I’d kill you,” Iron growled. “Right after I took a few inches off your ass with my belt.”

Mira slumped, collapsing on her legs so she sat on them. Her wrists burned with pain and her hands tingled painfully and sensation hit her as the blood flowed back into them. She was shaking as she tore away the corded ties they’d used on her wrists. Her wrists were cut and blood dripped. All she could do was cradle them to her chest.

“Here,” Iron snarled. He shoved something through the bars. “Clean and deal with them yourself.”

The first-aid kit hit the floor of the cage. Her gaze lifted. Iron was standing there glaring at her.

“Thank you.”

He spun away, storming for the door they’d just come through but it opened before he reached it. Flint and four cyborgs entered the cargo area. Mira’s eyes went to Flint but he didn’t look her way, not once.

He turned to one of his cyborgs .

“Tell Ice to release the sleeve. We’ll blow their hull out and tow their ship to the Star . We could use the metal off the ship for building materials on Garden. Most of their cargo was secured so it won’t float away. Do life scans to make sure they all die.”

Mira watched Flint leave the cargo area without ever turning his head to look at her. The men secured the door and then they followed Flint out. With shaking hands she opened the medical kit and started to work on her bleeding wrists.

Chapter Nine

Mira watched the five women who were all in their early twenties to mid-thirties. She’d gotten their names but she could only remember two of them. Her mind was foggy and she knew she was suffering from shock, blood loss, and she had a fever. The pirate ship’s hold had been filthy so she’d injected her arm with an antibiotic to guard against infection. She didn’t know how long she’d lain on the floor, shivering and miserable, but she knew she was in bad shape.

Dawn, a small redhead with bright blue eyes, was crouched in the other cage watching Mira. “You’re really sick.”

Mira clenched her teeth to keep them from chattering. “Is it cold in here?”

“No. You’re burning up. I can see how flushed you are.” Dawn stood up and yelled. “Hello! Someone help! Can anyone hear me? We need help in here!”

In less than a minute the doors slid open as Iron stormed in. He eyed the redhead. “What is wrong?”

Dawn pointed at Mira. “She’s dying, damn it. She’s shivering and the shot she gave herself isn’t working. Please help her.”

Mira watched Iron turn to face her. A frown marred his features as he stared down at her. He reached for his waist to fish out a key. “You try something and I’ll hit you. Got it?”

She didn’t even bother to respond. She curled into a ball, shivering too badly to even think of a smartass response. She was freezing and miserable. Iron opened the door to the cage and crouched when he stepped in. He tore off one of his gloves and touched her cheek then her forehead. She saw his eyes narrow as his jaw clenched.

“Damn.” He dropped to his knees, put his arms under Mira and lifted her. He got to his feet and ducked out of the cage, carrying her against his chest. “Ice, contact the Star immediately. Hook us up fast. Mira is really sick. We need to get her to Doc right now.”

“Understood,” a deep male voice said through the speaker system. “Should I report this to Flint?”

“Yes.” Iron glanced down at Mira. “She’s in bad shape.”

Mira shivered in his arms though his body was warm against hers. As he studied her carefully his gaze softened. She was shocked that he seemed to care whether she was dying or not. He cradled her gently, walking to the door where she’d entered the ship. He stood there to brace his back to the wall.

“Hang on, Mira. We’re connecting to the Star . Doc will fix you right up.”

She just stared up at him. He watched her with worried eyes. He shifted her weight as the ships lightly bumped. Iron pushed away from the wall, holding her tighter. He faced the door and waited. It finally slid open. Mira saw corridors, recognizing the Star . It was her last thought before she passed out.

* * * * *

Mira woke when her clothing was being removed. She opened her eyes to see that Doc