RedeemingZorus (5 page)

“I won’t turn you in but I don’t want money,” he panted.

Pain stunned her where her forehead had struck the
unforgiving surface. He hoisted her higher to push against her body with his
and a knee slammed between her thighs to pin her so he could free his hands. He
tore at the back of her pants. It sank into her dazed mind quickly that he
planned to rape her.

Heavy breathing fanned across her skin when he tore her
shirt with his other hand to bare her shoulder. That action and the rough tug
on her waist shook her enough to push back the pain and react. She slammed her
elbow into the guy’s ribs and threw her head back in the same action. More pain
stabbed through her brain, this time coming from her skull when it met his jaw,
but it worked. His hold loosened and he staggered away enough for her to drop
to the ground.

“You perverted prick,” she hissed, twisting to face her
attacker.

A hand wrapped around her throat, revealing that his years
of dock work had made him strong enough to easily yank her off the ground. Pure
panic gripped Charlie. She clawed at the arm attached to the fingers choking
her. She kicked at him but he seemed immune to the blows or her nails digging
into his skin. He kept her dangling from the ground and unable to breathe with
his fingers wrapped around her neck.

“You’re going to love what I do to you,” the man cursed.
“Stop clawing me, you little bitch.” He gave her a shake.

“Actually,” a deep voice suddenly stated softly, “she
doesn’t appear to enjoy your handling in the least.”

The dock worker released Charlie, dropped her onto her feet,
and rotated to face who’d spoken. Zorus punched him in the face before her
attacker could get a look at him. The sound of breaking bone made Charlie
inwardly wince while she rubbed her throat, choked a little, but forced air
inside her starved lungs. She watched when Zorus bent over the fallen man, grabbed
his neck, and with one more horrible sound of bone breaking, released the
lifeless body.

“You didn’t have to kill him,” she rasped. “But thank you.”

Zorus straightened to shoot her an icy glare. “I have no
tolerance for a rapist who interferes with my escape.”

She stared up at him, a chill going down her spine. “Are you
going to have no tolerance for me when I’m no longer useful?”

“I have no plans to kill you.”

She pulled her frayed emotions together, dropped her hand
from her sore throat, and nodded curtly. “Good. I’d like to survive my first,
and hopefully last, venture into doing something this dangerous.”

“I take it you usually steal items that aren’t such a
priority as I must be.”

“I’m not a thief if that’s what you’re implying.” She
refused to glance down at the dead body near her boots. She headed for the
building, certain Zorus followed. “I’m just a programmer who happened to land a
job at that facility you were kept in. I ran their security systems until my
brother volunteered me to break you out of there. Now I’m going to be a
fugitive from Earth Government.” She paused long enough to peer around the
corner. She moved when the coast looked clear. “We have being wanted by the
government in common now too.”

A hot hand clamped down on top of her bare skin along the
curve of her shoulder. It startled her. She swiveled her head to stare up at
the cyborg when his gentle hold brought her to a halt.

“You’re bleeding. He scratched your skin but its minor.” His
fingers released her. “Why didn’t your brother free me? I can’t understand why
he would send you on such a dangerous mission. Males are protective of female
relatives.”

“You haven’t met my brother.” She turned her gaze forward to
scan the area again. “There was money involved and he didn’t care how risky it
might be for me as long as the price was right. He’d never endanger his own
neck for anything. He’s got me for that.” She realized the bitterness probably
wasn’t hidden in her tone but she didn’t care. Zorus had saved her from a bad
fate, she still felt shaken at how close she’d come to being sexually
assaulted, and she doubted she’d have been able to get away on her own. “Let’s
go. I don’t see anyone and this is our building. Stay close. You’re almost to
safety.”

Chapter Three

Charlie tried to hide her terror when they faced the men
inside. They looked pretty badass, the types she’d grown up with in the wrong
side of classification. They might as well have worn signs stating they were
vicious criminals. She kept her body between them and the silent Zorus behind
her.

“Captain Varel?” She tried to sound fearless and just hoped
it worked.

A blond, tall man who looked to be in his forties stepped
forward. His piercing green eyes met hers and his blood-chilling smile made her
want to whimper. “You made good time.”

