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Nichol was quiet for a few seconds. “Your mom needs you.”

Eden shook her head. Her mom only needed her when she could use her for her own gain. It had always been that way. And it had gotten dark damn fast as Eden had grown up.

She’d always known the effect she had on guys ever since she got curves and boobs. They wanted her. She was sexy without trying. It pissed off a lot of women, but she didn’t do it deliberately.

And her mom had been quick to exploit the fact guys followed her around, promising her things in exchange for a fumble and the chance to get her naked.

Her gut twisted as the memories tried to hammer her over the head. Nope, she wasn’t going back there.

“Consider a visit. It could be what your mom needs. And I’m arranging for her to take time out in isolation so she can get cleaned up,” Nichol said.

“I’ll look into getting her more help. I can pay for extra therapy if you think that’s what she needs. That’s all I can do. Sorry, I need to go.” Eden ended the call before the guilt trip continued, and massaged her forehead with her fingertips.

What the hell could she do with this mess? She should have cut ties with her mom years ago. She’d never been any good for her. And she’d been the one who’d introduced her to McKenzie.

Eden wrinkled her nose. She wasn’t thinking about that douchebag. Not for a second. Mr. I’m-So-Good-the-Sun-Shines-Out-of-my-Ass. What a joke.

Although she was the joke because she’d fallen for it. She’d fallen for him.

“I’m sensing your distress,” ELVIS said. “Your breathing is shallow and your heart rate elevated.”

“Not now, tin can.”

“I was monitoring your call. May I—”

“ELVIS, how many times do I have to tell you, butt out of my business? This has nothing to do with you. That was a private call.”

“On a public network,” ELVIS said, “a network I monitor. You should visit your mom.”

“And you should keep your opinions to yourself.” ELVIS drove her mad. He was always interfering. She didn’t know how the rest of the crew put up with him. When he wasn’t offering ridiculous advice, he was singing or talking in strange accents that gave her a headache.

“Eden, you don’t seem happy.”

“I’m on top of the world. Haven’t you got backups to monitor?”

“I’m able to operate one thousand five hundred and fifty-three systems at one time and talk to you. What makes you happy?”

“Your silence.”

“Impossible. I’m programmed to ensure crew members are content.”

“I’d be content if you zipped it.”

“May I ask about your mom?”

“In case zip it didn’t go through your translation system, it means stop talking.”

“I’m fully conversant in four thousand and twenty-three languages. I understand the meaning of zip it.”

“Yet you ignore it.”

“For your benefit. Your mom sounds like a troubled lady.”

Eden sighed and sank back on the couch. “Yep.”

“And you’re attempting to distance yourself from her but still have a sense of obligation toward your family.”

“I always knew you were a genius.”