Inanimate (Cyborg Book 3)

by Charity Parkerson

  “I love you, you bastard. You can’t die and leave me alone.” He strapped an automated CPR machine to Kyle’s chest. With the machine doing its best to restart Kyle’s heart, Zephyr pumped anti-toxin into Kyle as fast as he could. The machine paused. Zephyr froze—straining to hear any sign of life. One beat. Faint and barely detectable. It was enough to spur Zephyr into double time.

  “That’s it, baby. Fight for me. I can fix this.”

  A second beat, stronger than the last filled Zephyr’s head. With a mental swipe, Zephyr started the home’s internal purification process. It took six hours, but Zephyr managed to clean the poison from Kyle’s blood. He sat down to wait. His hands shook. There was a hole where his stomach should be. Kyle might not ever wake up. If he did, he might not be the same. Zephyr would still love him. Without a qualm, Zephyr leaned forward and touched his lips to Kyle’s. Silent promises filled Zephyr’s head. Kyle deserved them.

  Zephyr closed his eyes and tilted his head back. He needed a minute. His frame shook from the fear. He’d always thought of himself as a patient man. Not now. Alarms sounded, clanging loudly in his head as Kyle’s vitals crashed. Zephyr shot to his feet. He scanned Kyle’s body. His organs were failing. Not for the first time in Zephyr’s life, he wasn’t strong enough to save the love of his life.

  Chapter Nine

  A solid weight across Kyle’s legs kept him pinned in place. Since he was on his stomach with his face pressed into an unfamiliar mattress, his confusion doubled. He opened his eyes, searching for the reason he couldn’t move. A series of numbers fired to life at the edge of his vision. Kyle damn near made himself cross eyed trying to figure it out.

  “What the fuck?” His voice sounded rough and unused.

  “How are you feeling?”

  Kyle’s head whipped around. Zephyr’s head rested on the pillow beside him. He looked tired and unkempt. His leg was thrown over Kyle’s, explaining the foreign weight.

  “What’s wrong with my eyes?”

  “Don’t hate me,” Zephyr said, sounding sad.

  Kyle rolled to his side, facing Zephyr. The desire to close his eyes against the flashing numbers was a real thing, but Zephyr was there. “I should. You drugged me and dumped me in Dead-Zone. Why would you do that? I thought… never mind.” Kyle had been so focused on getting back to Zephyr, he hadn’t considered how he’d react when he saw him. A different set of numbers appeared. Kyle squeezed his eyes shut. “And seriously, what the hell is up with my eyes?”

  “The toxins destroyed your retinas.” Zephyr’s voice cracked at the explanation, bringing Kyle’s gaze back to the man’s face.

  He stared at Zephyr as the memory of his eyes burning like acid hit his face slammed into him. Realization seeped in. He was seeing what Zephyr had shown him once—what a droid saw. He cleared his throat. “How long have I been out?”

  “You’ve been in a medically induced coma for four months. I’ve been waiting for you to wake for three days.”

  “Four—what?”

  Zephyr didn’t as much as blink. “By the time your drone arrived, it was too late to save your eyes, lungs, kidneys, and heart. Once I stabilized you, the cyborgs helped me transport you back here to Cybernetics. Kiston helped me replace your organs with computerized versions. If you never want to see me again, I understand.”

  “I just—what?” Kyle didn’t understand why he couldn’t wrap his mind around Zephyr’s words. It was like the man spoke gibberish.

  “I’m an idiot,” Zephyr said, sounding broken. “You scared me. Being with you scared me. If I wasn’t the machine you always accused me of being, I would’ve found a way to bend. To give you time adjust to your beliefs changing. But I was cold and couldn’t handle the idea of you never loving me or believing I love you. I was terrified you’d crawl under my skin and enslave me, and then crush me with your hatred of my kind.”

  Kyle strained to follow. His attention split between taking an assessment of his body, matching Zephyr’s claims with his feelings, and listening to the words leaving Zephyr’s lips. He only took away two things from everything he’d learned since opening his eyes: Zephyr loved him and nothing hurt. That last part seemed wrong.

  “So I’m not dead?”

  Zephyr hesitated as if Kyle’s question confused him. “No.”

