“Hysterian?” Hector spat from across the room, his voice filled with threat. “It’s about time we met.”
Janet jerked in the man’s hold, snapping her eyes down to see the white latex suit over the arm around her middle.
“You’re a wanted Cyborg, Zeph.”
“One of many, last I checked. Let her go and I may let you live.”
“This isn’t about me. You’re weak, Borg. I saw what you did atDimes. You pissed off Raphael and put a pyrizian bullet in each of his angels. Do you have no patience? Do you know how much I hate a disruption? He demanded that I come after you when I was going to mind my own fucking business. Your little toy here didn’t seem to need any help from me.”
“Then why the fuck are you here?”
“Because you’re a wanted man. The EPED is offering a lot for your head, and Raphael called in his last favor.”
Hector shielded a crying Lily with his body and slowly took a step back. “I’ll double whatever they’re offering, just let her go.”
Hysterian laughed. “This isn’t about you, or her really.” Janet remained stiff in his embrace as his breath blew past her cheek. “What they’re offering is beyond what you can give me, and you left the little one unattended. How could you? You don’t deserve human connection if you can’t keep them safe.”
Hysterian released her and shoved her toward Hector who caught her up in his arms—before he shoved behind his back.
She stumbled forward but quickly caught her step, reaching for Lily with a sob. “It’s okay, you’re okay.” She ran her hands all over her sister.
Hysterian’s laughter died. “I have no intention of harming the females.”
Hector stepped forward. “Then let them go. Whatever Nightheart wants, it won’t be them, it’ll be me.”
“That may be true but I’d be an idiot to turn them loose in this city, alone. It won’t be much longer now.”
“Won’t be much longer for what?” Her voice hitched as she looked up.
“Take Lily into one of the back rooms,” Hector ordered, her question going ignored. “You don’t need to see this.”
“I don’t want to leave you,” she pleaded, pulling Lily tight against her chest.
“Go!”
Janet flinched. She wanted to argue with him but she knew he was right. She needed to get Lily away. Her sister shook violently, her small frame so vulnerable in her arms. Janet scooped her up and edged toward the nearest bedroom. Each step she took was heavier than the last. No one stopped her when she ducked into the shadows and slammed the door shut behind them.I have to trust that he knows what he’s doing...that he’ll get through to Hysterian.
Her heart thundered. She’d never run from anything in her life.
Janet cursed herself for not bringing Mr. Heartface’s receiver with her to the club as she rushed her sister to the bathroom connected to the room. When the second door was shut and locked behind them, she set Lily down.
“Are you okay? Did the android hurt you?” she asked.
“I want Ma,” Lily cried.
“I know, I know, baby. Ma wants you too, and we’ll be seeing her soon, real soon. I promise.”
“Is she coming?”
Janet found a hand towel beside the sink and wetted it to wipe at Lily’s face. “We’re going to her. Once Zeph gets rid of the nasty man, the three of us are going to her.”
“I want her now!”
“Me too, baby.”
Lily continued to cry as Janet checked her over and then checked her over again just for her own certainty.
Hector would be okay. She had to believe that. He was a Cyborg after all. He’d gotten them through worse odds before. Fear like Janet had never felt before filled her so terribly she could barely inhale.Lily had a weapon aimed at her.It had happened right in front of her, and there’d been nothing she could have done to stop it. She knew the horror of that moment would remain with her for the rest of her life.
