Authors: Laurann Dohner
It was a little sad, knowing she was the cause of his
distress. The confessions he’d made about some of the things he’d done deeply
disturbed him. She didn’t regret finding him though and would figure out a way
to help him deal with his regrets. They’d face whatever happened together, good
or bad.
He ended the transmission when he tore his hand off the
panel and spun. His dark gaze sought her and he approached. She studied his
expression. He slowly lowered to his knees in front of her.
“I spoke to one of the council members. He wasn’t aware of
the canine project.”
“Is that good or bad?”
“It’s excellent news. He’s outraged. He promised to meet us
when we arrive on Garden. I expect issues to arise.”
“What kind?”
He paused. “My access had been limited to my quarters.”
“What does that mean?”
“Fleet removed my access to the computer and the shuttle’s functions.
He attempted to stop me from contacting Garden but I was able to bypass his
efforts. He’s also removed me from the duty schedule and issued an order for me
to remain in our quarters. I’m to have no contact with any other cyborgs, per
his instructions.”
That wasn’t good and she knew it. “We need weapons.”
“We’ll be fine once we reach Garden. Zorus and some of his
trusted associates will be there in case Parlis has arranged for our arrest to
keep us separated from the population.”
“You think he’d really try to shove us into some hole to
keep us quiet?”
“We don’t have any below-ground holding cells.”
“You know what I mean. Or maybe not.” She had to remember he
sometimes took her words too literally. “Do you think he’ll try to keep us from
talking to anyone?”
“Yes. It won’t be possible though. As I said, Zorus is now
aware of the situation and will take measures to prevent us from being
detained.”
It sounded too easy. “What if Parlis orders this Fleet guy
to toss us out an airlock before we reach your planet? We need weapons,
Blackie.” Danica was vulnerable. “We need to get to the cargo hold.”
“I contacted Gene to update him on the situation and check
their welfare. Your littermate is safe.”
“He’ll protect her?”
“Yes.”
She didn’t know the other cyborg well enough to be certain
she could entrust Danica’s life to him. “He’d risk his neck to save her? Even
if his superior officer ordered him to stand down?”
“Gene will kill if necessary to prevent harm from coming to
Danica.”
He seemed sure and she was willing to trust his judgment. “I
think it’s better if the four of us stick close together. How many cyborgs are
on this shuttle?”
“Fourteen.”
“Those aren’t good odds.”
“The medic wouldn’t harm women. I contacted him as well. He’ll
warn us if Fleet plans an attack.”
“Isn’t that the dude you were fighting with in the hallway
after I woke up? I hate to break it to you but he really seemed intent on
smashing your face. I’m sure I didn’t score any brownie points when I tried to
pounce on him.”
“We called a temporary truce due to our mutual stance on
this issue.”
“You mean you both want to keep me alive until we reach
Garden?”
“Exactly. Varion has a soft spot when it comes to Earth
women.” He sighed. “I thought it was a flaw but now I’m grateful.”
“Did you tell him that?”
“No.”
“You probably should express yourself better. It will go a
long way to show people that you’re changing.”
His hands lifted and settled gently on her thighs. “Some
will view it as weakness.”
I’m the weakness. I’ll be the reason they think that way.
She wanted to kiss him but refrained. “Loving someone takes a lot of courage.
The ones who have a problem with us being together probably just haven’t
experienced it yet.”
“You’re correct but it doesn’t make it a lesser probability
that our situation will become an opportunity for some to seek retribution for
the things I’ve done. I have made many enemies.”
She hated to see his worried expression. “As I said, I’m
tough, baby. We’ll face anything that comes our way together.” She unleashed
her claws. “You guys are strong but you bleed.”
“Calm,” he rasped, reaching for her.
She retracted her nails, preventing the sharp points from
pricking his skin when he held her hands. “I’m trying but you have no idea how
crazy I feel inside when I think about losing you after I finally found you
again.”
“I believe you but that doesn’t mean I want to see you in
battle. Please promise to get behind me if an issue arises.”
