“Want to celebrate with me?” His grin widened and his gaze lowered to her chest. “I always wanted to fuck your mother but Jim would have killed me for touching something of his.”
Heart pounding, Jill fought fear and nausea at the idea of him wanting to have sex with her. “You’re a sick, perverted psycho.”
Blond eyebrows shot up. “Me?” He gave her a cold look. “At least I didn’t let one of those metal heads screw me. That’s perverted. He’s not even attractive. I don’t know how you allowed it to put its hands on you.”
“Coal isn’t a metal head. He’s twice the man you are.”
“Built them with big dicks, did they? Wait until you see mine. You won’t be disappointed.”
“I meant he’s not a lowlife scum.” She paused. “I know you’re a big dick already and if you open those pants, I’ll try to rip it off.”
“You better start learning to be nice to me. We’re going to be together for a very long time.”
“Coal is going to come for me.”
“That stupid metal head thinks you dumped him. Right now he’s probably two solar systems away and happy to be rid of you.”
The doors opened and Captain Varel cursed, curling his lip at Rune.
“I brought food for Jillian.” She walked toward a table with the tray she held.
“Get out,” Varel ordered her. “I didn’t tell you to do that.”
Rune ignored him, placing the food down, and pulled out a chair. “Sit, Jillian. It’s warm. You should eat it soon before it cools.” She calmly stared at the captain. “If you persist to harass Jillian I will escort you out of the room to rethink your ill-advised plan.”
“Goddamn androids. I’m going to dump you in open space, Rune. Do you hear me, you useless pile of synthetic skin?”
Rune waved to the chair. “Sit, Jillian.”
“Fuck!” Varel spun and stormed out of the room.
Jill relaxed. “You have good timing. Thank you.”
“Timing had nothing to do with my bringing you food. I monitored the room and noticed your accelerated heart rate, indicating fear. I also listened to Captain Varel’s conversation with you by accessing the coms. You don’t want your body spoiled with male fluids. You aren’t strong enough to stop any attempts males make to use your body, the way I have been designed. No one should be forced to endure boredom. I may not harm humans but nowhere in my programming does it state I am unable to physically move them to another location. When the males have attempted to touch my body I have secured them in cabinets in the cargo hold.”
“You what?”
“I lock them in cabinets. Eventually I release them before they suffocate if another crew member doesn’t find them. Harming a human is against my programming. Please eat before your food cools. I have been told it tastes better heated.”
“I think I adore you.”
Rune cocked her head. “Adore? I don’t understand why you would feel that emotion where I am concerned.”
“If we get out of this, do you want to come with me? I have three androids on my ship. No one would try to touch you.”
“I am the property of Captain Barney Varel.”
“He illegally traded to get you.”
Rune’s gaze drifted to the left, something Jill realized the android did when she processed information. “An illegal transaction is null and void.”
“Exactly,” Jill agreed, sat down, and started to eat. “You don’t belong to that asshole.”
“I will leave with you until a proper owner for me has been established.”
“You’re free, Rune. No one owns you.”
“You wish to own me?”
Jill hesitated. “I consider the androids on my ship friends. They are free too.”
Rune’s gaze drifted to the left and stayed there while Jill finished her meal. The android focused on Jill finally.
“The probability of you leaving the Cutter and obtaining permission from Captain Varel to take me with you is not in your favor.”
“I’m not going to ask him if I can take you. I’m asking you. You’re programmed to make decisions, right?”
“Affirmative. I take facts, process them, and decide accordingly.”
“You―”
“Hold.” Rune’s eyes drifted left and she frowned. “Incoming shuttle approaching. Processing specifications.” She paused. “They are ignoring hails.” She paused again.
Jill’s heart raced. “Could it be my ship? Is it the Jenny?”
“They used the moon to come closer to hide their signal before the sensors picked them up.”
“Is it the Jenny, Rune? Answer me.” Jill rose to her trembling legs. Please let it be Coal, she silently prayed.
