Free Loving Deviant (Cyborg Seduction Book 9) by Laurann Dohner Page A

kept searching for me, despite being told I’d died. They’ll kill her if EG is ever given evidence that I’m alive, because it will be proof against her that she helped me escape. That would be considered a terminal crime.”
    “Won’t she be blamed anyway?”
    “No. They’re probably suspicious of her but as long as I don’t turn up alive, the blame could shift to rebels who attack those kinds of facilities to make them lose profits. Rebels would have killed me and disposed of my body, just so my blood couldn’t be sold any longer. Only a family member would bother paying for extensive surgery to get me back on my feet.”
    He continued to stare at her with a frown.
    “She paid an organization called Angels to help retrieve me. They’re on government hit lists, considered a terrorist group, like the rebels are. The difference is, most of their members are medical professionals who are tired of seeing people like me killed or used until death. They patched me up this great because my sister donated a lot of money to them. That would be seen as her funding a terrorist group. Do you understand? It’s a death sentence for her.”
    Mavo studied her and finally relaxed. “I want to believe you. Right now, I need to contact the council and inform them, along with the commander of this vessel, that someone from Earth is aboard.”
    “Perhaps we should wait until after we reach Garden.” Deviant lowered his voice. “I don’t want anyone believing they can take her away from me.”
    “They won’t.” Mavo held Venice’s gaze. “We used to be able to own Earthers, but now we can’t. We can, however, contract them as workers, taking them under our protection. I have a few friends on the council. I’ll contact them directly first, then let Stag know.”
    “He doesn’t like Earthers.” Deviant softened his tone too. “I’d really prefer we wait until we reach Garden. Think about it for a moment.”
    Mavo hesitated. “I’ll make certain you’re off duty until we return, so you don’t have to leave her alone. Let me know when you need food. I’ll bring it so you don’t have to risk anyone finding out she’s here. I still need to let a few council members that I trust know what is happening. You won’t be able to get her off this shuttle and into the city otherwise.”
    “Understood. Thank you.”
    “We are undocking with the station in a few hours. I’ll talk to you in the morning. It will be too late by then to change your mind about taking her home with you.”
    “My decision is made,” Deviant stated.
    Venice watched Deviant’s father leave before voicing her concerns. “Who is Stag and why does he hate anyone from Earth?”
    “He was heavily abused while on Earth. This is his ship we’re aboard.”
    She suddenly didn’t feel very safe. “Would this Stag have me tossed out an airlock or something if he finds out I’m aboard? I’ve heard that some captains do that when they discover a stowaway.”
    “No. That sounds like something only Earthers would do. I won’t allow anyone to hurt you, Venice. I would fight Stag before I’d let him near you.” He reached out and brushed his hand down her arm. “That’s why I explained how important it is for you to stay here, so no one finds out about you.”
    “I thought the scariest part was knowing I was the only woman with seven men on the ship. Now I’m more afraid of the guy with a grudge.”
    He smiled. “You’re mine, Venice. I will protect you. We’ll reach Garden and everything will be fine.”
    She wanted to trust him. It sure beat still being on the station with Darbis hunting her down, trying to force her to work in a brothel.
    She really liked Deviant, and was starting to care about him more than she should. Her heart might get broken in the end if she didn’t rein in her feelings. It was just tough not to be attracted to him on every level. She reminded herself that one day he wanted to join in some family unit thing with a