Cypher’s lips twitched.She’s such a liar.He could read it all over her face. It was almost cute.
If the lies didn’t include him.
Tim set down his notecard. “Ah, so he won’t be in the rings with you like the other teams?”
“We haven’t figured that out yet.”
Several security guards flanked him, zappers in their hands. One grabbed his arm. Cypher ignored them.
Tim smiled. “You did earn your way to the championship, Ms. Miles.” He waved his notecard. “But I also have it on authority you didn’t accept the offer until the EPED sponsored you.” Tim’s smile widened. “Could it be you’re being paid to propagandize Cyborgs? They are under attack for being run by one. Nightheart, is it? And employing many more.”
Vee stiffened. “That’s not true.”
“What are your thoughts on the Zeph scandal, and the abduction of a woman and a child?”
Cypher frowned, seeing the worry on Vee’s face. Part of him wanted to let her suffer the questions, to deal with the choices she made taking a contract from Nightheart, but a stronger part sympathized with her.
She didn’t know who she was getting involved with.
Seeing her now only confirmed she was a victim in a bigger scheme. A scheme to get tohim.
Cypher cleared his throat and jerked his arm out of the grip of one of the security guards. Vee and Tim looked his way as the audience twisted around. A collective gasp sounded as he strode to the front of the audience and onto the stage. Cameras turned his way, and Tim waved his hand to stop the security guards from following.
Cypher stared at Tim—who looked giddy with this turn of events—all while knowing Vee’s eyes were onhim, takinghimin.
Cypher settled next to her on the couch, and she had to shuffle down to make room for him. It wasn’t quite enough.
He pressed his thigh against hers. It’d been a long time since he was so close to a woman, to be able to touch one even in such an innocent way. He draped his arm across the back in case she leaned enough so that he could touch her hair.
There would never be enough space from him.
“Well, isn’t this a surprise!” Tim exclaimed. “I guess the Cyborgisin the house.” The audience laughed, and the host held out his hand toward Cypher. “It’s an honor to meet you. A real war hero.”
Cypher stared at the man’s hand until Tim awkwardly drew it away, laughing it off. “I’m not here to answer questions. I’m only here to collect Vee. She’s needed elsewhere.”
“Is that so?” Tim rubbed his chin. “I’m pretty sure she accepted this interview.”
“Plans change.” He moved to stand.
“Wait!” Tim turned to Vee, who hadn’t said a word since Cypher sat down. “One more question, Ms. Miles, if you will.”
Cypher growled.
Vee fidgeted next to him. It was as if any frustration she had disappeared upon his arrival.She’s scared—intimidated.
For some reason, he enjoyed it and moved a little closer to her. It brought back memories of all the times humans avoided him for his size and ever-present scowl.
“Sure,” she said.
“If there is one thing you wanted your fans to know, one thing you wanted to say to them, what would it be?”
Cypher shifted to look at her. Vee straightened and uncrossed her arms, placing her palms on her knees. She wetted her lips. He took note of every little action she made, storing it away inside his hard drives.
“I would like everyone to know, fan or not, that if you have a dream, the kind of dream that consumes you, that fills your mind to the brink—until there’s no room for anything else—to do everything to achieve it. This game isn’t about fame or politics for me. It isn’t even about money or notoriety. It’s about finding freedom in a universe where freedom is only granted if hard won.” She exhaled slowly and glanced his way.
“Thank you, Ms. Miles. We appreciate you coming on the show, and bringing your partner with you,” Tim said. The audience clapped.
With Cypher’s eyes still locked with Vee’s, he stood and took her hand, finding it clammy. Pulling her to her feet, he escorted her from the stage, tugging her along after him.
