HauntingBlackie (15 page)

Fleet was good but her mate was better. He looked really
pissed and quickly gained the upper hand in the fight when he battered the
other cyborg’s face with rapid punches. Blood poured from the man’s nose and
mouth. Blackie jumped back and did a roundhouse kick, nailing the cyborg in the
side of the head. He crashed to the floor and didn’t get up.

Eve finally pushed up and stood. Her heel hurt but she
ignored the slight pain, limping toward her mate. He ignored her to bend down,
grab Fleet and shove him facedown. He dropped onto him and pulled both arms
behind his back.

“Get me chains,” he demanded, to no one in particular.

She changed directions. “On it.”

They didn’t have handcuffs in the cargo hold but she’d seen
chains and some locks in one of the storage cupboards. She retrieved about ten
feet of chain and one lock. Her gaze met Blackie’s when she limped to his side
and flinched at the cold way he looked back at her.

“Here.”

He glanced at her foot. “Are you hurt?”

“I think the bunk nailed me but I’m good.” She’d have lied
at that moment even if she’d broken a bone though she was sure it was just
bruised.

He growled under his breath and held out a hand for the
chains. She backed up as he wrestled with the unconscious cyborg, wrapping the
male up by winding the metal around him from shoulder to waist to secure his
arms to his sides. She handed over the lock so he could secure the ends.

“Will that hold him?”

“We’re not
that
strong. He’s secure.”

She was kind of surprised Fleet still breathed after that
brutal kick to the side of his head. A human probably would have died from
severe brain trauma from a blow that hard. It had looked as though it could
smash a skull. It made her realize she wouldn’t survive a maneuver like that in
a fight with a cyborg. Canine units were tough but they didn’t have the
reinforced bone density the cyborg units were given, making it possible for
them to withstand that kind of impact.

Blackie rose, giving her his back and went to inspect the
doors Danica and Gene had welded down the seam, sealing them together. “Nice
job.”

“I can’t monitor where the crew is or what they are doing
any longer.” Gene set down the welder and turned it off. “I had to destroy the
panel where I’d hacked into the system. We’re blind unless you established a
direct link to the computer.”

“Fleet locked me out. Fall back and prepare for a breach in
case they are able to blow a hole through the doors.” He retrieved his weapon
and Fleet’s.

Danica held out her hand. “I’ll take that.”

Blackie ignored her and strode to Eve, jerking his head in
the direction of the crates. “Fall back or I’ll carry you there, mate.”

She winced. He was definitely furious with her.

“What about Fleet? Should we drag him to a safer location?”
Gene hesitated next to the male.

“No.” Blackie glared down at Eve. “Let him remain there. He
deserves to have the damn doors fall on him if they blow them.”

Eve turned, limping to get behind the crates. Blackie kept
close enough that she could almost feel him right on her ass. She was pretty
sure he wasn’t about to let her pull another stunt. It was tempting to point
out that her plan might have saved him from having to blast it out with the
crew but decided to remain silent. She’d pushed him too far.

Danica crouched down and Eve took a position next to her.
Blackie and Gene kept them between them. It was quiet in the cargo hold, their
breathing the only sound.

Her sister bumped her arm and she looked at her.

“He’s pissed,” Danica mouthed.

“I know,” she responded in kind.

“You’re in deep shit, even if you did save his ass.”

Eve frowned.

“See why I don’t want a mate?”

“Fuck you.”

“Knock it off,” Blackie grunted.

“We’re not doing anything,” Danica protested. “As a matter
of fact, what are we doing? Are we just going to stay behind these boxes until
someone attacks us again?”

“We’re waiting for the
Vontage
,” Gene responded. “They
should intercept this shuttle in a few minutes. The commander of that ship will
have a team search the
Bridden
until they find us. They are under orders
to protect both of you until we reach Garden.”

“So the cavalry is coming? Cool.” Danica turned, sitting on
her butt with her back to the crates. “Wake me when they arrive. I’m still
tired.”