“Thanks.” She cleared her throat. “As you can see, I brought
the cyborg to be returned to where he came from.”

The guy flicked a glance at the cyborg, nodded, and then
turned to one of his men. “Go get her payment.” He faced forward and addressed
Zorus directly after his man left the building quickly.

“Your cyborg council hired me to rescue you. Councilman
Coval sends his regards. We will transport you to the edge of the solar system
where another ship will meet us for your transfer.” The captain bowed. “I’m
Barney Varel, the captain of the
Cutter
, and it’s a pleasure to meet
you, Councilman Zorus.”

Charlie could tell Zorus wasn’t happy when he frowned. “Why
didn’t they collect me?”

“The council didn’t want to be too close to Earth, for
obvious reasons.” Captain Varel kept the frosty smile in place. “My business is
transporting things away from Earth safely. No one searches my shuttle. I’m the
best at what I do and today that’s getting you the hell off the surface.”

“Understood.” Zorus crossed his arms. “I am ready to leave.”

“If you’ll come with me.” The captain waved his hand toward
the shuttle parked outside the open back cargo door. “We have clothing that
will fit you and food waiting. I also have a doctor onboard if you need medical
assistance. Your health and welfare are my main concern.”

Charlie reached out and gripped the cyborg’s arm. “He
doesn’t leave my side until I get paid. That was the agreement. You’re supposed
to contact the trustee and have it transferred to me.”

She half expected Zorus to argue but he didn’t pull away,
something he could have easily done. Sweat beaded her brow and she feared
something would go wrong. She wasn’t stupid enough to blindly trust a career
criminal to keep his word. It was his business to prey on the weak and screw
over anyone he could. She tried not to think about her ex-boyfriend, who would
have to complete the deal.

Boots sounded from the docked shuttle and Charlie gasped
when her brother and three other men entered the building. Russell should have
been waiting for her to meet him on the passenger shuttle at the space port. He
waved at her and didn’t look injured.

“Hi, baby sis.”

“What are you doing here?” Her fingers tightened on Zorus.

“Change of plans.” Russell stopped a good ten feet from her.
He held an electronic pad under his arm. “They paid us for the cyborg.”

Someone suddenly grabbed Charlie from behind to tear her
away from Zorus and hauled her off her feet. A sharp jab in her arm instantly
had her crying out in pain and then a weird sensation quickly spread throughout
her body that made her lightheaded and dizzy. She tried to struggle but her
limbs didn’t respond. She hung limply in someone’s hold.

“What is going on?” Zorus moved in front of her. “Release
her immediately.”

“I’m her brother.” Russell came forward. “It’s all cool.
Nobody is going to hurt her. I just knew she wasn’t going to take this well and
asked these guys to sedate her a little. My baby sis has a hell of a temper
along with a mean right hook.”

“What did you do?” Charlie’s voice sounded strange and her
lips were numb but she managed the ability to lift her gaze to stare at her
brother.

Russell moved closer to peer at her face. “It’s nothing
you’re thinking.”

Fear inched up her spine and she managed to turn her
attention to Zorus. Fury darkened his features and his hands were fisted at his
sides. She looked back at her brother.

“You said he’d be safely taken back to where he came from. I
wouldn’t have brought him here otherwise.”

“He will be.”

She didn’t believe him. She sent Zorus a terrified plea with
her gaze. “Run.”

“Hold up, Councilman Zorus,” Captain Varel ordered. “You are
being returned to your people. I give you my word and I have a vid from your
council to prove that. This doesn’t involve you at all. This is about her.”

“What is going on?” Zorus moved closer to Charlie until they
nearly touched and he faced Russell. “Why have you drugged her?”

Another thought hit and Charlie gaped at her brother.
“You’re taking all the money and leaving me here to die, aren’t you?” Anger burned
next. “I threw my life away to get you out of this mess and you’re going to
abandon me for the government to find?”

“No!” Russell scoffed. “That’s not it at all. I’m taking all
the money, sure, but you’re leaving too. It’s just that you’re not going to
Saturn with me.” He kept his distance as if he feared she’d find the strength
to attack him. “It’s just that when Gerald realized you’d have to flee Earth
with me, well, hell, Charlie. He made me a deal I couldn’t refuse.”

