Falling for Sky (Cyborg Seduction Book 11) Read online

  “She gets fed the same government bullshit that the news broadcasts for other Earthers.” Sky straightened in his seat. “What is my punishment? How long are you grounding me for? Am I moving my things out of my home or have you already transferred us to a new one?”

  Zorus crossed his arms over his chest. “We need you, Sky—and you always count on that when you break the rules. Don’t think we’re not aware of your tactics.”

  “This had nothing to do with me thinking I’m too invaluable. This was about saving Mick from death.”

  Blackie cleared his throat. “I understand. Here’s the situation. The council is angry and feels you disrespected them. They want you downgraded…but Zorus and I argued that the stress of your job puts you at risk of dealing with too many emotions. Emotions most cyborgs don’t often deal with. But it’s a required part of your skills, in order to be an effective human specialist.” The cyborg studied Mick. “It also gave you the opportunity to take an Earther wife, since you’d been talking and had grown a bond with her.”

  Zorus took over. “We held a vote, and most of us agreed that your instability could be considered a hazard of your job. You aren’t being downgraded in status, but your wife is to remain with you at all times, be it on Garden or on future assignments. Basically, she’s your security risk, and you’re fully responsible for her actions.” Zorus rolled his eyes. “Some of the council felt that was punishment enough, since they can’t understand wanting to join a family unit with an Earther.”

  Sky nodded. “Good. I was prepared to argue that I may have rescued Mick, but I still helped figure out what’s going on with the Markus Models. That’s proof enough that I can do my job well, even while breaking the rules. I should also get credit for masterminding the fake footage sent to Earth. They’ll see pirates pretending to be cyborgs, which you have to admit was brilliant.”

  Zorus snorted. “Yes, Sky. We’re all in agreement that it will make Earth Government leery of believing any future reports about our kind. You did your job well.” He paused. “You still shouldn’t have broken the rules, though.”

  “No regrets. I have Mick.”

  “Don’t become cocky,” Zorus snapped. “You’re going to be working your ass off. That’s your punishment, especially when you’ll want to spend all your time with your female, instead.”

  “I plan to either way.” Sky took a deep breath and blew it out.

  “We sent the Bridden back out to search for large groupings of pirate ships and spy on them. You are being shuttled back to the Star in a few days. It will keep you mobile to continue your work, but far from Garden. You need to keep in coms with all the stations and listen for any reports of Markus Models or pirate swarm activity,” Blackie added. “We have a lot to learn about the new threat. Understood?”

  “Yes, Blackie. I do.” Sky smiled.

  Mick relaxed in her chair. Sky appeared happy, and it had gone far better than she’d hoped. No one had put her in chains or taken her away from Sky, her worst fear.

  “May we go now? I’d like to show Mick my home and order her some decent clothes before we must return to space. She’s been wearing my clothing and what we could replicate on the Star.”

  “Go.” Zorus stood. “Don’t push the council again, Sky. Even they have limits. Try to remember that.” He left the room without another word.

  The other cyborg, Blackie, sighed and crossed his arms over his chest. “You were fortunate, Sky. The council needs you too much right now, and we’re all worried about what the Markus Models are planning to do with the pirates. Find those bastards. Markus Models seem to excel at manipulation beyond our expectations. It’s worrisome.”

  “I’m aware. Thank you for siding with me.”

  “You’ve been helping Gene search for Danica. He remained on the Bridden, since it’s returning to more populated human areas of space. Eve is worried the Markus Models will eventually attack a ship her sister may be on, since they’ve not only been targeting stations, but now freighters and shuttles. Off the record, ask around about any female bounty hunters when you contact those stations.”

  He unfolded his arms and stood, handing over a data chip. “Here’s a list Eve made of the stations the sisters interacted with while dropping off criminals. They were among their favorite places to visit. We’re guessing Danica may tell people Eve died, if they ask about her whereabouts. Don’t blow that cover story, just in case. You’ll probably want to pretend you’re trying to avoid Danica. Eve said most criminals hated and feared them.”

  Sky accepted the chip. “I can do that.”

  Blackie reached up once more and removed Mick’s necklace from his chest pocket. He offered it to her. “We found nothing on here that was of interest to the council. Your android isn’t very advanced; we went over his programming. He’s outdated tech and no threat to us. You might want to upgrade, if you ever have a model rebuilt.”

  Mick put her necklace back on. “I love Jorg, and don’t want an upgraded model, but thank you.”

  Blackie nodded, staring at Sky. “Find those bastards, and Danica. It would make my life easier. I hate to see my wife upset every time a report comes in, thinking it might have involved her sister.”

  “I’m on it.” Sky shook his hand. “Can we leave now?”

  “Go.”

  Sky offered Mick his hand and she took it. He pulled her out of the chair and folded her hand around his arm, leading her out of the building. None of the cyborg guards tried to stop them.

  Sky chuckled. “I told you not to worry.”

  “I’m with that Blackie guy. We were fortunate, weren’t we?”

  “They need me. Most cyborgs have a difficult time relating to people from Earth. I speak like them. It makes it easier for me to make friends and earn their trust. Friends share information.”

  “Good thing for me.”

  He stopped in the street and pulled her close, planting a kiss on her lips. He grinned. “We’re so much more than friends.”

  She grinned, trying to ignore the way the cyborgs nearest them had paused, openly gawking at the display of affection. It made her a little self-conscious.

  Sky seemed to guess her thoughts. “Cyborgs don’t kiss just for the fun of it. You saved me from that cold shit, Mick. Let’s get you some good clothing first, and then we’ll head home.”

  * * * * *

  Sky watched Mick’s reaction to seeing the views from his home. It made him happy when she grinned, her expression lighting up with joy. “I’m really proud of you.”

  She turned to him. “Why?”

  “You endured one of my worst nightmares by being measured for clothes and picking out styles, yet you’re not even in a bad mood. I hate doing that.”

  “You weren’t lying about all those clothes not costing you credits, were you?”

  “Clothing is free on Garden. You can’t live in my shirts and altered pants for long, Mick. The Star’s stock of materials was outdated. What we produce on Garden is far better. You need a wardrobe of your own, with things that fit. I’m just glad they can replicate them so quickly and will deliver your new clothes before we leave. Usually there’s a two-day wait time, but you’re a priority as my wife, and because we’re being shuttled off the surface so soon. My job has some perks.” He winked.

  She faced the windows again. “It’s so beautiful here.”

  He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing her back against his chest. He liked holding her. “We’ll return soon, and I’ll take you for that swim.”

  “It’s okay. Just seeing the ocean and all that vegetation is like a dream come true after staring at dust and rocks for four years. This definitely isn’t a dead planet. The fresh air is amazing, too.”

  “I’m sorry we’re having to return to space so soon.”

  “I’m not,” she craned her head to peer up at him. “We’ll be together. That’s all that matters. You’re a pretty fantastic sight, too. Though I like you minus your clothes best.�€