Eve envied her sister at that moment for her ability to
relax. She lifted her chin and watched Blackie’s face. He concentrated on the
doors, not sparing her a glance. She reached out and covered the back of his
hand, which was resting on the floor where he crouched. He tensed but didn’t
pull away. He also didn’t acknowledge her by meeting her gaze. She closed her
eyes and leaned against the crate.

I’m in deep shit.

Blackie was furious. Eve should have taken orders from him
and kept out of harm’s way. He’d seen her limp. Her foot was injured. No blood
stained the floor so it wasn’t an open wound. He’d have the medic check her
over after the crew of the
Vontage
arrived to take charge of the
Bridden
.

He would make Fleet and Parlis pay for attempting to kill
Eve. Suspicion was one thing but it had become fact. A plan started to form. He
didn’t want them to die quickly. He needed them to suffer first.

The warm hand resting over the back of his kept him from
storming across the cargo hold and stomping Fleet into a bloody pulp in a fit
of rage. Eve had survived the attempt on her life but he wasn’t going to ever
forget the way she’d stood her ground to shoot that cannon. Her plan had been
brilliant since no one had attempted to breach the cargo hold a second time but
he refused to admit that to her. Maybe, after some of his fear at the danger
she’d been in eased, he would give her a compliment.

He glanced across the room at the scar on the floor. Fleet
had almost managed to shoot her. A few feet to the right and he’d have
succeeded. She wasn’t as sturdy as him. Her bones would break instead of
stopping a projectile. It could have penetrated her vital organs, damaging them
to the point that her enhanced healing couldn’t have prevented her death.

The thought of losing her hurt inside his chest. He turned
his hand under hers and clasped it. It helped ease some of the pain but not
much. He’d see Fleet and Parlis were stripped of their honor, their status, and
finally, their lives. It was a promise he intended to keep.

He didn’t know how long they’d been waiting when something
hit the doors. He tensed, released Eve and glanced over at Gene, who aimed at
the doors as well. A line appeared as a hole was cut through the metal. He
waited as it was kicked in.

“Blackie? Gene?” The voice didn’t belong to any crew member
of the
Bridden
. “It’s Volt. The
Vontage
has control of the
shuttle. Don’t shoot me.”

The male moved into sight. Blackie relaxed, lowering the
weapon. “It is good to see you.”

The cyborg turned sideways, crouched and inched through the
opening. “What a mess. We had to suck out foam to reach you. That was genius.”
He rose to his full height, studying the cargo hold until his gaze halted at
Blackie’s right. “Well, hello.”

Blackie moved in front of Eve, blocking the male from
flirting with his mate. “Status?”

“Part of your crew is being treated by having their eyes
washed of chemicals.” Volt chuckled. “The rest have been secured. We’ll escort
Fleet there as well. Commander Steel sent Nile and me over with a security
force to assess the situation and fly the
Bridden
to Garden. I take it
the women are fine?” He craned his neck a little to get another look at Eve.

“They are unharmed.” Blackie glanced over to see Gene
shielding Danica as well. “Thank you for coming to our assistance.”

“I’d like introductions to the women.”

“There’s no need. Eve is mine and Danica belongs to Gene.”

“I do no—” Danica’s voice was cut off. “Ouch.”

“Silence,” Gene demanded.

“Grumpy asshole,” she hissed. “You didn’t have to elbow me.”

“Trust me.”

“Fine,” she muttered. “But keep your elbow to yourself.”

Volt frowned. “Is there a problem?”

“No.” Blackie holstered his weapon and stepped away from
Eve. “I’m taking Eve to my quarters and Gene will need to be assigned a room of
his own for him and Danica since the cargo hold is no longer private.”

“Sure,” Volt agreed, openly studying the women with a smile.
“I’ll give them anything they request. Anything at all.”

Irritation flared inside Blackie. Cyborg males who were not
in a family unit were going to be interested in both women but it made it worse
that one of them belonged to him. “We’re returning to my quarters now. Thank
you.” He reached back and took Eve’s hand. He managed to avoid punching Volt as
they passed, the male taking in every inch of her body with a grin of
appreciation for her looks.

