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Nara closed the door to the cabin and turned the deadbolt. That slight action set my pulse racing. I was torn between pulling her into my arms to reassure myself she was really here with me or tossing her over my shoulder and carrying her into the bedroom.
We had spent the last few hours settling the new cyborgs in, including the new Tank Class. My processors were still blown that there was another of my model type here. I had hovered around all six of them, my visual systems time and time again being drawn to the face of the Tank Class.
He had kept his head down, following Nara as she directed him and the others to Medical. Her gentle voice had led them down the hall as I worked to keep those that were curious from overwhelming them.
Dax and Dr. Shaw had been waiting for us to arrive. Carefully, they had scanned each one, their faces trying not to react to the numerous scars painting their frames. Not one model was untouched. Their synthetic skin bore a patchwork of all the years of abuse they had suffered. All of them, expect the Tank Class, had answered the few questions, their eyes wide as they took in their surroundings.
Dax’s scanner had pinged when he ran it over the scarring on the Tank Class’s throat. The damage that had been done was permanent. The vocal systems had been fried, a mass of fused wires and circuits. Not even Dax could salvage it.
The Tank Class had been rendered permanently mute. I finally had another of my model type, but I would never hear his voice. A well of sadness had opened inside my chest. Not only for him, but for all of them that came home with lasting damage.
Maybe I should be used to it by now. All the pain. All the cruelty. All the needless death. But even though I had been built for war and destruction, my heart had never managed to shield itself. There was no armor to guard against all the loss and hurt. No defense to muster when damaged cyborgs stared at you with only fear and terror flashing in their eyes.
Out of them all, the male Service Model appeared to be doing the best, but I suspected my Nara was the reason for that. He had spent more time with her and must have realized how special she it. How she loves fiercely even when she feels like she doesn’t deserve it in return.
I had to believe the others would start to make this place a home and I knew my female would be right there every step of the way with me by her side.
Her arms wrapped around my waist. “You seem lost in thought. Want to share?”
I sighed. “I am thinking about the Tank Class. And the others.”
She nuzzled her cheek against my chest. “Me, too. I have to trust that having us all here to help them heal will be enough.” Her big green eyes peered up at me. “And he’ll have you. He won’t have to navigate his freedom alone. He might not be able to speak, but we will make sure he is always heard.”
Her eyes moved from my face to look around the cabin Lennox had given us. It hadn’t helped that our comms were on when Nara declared she wanted to bond with me. As soon the new cyborgs were settled and her, no,ourLuxury Models had gotten a few more hugs, we had been shooed toward one of the available cabins.
Reaper and Lennox had both ordered us to take the time we needed. Lennox told us to make it ‘official’.
“It seems like forever ago that we were standing in another cabin, but it’s only been a few weeks.” Her hand cupped my cheek. “After I woke up, I panicked. I thought they had taken you, too. That you were somewhere being hurt.” Tears welled in the corners of her eyes. “But the Service Model told me I was alone. I had a whole new fear then. That if they hadn’t taken you, they must have…” She shook head. “I can’t even say it, Brone. I can’t even imagine my world without you now that I’ve found you. At every turn, the world tossed roadblocks in our way. I tossed a few out myself. But you were always there. A constant, persistent presence that kept me grounded even when I ran.”
Her fingers traced my jawline, leaving tiny sparks in their wake. “And when I thought you might be gone, that they had taken you from me before we had the chance to really begin, I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think past the hollow ache in my chest except for the burning pit of rage that made me vow to burn their whole world to the ground.”
The corners of her mouth twitched. “Reaper would have been proud.”
I cupped the nape of her neck. “Fuck Reaper. I’m proud. No one has ever wanted to burn the world down for me before.” I stroked her cheek with my thumb. “I would do the same for you. I wanted to.” A breath rushed out of me. “Wanted to storm the Global Allegiance and kill everyone that stood in my way. But I knew that the others would never let me go alone and I couldn’t watch them die for me.”
Her fingers gripped my chin. “You did the right thing. None of you would have made it out of there alive.”
“But-”
Her hand covered my mouth. “No buts. Your message to the world freed me better than any war with the Global Allegiance ever would have. I still can’t believe you did that.” Her hand dropped and I stole her mouth in a kiss.
“No more living in the dark.”
“No more living in the dark,” she whispered, deepening the kiss, her tongue slipping in to tangle with mine.
No hesitation. No second guessing. My female had chosen me, the force of her kiss branding me as hers. I pulled back, eyes flashing. “Do me the honor of bonding with me,” I rasped. “Make me yours for all of eternity.” An indefinite lifespan meant nothing without the female in my arms. “Run and I will always catch you,” I growled. “Leave this life and I will follow you into the next.”
She detangled herself from my grasp. “Promise?” She winked as she raced out of the living room and down the hallway. I laughed as I took off in chase, eating up the distance between us to capture her and toss her over my shoulder.
Her musical laughter drifted into my ears, lighting up every circuit. I strode to the bedroom and deposited her on top of the bed.
“You caught me, now what are you going to do with me?”
The only sound that escaped past my lips was a growl. I kicked off my boots, my fingers tearing at my clothing, shredding the fabric in a rush to free my frame. Never would I have thought I would be so desperate to reveal myself, but I wanted my Nara’s eyes on me.
My female didn’t disappoint. The moment I was bare, heat flickered in her gaze, her tongue slipping out to wet her lips.
“Show me what’s mine.”
