by Anna Hackett
A short while later, the others headed for their beds—after Dathan made her to promise to call them as soon as Xander was conscious.
She must have slept. She had no idea how long she’d been out, but when she opened her eyes, she saw Xander was still resting comfortably. She took the opportunity to study him more thoroughly.
The man was…built. All those muscles covered by smooth golden-brown skin. His stomach was heavily ridged and nothing like Aston’s paid-for sculpted body. This man earned his muscles through training and hard work.
Stars, here she was, drooling over an unconscious man. No, wait, it was worse than that—an unconscious cyborg who didn’t feel anything.
Mal dropped her head into her hands. Exhaustion was taking its toll. The reality of the last day happily rushed in to torment her. Centax was under attack. She’d nearly died. Her ship was wrecked. She’d taken a life.
Her throat closed, tears threatening.
“Malin?”
Xander’s voice made her head shoot up. “Hey. Are you feeling better?”
His laser-like gaze bored into her. “I’ve run an internal scan. I’m fine.”
“You should get some more rest—”
“I don’t need much sleep. And I have an auxiliary power source if my resources run low.”
Right. They should all be so lucky.
Suddenly, he was beside her, his big body close. He knelt beside her chair. “What’s wrong?”
She waved a hand at him. “I’m just…having a moment.”
Cool hands gripped her shoulders. She felt the slight bumps under his palms, the implants. Funny how his hands were classified as a deadly weapon, but she wasn’t afraid at all.
“You’re having a delayed reaction.”
His matter-of-fact explanation elicited a small laugh from her. “Right. Thanks.” She raised her arms and tugged him close.
He stiffened, but Malin didn’t care. She needed a hug and CenSec or not, he was available. “You may not remember, but on the Firebird, when the enviro was failing, I promised to give you a hug.”
His arms came around her and slowly, his muscles relaxed one by one. “I remember.”
She pressed her cheek against his chest. Bare chest. Really nice-smelling male chest.
One of his hands trailed down her spine, hesitant at first, then more confident. “You’re safe now.” His hand traveled back up until he gripped the nape of her neck. “It was my fault you were endangered.”
She sighed and relaxed against Xander. “Not your fault. Who are these mercs?”
“It’s a story I should tell the others as well.”
She rubbed her cheek against his warm skin. Under her face, she heard the thud of his heart. Strong and not as steady as she would have thought.
She pulled back. It was hard to tell with his dark skin, but she thought she noticed a tint of color in his cheeks. “Xander…you said you don’t feel emotion. But you are now, aren’t you?” Or was it just her wishful thinking?
“I’m not supposed to.” He cupped her face. “I’m…much more enhanced than regular CenSecs.”
As if magnetically drawn, they leaned in closer to each other. Mal felt the blood hammering through her veins. This was crazy. Really, really crazy.
His thumb brushed her jaw. Oh, stars. She’d spent so long trying to find the perfect man, her perfect match. Tarr, the starship pilot; Ben, the starship mechanic from the Souk spaceport; Aston, the salvage dealer.
Xander Saros was about as wrong as she could get. A cyborg, for star’s sake.
“Malin.” A quiet murmur, his fingers brushing over her skin, like he was mesmerized by the way she felt. “I remember you also promised me a kiss.”
Her stomach knotted. “I did, didn’t I?”
His head lowered, and she arched up to meet him.
The medbay door slammed open.
Mal jerked her head up and saw Lala waltz in sporting purple jeans and an orange T-shirt that said “Burn, baby, burn” on the front of it.
“Yo, Mal—” When she spotted Xander, she skidded to a stop. “Holy shit, he looks mighty fine but Dathan told me he is daaaangerous!”
“Take it easy, Lala. He’s not going to hurt anybody.” As Xander let Mal go and pulled away from her, she stifled a disappointed sigh.
“I looked CenSecs up on the computer. Saw them in action.” Lala pulled something from the pocket of her jeans. A small blue ball. Her tone changed, turned much more grown-up. “Dangerous is just the beginning.”