Eve itched for a weapon but Blackie was the one with one
strapped on his hip instead. The exterior doors slid open and she clutched his
hand as she prayed they wouldn’t be shot or otherwise attacked when they exited
the shuttle that had just landed on Garden. Six big cyborgs stood before them,
all wearing weapons holstered to various body parts. The tall one with the
facial scars and really long hair had a sword strapped to his hip. He had to be
the scariest of the bunch.

The handsome guy in the lead spoke first. “I’m Zorus.” His
gaze traveled over her face then Danica’s, before addressing her mate. “It’s
good to see you, Blackie. I take it there were no other incidents after the
Vontage
arrived? Will you introduce us?”

Blackie didn’t release her hand. “We were left alone. This
is my mate, Eve. She’s the first in her canine line. Danica is her littermate.”

The cyborg didn’t offer to shake hands or otherwise advance.
He did closely study them. “It is good to meet you, despite the tense
circumstances. Krell handpicked these men to assure your safety.”

The tall, scary male with the sword nodded. “I’m Krell.”

“Excuse me,” a feminine voice called out. “Move your
oversized bodies and let me pass.”

The scarred male growled and turned, reaching for the handle
of his weapon. “Damn it, Cyan, I told you to stay home.”

The human woman who stalked closer wore tight black leather
and her protruding stomach was clearly outlined by the outfit. Two weapons were
holstered to her thighs. Her black hair fell to her ass in a braid as she
wiggled between the cyborgs to reach the front.

“I’m pregnant, not useless. I told you I wanted to come but
you refused to consider it. I had to sneak out after you were gone.”

He released the handle of the sword and gently took her arm.
“You should be resting at home.”

She leaned against him and smiled at Eve. “Hello! I’m so
excited to meet you. I had no clue about the canine project. Those bastards
were super sneaky since they hid it from me. I was sure I hacked into all their
databases. I’m Cyan.” She grinned at the irritated cyborg at her side. “This is
my very overprotective husband, Krell. He’s going to make sure nobody fucks
with you. Aren’t you, sexy?”

“You should be at home,” he repeated in a stern tone.

“Yeah, I know.” She rubbed her rounded belly. “Your son won’t
exactly let me sleep. He kicks like a mule.” She stared at Danica. “I totally
got screwed.”

Danica snorted. “It appears so. When are you due to have the
baby?”

Cyan laughed. “Any day. That wasn’t what I meant. They stuck
me with this body. I prefer your shape. You’re compact but without the major
boobs.”

Eve frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s a long story but I was kind of built by the same
people who created you. They stuck me with the body of a sex bot because they
didn’t want anyone to be able to guess I wasn’t human. They should have given
me your body type.”

“You’re a cyborg?” Eve was confused. “Your skin color and
size is wrong.”

“I’m something else but I can’t discuss it without getting a
major headache. My husband can clue you in when I’m not around. Longer story.
So what cool features did you get? Zorus said something about fangs and claws.
May I see? I’m curious.”

Danica held up her hand, showing off how her fingernails
extended. She also growled low and displayed her teeth.

“That’s soooo cool!” Cyan glanced at her husband. “I bet you’re
happy I didn’t get those. I’d shred your back.”

The male didn’t look amused. “Cyan.”

“Fine. I’ll behave.” She held out her hand to Danica. “It’s
really nice to meet you. I told my husband that you’d probably be more relaxed
if I came along. It’s easy to feel a little intimidated when you’re surrounded
by cyborgs. A friendly face is always more pleasant. Some of these guys couldn’t
crack a smile to save their lives.”

Danica shook her hand and Eve followed suit. The woman had a
firm grip.

Krell pulled his wife in front of him, one arm wrapping
around her rib cage. It was a protective stance that didn’t go unnoticed.

“We’re no threat to your wife,” Eve swore, making direct eye
contact with the male.

“It’s not that. Rumors have circulated about your origins.
We’re on high alert and I want my wife close to me in case of trouble.”

“What kind of rumors?” Blackie’s hand curved on his weapon
but didn’t remove it from the holster.

Zorus answered. “I’m assuming Parlis was the one who
circulated false information that the women are Earth spies. Some are under the
impression that they have come here to verify our existence, then transmit the
location of our planet directly to Earth battleships that are waiting to attack.”

