Flint frowned. “Yes. What is it?”

“I have an idea on how to get your Zorus back.”

Interest sparked in his eyes. “I’m listening.”

She had to release Coal, hated to do it, but she walked closer to the scary, leather-clad cyborg, her mind still running plans through her head, hoping to nail one down.

“I have a few contacts on Earth. That’s who I buy my supplies from. I can’t shuttle you directly to Earth but I meet up with another trader I buy those supplies from right on the outer edge of the solar system. Those sellers are real slimeballs with no conscience if the price is right. They trust me not to screw them over if I deal with them directly. I would have to go with you, hire them to take you to Earth, and you could just give me the money to pay them with if you have it. They will do as they are told as long as we make it clear they don’t see any of it until you’re safely returned.”

“Slimeballs?” Flint frowned. “What are those?”

“See what I deal with?” Sky chuckled when Jill glanced at him and he winked at her. He shook his head, shooting Flint an exasperated look. “It is a term humans use for unsavory characters. She’s saying that, for the right price, they’d kill their own family members and we could bribe them easily to do whatever we require. I also have to admit I like her plan better than anything I’ve thought up so far.”

Coal gripped her arm from behind, spun her around, and stared hard at her, an angry expression on his handsome face. “That would put you at risk. You’d be too close to Earth.”

“I go that close every time I have to resupply and I haven’t been caught yet.”

He hesitated. “Your line of work is far too dangerous.”

“I know.” She smiled, happy that her plan gave her a chance to keep company with Coal longer. “But it’s useful right now since it really could work. They could fly right to the surface of Earth and then take off again without being searched. I’m sure they know which officials to bribe to look the other way. They sell me all kinds of illegal goods they smuggle past the checkpoints.”

“How do we know these slimeballs won’t see us, realize what we are, and try to cash in a reward with Earth Government?”

The cyborg named Onyx really had a talent for annoying Jill. She eased out of Coal’s hold and turned to face the jerk. She shot him a dirty look. “I’ll tell them what Earth Government did to that captain of the freighter who had Zorus. They just took your friend away from that ship without paying them a single credit and threatened to blow it up his they tried to stop them.”

She turned to Flint then. “These guys I buy from will believe me. If there’s a way for the government to rip people off, we all know they will. I have no idea how much you know about Earth these days but the government has become so corrupt it’s not funny. Nobody trusts what they say and it’s a joy to most to screw them over if given the opportunity. These guys may even give you a discount on doing this job if you stress how badly it will piss off the high-ranking officials on Earth to steal your friend back.”

Flint glanced at Sky. “You’re our expert. Is she correct?”

“She’s right.” Sky flashed a grin. “Humans are more likely to trust the contacts they make over anything Earth Government states. There’s an honor code amongst thieves.”

“I’m not a thief,” Jill protested. “But I do trade with them.”

Sky chuckled. “My apologies. There’s an honor code amongst criminals.”

She couldn’t deny that. Technically she would be considered one for knowingly buying illegal goods and it could be debatable if she fit the thief category after she’d stolen Coal. “Apology accepted.”

“Fine.” Flint took a deep breath. “Your shuttle is too slow but we don’t want to alarm them with you meeting them in an unfamiliar one. We’ll dock your shuttle inside one of the cargo bays aboard the Star and transport it closer to Earth. At that point we’ll fly it to meet up with your contacts.”

She nodded. “Sounds good.”

“You’ll remain on your shuttle and Onyx will remain with you to make certain you don’t change your mind about helping us.”

Damn! She tried to hide her disappointment. An idea struck though. “Coal promised to help me do some repairs that need to be done. I’d feel better if he’s here since I don’t know your guy.” She shot Onyx a glower and then looked back at Flint. “I’m fine with Onyx staying but I’d rather not be alone with him. I don’t think it’s too much to ask to allow Coal to stay with me, considering I’m risking my ass to help you. I don’t even want to be paid for my time.”

Flint studied her for long seconds. “Fine. Coal may stay aboard. Onyx,” he looked away from her, “park this in cargo bay two. You have control of her shuttle while Coal helps her with whatever repairs are needed.” He met Coal’s gaze. “Is that agreeable to you?”

Coal didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

“Fine. We’ll meet again to discuss the exact plan before we reach the edge of the solar system containing Earth.” He strode to the docking sleeve. “Let’s go,” he ordered.

Onyx frowned when the cyborgs exited her shuttle. He sealed the cargo door closed, his attention shifting from Jill to Coal. “What kind of outdated system am I dealing with? It’s fine with me if you want to pilot the shuttle while I remain with her.”

Coal glared at the other man. “You heard Flint. Do your job and I’ll do mine.”

“You’ve already piloted this piece of junk. You’re familiar with it and I’m sure you wish to be helpful. Go dock us inside the cargo bay.”

Coal didn’t say a word but shook his head, not moving an inch toward the door. They watched each other. Jill had no idea what the problem between the two men happened to be, not knowing their history, but the tension became obvious. She cleared her throat.