Rune snapped out of her trancelike state. “Visual confirmed. Brace, Jill. The Jenny has just opened fire on the Cutter.”
Joy seized Jill and she made a fist, pumping air. “YES!”
A loud noise filled the room, followed by rapid repeats of the same sound. The lighting flickered, the gravity stabilizers cut out, and Jill’s feet left the floor as the emergency lights turned the room an eerie pale yellow as power failed. The weightless sensation had her crying out in fear, her arms and legs flailing. She tried to grab something and then the room around her violently moved. Jill hit the wall hard, bounced off, and realized she hadn’t moved, it had.
A hand gripped Jill’s upper arm, tugging at her floating body, and she turned her head. Rune had grabbed hold of a bulkhead beam to keep them from being batted around the room while keeping hold of Jill to tether her there as well.
“The computer is down,” Rune stated, a baffled look on her face. “I’m unable to get any readings.”
“We need to get to the cargo hold now. Coal will try to force dock to get to me.”
“All power is out. I have no way to open the doors or locate the whereabouts of the crew to avoid them if we attempt to escape to the cargo hold.”
“You’re strong, right? Can’t you force the door open?”
“You are correct. I’m able to do that.” Rune pulled Jill closer to the bulkhead beam. “Hold on.”
Jill had to move slowly without gravity, but she managed to get a good grasp on the metal. She watched Rune turn her body slightly, push one hand against the wall, and propel her body toward the door. The android moved gracefully as she floated down the wall to the door as if she did it every day.
“I can do that,” Jill muttered, knowing she needed to reach the door when Rune got it open. She mimicked the move but when she pushed against the wall, releasing her grip on the beam, her body started to twist in circles as she floated.
“Damn it!” She fought dizziness after a few spins. “It looked easy.”
* * * * *
“Ready?” Coal gripped the weapon. “If any humans attempt to breach the Jenny from that shuttle I want you to use lethal force unless it’s Jill. You remember her, don’t you?”
“Affirmative, Sir. Lethal force unless it is Jill.”
“Kill those assholes if you see them. I plan to.”
Anger propelled Coal forward with a determined purpose. He unlocked the door to the docking sleeve and stormed through it to the other ship. He had to shoot out the lock pad to destroy it and reach a hand inside to find the safety release. He got the door to the Cutter open.
He took a step inside only to discover he had an unforeseen problem. He’d knocked out their engines but he’d also managed to make them lose power. A growl tore from his throat as he realized he needed gravity boots to move about the ship faster to search for Jill. He turned, moving quickly, and entered the cargo hold of the Jenny again.
The doors to the interior opened, startling Coal, and his weapon rose instantly, training on the other male’s chest. He stared at Sky. The cyborg froze upon spotting Coal. Sky blinked, staring back at him.
“You should be unconscious.”
Sky hesitated. “I enjoy swimming on Garden. Working for Councilman Zorus pisses me off and the
only thing that cools my temper is icy water with vigorous exercise. I can hold my breath for a very long time. I fooled the android into believing the gas put me to sleep.” Sky swallowed. “What are we doing?”
“I attacked the Cutter and I’m going after Jill.” Coal didn’t look away from the other male. “Arm? Do you have more avarios-gas balls? Sky is willing to take some deep breaths now so I may complete my mission.” His voice became threatening. “He has that option or being shot.”
“Affirmative, Sir.” Arm turned toward them.
“You could knock me out but wouldn’t you like some help?” Sky smiled. “Everyone is unconscious except Zorus and the human but I see you fused their door sealed. You also took the computer offline to prevent him from taking control of it.” He paused. “No one is going to know if I help you get your girlfriend back.”
Suspicion narrowed Coal’s gaze. “Why would you do that?”
“Why the hell not?” Sky chuckled. “Besides, I like Jill. She’s cool. You two are cute together. I’m all for getting her back for you but this time don’t lose her again.”