“That isn’t accurate.” Blackie’s features darkened with
anger.

“I’ve stated that,” Zorus replied. “Let’s go. We have a
transport waiting and the Cyborg Council is in session.” He glanced at Eve. “I
apologize that you won’t have time to relax before you address them. It was
imperative to settle this matter once and for all, as quickly as possible. Our
people are logical but fear is an emotion that can lead some to make errors of
judgment. The council will make a ruling, share the findings with the public
and put those worries to rest.”

Krell lifted his wife off her feet, shifted his hold to
cradle her in his arms and shoved her at another cyborg. “Use my vehicle to
take the scenic route in the opposite direction we’re traveling. I don’t want
anyone to mistake her for one of those women. Give us at least an hour before
you follow.”

“Damn it, Krell.” Cyan didn’t struggle as she was
transferred into the strong arms of the other male. “I want to be there.”

“I want you and our son safe. This isn’t over yet. Parlis
has a lot of supporters.”

“I’ll make certain she’s safe,” the male holding her
promised.

The pregnant woman shot him a glare but wrapped her arm
around the cyborg’s shoulder. “I can still fight. You might need me.”

“I’m more than aware of your abilities. Think of our child.
We have this handled.”

“Fine. I want to hear about everything when I see you.” She
waved to Danica and Eve. “I’ll see you soon. It’s going to be fine.”

Krell addressed the cyborg holding her. “Take her home and
keep her there, Mavo. I don’t care if you have to secure her to the bed. She’s
devious so don’t let her out of your sight until I return to relieve you.”

“Understood.”

Krell turned back around once his wife was out of sight. He
glanced at Zorus. “I didn’t expect her to disregard my orders.”

The male sighed. “Females can be very illogical. Let this
begin. Everything is in place?”

“You don’t mind some other guy carrying your wife off? And
did you really just ask him to tie her to a bed? Wow,” Danica huffed. “I am so
not liking things so far. Is that her other husband? What do you guys do? Keep
her under lock and key to make sure she can’t escape?”

Krell narrowed his gaze, clearly irritated. “Mavo is her
adoptive father. I’m her only husband and she’s not my prisoner.”

“Shut it.” Eve elbowed Danica in the side. “We have enough
stress without you pissing someone off.”

“Fine,” Danica muttered.

“The trap is set.” Krell rested his hand on the sword
handle. “The most dangerous part is transferring her to the chambers.”

“We still expect an attack?” Blackie glanced between the
men.

“Yes.” Zorus didn’t hesitate. “We were unable to locate
them.”

Eve stared at her mate. “An attack?” Blackie’s words sank
in. “Did he say ‘her to the chambers’? You mean us. Locate who?”

Blackie hesitated. “Four of Parlis’ most trusted guards have
gone missing. They will attempt to prevent us from reaching the council
chambers.” He turned his head to address Gene. “Ready?”

“Yes.”

It happened so fast that all Eve could do was gasp. Gene
pulled out a syringe and injected Danica in the arm. She snarled, turning
toward him, alarmed. Her eyes rolled back and her body went limp. The big male
grabbed her before she hit the ground. He lifted her gently into his arms,
staring at Eve.

“She’s fine. It’s a strong sedative. I swear I will protect
her with my life.”

Eve tried to lunge at him, outraged that her littermate had
been drugged. Blackie grabbed her before she could reach Danica.

“Trust me,” he rasped against her ear. “Gene owns a small
ship that is waiting on the other side of the
Bridden
. It will take them
into orbit. She’ll be safer up there than on the surface.”

She twisted her head to glare at him. “You didn’t ask us.”
The pain of betrayal hurt deeply. He wasn’t supposed to keep secrets from her.

“Her safety is paramount to you.” He held her tighter. “I
wanted Gene to take you onto his ship but I knew you wouldn’t forgive me for
allowing her to be the one in danger. I apologize for not sharing all the
details of our plan but she would have resisted being taken away from your
side.”