Xander tensed. “Explosive.”
Mal gripped his arm, feeling the smoothness of the artificial skin. “It’s okay. She won’t hurt anyone either. Lala, put it away. Now.”
Lala pouted. “But I haven’t blown anything up for ages.”
“You blew up the Bandoo freighter I had outside ready for salvage. The day before I left on my trip.”
“I thought it was junk.” The girl fingered the ball and heaved a giant sigh. “And I said I was sorry.”
Mal ensured her smile stayed hidden. “Put it away.”
Lala flopped onto a stool. “Fine. But that was last week. Ages ago.” She slipped the ball away.
Mal turned to Xander. “Just ignore her.”
His face was blank but the hard edge said he hadn’t forgotten the explosive ball. Why—when everyone else wanted to run screaming at the sight of him—did she find him so…fascinating?
“Are you another Phoenix cousin?” he asked Lala.
“Nope.”
“She’s…Lala.” Mal wasn’t sure how to describe the teenaged bomb expert they’d somehow inherited after Zayn and Ria needed her help on a mission to free Ria from the Assassin’s Guild.
“Lastite Lala,” the girl added cheerfully.
Xander stiffened. “Lastite Lala. Criminal explosives expert named after the volatile explosive lastite. Responsible for several hundred explosions in the surrounding quadrants.”
Lala grinned. “Your records only list several hundred? Damn, I’m not getting all the badass credit I deserve.”
Xander turned away from Lala, his body stiff. “I need to talk with your cousins.”
With a nod, Mal moved to the comms panel and put a call through to Dathan. It didn’t take the others long to arrive.
Dathan strode in. “Warning for you, CenSec, I’m still pissed you pulled my cousin into your troubles.”
Lala popped a wad of gum into her mouth. “I think we should start with the fact that Mal was just about to suck face with the sexy cyborg.”
When Eos gasped and Dathan and Nik both spun with fury in their eyes, all Mal managed was a wince.
Chapter Six
“What the hell!” Dathan exploded.
“You stay the hell away from her,” Niklas said in a quiet voice.
Xander had believed the astro-archeologist to be a mild-mannered academic. But underlying Niklas Phoenix’s tone was a hard, dangerous edge that said he’d fight to protect those he loved.
Malin drew herself up. “Excuse me, adult here. I can kiss whoever the hell I like.”
“Mal, he’s a machine—”
Xander watched with interest as her eyes fired and she rounded on Dathan.
“I’m not having this argument again. Just drop it.”
Dathan released a long breath. “He doesn’t feel anything, Mal. You deserve more than that. I know Granger screwed you around—”
“Don’t bring him up!”
Granger? Xander fought an internal frown.
As the cousins continued arguing, Xander once again felt unfamiliar emotions battering at him. His entire planet was at stake. He thought of his team who tried to rescue the leader of Centax. They hadn’t made it and had been captured.
His probability calculations told him they were most likely dead.
He also thought of his brother. There was a high probability Axton was dead, too.
Xander had a mission. One he was created to do.
He couldn’t afford to feel.
He started working on amplifying his filters. He couldn’t afford the distracting emotions Malin Phoenix generated in him.
“She was reacting to the stress of our escape from Centax.” All eyes swung to him. “As you said, I feel little. I certainly don’t feel anything for Malin.”
The room went quiet.
Malin stared at him, her eyes blinking rapidly.
“Curiosity.” He couldn’t deny he’d been curious to see what she felt like, tasted like. “That’s all.”
She looked away. “See—” a crack in her voice “—nothing to worry about.”
Xander detected some sort of stress in her tone but she turned away from him and he couldn’t see her face. “I would like to focus on what’s important, the Antikythera.”
Eos bustled past, grabbing Malin by the arm. “I think we should do this in mission control. Mal and I will head up.” Eos dragged Malin with her and speared her husband with a look. “Dathan, why don’t you show Xander up? We’ll meet you there.”
Xander watched the women leave, staring at the back of Malin’s head. He didn’t like the fact she was leaving him. Even for a few minutes.