“It’s not logical for you to risk punishment if you’re caught helping me.”
“Logic is overrated and I’m already in deep shit with Zorus over trying to warn the human he bought about what a prick he is. He said when I get to Garden he’s going to make me sorry for interfering. You want my help or not?”
Coal took a deep breath, lowering his weapon. “We need gravity boots. They have no power.”
Sky strolled into the room, still grinning. “Awesome.”
Shaking his head, Coal moved to the cabinet that contained them. “You’re a unique cyborg.”
“I could say the same thing and I like that about you. Now let’s go get your woman. I suggest using some handcuffs to keep her in your bed when you get her back. Women tend to find trouble when you let them out of one.”
Coal stared wide-eyed at the other male. Sky shrugged and accepted the gravity boots handed to him.
“What? I’m the expert on all things human. Take my word, my man. Chain her to your bed and keep her there. She won’t protest too much if you keep her happy while she’s in it.”
* * * * *
Jill slammed into another wall, wincing as her shoulder took the hit the hardest. Rune turned her head.
“If you would just do as I do, you would glide instead of bumping into things.”
“I don’t have your coordination.”
“That is true. I will guide you.”
Rune reached back, grabbed a handful of Jill’s shirt, and then used her other hand to push off from the wall. They floated down the hallway in a straight line.
“I feel stupid,” Jill muttered. “I should have asked you to do this when we left the room.”
“We are almost there.”
A scream suddenly pierced air. It gave Jill chills as the terrified sound cut out. Her heart pounded hard and Rune slowed their momentum by releasing Jill to open her arms, brushing the walls with her outstretched fingers. Jill bumped into her back but used her hands to cushion the impact.
“That was a male,” Rune stated.
“Human?”
“Do cyborgs scream?”
Jill bit her lip. “I don’t know. Maybe.”
“I could access a door to remove us from a traveled corridor.”
“No.” Jill forced air into her lungs, trying to push down her fear. “We want to find the reason for the scream and I’m hoping its Coal.”
A whining noise nearly deafened Jill and lights blinded her as the power came back on. The gravity stabilizers also came back but someone had adjusted them to return slowly. Jill saw the deck coming slowly closer to her and released Rune, happy she wasn’t turned head down as her feet brushed the floor and then her knees.
The return of gravity had her fighting not to throw up. Her sluggish body seemed to suddenly weigh a ton. She lay on the floor where she’d landed. Rune didn’t seem to suffer any of the effects since she stood up quickly.
“Are you going to take a nap? This isn’t a good time to do that. You are in danger.”
Jill bit back a curse. “Really? I thought I’d just close my eyes for a few minutes.”
“That wouldn’t be wise.”
“It’s called sarcasm, Rune. Learn the definition of that word sometime. I’m trying to lift myself up but I have to readjust to the gravity.” Sweat broke out on Jill’s forehead as she pushed up with her arms. “Could you help me?”
Rune bent and gripped Jill to pull her to her unsteady feet. “Follow me. While I can’t severely harm humans I can push one back if one attempts to attack you.”
“That would be great.” Jill lifted her leg and took a lurching step. “I think they overcompensated on the gravity.”
Rune’s eyes shifted left.
“You don’t have to check.”
Weapons fire came from somewhere near them. “Gravity is unstable.” Rune met Jill’s annoyed gaze. “I’m missing one crew member’s life reading but two new ones have entered the Cutter. They are one corridor over, heading this way. Should we avoid them?”
“No!” Tears filled Jill’s eyes. “It’s got to be Coal.”
“This makes you feel sadness that he has boarded the Cutter?”
“No. These are happy tears. Just find the new life readings.”
“This way.” Rune spun around. “Follow me.”
Joy and excitement spurred Jill on. Weapons fire sounded again, someone yelled a curse, and then they were turning a corner. Rune suddenly stopped, her arms jerking out to the sides, and she blocked Jill from walking.
“I have a visual on two cyborgs and one crew member.”