“Don’t do that.”
“Do what? What have I done?” He tilted his head slightly,
peering at her with a frown.
“Pull that macho crap. I can fight.”
“You don’t have the strength of a cyborg.”
“I can still do some serious damage.”
“We can shut down our pain receptors at will. Are you able
to do that?”
“No.” She saw where he headed with his logic. “But I highly
doubt you guys get as pissed as I do. I might be small but I’d bet that I’m way
meaner.”
He had the nerve to smile. “You’re mine to protect.”
“Macho bullcrap,” she muttered but inched closer until her
mouth lined up with his, sharing the same air they breathed. “It kind of looks
sexy on you. Kiss me before you get more irritating.”
He closed the gap and tried do as she’d demanded. Eve
pounced, knocking him back until both of them landed in a heap on his floor
with her on top. She straddled his lap as she lifted up by pushing against his
chest, giving him a grin. His mouth hung wide open in surprise.
“Oh? What’s that? A little chick flattened a big bad cyborg.”
Dark eyes narrowed, the only warning he gave, before he
rolled. He moved fast for someone so big, grabbed her wrists and jerked them
above her head as they flipped over. His weight crushed her under him.
“Now what will you do?”
She spread her legs a little wider and wrapped them around
his waist. “Get nailed on the floor?”
“Nailed?”
She wiggled her hips, rubbing her sex against the front of
his hard cock, trapped inside his pants. “Take me.”
He licked his lips and his gaze lowered to her mouth. “The
bed is softer. You could bruise.”
He wanted her and she knew the feeling. All those decades of
having a missing mate without any sexual outlet had built up. Just being close
to Blackie and feeling him was enough to send her libido into overdrive. Her
nipples ached where they were smashed against his chest. The towel had come off
somewhere during the time she’d knocked him onto his back and when he’d
reversed their positions.
“I heal fast. Let me go.” She tugged against his grip on her
wrists.
His fingers eased their hold and she jerked free, reaching
down to the sides of his pants. She tugged at them until he lifted his hips to
oblige as she wiggled her fingers between their bodies just to tear the
material open to free his cock.
“I’ll get up.”
“Part of you already is.” She lifted her head and tried to
kiss his mouth as her legs locked tighter around his waist to prevent him from
pushing away from her. “I just want you inside me.”
It was exasperating when he pulled back a little. “Are you
certain you want to continue this on the floor?”
His doubtful expression was adorable. “Right here, right
now, baby.” She wiggled her hips, arching them up and rubbing her sex against
his. She was wet and more than ready. “Stop stalling. I
need
you.”
He braced one hand near her head and used the other one to
guide his cock to line up with the slit of her welcoming sex. She moaned when
he slowly breached her. The feel of him filling her was sheer heaven.
“Yes!”
Blackie took possession of her mouth, kissing her
passionately as he dropped his weight over her again to pin her firmly in place
under him. He cupped the side of her face, deepening the kiss as he began to
pound in and out of her pussy, seemingly out of control.
Eve clung to him since moving was impossible except to kiss
him back enthusiastically. She’d definitely have bruises but it would be worth
every single one. Blackie kept driving in and out of her until he brought her
to climax. He tore his lips away from hers when he found his own release.
She held him tenderly as they both panted, eyes closed, and
caught their breaths. He surprised her when he rolled them over but he didn’t
separate their bodies. Instead his big hands rubbed her ass as he got
comfortable sprawled on his back.
“See? You like the floor now, don’t you?” She couldn’t help
but tease him.
He chuckled. “I like everything when you are involved.”
She rested her head on his chest to listen to the precious
sound of his heartbeat. Her mate made her happier than she’d ever been in her
entire life. A grim thought surfaced.
Now just don’t let anything take him
away from me ever again. I can’t survive it.
Eve pressed back against Blackie, semi-aware that he put off
a lot of body heat while they slept. Her knees were pressed tightly against the
bulkhead since he took up a lot of space on the bunk. The room was still dark
when she opened her eyes and smiled. They’d moved off the floor at some point
and had fallen asleep after another bout of sex.
