The fleeing pirates left her monitor range—the ones who didn’t die during the attack.
The coms came to life and a deep, sexy voice said, “Do you have an auto-destruct protocol to destroy the structure?”
“No.”
“Open the shutters and come outside. Hurry.” He paused. “I can’t leave the controls but I’m going to open the belly of my shuttle. Run onboard. I’m hovering on the east side.”
Her gaze flickered to a monitor on the left and she saw the shuttle lower dangerously close to the surface. “I welded them shut on the first floor from the inside.”
He paused. “Come out the top hatch but open what shutters you’re able to.”
She had no idea why he wanted her to open the shutters but didn’t take time to think about it. She commanded the shutters to open and heard the lower ones protest when they couldn’t. The shutters on the upper floor responded. She glanced at her weapon, but left it behind as she launched out of her seat to run to the lift.
Her heart raced erratically as the doors closed and she pushed the button. She was about to meet a cyborg. It was crazy insane to be running toward one of them, but that didn’t stop her from rushing out of the elevator as soon as the doors opened. Two corridor twists later, she hit the stairs that led up to the emergency roof hatch.
The code worked when she punched in the digits and it popped open. The smell of fresh air combined with smoke filled her nose as she climbed out onto the flat roof. She ignored the stench of burning flesh. The shuttle looked huge up close as it rose in front of her and angled to hover about ten feet from the side of the roof.
The belly of the ship cracked open as the supply ramp descended and bright lights welcomed her as she caught her first glimpse inside. It was a cargo area with big covered box shapes strapped along one wall. The ramp bumped the roof and she ran.
The wind blew her hair into her face but she just shoved it back as she entered the cargo hold. A loud motor sounded, and she glanced back, watching until the doors were safely sealed.
“Stay there,” Sky’s voice demanded through speakers. “Look left, Mick. See the camera?”
She peered that way and spotted the thing on the wall. He could see her, but she couldn’t see him.
“I have to destroy the building before we leave this planet. Strap in but don’t leave the cargo hold.”
“I could come to you.”
There was a moment of hesitation on his part. “You need to stay there.”
“This shuttle isn’t that big. I could find you if you just tell me where the pilot section is. I won’t get lost.”
“It’s not that.” Sky sighed loudly. “There are cyborgs aboard who aren’t aware of what I’ve done. They’d see you and possibly assume you’re hostile.”
Her mouth dropped open in stunned surprise. She wasn’t sure what that meant exactly, but it didn’t sound good.
“It will be fine. I’ll explain why I rescued you.”
Mick suddenly had a bad feeling, and wished she were back inside the building.
Why hadn’t Sky told the other cyborgs he planned to rescue her before he’d done it? The implications didn’t bode well at all.
“Strap in, Mick. It’s a rough ride breaking atmosphere. I’m about to fire upon the structure first to destroy all evidence that I was here.”
Her gaze left the camera, and she spotted two crew chairs. She rushed to them right as the shuttle floor vibrated and the very faint sound of an explosion could be heard. Sky was firing on the control building. Her ass dropped into one of the seats and she belted in tight.
The shaking assured her that they were leaving the planet. She tensed, hating that part. The shuttle she’d traveled on to Velion One hadn’t offered a smooth transition. The gravity stabilizers always grew a little wonky on the smaller shuttles during the transition from one atmosphere to another.
The shaking passed quickly and everything grew still.
Fear inched down her spine as she sat there staring at the camera across the room, wondering if Sky was watching her. What kind of mess had she gotten herself into? The reality of her situation slammed home hard.
She’d never return to Earth, and she currently sat on a shuttle filled with cyborgs.
Earth had assured the public that all cyborgs had been destroyed on Earth after they’d attempted an uprising to kill their creators. The factories where they’d been manufactured had been leveled to make certain no more could be produced.
Cyborgs weren’t supposed to exist anymore…but they did. Mick had assumed deep-space tales told about them were created just to keep travelers from venturing too far from government-sanctioned stations. They were horror stories about cyborgs kidnapping and killing humans for spare parts. Of stealing shuttles that had gone missing in deep space. But those reports were quickly dubbed false. The government usually made official statements declaring it had been pirates.
Earth Government had lied again.
“Mickayla?”
Sky’s husky voice made her start. Her gaze lifted to the camera.
“Just remain there. I’m coming to you. It will be a few minutes.”
“Okay,” she called out, unsure now if that was a bad or good thing. At least I’m alive. For now.
* * * * *
Sky set the autopilot and climbed out of his seat. Onyx remained unconscious from the punch he’d suffered. He bent in front of his friend to study the damage. His nose and jaw weren’t broken but he’d be in some pain when he woke.
“Onyx?” He gripped his shoulders and shook him.
The male groaned and peeked open one blue eye. “What happened?”
Sky waited, knew it would only take seconds for him to recover.
Both of Onyx’s eyes widened and a snarl came from his friend. Sky jumped back when the cyborg swung a fist his way.
“What did you do?” Onyx struggled upright in his chair to stare at the monitor. “We’re still in space.” He shot another glare at his friend. “I thought you were about to do something dense. Why did you hit me?”
