out the door to f**k other women while it tears my heart out and accepting your shitty attitude of expecting me to just deal with it. Go to hell, Flint. I’d rather die with my dignity intact than live like some pathetic moron who puts up with being treated like shit.”

“Dignity?What the hell does that have to do with this? You’re threatening to go to your death over an obligation I have sworn to uphold.”

A chime sounded, letting them know someone was at the door but Flint didn’t move. Mira stared at Flint.

“I can’t live like that, Flint. You made me very aware that I won’t be able to get away from you if you sleep with other women. Whatever you decide to do, I will just have to put up with it no matter how bad it is. I’d rather die. I know you think of me as property but—”

The chime sounded again. They ignored it.

“But I can’t live like that and be happy. I’d be miserable, Flint. You say you want a family unit but that’s just messed up to be with someone you will hurt over and over again until I hate you for breaking my heart like that. What other screwed-up cyborg shit are you going to hit me with? One day are you going to pass me off to one of your friends? Maybe when I get old you can just toss me out on the street and be done with me? I have no say in anything, do I? Well, this is my say. I get the final word this way. No f**king way am I letting you destroy me a day at a time.”

Mira saw movement behind Flint as a tall, redheaded cyborg walked slowly toward them. Somehow he’d gotten through the front door into the living room. He was frowning as he stepped next to Flint. His shocked gaze was fixed on Mira.

“What is your human doing? That’s dangerous. Human, get down carefully. You won’t survive a fall from this height.”

Flint turned his head to glare at the other man. “She knows that. She’s threatening to jump on purpose.”

The cyborg’s red eyebrows lifted as he crossed his arms over his chest. “I got a call from Arrion , telling me you refused her for a human. I didn’t believe it until I reviewed your request to form a family unit with one. Imagine my shock when I realized there was another formal request for another family unit with a human when Iron filed as well. What the hell is going on?”

“Leave, Cal. This isn’t a good time.” Flint was pissed, glaring at Mira. “Get down from there now that you’ve made your point. We’ll work this out somehow.”

She glared back. “You think we have nothing to talk about. You said this discussion was closed. Those were your exact words, if I remember right. I don’t believe anything you say at this moment since you’d say or do anything to get me to climb down. I know you’ll just tie me to the damn bed to make sure I can’t get outside again or you’ll lock the windows so I can’t open them.”

“Damn it, Mira. Get down from there before you fall. We’ll work this out. I’m sorry you’re so upset. I didn’t know it would affect you this way.”

The redheaded cyborg was frowning. “What did you do that was so bad she’d rather die than suffer through it? Is she afraid to breed with you? She is small.”

“Leave, Cal,” Flint snapped.

“I can’t. I was ordered to come investigate. You’re creating waves with your request. It wouldn’t have caused any alarm but then Iron’s request came in right after yours so I was ordered to come here. I came to figure out how a human and a cyborg family unit can work.” The man frowned at Mira. “So far I would say it’s not working out well and there’s no reason for worry that this will become commonplace.

We like to keep our streets clean and humans diving from balconies would stain them.”

“Damn it, Cal!” Flint yelled. “Do you see this isn’t the time for your humor? Do I look amused?” He turned and took a step onto the balcony. “Mira—”

“Stop!”She inched her ass a little more over the edge.

Flint froze and then took a step back. “Damn it, Mira. Sit back again. You’re going to fall if you mean to or not. At least don’t die accidentally.”

She eased her ass back to where