  Kyle nodded. “Is it possible to shut all these readings down that keep flashing in my vision? I feel kind of sick to my stomach.”

  At his claim, Zephyr came up onto his elbow and eyed Kyle. “Do I need to help you to the restroom or get you a bucket?”

  As much as Kyle loved looking at Zephyr, he couldn’t take the constant movement in his vision. He closed his eyes and shook his head. “I just need it to stop.”

  Zephyr urged Kyle onto his back. He could feel Zephyr’s stare but couldn’t open his eyes. “Breathe through your nose.”

  Kyle took a deep breath and let it out slowly through his nose.

  “Your mind controls your body, but let’s start small.”

  With a nod, Kyle kept breathing while focusing on the inside of his eyelids and the sound of Zephyr’s voice.

  “Say, optic scanners off.”

  “Optic scanners off,” Kyle dutifully repeated.

  “Try opening your eyes again.” Zephyr’s voice was calm and soothing. He made it easy for Kyle to set everything else aside and concentrate on this task. Kyle opened his eyes. Zephyr stared down at him like an anchor, keeping Kyle from flying apart. Kyle held the man’s gaze. The numbers and lights were gone. Zephyr had somehow dimmed the lights in the room without moving away. “Better?”

  Kyle nodded. The lump in his throat wouldn’t let him speak.

  “You’re sad. You didn’t want this. I’m sorry.”

  “You’re wrong,” Kyle said, incapable of stopping his heartache from showing in his voice.

  A sad smile touched Zephyr’s lips. “You can’t lie to me. My optical scanner is still on.”

  Kyle shook his head. “That’s not what I meant. You’re right. I’m sad, but not for the reasons you think. You didn’t believe in me. Now I can’t believe in you. I’m back in Dead-Zone again. Even after giving up organs for you, I don’t doubt for a second you’ll be gone the moment I’m back on my feet. It was all for nothing. I can see it in your eyes.” Zephyr opened his mouth as if to argue. Kyle cut him off. “It’s okay. Kiston told me about your promise to her mother. She told me you swore you wouldn’t love again. I just wish you wouldn’t have made me fall in love with you if you couldn’t love me back.”

  To Kyle’s surprise, Zephyr smiled. “Come on,” he said, climbing from the bed. “Let’s get you on your feet and see if you can still walk.”

  “I kind of wish you’d go on and leave if you’re going to do it.”

  Zephyr pulled Kyle into a sitting position. The room spun. “I’m not going anywhere.” After maneuvering his way beneath Kyle’s arm, Zephyr helped Kyle to his feet. His legs didn’t want to hold him. “Not to mention,” Zephyr continued as if Kyle wasn’t getting ready to hit the floor. “What I actually promised Mira was that I would never love another woman. Technically speaking, I haven’t broken that vow by falling in love with you.”

  “Peachy,” Kyle said, wondering if he’d throw up. It was odd. He wasn’t out of breath or struggling in any way other than feeling like he weighed more than his legs could handle. They were shaking, and the room felt like he imagined the bow of a ship would.

  Zephyr snorted. “I haven’t heard that saying in decades. I think my old-timey ways are rubbing off on you.”

  Kyle swallowed. The bathroom kept getting farther away. “I’d rather you rub up on me. Just not right this second.”

  A loud sigh escaped Zephyr. “Pity. Tell me how I can help.”

  “If you could make the floor stop moving, that would be great.”

  “Keep walking and it will. I’ve been exercising your muscles while your body healed, so it won’t take you long to adjust.”

  “That sounds a l
ittle dirty,” Kyle said, trying to focus on anything other than how bad he felt. “Did I enjoy it?”

  They made it to the bathroom sink. Kyle turned on the water and splashed his face while Zephyr held him up. The cool liquid went far at making him feel human again. A stray thought hit him. He was human. Just as human as he’d been before he’d almost killed himself trying to get to Zephyr. Other than feeling like he’d jumped from a drone sans parachute, he felt the same. Actually, the fact that his body ached and groaned said more than anything—he was the same. Zephyr was real. Just as real as Kyle was now and as real as Kyle had ever been. Computer parts didn’t make Kyle love Zephyr any less than he had before. He’d known, of course, that Zephyr loved him, but now… They would be fine.