“She’s waiting for me inside the cargo hold. There will be no record of this shuttle taking her. No buildings remain standing on Velion One. Pirates will be blamed for the utter destruction of the mining camp.”
“You didn’t.”
“You have the helm. Mickayla is probably frightened and in need of assurances that she’s safe with us.”
Onyx tried to stand but sank back into his seat quickly, grabbing the side of his head. He stabbed his fingers into his black hair and groaned. “What have you done?”
“I saved her.”
“The council is going to have you detained. This is in direct violation of their orders. You know we’re under orders to never come into personal contact with Earthers unless we’re sanctioned to go to Earth stations. Even then, we aren’t permitted to have any contact that isn’t absolutely necessary to conduct our business. We’re never to reveal our identities as cyborgs.”
“I know…but what was I supposed to do? She has agreed to never return to Earth.”
“The council… They will be furious, Sky!”
“I couldn’t allow her die.” Sky forced a smile, the severity of his actions not lost on him. “She can live on Garden.”
Onyx gaped at him.
“I know what you’re thinking. Hopefully the council will calm down once they realize that I covered our tracks and she’s just one person. It’s not as if I saved a ship full of humans that now have to be integrated into our society. Earth will investigate and rightfully conclude pirates attacked.”
“They won’t find her body when they send a team to the site.” Onyx shook his head.
“She’s a woman. Earth Government will further assume she’s been abducted by any remaining pirates.”
“Have you gone insane?”
Sky shrugged. “She’s my friend, and I like her. What was I supposed to do?”
“Not interfere! The council isn’t going to
let this violation go. This isn’t you just breaking radio silence to chat with someone from Earth. You took one of them. That’s far worse.”
“She’s not a risk.”
“She’s from Earth, and that mining operation was one of theirs.”
“Now she’ll live on Garden.”
“Who is going to take responsibility for her?”
Sky chewed on his bottom lip. “She can live in my home and work for me. I’m barely there.”
“Exactly. I used to mistrust and hate Earthers. I’ve since learned some aren’t so bad, but we don’t know this one enough to guess what she’s capable of. The council will assume she’s a threat. Who’s going to safeguard her to make certain she doesn’t try to send a signal to share our location with Earth? That’ll be the first threat they imagine.”
“I have friends who will look after her.”
“Then how could you put me in this position? I am your friend, also.” Furious, he punched the console. “You know I have no choice, Sky. Under section four of our conduct rules, I’m relieving you of command.” Onyx glared. “You put us all at risk and defied council orders. I’m relegating you to quarters until we reach Garden.”
“Now, Onyx. Don’t be a dick. You’re mad because I clocked you but it was for a good cause. You can hit me back once I get Mickayla secured inside my quarters.”
“You have lost your mind. This Earther already fooled you once by pretending to be a male. I must think of the safety of our kind first. I’m sorry.” Onyx’s hand shot out and he flipped on the interior coms. “Attention. Sky has brought an Earther aboard and I need security immediately.”
“Shit! Don’t do that, man.” Sky backed away. “She’s already got to be afraid, and she might freak if strangers go after her. She could put up a fight and get hurt.”
“Freak? What does that mean? I’m done with your Earther phrases.” He hit the button again. “Security to the pilot station.”
Sky spun, knowing that at least four cyborgs would be on their way. He ignored Onyx ordering him to stop and rushed to the lift. He would fight his way to Mickayla if that’s what it took, but he planned to reach her first.
The lifted opened and was thankfully empty. He jumped inside and hit the lower floor button. His hand stayed on the panel, and he overrode the system when someone attempted to gain access to lock him inside. He could feel a second mind reaching into the commands, attempting to hack him out, but he focused just long enough to reach his destination. He stormed out into the call.
The doors to the cargo area refused to open. He cussed a blue streak and slapped his palm on the control panel, only to be told his access was denied. His fingers gripped the edges and he tore the metal cover from the wall. He quickly manually overrode the command and the doors opened at last.
He stepped inside the cargo area and his gaze sought out Mickayla.
She remained strapped into her seat, appearing so small as she studied him.
“Hello, Mick.” He made sure his tone stayed low and he attempted to hide his current stress. “Welcome to the Bridden. We are going to have company soon, but I don’t want you to be alarmed. They are angry with me.”
He slowly closed the distance between them. Her fingers fisted around the belts over her chest. He didn’t need to read her mind to know she was afraid. It was etched clearly on her heart-shaped face.
He paused feet from her and crouched down to put them at almost the same eye level. “I’m a bit big, aren’t I?”
“Yes,” she whispered, her gaze darting down his body.
“I’m not as scary as I must seem to you. Whatever you’ve heard about cyborgs, it isn’t true. We don’t murder innocent people.”
She blinked, and some of the fear faded from her pretty eyes. “I’m willing to believe you.”
“We left Earth because they tried to kill us, not the other way around. I won’t hurt you.” He moved gently to unfasten her belts. She didn’t protest or shrink away from his hands. “You’re safe with me.”
Her gaze searched his, and he hoped she read the truth there. “Thank you for saving me.” She lifted her hand, but froze inches away from his cheek.
She seemed curious. He could understand that. “Go ahead.”
