But more than anything, Cypher wanted her to choose to joinhim.
I’ll steal her.He would, but he knew if he did, he’d have to spend a great deal of time rebuilding trust between them. He didn’t want to waste any time, greedy bastard that he was.
He’d have to deal with Nightheart’s wrath too.
She stared at him mutely, and he waited for her next question. Waited for anything she would give him. An unusual surge of anxiety assaulted his systems.
“If you choose to stay, I’ll understand,” he lied.She loves me.“Nightheart gifted me the stocks of NeoElite. They’re yours if you want them.” His boss couldn’t get rid of them fast enough, sending them to Cypher the moment he’d left earlier. “You can become a part owner of NeoElite.”
Why was he convincing her to stay? The bear inside him snarled.
Her eyes widened, but then she shook her head. In disbelief, he realized.
She’s in Cyborg territory and has been for months—she should be used to it by now.
“Of course you’d give millions of credits away,” she muttered, breaking eye contact with him to look out the window.
She was driving him crazy.
His body threatened to shift from the strain radiating through him as he waited for her answer.
“Vee,” he groaned.
She glanced back at him.
“Say yes,” he urged. “Just fucking say yes.”
Her eyes slanted. “And if I don’t?”
A dark, savage noise rose from his throat. His claws extended. “I will make the choice for you as you so damnably hate.” He cupped her neck and forced her to look at him. “I need you.”
She shook her head. “I need you too.”
“Then come. Join me. If you need a job, I’ll give you one, any one you want. Just come with me this evening and leave this all behind.”
“Cypher…”
“Please.” He would beg. He would beg for her. “Please come with me.”
She gazed up at him, her dark eyes glistening, her brow creased in confusion. It made him weak, not knowing what was on her mind. He couldn’t see why she would ever choose to stay here, especially without him. If she loved him, she’d come, right?
Perhaps he should’ve told her sooner, given her more time to think about the decision. But several days ago, he hadn’t even been sure if it was at all possible. And he didn’t want her to think of anything else after all he’d put her through—what Nightheart had put her through—when she was an innocent in all that had happened.
Vee dropped her eyes from his and pulled away.
Worry seized him.
“We should go,” she said, refusing to look at him, moving away. He let her go. “They probably want us to leave… Most of the stadium is empty now.” There was a numbness to her voice that he didn’t like.
Cypher straightened, hardening his heart. He licked the sharp edges of his bear teeth which threatened to come out. It pained him that she wouldn’t give him an answer, but logically, he understood.
“Sure,” he said, keeping his tone light despite the alien emotions vibrating his systems. He grabbed their stuff, opened the door, and waited for her to pass through. Together they left the stadium behind, and with it, all it had done to them. Cypher helped her into her hovercraft, and they flew back to his ship in silence.
There was only an hour or two left before he departed. His hands gripped the wheel hard.
A short time later, and with Vee still quiet beside him, they landed in the EPED section of the spaceport. His shifter plates opened and closed repeatedly in his chest all the while. On their way to his ship, there were freight vehicles and equipment all around, readying theRepossessedfor take-off. Several men, dressed in crew gear, saluted Cypher as he walked by.
“Captain Cypher.”