Dathan was frowning. “Let’s go, CenSec. It’s time you tell us exactly what you want.”
Xander followed the treasure hunter out into the hangar, aware of Niklas following behind them. “What is mission control?”
“Where we plan all our hunts.”
They made their way through the darkened hangar. He switched to night vision, noted the salvaged parts, all sorted in a neat and orderly fashion. Malin was clearly efficient and competent at her work.
They climbed some stairs and then passed through a heavily secure doorway. Inside, the room was centered on a large holo-table. Shelves lined the walls and valuable artifacts lined the shelves.
Eos was tapping at the holo-table screen. Malin was seated and she didn’t look up as they came in.
Nik moved to lean against the wall while Dathan moved over beside his wife, pressing a hip to the table.
“Time to talk,” the treasure hunter said.
Xander wasted no words. “A Centaxian named Rexon Dax has taken control of Centax.” For the first time in a long time, Xander struggled to keep his anger out of his face.
“And that’s bad?” Eos asked.
“He’s a fanatical misogynist zealot who’s planning to tear my planet, my people, apart.” Xander’s hands squeezed into tight fists. He’d always felt anger, but never this strong, this hot. Damn his failing filters. “The information I was able to gather before I escaped says he’s planning on closing schools and academies. He wants to enslave the women. All women in high ranking positions—in the government, business and the academies—will have been removed by now. He’s already closed Centax Security and deemed all CenSecs enemies of the state. He’s also going to decree that girls will no longer attend school or be eligible for enhancements.”
Malin looked up now, but her gaze seemed to look through him. “That’s barbaric.”
Niklas uttered a curse.
“I find it very hard to believe that the ruthless CenSec forces were overwhelmed,” Dathan said. “Maybe what I heard about you guys is just hype?”
Xander felt that tick in his jaw again. “Dax hired mercenaries.”
“The giants,” Malin murmured.
“Yes.” The lack of light in her eyes disturbed Xander. Since he’d met her, he’d never seen anything but animation in those violet eyes. He wanted to touch her. “I’ve never seen anyone like them before. Clearly fighters. They were armed with some sort of tech that disrupts CenSec technology and implants.”
“Couldn’t use all your superpowers, huh?” Dathan again.
“Dathan, enough.” Eos elbowed him in the side.
“I’m not going to just trust a CenSec. I’ve seen what they can do.”
Xander wouldn’t have respected the man if he didn’t ensure the protection of his people. CenSecs had garnered a reputation. Centax ruled all the planets and moons in their star system. And they hadn’t gained that by being nice. “We were winning. But they took the Centaxian Prime hostage and used his safety as leverage.”
“The Prime is your planet’s leader, right?” Malin said.
A tight nod. “Yes. Axton Saros.”
Malin surged to her feet. “Your brother?”
“Yes.” Xander had been earmarked for Security early on, just as the charming Axton, with his ready smile, had been a born diplomat and ruler. If he was still alive. “My CenSec team tried to infiltrate the Capitol Building, but they were captured and I lost contact with them.” He regulated his breathing and noticed Malin was staring at his hand. He forced his fingers to uncurl.
“How did you escape?” Niklas asked.
“I wasn’t in the Capitol at the time.” His gaze met Malin’s then flicked away. “I had a security meeting near the Haxx Salvage Yard. Looks like it was arranged to get me out of the way. After I lost contact with my team I managed to find a record of Malin being on planet…with a ship. A few mercenaries tracked me down but I…we…fought them off. You know the rest.”
“Why? Why come here?” Dathan demanded. “Surely you have numerous allied planets in your system. They’d help you.”
“Because of the Antikythera.”
“That’s right.” Malin paced a few steps. “The Antikythera is the symbol of the power to rule. Dad took me to see it once in the museum when were on Centax. Even in its protective plas cover it was amazing. Whoever holds the Antikythera, holds the power to rule the planet.”
“By Suva,” Eos murmured. “Centax practices valengeniture.”
Dathan frowned. “Valen what?”