She wiggled her ass against his lap where he spooned around her
back, hoping he’d wake too. Making love would be the perfect way to start a new
day together. His breathing changed and the fingers curving around her hip
clenched. The low rumbling sound he made as he exhaled was sexy.
Her hearing also registered another very faint sound. It was
the only warning before the door to the hallway was forced open with a screech
of metal. Years of training and pure instinct took over as she used the
leverage of the wall to push off. It knocked Blackie flat onto his back so she
was able to roll over him. Her feet landed on his discarded pants.
The bright light spilling in from the hallway was blinding
but she locked onto the dark figure that blocked some it. The fierceness of her
protective instincts kicking in were a little shocking to Eve but her mate was
in danger. Her claws burst from her fingertips as she snarled, lunging at the
intruder. She didn’t take time to think, too intent on killing the threat.
The solid bulk she came up against was big but it had give
as he stumbled back from her dead-center hit. The sharp hiss of someone in pain
registered a second after her clawed hands made contact. She shredded material
and skin while tossing her head forward and slamming her forehead into a strong
jaw.
He staggered into the hallway before getting tripped up and
falling back onto the floor. Eve got a good look at the cyborg once her vision
adjusted after a few blinks. The enemy desperately attempted to toss her off
his chest where she was sprawled but it only made her dig her claws into his
skin deeper. It was the jerk who had pissed Blackie off earlier by showing up
at their door making demands.
“Get away from her!” Blackie yelled.
“Get her off me!” Fleet shouted back.
A strong arm hooked around her waist, hauling her away from her
prey. Her sharp claws were torn out of Fleet’s skin and caused him to groan.
She snarled, struggling despite knowing who held her. She avoided attacking her
mate to break free but that didn’t stop her from frantically wiggling in hopes
of sliding down Blackie’s body.
“Enough,” he ordered against her ear.
She stilled but her glare fixed on the downed cyborg. Fleet
bled from the deep gouges she’d inflicted. It wasn’t nearly enough damage, in
her opinion.
“He broke into our room,” she panted, flashing fangs. “Let
me at him again. He came to kill us in our sleep. I was just about to rip out
his throat.”
Fleet scooted on the floor until his back rested against the
hallway wall. His hands clutched his chest and he glared back at her. “That isn’t
accurate.”
“Uh-huh. You came bearing gifts, right? I don’t see a red
suit or a bag of toys, Santa. NOT!”
“I don’t understand what that means.” He gaped at her as if
she were deranged.
“I believe she’s making a reference to Earth’s holiday of
Christmas and Santa Claus.” Blackie raised his other arm and pointed his weapon
at the downed cyborg while he twisted his body, turning Eve toward the door to
their quarters. “You have thirty seconds to explain your actions before I blow
apart your chest.”
Frustration rose in Eve when she had to contort her neck to
be able to see around her mate since he’d put his body between her and the
injured cyborg on the floor.
“Don’t shoot.” Fleet slowly lifted his bloodied hands, palms
out. “I came to talk.”
“By breaking into our room? I call bullshit.” Eve wiggled
and Blackie’s hold around her waist adjusted until her toes touched the cold
metal floor of the corridor.
“Get dressed.” He let go.
She glanced at him but his focus remained on his target. “You’re
naked too.”
“I hear approaching booted feet. Put something on. I refuse
to allow other men to view so much of you.”
There was no use arguing when she picked up the faint sound
as well. Eve rushed inside their room and jerked open the drawer that held
Blackie’s shirts. In seconds she’d tugged on one that covered her from shoulder
to mid-thigh and attempted to return to the hallway. Her mate stepped back to
obstruct the doorway, leaving her trapped inside but able to peer at what was
going on in the corridor through the gaps he couldn’t fill.
Varion rushed around the corner and came to a halt. The
medic took in the scene. “What happened? The computer alerted me to a medical
emergency while I ate.”
“That woman attacked me,” Fleet accused.
