I didn't ask for her. But the moment I had her in my arms, I knew I'd never let her go.

Talia Reed was supposed to be a tactical asset—brilliant, unwilling, and utterly necessary to defend my cyborg colony.

We brought her here because we had no choice.

But from the second she looked at me with those fire-blue eyes, everything changed.

She fought me. Challenged me. Matched me move for move.

And I wanted her.

More than logic, more than duty, more than every vow I'd ever made.

Now she sleeps in my bed.

Wears my shirt.

Redesigns my defenses like she was born to protect what's mine.

She says she's only staying until the threat is over.

That she doesn't belong here.

But I've already made my decision.

She belongs to me.

And I don't care what I have to do... I'm not giving her back.