Free HauntingBlackie by Laurann Dohner Page A

with
you? It’s me.”
    “Eve?” Blackie tried to get her attention.
    Another low, threatening snarl came from her as her limbs
tightened around him. He realized she was stronger than she looked when he felt
how powerfully her thighs clenched his waist. She untangled her fingers from
his hair and her hand released the back of his head. She adjusted her hold on
him by sliding her arm under his and hooking him from behind on his shoulder.
It was clear she wanted to stay exactly where she was. Her attention was
focused on the other woman.
    “Mine,” Eve stated, her voice unusually deep for a woman.
    Blackie liked hearing her claim that he was the thing she
felt so possessive of. He wanted her to look at him but she seemed intent on
not breaking eye contact with the other woman.
    “Okay,” Danica pushed against Gene, forced him to retreat
farther down the corridor too. “He’s all yours. I’m not trying to take him.”
She glanced at Varion. “Um, do you have sedatives? Now would be a good time.
She’s in protective mode.”
    “Has one of her chips been damaged? Is it a programming flaw
or malfunction?” Gene hooked an arm around the woman leaning against him, his
body tense, watching Eve in a way that Blackie didn’t appreciate, as though she
was dangerous and a threat. It was clear the other cyborg intended to throw
Danica out of the way if need be and step into position to fight instead. “She
appears to be threatening you.”
    “Instinct.” Danica gripped his forearm, holding on to
prevent him from moving her. “We can get a bit scary when we feel protective of
something we think is ours. You should see the way she gets when you even look
at her chocolate, the rare times we are able to trade for it this far out.” She
took a ragged breath. “Eve? Talk to me, honey. Did that big cyborg ring your
bell a little hard when he punched you? I’m your littermate and you need to
come to me. I’ll take care of you until you’re feeling better. You know you don’t
like men. You never let them touch you.”
    Disbelief and a sense of dread filled Blackie. “What do you
mean she doesn’t like men? Are you two a couple?” He didn’t like the idea of
anyone touching what was his as he glared at Danica. He’d fight the woman if
she tried to take Eve from his arms.
    Danica shot him a dirty look. “No. Get your mind out of the
gutter. We’re sisters. It’s just that she doesn’t like men. Plenty of them have
hit on her but she always refuses. She was the first in our production line and
made us aware of a flaw when something happened to her.”
    “There is nothing wrong with her.” He snarled now. “She’s
perfect.”
    Eve snapped her head in his direction and he stared into her
blue eyes. They were the most mesmerizing things ever.
    “You two don’t resemble each other.” Gene sounded baffled. “You
are siblings?”
    “The human genetic material they used to create us isn’t from
the same source but our canine DNA is. We’re related. All the canine units
were. Cameron designed us to feel a sense of family so there was no need to
become territorial with each other. Eve was the first of our line, I was the
second, and we were strongly bonded before they produced more of us.” Danica
paused. “Eve?” Her voice deepened noticeably. “Look at me.”
    Eve turned her head, breaking the intense stare with
Blackie.
    “Talk to me, damn it. You’re freaking me the hell out. I
love you and I’m really concerned.”
    Eve licked her lips. “It’s him. Handsome.”
    “Oh,” Danica said, her voice soft. “Shit. No wonder you’re
acting this way. Carry on. I won’t get in the way.”
    “What does that mean?” Gene met Blackie’s gaze. “I guess she
thinks you’re attractive.”
    Danica shook her head. “He’s the one.”
    “What one?” Blackie wanted to know what was going on too.
    Danica met his curious stare. “We are mostly human I guess
but we have bonus features added.” She released