“Coal?”

He tore his glare away from the other man. His features softened when he looked down at her. “Yes, Jill?”

“Why don’t you help me? I’m sure your friend can find his way to the pilot seat.”

“I’ve already linked to your computer.” Onyx grimaced. “It’s barbaric.”

The engines roared to life, startling Jill enough that she nearly tripped when she jumped. Coal’s steadied her with his lightning-quick reflexes.

“Don’t be alarmed. He doesn’t actually have to walk there to steer the shuttle.” He kept his tone low. “He has active, working implants and is able to do things I can’t.”

“Should we warn him about the stabilizers?” she whispered.

Coal grinned, shaking his head. “It will be a surprise for him,” he whispered back. He moved her closer to a bulkhead, leaning against it but still holding her arms. “I’m guessing they will make for a rough landing.”

Jill nodded. “Expect a hard drop. The sensors are about four feet over what they read. He’ll be told by the computer it’s four inches.”

“What are you discussing?” Onyx irritated tone couldn’t be mistaken.

“We’re talking about things that don’t work right on the shuttle,” Jill answered honestly, talking louder, and kept her back to him for fear of laughing. “There are a lot of things that need to be repaired.”

“I’m sure of that fact.” Onyx sounded closer. “This shuttle should have been decommissioned a good decade ago. It’s amazing it’s still functioning. We’d be kind if we blew it up for you and left you on Earth. They have opened the cargo bay doors.” He paused. “We’re setting down now.”

Coal suddenly wrapped his arms around her h*ps and jerked her off the floor. Her chest smashed against his as the Jenny’s engines cut out. Coal’s body tensed, his knees bending slightly to brace their combined weight, and then the sick sensation of falling made Jill’s stomach feel like it rose into her throat. The belly of the shuttle slammed into something solid. The entire ship groaned.

Coal straightened his legs to return to his full height, chuckled, and eased Jill down the front of his body until her feet returned to the floor. She grinned back at him. He’d been so sweet to use his own body to cushion hers from the impact. From behind her she heard a string of curses and turned her head. Onyx lay sprawled on his side, struggling to sit up in the middle of the cargo hold.

“I assume your piloting skills need finer tuning.” Coal laughed.

“The sensors are incorrect,” Onyx hissed, sitting on his ass on the deck. He glared at both of them. “You knew and didn’t tell me. You had no right to do that. I’m ordering you to return to the Star.”

Coal’s humor died. “You had no right to stare at Jill’s body the way I caught you doing. If you believe you are going to get an opportunity to be alone with her, you are wrong. You also have no authority to give me orders.”

Onyx stood. “I heard you were damaged but you’re insane as well.”

Coal took a step closer to the other cyborg. “I saw the way you stared at her br**sts and I didn’t misread your offer for me to pilot the shuttle as an excuse to give you the ability to be alone with Jill.”

Shock had kept Jill frozen at Coal’s sudden outburst until he moved again, his intent to attack clear. She lunged, grabbed hold of his waist to block him from going after the other cyborg, and clung to him.

“Calm down,” she ordered him.

Coal continued to glare at the other cyborg but he didn’t attempt to remove her from his path to the other cyborg. Jill turned her head, glaring at Onyx.

“You’ve got permission to stay on my shuttle but get out of my cargo hold now. You can stay somewhere else.”

Onyx glared at Jill. “You don’t give me orders, female.”

She clenched her teeth and focused on Coal. “Hey.”

He looked down at her, still enraged, and said, “He wants to touch you. He’s attracted to you.”

He’s jealous, she realized. It stunned her but then warmth flooded her in all the good ways. “You need to calm down. Let’s take a walk together since he won’t leave.”

Coal took a deep breath. “Fine.” His body relaxed but only slightly. He glared at Onyx again. “You stay away from Jill. She isn’t interested in intercourse with you.”

“How would you know?” Onyx’s tone turned cold. “I’ve cataloged all entries stored in the ship’s logs and she has few communications with males, none of them of a personal nature, and logic states she has no male in her life to tend to her basic needs.”

“I’m the only male she’ll allow to touch her.”

Okay, Jill thought, understanding that Coal obviously didn’t have a problem letting the other guy know they were getting it on. She tugged at him. “Let’s go to my quarters.”

Coal nodded and drew his heated gaze from the now-mute cyborg. Coal took her hand and headed for the door of the cargo hold. Jill had to jog to keep up.

They didn’t talk until the doors to her room securely closed behind them. Coal stopped by the bed, released her hand, and spun to face her. He still looked pretty angry.

“He wants to put his hands on you. Cyborgs have basic needs, there are no unattached females traveling with them, and you are not to be alone with him, Jill. He will attempt to seduce you into agreeing to allow him to take you to bed.”

“You’re jealous,” she informed him softly.

Some of his anger seeped out. “I believe I am. I feel rage over him wanting to touch you and possessive of you at the same time.” He took a deep breath, his broad chest expanding. “I have felt possessive of you before but this is stronger.”