the bed. It was mussed from what they’d just done on it and one pillow had fallen on the floor. The other one had moved and white, feminine panties were in plain view. His father followed his stare then glanced back at him, watching him evaluate the scene.

His dad jerked his head back, openly gazing at him with amusement.

“I see. So I sent you to have sex with a sex bot and instead you brought back a real female. I don’t know if I should be impressed or outraged.”

“She needed my help, and our exchange is a good one.”

“I would say so.” Mavo stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Are you certain she’s not from Earth Government?”

“She’s not.”

“You took precautions?”

“I’ve secured the room. She can’t leave or send signals. But I believe her. She’s been modified enough that Earth doesn’t consider her a human being anymore.”

“She’s been turned into a cyborg?”

“No. She’s been given three artificial limbs and some internal work.”

Mavo frowned.

“Both of her legs and one arm were damaged in an accident, so she has replacements, along with a few internal organs and bones. Her limbs appear very real. The work was excellent and high grade. I couldn’t tell they were replaced.” He quickly relayed what he’d learned. “Earth Government would destroy her or return her to a medical prison to harvest her rare blood type.” He went on to explain a little more.

Mavo nodded. “We have to verify her information.”

“I’m willing to allow you to have her scanned.”

“This isn’t going to be easy to justify to the council.”

“She’s mine. She’ll state to the council that she’s contracted to me, if they wish to ask.”

Mavo frowned, studying him closely. “Do you see her as someone contracted to you as property, or are you using that term to sway me into helping you?”

“She’s an individual, but her wish to be with me is relevant.” Deviant tensed, watching his father. He needed his support. “I’m unique,” he argued. “Other females haven’t wanted me. Venice does. She doesn’t see me as flawed.”

A flash of pain showed in his father’s eyes before he concealed it. “I’d like to meet her.”

“Give me a few minutes. I need to explain the situation to her.”

Mavo walked to the door. “I’ll wait outside.”

“Make sure the hallway is clear before you reenter.”

“Of course. The last thing we need is other males knowing there is a female from Earth onboard. Some would worry she’s a spy. Others would vie for her attention.”

“None will get near her,” Deviant swore.

Deviant opened and closed the door to allow his father to leave, then walked over to the cleansing unit to override the controls. It opened, and he took a moment to appreciate the sight of Venice with foam melting off her nude body.

She smiled, not angry at his interruption.

“My father is waiting in the hallway and he wishes to meet you.”

She stopped the spray and began to dry. “Okay.”

“He’ll help us smooth over my bringing you to our home world.”

“What’s the worst that could happen?”

He detected worry in her expression. “You need to tell anyone who asks that you’ve verbally contracted to belong to me.” He reached out and brushed his thumb along her cheek. “You’re more than that to me, but we have laws in place that would allow me to keep you safe if you were considered indentured.”

“Would they kill me or something otherwise?”

“No but you wouldn’t be trusted. We are very suspicious of anyone from Earth, because the fate of our world rests on them not being able to locate our planet. Your government would attempt to destroy us again.”

“They aren’t mine anymore. So…my being your property makes me less of a threat to other cyborgs?”

“Belonging to me protects you from being interrogated or held as a prisoner. With my protection extended to you, I would take full responsibility for all of your actions.”

She peered at him with a frown. “You mean you’d be punished if I did something wrong? That doesn’t sound fair.”

“They couldn’t detain you without my permission, which I would never give.”

That answer didn’t seem to put her at ease but she nodded. “Okay. I got it.”

He turned away and walked to the wall, opening a panel. He withdrew one of his shirts and some sleeping pants. He sliced a foot of material off the bottom of the legs before handing the outfit to her. “Put this on.”

She dressed quickly and Deviant resisted smiling. His clothing was far too large for her, even with the shortened