“We’re not talking about me right now. We’re discussing you and the lies you told. All I want is for you to admit, out loud, thatI didn’t steal anything. I need to hear it. My parents deserve to hear it.”
“Of course I admit it.” He sneered at her, and she had another strong urge to punch him.
“I made up all that shit because I wanted the insurance money. There. I said it. Not that it will make any difference. No one is going to believe these two doddering fools. And you can’t testify against me. I’m yourfraxxingowner. It’s in the rules. No servant can testify against the holder of their contract.”
She laughed, long and hard. Of all the responses she’d expected, that hadn’t been on the list. She’d assumed he’d read the contract. It was obvious he hadn’t, because that was a corporate clause, and she hadn’t signed a corporate contract. She and Zendi had written up their own version, and it had been far fairer than anything a corporation would offer.
“You’re wrong about that. But as it happens, I don’t need to testify. I’ve got a witness who just recorded your confession.”
“Who?” Hamish demanded.
“That would be me.” Xaber had been in motion the whole time she’d been talking. He’d stalked through the shadows, recording everything and preparing for this moment. His grabbed Hamish by both shoulders and shoved him to the deck before slamming a foot down on the small of his back to keep him there.
Mace moved to guard the door, his expression as dark as the void. “Please get back up. That way we’ll have to subdue you forcibly.”
“What is happening?” Hamish wailed. All his bravado was gone. The swaggering jerk who entered the shop had transformed into a whining bug squirming on the deck tiles.
“My name is Xaber. That’s Mace. We’re licensed bounty hunters. And you are coming with us.”
“No! Stop! I’m not the one with a bounty on my head. Take her! There’s been a mistake!”
She grinned down at him. “No mistake. I’ve been in contact with your insurance company. Turns out, they’re more interested in you. My males have a private contract to bring you to them.”
Hamish screamed. No words, just a long, incoherent shriek of rage and fear.
“Fraxx, you, Hamish. You did this to yourself. All you had to do was be a decent human being, and you couldn’t even manage that.”
She walked over to Mace and wrapped her arm around his waist. “I’m going to live a long, happy life.”
“Some life. You’re a slave.”
“Not for long. We’re going to use the bounty on your head to pay off her contract.” Xaber ground his boot into his captive’s spine. “So, thanks for that.”
Javid walked over to Hamish and booted him once in the fleshy part of his thigh. “That’s for what you put us all through.” Then before anyone could react, he stomped on Hamish’s fingers.
As the man squealed in pain, her father leaned down to hiss. “And that is for touching our little girl.”
Mace growled in approval. “I like your dad.”
Javid grinned at her, his eyes bright. “That’s good to hear, big guy. Because we’re done with this place. If Tishna is going to live on Defiance Station, so are we. Selling to this fecal stain was never going to happen, but we’ll find someone to take this place off our hands. That means you’re going to be seeing a lot of us.”
Despite everything, Tish gave a whoop of joy. A few months ago, she’d lost everything. Now she had it all back and so much more—a home, her family, and two cyborgs who had given her everything… including their hearts.
EPILOGUE
The wedding was simple.Her fathers walked with her down the pathway that ran through the middle of the forest biome where she, Mace, and Xaber had gone on their first date together.
Friends and well-wishers were lined up on either side, smiling at her as she passed. She knew every face, and it stunned her to see them all here. When she’d arrived on Defiance, she had nothing but a single bag of possessions and not a single friend. Oh, how times had changed.
Xaber and Mace had gone all out for the occasion. Both wore dark blue suits with silky white shirts, all perfectly tailored to their large builds. They looked like sin wrapped in silk, and she couldn’t wait to tell them so.
They watched as she approached with wide smiles and eyes that gleamed with possessive pride.
“You look incredible,” Mace said.
“Stunning,” Xaber agreed.
“I’m happy for you.” Javid kissed her on the cheek before letting go of her arm. “Love you.”