“With reason,” Blackie stated. “You are running out of time.
Explain why you broke into my quarters and what your intentions were.”
Fleet uttered a soft curse. “I wanted a private discussion
with your woman.”
“I said no. You may tell Parlis he can hear what is said
during the meeting I asked the council members to hold. All will be present.”
“You are aware of how much damage could result if you follow
through with that plan. Be logical.”
“Fuck logic.” Blackie lowered his voice. “He isn’t going to
silence my mate.”
“You believe he came to kill her?” Varion inched closer.
Blackie gave a sharp nod. “It would be convenient if she and
Danica never reached Garden.”
“That wasn’t my mission,” Fleet denied. “I wanted to explain
to your woman the ramifications of what her testimony could do to our society.
Your refusal to allow access to her forced me to form a new plan.” He gazed at
her. “Please hear what I have to say.”
She snorted. “You’re pretty stupid for a cyborg. Breaking in
wasn’t a way to convince me of anything except that you’re a maggot.”
Fleet’s lips parted but nothing came out. He appeared
confused.
“I’m certain that’s an insult.” Blackie lowered the weapon a
little. “Get him out of here before I make him bleed more, Varion. He needs
your assistance.”
The medic closed the distance and bent, gripping the downed
cyborg by his upper arm to help him to stand.
Fleet pushed up to his feet, keeping his back against the
wall. He clutched at his wounds again. “I need to talk to her, Blackie. This is
important. Every council member is a vital link in the chain of authority. We
can’t lose one.”
“Parlis’ political career outlook is no concern of mine.
They can replace him. I will kill you if you attempt to harm Eve in the future.
Consider our previous friendship at an end.”
“She attacked me without provocation. Your anger should be
directed at her.”
“Invading our quarters wasn’t provocation?”
“You left me with no other options. I only planned to
incapacitate you long enough to have a conversation with the canine.”
Blackie raised the weapon again, aiming at the other cyborg’s
head. “I will kill you in order to keep Eve safe. Don’t come near her again.”
“You’re being unreasonable and irrational.”
“I’m protecting what is mine.”
Varion wrapped an arm around Fleet. “He has an emotional
attachment to the woman. You attacked them.” He paused. “You’re the one being
irrational, Fleet.”
“You are unaware of the dire situation.”
The medic released him, shoving him against the wall. “I’ve
been informed. Parlis made an agreement with the canine units and his actions
were dishonorable by leaving them behind to die. It was something the
government that oppressed us would have done. They told lies and used us
without regard to the lives we lost. We’re held to higher standards. This
information will not be suppressed any longer.”
Fleet gaped at Varion before he turned his head to glare at
Blackie. “You shared classified information with him? Who else have you told?”
Blackie lowered the weapon. “I too followed all orders given
by the council. Parlis is lying to them, Fleet. He was a male I highly
respected but he isn’t worthy of my devotion. It isn’t for the good of our
population to keep silent on this matter. Instead he hides it to conceal his
guilt for the wrong actions he’s taken. Think about that while you allow the
medic to tend your injuries. Everything has changed.”
“It’s because of her.” Fleet shot a frustrated look at Eve.
Blackie shifted his stance, blocking her. “No. It was the
truth that has made me aware of the errors I’ve made by never questioning the
orders or the reasons behind them. I’m learning. Do the same.” He backed up,
gently pushing Eve completely into the room. The door closed, sealing them
inside.
“Lights.”
The computer complied with Blackie’s order and Eve bit her
lip, contemplating what to say to her mate as she looked up at him. He appeared
upset, even a little sad, as he placed the weapon on one of the shelves near
the door. It sank in that he and Fleet seemed to have been close friends once.
She reached out to him but stopped, seeing the blood on her fingers.
“I’m so sorry. It sucks to discover someone you care about
is a moron. You’re better off without him in your life.”
“It will be fine. Fleet is irrelevant.” He glanced down and
suddenly gripped her wrists, examining them. “Are you hurt? Is that blood
yours?”
