Syn's breath came in sharp gasps, his chest heaving as he faced Pako across the evacuation bay's cold steel floor. Vera lay crumpled to his left, her purple hair fanning out like a spilled shadow, her body still tingling from the taser's bite, while Aster strained against the blanket binding her broad frame, her teal eyes glinting with fury.
Pako stood before him, naked and unashamed, her tanned skin glistening with sweat, her curves and perky breasts a distracting tableau that had already compromised his focus—his groin tightening, his agility faltering. She glared at him, her dark eyes blazing with a fire he hadn't anticipated, her fists clenched as she stepped forward, her voice cutting through the tense air like a blade.
