Raul turned to Alexa. “He’s telling us all to leave. We’ll leave together.”
“Raul,” Hysterian said, his voice lowering with menace. He did not like the familiar way Raul was addressing Alexa. Or the gleam in his eye when he looked at her. “She’s not your fucking princess, and she’s never going to fucking kiss you, you drunken piece of shit. The bruises on your neck are gone, and I’m finding I’d like to replace them.”
Raul straightened and scowled. He reached up and rubbed his neck, but he backed away from Alexa and, with a final show of defiance, downed his drink and slammed the cup on the table.
“You’re right, Captain. You always are, aren’t you?” He strode toward the exit. “Except she has kissed me, but of course, you’re right. She’s a woman, not a damsel in distress.” Raul glanced at Alexa. “I’ll wait up for you. I hope you know what you’re doing.”
Before Hysterian could drag him back and drink his blood, Raul was out the door and gone.
Twelve
He plannedto take care of Raul. Later. Where there were no witnesses.
In a flash, Hysterian was on Alexa, pulling her from her seat.
She gasped and grabbed him as he sat her down on the table, blocking her in and pushing his body between her legs. To his surprise, her hands went to his face as she pummeled him.
“No!” she cried.
Hysterian jerked back before her fingers made contact with his brow.
“Stop!” he ordered.
She continued to squirm and fight him, though she didn’t make another sound.
He caught her wrists before she reached for his face again. “I said stop! You’ll hurt yourself!”
Then he noticed the fear in her eyes.
She kicked him hard and twisted away with a terrified shriek. He held her, confused. No matter how fiercely she tried to get away from him, it would never be enough. Never. No human could match the strength of a Cyborg.
She’s fighting like she’s about to die.
His brows furrowed. “Do you think I’m about to kill you?” Hysterian released her, horrified. “Stop it!”
Stop it or I might. On accident.
Alexa hit him several more times before stopping. Panting, she went as still as stone, staring wide-eyed at his chest. He forgot about the kiss between her and Raul as Hysterian took her in.
She was already near transparent, but now any sign of color was gone. Had he done this to her? He waited until she calmed, until he could hear her beating heart tone down before he demanded answers.
He opened his mouth to speak and promptly shut it. Alexa pressed her forehead against his chest.
His chest. For comfort, no doubt.
Words left him.
What the hell is happening?
No one had ever sought comfort from him before, or used him for comfort. Hysterian didn’t know what to do. His hands twitched. He wanted to touch her, but knew if he did, she might lash out again. He didn’t want her to get hurt.
He stared, unable to look away.
She was so small against him. Had he ever noticed that? How small, weak, and soft she was? The woman perplexed him. He could crush her like a bug, tear her to pieces on a whim, and she was still using him as comfort.
Something this small, this delicate, needs to be taken care of.How had she survived so far without protection? Maybe that’s why he noticed her.
I could protect her.