“Nope to both. It’s all his.”
He led her over to the cleansing unit and pushed a button.
The exterior sink slid out and he activated it. The foam was warm as it coated
her hands, dissolving the blood until her smooth, uncut skin was revealed.
“I told you. It was all his.”
Blackie gently dried her fingers with a soft towel that
dispensed when the foam cut off. “You could have been hurt.” He lifted his
gaze, holding hers, and anger simmered in those dark-blue depths. “Don’t ever
do that again. I could have handled the situation.”
She didn’t want to argue with him. “Okay. We should check on
Danica and Gene. If that cyborg was willing to pay us a visit, he might have
gone there first.”
“Get dressed.”
“You can’t just contact them through the ship coms?”
“It’s no longer safe for us to remain apart. It’s best if we
join forces. Gene and I will rotate guard shifts.”
The really bad feeling she had made her stomach a bit
queasy. “You expect more trouble?”
“I’m uncertain but I won’t underestimate the threat any
longer.”
“Crap. Okay.” She spun, pacing. “Are you and Gene included
in the fourteen crew members you said were aboard?”
“Yes.”
“So if we count Varion on our side, it’s five against
eleven. Those aren’t the greatest odds but it’s doable.”
“You’re not fighting if a confrontation takes place.”
She stilled to shoot him a frown. “Macho crap. I love you
but pull that shit once we’re safe. Now isn’t the time, okay?”
“You are no match for a cyborg.”
“But I—”
“I took you down with one punch on the freighter. You were
helpless once you lost consciousness.” His features morphed into a purely
masculine expression of arrogance. “You will not fight.”
“But—”
He moved fast, manacling her wrists with both hands and
jerking her against his body. His chin lowered and his gaze narrowed with
intensity as she peered up at him, stunned.
“This is one order you will follow, Eve. I won’t risk losing
you twice.” His tight grip on her eased but he didn’t let go. “I will protect
you at any cost, even if that means knocking you out to make sure you don’t put
yourself at risk again. Am I clear?”
“Very.” He was sexy when he was being protective and stern.
“You’re too important to me.”
“I understand.”
He released her wrists and stepped back. “Good. Gene and I
will do all the fighting if it escalates to violence. You and Danica will stay
far from any conflict.”
“I do have to point out that the cargo holds on shuttles
aren’t that big so we’ll be in the line of fire.”
“Cyborgs have honor. We fight hand-to-hand with each other.”
“It sounds brutal but fair.” She could respect that. “Do you
guys fight often?”
“Occasionally. It happens far more on assignments aboard
ships than on Garden. It’s not generally acceptable but sometimes we irritate
each other.” He shrugged. “It’s the side effect of turning off our
emotion-suppression chips. We experience anger and need an outlet at times when
we’re forced into close quarters for an extended amount of time.”
“I understand that too. My littermates and I sometimes used
to get into some tussles.”
“What is a tussle?”
“A fight. Not brutal but we’d knock each other around. We’re
highly emotional.”
“Have you and Danica fought?”
“Sometimes. It was never anything serious though. We’ve been
together a lot of years so we’ve learned to avoid stepping on each other’s toes.”
He glanced down at her feet.
She laughed. “Not literally. I mean we know how to really
piss each other off so we avoid doing it most of the time. We just agree to
disagree on some topics.”
“Finish dressing.” Blackie turned his back and retrieved his
own clothing. “We need to go to the cargo hold.”
Eve made do with some of Blackie’s exercise pants. She
rolled the waist and legs, the fit not right, but they didn’t fall off. They
sat side by side on the bunk to put on her shoes and his boots.
“You do have to admit I reacted faster to the threat than
you did,” she softly stated.
“I wasn’t expecting Fleet to breach our quarters.”
She smiled, standing. “I’ll take that as you admitting I
have a point.”
Blackie’s hand snagged hers and he peered at her from his
seated position. “No more fighting, mate. My heart can’t take it.”
“You were afraid?”
“Yes. He could have done serious harm to you before I was
able to get you away from him.”