Reaper growled. “I wouldn’t finish that if I were you, Acer.”
“Sorry.” The smile on the yellow one’s face said he wasn’t sorry in the least.
“And you aren’t one to talk, Acer. If I recall correctly when you learned Marley was carrying your child, you freaked the fuck out and ordered Dax to-” An unfinished metal hand went flying at cyborg speed, slapping over Reapers mouth and cutting off his words.
“My daughter is myworld,” he snarled. “I fucked up and I’ve spent every single day making up for it.”
“It’s a surpriseanyof you got a female,” a new voice chimed in from behind Viper.
My mouth dropped open when a massive Tank Class Military Model pushed his large frame past Viper and stepped into view. His forehead furrowed. “Except for Dash. That Science Model put all the rest of you to shame. Oh, and Dax, too. Both weren’t stupid and realized right away the gift they had been given.”
The Tank Class walked over to me, holding out his hand. The big cyborg completely ignored Viper’s low growl. “Names Brone.”
When I didn’t react, his large warm hands reached out to engulf one of mine, giving it a gentle squeeze then letting it go. “It’s okay. My incredible presence tends to stun others. No worries small female.”
Viper let out another growl.
“Don’t mind him. He’s just cranky that I ruined his moment.” Brone winked. “Or maybe he is worried that now that you have seen me, you’re thinking about an upgrade. As a Tank Class model, there’s more of me to love. Want to find out if bigger really is better?” He wiggled his gray eyebrows at me.
I couldn’t help it. Laughter rolled through me, easing the tension in my body. The big Tank Class was exactly what I needed. Reaching out, I patted his tree trunk sized arm. “Thank you. I needed that.” I smiled at him. “Where have they been hiding you?”
It was his turn to laugh as he waved a hand over his frame. “Not many places to hide a cyborg my size.” He shot Viper a glare. “But that one over there did his best to make sure he kept you to himself.” He bent down, finding my ear, and whispered, “Viper isn’t fond of sharing.”
Viper released a snarl. Storming over to us, he yanked Brone away from me. Despite Viper’s strength, Brone wouldn’t have budged unless he allowed Viper to move him. “Stop flirting! Have you looked around? Shit is serious right now. None of us need you making goo goo eyes at Oz!” He let out a frustrated sigh. “I can share,” he mumbled under his breath. “Ruined my moment, my ass. “
“A little jealous there, Technology Model?” The unfinished yellow one named Acer asked. “You might as well lift your leg and mark her as your territory!” He let out a short laugh. “Wait! Is that what this is all about? You want her! That’s why you locked her up, isn’t it? You wanted to keep her away from the rest of us so that she didn’t find a cyborg she liked more!” Wrapping his arms around his waist, he doubled over, shaking with laughter. “Never thought anybody but a Military Model would fall for a girl that put a plasma rifle to his head!”
Viper’s face turned a deep, dark purple. “Shut up! I…we…”
My mouth rounded into an O. Was what Acer saying true? Had Viper kept me away from everyone because he didn’t want any competition?
My eyes shot to his. I watched as the unfinished one’s words sank in, realization dawning on Viper’s face.
“Let’s give them a moment,” Reaper ordered.
“But,” Poe protested as Dax gently grabbed her arm and pulled her away.
Axios shot Viper a glare and stormed off. I knew he was angry at Viper. I had been, too, but now something else swirled in my chest. Something new and scary and so fucking wonderful that I couldn’t wait to see where it might lead.
“I want to watch,” Acer declared.
Reaper gave Acer a shove. “Move your ass, Acer. They need to work this out without an audience.”
Acer huffed. “Has anyone told you that you are no fun?”
Reaper laughed. “I don’t need to be fun. Now start moving.”
Brone gave me a gentle pat on my shoulder. “Good luck, tiny female. And remember, if things don’t work out, I consider a plasma rifle to the head foreplay.” He shot me another wink.
Another snarl erupted from Viper, making Brone chuckle as he walked away, joining the others, leaving the hallway empty except for Viper and myself.
“He’s trying to get to you. Ignore him. Ignore all of them.” Taking a deep breath, I took a risk, reaching out to take his hand in mine.
The breath I hadn’t known I had been holding released when he didn’t pull away. He instead interlocked his fingers with mine.
The world around me dimmed, the feeling of his hand holding mine becoming the center of my universe.
Tipping my head back I peered up at him. “Were they right? Have you been feeling jealous?”
He sighed. “After analyzing the emotion I’ve been experiencing, the answer is yes.” He stared at the sight of our entwinned hands as if he was as surprised to see them together as I was. Admitting that couldn’t have been easy. If he was willing to be honest then so was I.
“There is no reason for you to be jealous.” His eyes snapped to mine, a wash of vulnerability sweeping over his features.
The sight caused emotion to stir in my chest and I swallowed past the lump growing in my throat. “No other cyborg makes me feel the way you do, and I don’t want you as a friend, Viper.”
I took a breath, trying to calm the frantic pounding of my heart. I had never said what I was about to say to another person, but I would not let fear stop me.
Locking my gaze onto his, I wanted him to know I meant every single word. “I want so much more. I want to call you mine for as long as you’ll let me.”