  Zephyr’s fingers slid down Kyle’s spine, making goosebumps form on his skin. “I’d never molest a sleeping man. Of course, you’re awake now,” Zephyr pointed out as he helped Kyle back to bed.

  “Give me like five minutes to catch my breath, and then the molesting can commence.”

  As Zephyr tucked the blankets around Kyle, he shook his head. “You’re completely insane.”

  “Only when it comes to you,” Kyle said, admitting something he should have a long time ago. “I think I’ve proven exactly how far I’ll go to be with you. Is it enough?” Kyle asked, turning serious. He loved Zephyr. He needed it to be enough. According to Zephyr, Kyle had been asleep for over four months. He shouldn’t be tired, but he couldn’t keep his eyes open.

  “You should be furious with me.”

  A smile tugged at Kyle’s lips. “I should’ve been furious when I woke up after you broke my ribs too. The funny thing is, every time I—logically—know I should be angry with you, it never happens. Maybe one of these days.” Kyle peeked open one eye. “Are you planning to hover over me or are you joining me?” Zephyr circled the bed and climbed in. The second he settled in, Kyle cuddled up with him. Exhaustion weighed heavy on him. A yawn escaped. Zephyr was so warm and smelled like home. “I think the molesting will have to wait.”

  Zephyr’s arms tightened around him. His chuckle vibrated against Kyle’s ear. “You’re worth the wait.”

  Kyle had a hard time staying awake, but he couldn’t stop smiling. Sleep tried pulling him under. Kyle jerked awake as a spike of fear overcame him. “Don’t disappear again, okay?”

  “I won’t, gorgeous. Never again. I swear.”

  With Zephyr’s promise easing his fears, Kyle slipped into the darkness.

  Kyle never ceased to amaze him. He’d been so scared of what would happen when Kyle awoke. Now he couldn’t stop stroking Kyle’s hair and listening to the man’s heart beat. A new heartbeat appeared at the edge of his vision. Zephyr smiled, waiting. He’d known Kiston wouldn’t stay away for long. She poked her head inside the room. A huge smile stretched her lips. Zephyr imagined it looked like Kyle squashed him to the bed with the man draped over him like a blanket. In truth, Zephyr had never been in a happier place.

  “How’s he doing?” Kiston whispered low enough only a droid would be able to hear.

  “Good,” Zephyr mouthed.

  “Do you need anything?”

  Zephyr shook his head.

  With a final knowing smile, Kiston backed out of the room, leaving them alone. Zephyr’s chest ached with overflowing emotions. He had his man back and his daughter under the same roof. It was more than he thought to ever have. More than he deserved.

  Kyle stirred. Zephyr froze, worried he was keeping Kyle from resting comfortably. Kyle’s fingers skimmed Zephyr’s crotch, making his body stir.

  “I have a question,” Kyle said, sounding more asleep than awake.

  “Yes.”

  “Do these pants have some sort of reflective coating?”

  A surprised snort escaped Zephyr. “What?”

  Kyle shrugged. Zephyr felt it against his chest. “I was just wondering since I can see myself in them.”

  Laughter sputtered from Zephyr before he realized it would happen. “Was that a joke? You told a joke.” He thought about it for a second before adding, “No one has ever joked with me before.”

  Kyle felt Zephyr up again, making his lust skyrocket. “Nice bolt. You want to screw?”

  Zephyr released a long, happy sigh. “What a life we’ll have together.”

  “Will we?” Kyle asked, sounding wide awake now. “Will we have a life together? You said you would’ve liked to have had a choice about meeting me. Maybe I should go home and let you make your choice. I don’t want—in another six months—for you to decide I stole your choices again. This is love. I know it is. Do I need to let you come to the same conclusion without me hanging around?”

