reached out and gripped his shoulder. “You’re a good, honorable warrior.”

“It hurts,” he admitted. “I never believed I could become so deeply attached to a female that fast.”

“Love at first sight. I believe in that. I long for it.”

Holion came out of the house. “Where is the woman?”

“Gone,” Vhon answered.

Holion snarled. “She will tell the humans about us and they will come to attack before we leave the surface! Which way did she go? I will silence her.”

Vhon dropped his hand off Coto’s shoulder. “Kick his ass. It will make you feel better.”

Coto didn’t need any encouragement. Holion was a threat to Lynn. He snarled and went after the male.

Chapter Seven

Lynn hid Mr. Avery’s shotgun inside her SUV and barely had time to close up the back when she heard footsteps and turned. Jimmy trudged toward her.

“Did you find that beast and take it out?”

“I found what killed your dogs. Problem solved.”

“It took you long enough.” He seemed to notice what she wore. “What the hell happened to you?”

His question caused memories of Coto to stream through her mind. “It’s a long story and it’s not one I plan to share with you. I’m going home.”

She tried to move around him to reach the front of her vehicle, happy she kept a spare set of keys stashed in the glove box since she’d lost hers. Jimmy grabbed her arm.

“What was it?”

A really amazing alien man. “A bobcat with rabies.”

“Shit. I keep telling Mr. Avery he needs to pay someone to check his property. That means it will spread. I’ll have crazy raccoons and squirrels coming onto my property.”

“I’ll talk to him about it tomorrow.” It would give her a valid excuse to visit the cabin and “discover” the body. “Right now I want to take a shower and sleep in a real bed.”

“You can use mine. I’ll even wash your back…or anything else you want.” He leered at her chest.

“In your dreams, dirtbag.” She jerked out of his hold. She opened the driver’s door and climbed inside but Jimmy grabbed hold of the edge, not allowing her to close it.

“You might not be such a bitch if you got laid. Face it, Lynn, I’m probably the best of the bunch. Tim is better looking but he’s a mean drunk. Craig can’t hold a job so you’d have to support his ass and we all know he’s nailing Miller’s wife every chance he can. Everyone else is either too old or way too young, unless you start trolling them right out of high school. Plus, I can get you high for free. Let’s go in my house.”

“Get out of my way.”

He refused to let go of the door when she tried to close it. He actually stepped forward, putting his body in the path of it. “You know you want me. Just do it. Do me.” He licked his lips. “Come on, baby.”

Her temper flared. She was done. “You want me to touch you?”

“Yeah.” He grinned.

“Fine.”

She twisted on the seat and kicked out her foot, nailing him in the crotch. He cried out and doubled over, stumbling back as he grabbed at the front of his pants.

Lynn slammed the door. She locked it and then leaned across the console, opened the glove box and retrieved her spare keys.

“You bitch!” Jimmy hit her window. “I’ll get even with you.”

She shoved the key in the ignition and started the engine. She flipped him off and put on her seatbelt.

“I’m going to get you fired!” He tried to open her door but it wouldn’t budge.

She figured he would call his uncle over that little stunt but she was fed up with his threats. It was possible the Zorn ways had rubbed off on her but she didn’t feel an ounce of guilt. It felt good to hit the creep. She threw the SUV in drive and slammed her foot down on the accelerator, taking off.

She forgot about the metal gate at the end of the long driveway. Jimmy probably wouldn’t show up to unlock it and let her out so she just rammed it. The thin chain snapped and the chain-link fence popped open. She drove out, merging onto the double-lane road that led into town.

Her little house was a welcome sight as she parked in front of the garage and locked up the SUV. She had to use the hideaway key under the planter to let herself in. After locking the door behind her, Lynn stopped, the utter silence hitting her as she studied her mismatched hand-me-down furniture and a few pieces she’d managed to buy on her own.

“Damn.” She put the keys on the table and checked her answering machine. There were no messages. She walked into the kitchen and opened her fridge, staring at the meager contents. She grabbed a soda, opened it, and took a sip.