Jill moved, going on tiptoe, and stared over Rune’s arm. One of the crew ran toward them but someone bigger tackled him, taking him down just feet from them. Coal landed on the man’s back, a knife flashing in the air as it raised and then he buried it deep in the back of the man’s neck. The guy screamed but with a vicious twist of his wrist, Coal ended the guy’s life. His head lifted and his dark, furious gaze met hers.
“Jill!” He pushed up, got to his feet, and tore the blade out of the body in the same motion. He wiped the bloody blade on his pants and stormed toward her.
Rune released the wall and shoved Coal hard, sending him flying back to prevent him from reaching Jill.
“No!” Jill yelled and then launched herself around Rune to reach Coal.
He grunted when he landed on the deck on his ass but his arms lifted when she threw her body at his. He dropped the knife when she slammed into him, both of them falling flat, and Jill grinned.
“You came for me.”
Coal’s eyebrow arched as he wrapped his arms around her where she lay sprawled on top of his body.
“I am the right man for you, not the human male.”
“Yes, you are.” Jill grabbed his face and planted a kiss on his beautiful mouth.
Chapter Fourteen
“It appears she changed her mind about wanting to end your relationship,” Sky stated calmly.
Jill tore her mouth away from Coal’s and she gaped at the other cyborg standing with his feet braced apart by their heads, hovering there looking dangerous but amused. He gripped a large rifle-type weapon in the cradle of his arms while he smiled at her.
“I never wanted to leave Coal.”
“That’s not what your message stated.” Sky shrugged. “I hear women do change their minds frequently but not all of my information is accurate.”
“I didn’t send Coal any message. That jerk drugged me and used the conversation I had with him to use my voice to mix one together.”
“That’s true,” Rune confirmed. “It’s a common practice Captain Varel and his men use to con potential victims to gain access to their banking accounts. They prod someone into a conversation then manipulate their words until they have enough sentence structures to fit their purpose. Most computer verifying voice programs are fooled but some are no
t.”
“Hello, gorgeous.” Sky cleared his throat. “Where have you been all my life?”
“Tell me how long you have been alive and I can give you a detailed account of my locations.” Rune smiled at him warmly.
“She’s an android named Rune,” Jill warned softly. “She hates to be touched so don’t hit on her.”
Sky’s grin died and his pale eyes seemed to glow. “No. Life can’t be that cruel.” His gaze ran the length of the leggy android and then softly cursed. “Now I finally get that old Earth saying—‘if it looks too good to be true then it probably is’. She’s perfect.”
“I have flaws,” Rune kept her smile in place.
“Not from where I’m standing.” Sky suddenly released the weapon handle to brush his palm quickly down the front of his leather pants while he adjusted his stance, obviously in some discomfort. “Down, boy.”
Rune followed his hand with her gaze. “You have something alive in your pants?”
“Not for long.” Sky’s features hardened. “Sometimes it’s good to be able to go numb in certain places when I set my mind to ignore shit.”
Coal recovered from his shock of being knocked over by Jill, his body turning them until he rolled on top, and pinned her to the deck under him. His beautiful gaze searched hers. “I didn’t care if you sent that message or not. It was irrelevant. You said yes after I gave you time to make certain you wanted to join a family unit with me. I’m holding you to it.”
Jill’s fingers trembled as she caressed his jawline, happy beyond words that he’d really come for her. “I love you, Coal.”
“This isn’t the time for the lovey-dovey crap,” Sky reminded them gently. “I’ve hacked their system and we have company coming.”
Coal braced his hands on the deck, pushed up, and straightened. He leaned down to offer her his hand. She gripped it tightly and he effortlessly pulled her to her feet.
“How close?” Coal bent to retrieve his knife, shoved it into the holder strapped to his hip, and rage hardened his features.
“Too damn close.” Sky gripped his weapon again with both hands. “Rune? Is that your name? You need to move. You’re blocking my shot.”