Her fingers trembled when she gently stroked his skin. “You’re warm.”
“I’m alive. I’m not a machine, but I do have cybernetic enhancements.”
The doors slid open behind him, and her gaze cut that way. Terror reflected in her widened eyes as the sounds of booted feet stomped on the cargo floor.
“Just remain still and it will be fine. They are here for me. I broke the rules by doing what I’ve done.”
“Move away from her, Sky,” Yetter demanded. “Who is she?”
Sky turned his head to glare at his friend. “This is Mickayla, and I rescued her from Velion One after pirates attacked it. She is innocent in this. She’s not armed or dangerous.”
“Onyx has demanded you be taken to your quarters.” Yetter’s gaze slid uneasily to Mickayla. “He didn’t say what to do with her, but I guess we can just lock her inside the cargo hold until we hear back from the council. Onyx is contacting them now.”
Sky inwardly winced. Onyx wasn’t wasting any time on ratting him out. “She will stay with me. I have offered her my protection.”
Yetter opened his mouth but then closed it. He gave a sharp nod. “Onyx might have a problem with that, but he didn’t forbid it, either. I’ll wait until you’re escorted to your quarters before I update him of the situation.”
“Thank you.”
“Does she need a medic?”
Sky turned back to Mickayla. “Are you hurt?”
“No.”
He rose to his full height and offered his hand. Her hesitation was only slight before her smaller one rested in his. He helped her stand and pulled her against his side to keep her shielded from Yetter, Teg, and Volt. He noted how much shorter she was than him, how tiny in comparison.
“Come with me, Mickayla. It will be fine.”
“Don’t try anything stupid.” Then Teg sighed. “Or should I say more idiotic? What were you thinking?” The cyborg glanced at Mickayla. “Never mind. I can guess. She’s very attractive. But the council is going to punish you for this, Sky. You put us all at risk, and the Bridden is too valuable to lose right now.”
“There were pirates attacking her.” Sky explained. “You were never in any danger, nor was this shuttle.”
“Take this seriously for once,” Teg snapped. “You blatantly ignored a priority order from the council. They are likely going to have to make an example of you. I’d stop worrying about her and focus on the bleak outlook of your own future.”
Sky snorted. “What are they going to do to me? I’m their Earth expert. Unless that damn planet blows apart, they need me.”
“Sky,” Yetter warned softly. “Enough.” He glanced at Teg before meeting Sky’s gaze again. His silent message was clear. Purposely pissing off Teg wouldn’t be smart. The cyborg could be a mega-asshole, and he had friends on the council. “Come with us. You may bring her with you.”
Sky drew Mickayla closer to his side and noted how she clutched his hand. He peered down at her and couldn’t miss seeing her fear. He forced a smile. “It will be fine.”
“Okay.” She licked her lips, her pink tongue grabbing his attention. “These are your people. I’ll take your word for it.”
Chapter Three
Mick studied the small quarters she’d been confined to with the large cyborg. Sky stood very still by the door and allowed her to roam. It wasn’t as if she had far to go. The space was essentially a box with a wall of storage, a bed, and a cleansing unit. She peered inside the latter before turning around to face the cyborg.
Sky stood over six feet tall and his hair color fascinated her. She studied his features, looking for wrinkles that might not have shown up on the viewing monitor, but found none. He appeared to be maybe thirty-five at most. His bone structure w
as masculine perfection, and those unusual blue eyes really stood out with his light grayish-hued skin tone.
Her gaze lowered to his black form-fitting uniform that was stretched tight across an impressive body. As she’d noticed on the screen, his shoulders were broad, with a matching chest and powerfully built arms. The material encased a narrower waist and hips, flowing to muscular legs. The black boots were military issue, by her guess.
Overall, Sky looked frightening, as if he really could have taken on forty-one pirates with a chance of winning.
“There’s no need to be afraid,” he assured.
She liked his voice. It was the first thing that had drawn her to him during their space communications. It was deep, masculine, and the type that gave a woman the good kind of chills. All sexy and resonant and husky enough to be more of a caress to her ears.
“I can’t believe we finally got to meet.” She wasn’t sure what else to say.
“We both were playing roles.” He crossed his arms over his chest but then immediately dropped them to his sides, hiding his hands behind his back. “I thought you were a guy, and you thought I was a freighter captain. I still feel as though I know you. The rest of it was true, wasn’t it? The things we spoke of? I was honest in my representation of my personality.”
“Yes. I have so many questions, though,” she admitted.
“Go ahead and shoot.”
That made her smile. “Should we sit down?” Her gaze darted around the room, realizing too late that there was only the bed. No chairs were inside his room.
“I stayed here to put you at ease.” He pushed away from the door. “I’d love to sit.”
He took a seat on the edge of the bed, and she did too. A few feet separated them. She turned more to face him. “I’m a little stunned that cyborgs still exist.”
“I’m just as stunned that you’re a woman.”
She laughed. “It’s standard operating procedure to use voice modifiers. Women are rare this far out. They didn’t want anyone trying to stop by to…visit me.”
Falling for Sky (Cyborg Seduction Book 11) Page 3
