Protector: Bound: A Dark Mate-Claim Romance by Nora Ash

Author:Nora Ash [Ash, Nora]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Little Huldra Media
Published: 2023-06-05T18:30:00+00:00

ELEVEN

ADDIE

“I take it you need my help to control the AX soldiers,” I say as Jacob reluctantly lets go of AX1’s throat and eases off his sternum, letting the man sit up. “Why? AX1 found a way to subvert the chip. Why not just do the same to the others?”

AX1 levels me with a hard look. “Because snapping to the point of digging into your own skull to get at the thing controlling your every breath, no matter how much brain matter’s attached to it, isn’t exactly a replicable method.”

I pale, swallowing hard at the horror of his explanation. I never could work out how he freed himself of my control, and it appears there’s a very good reason for that. Never in a million years would I have imagined anyone capable of inflicting that much pain on themselves. Christ, how did he even survive?

The guilt following that thought makes me sway on the spot. What I did to this man made him so desperate to escape, he gouged a hole in his own brain.

Man. Not machine. Not animated body parts. A human being.

“Addie.” Jacob’s by my side before I even register he’s moved, his large hand steadying my shoulder. I feel his concern in our bond like a warm caress. “It’s okay.”

It’s not. Not by a long shot, but he doesn’t care. In the span of the last hour, he’s forgiven me for every horrible, monstrous thing I’ve ever done. I feel it in my heart where our connection hums softly—no longer painful, but warm. Comforting. My prize for allowing him to see how weak, how broken I truly am.

Even if we both know I don’t deserve it.

I look up into his green eyes, at his genuine concern for the guilt he feels radiating through our bond, and force a smile. “You should probably get some pants on. Our guests will be staying for a while.”

He frowns at me, clearly not pleased at the prospect of leaving me alone with these newcomers.

“I’ll be fine,” I promise. “Pants.”

He rumbles a half-growl and gives AX1 a hard stare. “I have your word my mate is safe around you?”

He gives a single nod. “She’s safe.”

Jacob shoots another disapproving look my way before he squeezes my shoulder and leaves for the bedroom.

“One does get used to being naked in Dr. Thompson’s lab,” AX1 says, turning to Officer Welsh. “You good? No ruptured spleens or fractured ribs?”

I ignore the dig and walk over to Welsh to kneel by his side. “Let me have a look.”

“I’m okay,” he grumbles, but when I arch an eyebrow, he lifts his shirt to let me see.

His skin is red where Jacob’s foot impacted, and he winces when I palpate the area. However, Jacob was right—had he wanted him dead, he would be.

“There doesn’t appear to be any internal bleeding, but you’re going to feel it for a week or two. I’d suggest rest to give your organs time to recover what damage they might have sustained, but I’m guessing that’s not in the cards.

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