“Gerald?”

“He still loves you and he wants you to be his mistress.”

Charlie gaped at him, too shocked to even find words.

“You kept turning him down when he tried to talk to you
about it. He’s got a great little place on the moon, a real little love nest,
and he promised me he’s got the security in place to keep you there for as long
as he wants. I know you’re going to be really mad at me and it’s not what you
wanted, but he won’t hurt you. It’s not as though it will be as bad as a real
prison.”

Pain gripped her heart and tears blinded her. “You sold me?
I’m your sister!”

Russell hesitated. “You used to like him. It won’t be so
bad. Look on the bright side. No one will find you where he’s taking you.
You’ll be safe from the government.”

“Don’t do this.” Tears slid down her cheeks and she couldn’t
even wipe them away with her useless arms. “I don’t want to be his whore.”

“So dramatic.” Russell shook his head and turned to the
captain. “Gerald’s ship will hail you after you leave the system. Keep her
drugged until he takes possession of her. She may look small and harmless but
don’t let it fool you.”

Charlie watched Russell turn away from her and walk toward
the side doors of the building. The brutal truth that he’d really sold her sank
in. “Russell?”

He paused. “It’s done, Charlie.”

“I’ll get free, and when I do, I’ll be coming after you.”
Her threat hung in the air, crystal clear.

He turned his head to stare at her. He paled. “No, you
won’t. Gerald isn’t going to let you go. He assured me there’d be no way for
you to escape.” He took a deep breath. “He’ll kill you before he lets you leave
him. He knows you’ll never willingly allow him to touch you and you’ll want
revenge if you ever get free. I’d make him happy if I were you, by pretending
you don’t mind being his mistress. You’ll live longer.”

Russell left the building without a backward glance. The
stranger who held her adjusted his grip and started to walk away, carrying her.
Charlie hung limply in the circle of his arms, only able to move her gaze,
which landed on Zorus. He walked beside them but he didn’t say a word. More
tears slid down her face but she didn’t try to talk her way out of the mess her
brother had gotten her into. It would be pointless.

A hive of activity took place inside the shuttle’s cargo
area. Four men turned to leer at Charlie but the captain snapped at them to
secure the crates along the walls. He ignored Charlie completely.

“By this time tomorrow, you’ll be back with your people,
Councilman Zorus,” the captain assured him.

Zorus said nothing in response to the captain’s words, his
jaw set in a grim line, and walked in front of the man carrying Charlie. They
separated a few turns inside the belly of the ship and she found herself taken
inside a bare room that only contained a cot. The man dumped her onto it and
then hovered over her.

He had to be in his twenties, blond, and resembled the
captain enough for her to guess he had to be his son. “That’s a tough break
that your own brother fucked you over.” He grinned, his gaze traveling down her
body. “Too bad you’re off limits. I’d love to get my hands on you.” He winked
before he quit the room. The second the doors closed, the lights shut off to
leave her in total darkness.

Hot tears poured down the sides of her face but her arms
refused to move to even wipe them away. Her body rested in a twisted position,
half on her back and her side, the hard cot uncomfortable, and there wasn’t
anything she could do but feel helpless and betrayed.

* * * * *

Zorus studied the cramped but clean room he’d been assigned.
New clothes were folded neatly on top of the narrow bed and food had been
placed on the only table inside the room. He ignored the captain until he’d
assessed every inch of the living space. He finally gave his attention to the
human. The captain spoke first.

“Do you want a doctor?”

“No.” Zorus folded his arms over his chest. “I want the
details of the trade agreement for the human female and the male who intends to
buy her.”

The captain frowned. “I just deliver shit.”

“How much did this Gerald pay for her?”

“I have no idea. In this business, I don’t ask questions.”

The image of Charlie’s tear-streaked features weren’t
something Zorus could forget. She’d saved him from being held prisoner by Earth
Government. What bothered him the most had been when she’d realized she’d been
double-crossed. She’d ordered him to run. Humans rarely surprised him but she
had when she’d tried to warn him when she thought he was in danger.