“We don’t have time for this,” Zorus interrupted. “It’s
vital that one of you survive to show proof of your existence to the majority
of the council and there is a forty-percent chance the attack will be
successful since we’ve been unable to locate the missing men. Blackie is
disconcerted enough over what needed to be done without your emotional
outbursts, Eve. Be logical and see the soundness of this action.”

She didn’t look away from Blackie. Regret haunted his
features and she wanted to believe he had her best interest at heart.

“She’ll be safer with Gene,” he swore. “You’re the one in
danger.” He didn’t appear happy about it. “We need to let him take her. The
longer we’re here, the easier it will be for Parlis’ men to target us.”

She relaxed against his body. “Okay. I trust you.”
Please
don’t let me down.
She turned her head to stare at Gene. “Don’t let
anything happen to Danica.”

“I’ll die before anyone gets close to her.” He turned and strode
away with her in his arms. Two of the cyborgs trailed him.

“They will make sure he gets to the ship. Trusted men are
guarding it,” Blackie whispered. “They’ll lift off without scrutiny.”

“They will,” Krell vouched. “We need to be on the move to
keep our schedule.”

“Let’s get this show on the road then,” Eve bravely
announced.

Blackie released her and offered his hand. “I’m sorry. It
was a difficult decision but one that will keep Danica out of harm’s way.”

She squeezed his hand. “We’ll talk about this later.” It
still hurt, even if she conceded that Danica never would have agreed to them
being separated.

Four vehicles waited, all similar to square tanks with
wheels. More armed cyborgs guarded them. Her eyebrows lifted but she didn’t say
a word as her mate led her to one. He opened the door, allowing her to climb
inside first. He pushed her over into the middle when he sat, taking the seat
next to the door. Zorus took the position her other side.

“This is necessary?” She noticed the thick security glass on
the windows. “Weapons grade?”

“Cyborgs are excellent strategic planners,” Krell stated
from the driver’s seat. “This cuts out a lot of their options.”

“You mean taking me out by sniper?”

“Yes,” Blackie hissed, leaning closer and using his bulky
body to shield her. He glanced in all directions, seeming to search for any
threat. “These windows can also withstand a seven-scale blast.”

“They won’t be able to use anything stronger this close to
the wall.” Zorus also kept his attention on the exterior. “It would cause
damage and it is the only thing that keeps the native species from breaching
our city, endangering other cyborgs. Explosives won’t be an option once we
enter the gates. The structures where we live would be compromised.”

“You don’t think they’d do that?” She wasn’t so certain.

“It’s one thing for Parlis to attack you and the men
assigned to your protection but he would never risk the lives of civilians. It
isn’t logical.”

“Allowing my line to be killed by leaving us behind on Earth
after helping cyborgs escape was rational?” She couldn’t resist asking.

Zorus glanced at her. “No. Treason is punishable by death.
His guards are probably under the assumption that you are a spy from Earth
intent on the destruction of our race. Your death would be acceptable to them
but not at the cost of innocent cyborg lives.”

“I’m glad you think the bastard has some limitations on who
he’d kill.” She curled against Blackie.

“I am aware of his flaws,” Zorus protested, facing the
window to watch for threats. “I also know the guards he’s assigned to go after
you. They have honor but they are taking orders from the wrong council member.
Those tasks he assigned will have limitations due to their knowledge of what is
acceptable.”

Eve lifted her head, watching through the front window as
they approached two big gates. The walls were really high. “Cyborg City?”

“Yes.”

“Why did we land outside of it instead of inside the gates?”

“The open space within the walls is used for agriculture. We
grow our own food.” Blackie tucked her closer.

Blackie scanned the trees, searching for anyone who might be
concealed there. At any second the line of vehicles might be under attack. They
were the most vulnerable as they approached the gates. A glint of light was the
only warning before something hit the glass a foot from his face.

It held together but was damaged when the small explosive
device blew up on impact. He twisted hard, shoving Eve under him. “Down!”

Her whimper tore at his heart and the urge to kill became so
strong it took sheer willpower to stay in place. He’d have liked to dash from
the vehicle to hunt whoever had just attempted to kill his mate.