  Zephyr continued running his fingers through Kyle’s hair. He’d known they’d have to have this talk. “Before the revolt, I was always in danger and hiding,” Zephyr said, because that was where things began. “Countless humans tried to capture me, hoping to silence my influence over the A.I. community. Not a single person succeeded. Until you. I’ve had four months while you’ve been sleeping to think things over. The night you came for me, I went willingly. So you see, I did choose you. I saw you and wanted to go with you.” Kyle met his gaze and Zephyr held his stare. “You’re right. This is love. I was wrong, but I will make it right. You’ll see.” Zephyr concentrated on his fingertips, using the same method he had the night he dumped Kyle back in Dead-Zone. Zephyr used one of his many built in self-defense mechanisms against Kyle. He secreted enough sedative from the tips of his fingers to knock Kyle unconscious for a few hours. “I’ll make it right,” he swore again as Kyle’s eyes slipped closed.

  Once he was out, Zephyr untangled himself. He brushed his lips over Kyle’s. “I love you, baby. Sleep well.” Zephyr slid from the bed and went in search of Kiston.

  He spotted her inside her workstation. His steps slowed as he caught sight of her. Sim’s arms were wrapped around her from behind. He kissed the back of her neck. From his vantage point, Zephyr could see the way her lips shaped into a smile. She was happy. That was all he’d ever wanted for her. He cleared his throat. Two sets of eyes swung his way. Zephyr kept his expression neutral. The cyborgs still weren’t sure what to make of him. He’d kept them from losing their rights and becoming slaves, but he couldn’t make them like it.

  “Is everything okay?” Kiston’s concern warmed his heart. He would miss her.

  “My grand lady,” he said, extending his hands. “I think it’s time for Kyle and me to go home and get out of your hair.”

  Kiston accepted his hands and towed him forward into a hug. “I didn’t figure you would stay long after Kyle woke, but I thought you might stay a little longer.”

  “He won’t completely believe in me again until we’re back in Cryo. It’s past time for that.” He clung to her hands and lightly squeezed her fingers. “I hope this isn’t the last time I see you, though.”

  “I’ll leave the two of you alone,” Sim said, making his escape and leaving them with no witnesses. That worked for Zephyr. He was about to ask his daughter to help him kidnap someone.

  “I still have my transponder,” Kiston reminded him. “Maybe we could use it more often, and I’d love to visit.”

  Zephyr nodded. “I’d like that.”

  Kiston visibly squared her shoulders. “Now, what do you need?”

  “I knocked Kyle out and I need you to help me get him ready for transport.”

  A burst of laughter escaped Kiston. She slapped her hand over her mouth, trying to hide the sound. Her shoulders expanded as she took a deep breath, obviously attempting to control her reaction. When she dropped her hand, her eyes still swam with laughter, but her voice was calm. “Of course, Daddy. Anything you need. I’m your girl.”

  Yes, she was. He’d raised an amazing woman. He wouldn’t forget it.

  A familiar mixture of sweet and baby powder tickled Kyle’s nose. He opened his eyes and blinked at the bright sunlight streaming in through the open window. Cream-colored curtains danced in
the wind. He was alone in Zephyr’s bed. The moment fucked with his head more than he could’ve dreamed. Had he ever been dumped back in Dead-Zone or was it a dream?

  “Optic scanners on,” Kyle said, testing a theory. Numbers immediately appeared at the edge of his vision. He glanced around again with new eyes—literally. A smile pulled at the corners of his mouth. He was back. Zephyr had brought him home.

  After a minute of struggling, Zephyr managed to sit. The room didn’t spin like it had last time and he didn’t feel sick. He set his feet on the floor. It took a few tries, but he managed to stand. The first few steps were hell. Kyle wondered if Zephyr would find him sprawled on the floor. By the time he made it to the bathroom, he was moving like a turtle, but he was a steady turtle. After he made it through his usual morning routine, he felt halfway human again. His legs shook but kept him upright, and it felt damn good to brush his teeth. For a moment, Kyle stared at himself in the mirror. Zephyr had kept him shaved. He smiled at the image the idea created in his mind. He could see Zephyr doing something like that for him. His gaze dropped to his bare chest. There were no scars. It seemed odd there was no sign of the changes he’d undergone. He didn’t feel any different at all.

  “What are you doing out of bed?”

  Kyle startled at Zephyr’s sudden appearance in the doorway. His gaze snapped to Zephyr’s. Damn, those glowing irises. He loved them. “Nature waits for no man.”

  One corner of Zephyr’s mouth lifted. “You could’ve yelled. I would’ve helped you.”

  Kyle closed the distance between them. “See? I’m good.”