“It’s an ancient practice, one I thought no one used anymore.” Eos gathered herself. “It’s based on ancient law, where a ruler is selected by strength, not bloodline or election.”
“Correct, Dr. Phoenix.” Xander nodded. “On Centax, the Antikythera is the symbol of that strength. The ruler must hold the mechanism and protect it in order to be worthy of being ruler.”
Dathan shifted. “That’s crazy! So anyone can come and steal it and be considered ruler of the planet?”
“Yes.” Xander felt a rush of anger. He’d argued for years that the ruling council should change the old law, in case of a situation just like this. They’d argued it was tradition. “In the early history of our planet, strength was worshiped. Today it is still important.” He stared at the implants on his wrist, a symbol of what his planet cherished. “The Prime is now elected, along with the members of the ruling council. Most think of the Antikythera and valengeniture as nothing more than quaint custom. No one believed anyone would take advantage of the ancient, outdated law like this.”
“So this Dax can do whatever the hell he wants?” Niklas asked.
“Yes. Without the Antikythera, Axton and the ruling council have no right to rule.” For the first time since he’d been a child, Xander felt a wash of helplessness. “No allies will help me get Centax back.” He tried to catch Malin’s gaze again, but she studiously looked at her cousins. “I have to save Centax. That’s why I came here with Malin.” He turned to look at the others before settling on Dathan. “I need your help to find and steal back the Antikythera.”
And if they wouldn’t help him, then he’d do it on his own. Or die trying.
Xander was drawn back to Malin. It was like a magnetic pull he couldn’t seem to control. His gaze drifted lower down her slim neck. He wondered how soft her skin was there, how sensitive.
He blinked slowly. He was a CenSec, created to protect and carry out his duty to Centax. He had no business touching anyone, unless it was to kill them.
Emotions battered against him again. Xander closed his eyes and tried to strengthen his filters.
Xander’s enhanced senses picked up movement. When he looked up again, it was Dathan Phoenix studying him with a hard blue gaze. “We don’t do charity work. Sounds like you’re without any funds.”
/> Eos gasped. “Dathan, his planet needs help. Its women need help.”
Xander had no trouble keeping his face blank. He wasn’t really warming to Malin’s infamous cousin. “I have access to hidden Security assets off-planet that Rexon can’t trace.”
Dathan turned to Malin. “I figure this is your call.”
Mal’s eyes widened. She shoved her hands in the pockets of her coveralls. “Why? He needs a treasure hunter, he doesn’t need me.”
Xander did not like her careless tone. Something had changed in the last few minutes and he wasn’t sure what.
“You’ve been involved since you helped him escape,” Dathan said.
Malin was still, considering. She hunched her shoulders and lifted her face. “Centax needs our help. We can’t leave women and children to suffer.”
Xander released the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. They’d help him. “Thank you.”
Dathan rubbed his hands together. “Well, let’s plan a treasure hunt.”
***
Mal leaned against the holo-table and pretended not to watch Xander standing so straight and still beside her.
I certainly don’t feel anything for Malin.
It had been a blow to her gut. Her insides still hurt.
She was so stupid. She’d been so busy fooling herself that all of Xander’s slight tells were indications he felt something. Felt something for her.
Stars, was she really so desperate she was trying to wring something from a cyborg? A cyborg she barely knew? Hurt and anger were a nasty mix in her tight throat. She stared blindly at the glow of the holo-table, seeing nothing, barely registering the voices around her.
She didn’t need this. She didn’t need another man—especially one who wasn’t even completely flesh and blood—stomping over her. Her hands gripped the edge of the holo-table.
“Where’s the Antikythera?” Dathan asked.
“I don’t know,” Xander answered.
Dathan crossed his arms over his chest. “Gonna make it kind of hard for us to find it.”
That muscle ticked again in Xander’s jaw. When Mal realized she was staring at him, she looked back at the holo-table.
“I know it was taken off-planet. The last contact I had with Xenia—she’s the second in command on my CenSec team—she confirmed the mercenaries had taken it on Rexon’s orders.”