weren’t notified of the change of time?”

Mavo shook his head. “No, but I’ll be there.”

“Nine.”

“I’ll see you then.”

“Thank you.”

He watched his father leave, then rose, entering the bedroom. Venice lay curled on her side, sleeping. He stripped out of his clothing, curling up along her back. She snuggled against him and he studied her arm, checking for any sign of where she’d been cut. There were no marks to show what had been done to her, the synthetic flesh unmarred.

He closed his eyes, holding her.

He wasn’t too concerned about the council. They wouldn’t dare take Venice away from him. The scans she’d provided to medical would more than justify his taking her off the Colton Station. She was invaluable, not only to him, but for gaining medical tech they didn’t have.

Chapter Eleven

The council sat behind their long curved bench across the room and watched Deviant with emotionless expressions. His father sat next to him. No one else had shown up for the meeting. He’d expected Stag to be there.

One of the members finally leaned forward. “Let’s begin. Deviant, you took a human woman onto Stag’s ship without permission from him or us. I think I’ll spare listing the violation codes you’ve broken. Explain to us why you did it.”

A woman to the councilmember’s right stiffened. “Covel, this session was brought forth to be a formal reprimand. Stag has filed insubordination charges and Deviant has disobeyed us. Your casual demeanor isn’t appropriate. This is a serious matter.”

Covel turned his head. “You don’t like Stag. You find him as tiring as the rest of us do, with his strong stance on leadership without compassion.”

“I don’t even know why we’re here.” Blackie drew everyone’s attention. “It’s a simple matter. Deviant found a woman willing to sleep with him. She’s inspired our medical teams with her updated prosthetics, contributing to our race, so at the end of the day, he did us a favor by choosing her. We’ve been given a gift. Especially when we apply what they’ve learned on our people who are in need of limbs. She’s not a spy for Earth Government or a security risk.

“Stag can be an ass. He’s rigid too with the rules. Not necessarily a bad thing, and he was required to file charges. It wasn’t an option for him not to. But I dismissed them as soon as I learned why Deviant had brought the woman onboard.”

“A willing sexual partner is not an acceptable reason for the actions Deviant took.” The blonde woman frowned.

“You can’t be that obtuse, Lizza. All females have their choice of males. You will never be lonely or lack sexual partners. It’s different for our males. Especially ones who have been viewed as imperfect in any way.” Zorus leveled Deviant with a cool stare. “How many times have you been offered to join a family unit?”

“None.” Deviant understood the point Zorus was trying to make.

“That still doesn’t excuse his actions.” Lizza shook her head. “He took risks that were not in his authority to take.”

Zorus leaned forward and rested his hands on the table in front of him. “Deviant, tell Lizza how many times your sperm has been requested. I looked it up. You’re not sterile.”

It embarrassed him but he was required to answer. “Never.”

Zorus lifted his hands, opening them wide in a “need I say more?” gesture, and dropped them back down. “Deviant was given the opportunity to gain access to a female who willingly agreed to be his. I don’t see any male turning that offer down under the circumstances.” Zorus met his gaze. “Are you two engaging in sex?”

Deviant hesitated to answer, not willing to discuss the more personal aspects of his relationship with Venice with the council.

“They are,” his father answered instead.

“I’m content with his actions.” Covel shrugged. “I see no reason to punish him.”

“Nor do I,” Rais agreed.

“I agree,” Blackie added. “Which brings me back to my original statement. I don’t know why we’re here.”

Other council members nodded.

Lizza was the only one who didn’t seem satisfied. “That’s what we take from this meeting? That our males can ignore orders and rules if they are motivated by having sex with a willing female?”

“Would you ask Deviant to join your family unit?” Blackie asked.

The councilwoman suddenly couldn’t meet any man’s gaze—and remained silent.

Zorus cleared his throat. “You’re outnumbered in this vote. He was lonely and found someone to be with. That wasn’t going to happen on Garden. Every woman has refused him. All’s well that ends well. I vote