Chapter Five
The office was curious but no one mentioned a thing. She worked her day. Did her job and went home to her father.
It felt good knowing he was there waiting.
It felt like an age. But she knew the conversation coming was not going to be easy.
Parking up she went in, the scent of food cooking and the man, her father at the kitchen cooking.
Throwing her keys on the side she went straight to him and hugged side on.
“Hey Papa, what you cooking? Smells great.”
“Child. The house looks good. Chicken and rice. Your favourite.”
“Perfect. I’ll take a quick shower.”
Leaving him going upstairs she was in and out in 5 minutes, changing in to casual clothes and with a towel around her hair, down helping him lay the table.
Bread and butter. Drinks. Cheese and crackers.
Fruit. Working around each other as they always had.
Sitting down to eat. She picked up her knife and fork. “This is so great.”
“It is good, yes.”
They ate for a while. Enjoying the silence, the company, the food.
And nearly done as he always did, making sure she’d eaten well, he talked.
“I have never made a secret that I want you in the Empire. It is my wish to see you happy, with my grandchildren, who will give me something to do in my old age.”
She deadpanned him. “Seriously? You’re going with that? Guilt? You don’t age!”
Elon shrugged. “I want the best for my child Jane.”
“And that’s Kito?”
“I do not know. There are others I could send. A platoon of potential Mates if needed. But, I know you do not wish that.” She stared at him picking up her juice. Thank God it was alcohol. “To allow him any liberty, we both know you favour him. Why deny it?”
“You know why. Cyborg. Possessive. Demanding. Dominant. He is not like you. He tries to take over all the time. Keeps pushing. I don’t like it. It annoys me. He annoys me.”
“He is not like me because I am not a potential Mate to you. He is learning. I had to learn, remember.”
She did remember. “I can’t depend on him. I don’t know him.”
“You didn’t know me. But you gave me a chance.”
“I knew you’d not cage me, hurt me, stop me.”
Elon finished his meal and drank. “Nor will he. You have seen him enough Jane. You know this. He is a large male. But you need that. He rages, kills to protect you but if you tell him to pull it back, he does. He listens to you. Already cares for you. He saw that security report of the carpark. Watched as 5 men attacked you and he was not there. He blames himself for your injuries. And described immense pride that you were damaged and still standing and beckoned the leader of those men to come at you again. Daring. Strong. Not giving an inch. Standing your ground.”
“You trained me well.”
“That was you, not me. You were always so strong.”
She drank some. “I don’t know.”
“Do you like him? Fear him?”
She knew better than to lie. But, she didn’t want to lie anyway. And sighed. “I do like him. He is a pain but amuses me. I don’t fear him. No.”
Elon looked at her steadily. He was asking without words what the problem was without actually saying it.
She knew it and closed her eyes. Taking a moment.
“I don’t do commitment Papa. You know that.
And being a Mate, is all bond and commitment.
For hundreds of years most likely. It’s a lot to agree to. ”
“He’s been in your space, your home. Did it feel right or wrong?”
“It was …” She swallowed. Truth was truth. “Ok so it felt a little like being safe, comforting. But that could just be me, missing what we had as a child.”
“He was in your bed Jane. That is not how it was for you as a child. That is how it is for you as an adult. With his own need clear for you to see and hear, did he push for more than you were willing to give?” She raised both eyebrows at him.
“I’m not asking about the sex, that, when it comes, will be spectacular. I’m asking about safety.”
“You know discussing sex with your father is an ewww moment.” She stared at him. He was stating logic. And sighed. “No Papa. He didn’t.”
“But he wanted you yes?” She gave a nod. “What did that teach you Jane?”
Her shoulders sank. “That he will protect me, kill for me, care for me. Put my needs before his own.”
“Yes.” Elon’s eye’s glazing over. “He wishes to join us for dessert.”
“He’s here?” She threw her hands up. “Course he is.”
“He’s been here every night since he arrived child. Watching over you, protecting you for afar. But since that attack, his needs are riding him now. He needs your scent. Your taste. To reassure himself that you are safe and well.”
“You’re asking me to cave.”
“No. I’m asking you to give you both a chance.”
“He’ll take me over.”
“Are you that weak?”
She sat up frowning. “No.”
“Then don’t be now.”
The door went and Kito let himself in. “I don’t know why I have locks.” She murmured. “It keeps no one out.”
She could feel Kito’s smile as he approached making noise. She glared at her father opposite. They both knew he was doing that on purpose. Standing behind her. “Councilman. With your permission, I wish to court your daughter.”
“And if she rejects you?”
“I will be half a Cyborg.”
“What do you want from this relationship Commander Kito?”
“Everything. A life partner. An equal. A female who challenges me, wants me. Will give me legacy, in biology or not, I do not care. She is an example of having a child of no blood and loving us. She is caring and loving. And will soften my edges. She is also a fighter, a strong one that can stand beside me and I will be honoured to stand beside her, waging wars or washing dishes. She can be who she wants to be. I only ask that she allows me to love her in the human way.”
She turned on her stool and eyed him. “Good speech. Did you rehearse it?”
“Yes. Many times and it still sounds too weak for what this means to me.”
She sighed. They were wearing her down. “Ok. I’m not saying no.”
He came to her and caged her in against the island. “Female, can I scent you now?”
“Yeah…., if you must.” Kito laughed. Another emotion and placed his lips on her neck and tasted her, breathed her in. A purr then growl came from him. “Not in front of my father. That’s embarrassing.”
“Is he still here?” Kito asked. Using her words.
She pushed him back and he let her, then took the stool next to her.
Her father looking at her, seeing her emotions, her flushed face.
And gave a nod. “So, dessert.” She told them both.
Stacking the dinner plates and pulling the cheeses, bread, crackers, fruit forward, getting up and going to the cooler for a bottle of red. She needed more alcohol.
The night not as bad as she’d first feared.
Kito attentive but not suffering. Elon himself.
Not pushing. Discussing security concerns.
The recent incidents. The Empire's stance on it all. By the time the wine bottle was gone, her drinking them not so much, she was tired. Standing she went around the island and kissed her father’s cheek.
“Love you Papa. Thank you for dinner. I’ll see you for breakfast? ”
“No. Work. I’m leaving soon. Be back tomorrow night for dinner.”
“Ok, I’ll see you then.”
Walking passed Kito and going up. She was done talking. Done thinking. Taking a shower, freshening up, she went to bed.
Not at all surprised to wake to the bed moving. Her being picked up and placed over a hard naked body. “You are annoying.” She told him sleepily.
He chuckled. “I’m your annoying. There’s a difference.”
Her annoying…. Maybe….
Kito waking her again. Getting out of bed moving her gently. “There are people outside. Get dressed now.” He whispered. She moved.
“Did you hear them?” She saw his eyes glazed over. He gave a nod. She hadn’t heard a thing. It put a lot into perspective. Going to her bedside, she pulled her weapon and baton.
He looked at her. Emotion played across his face.
Fast then gone. “You won’t stay here?” He asked quietly.
She knew he already knew the answer but he had still needed to ask anyway.
The protective Cyborg. She stared at him.
Kito closed his eyes for a moment. She knew it was something that was costing him. “Ok, together.”
They moved down the hallway, and stairs quietly. She could hear the men outside now.
So used to Cyborg, and silence, they were so loud. She wanted to laugh but it wasn’t funny. “How many?”
“12. Maybe more.”
“12 for little old me?” she stated sweetly. He looked at her. “They didn’t bring enough.” Her voice hardening she rolled her shoulders. Kito staring at her confused at the change in her voice and she grinned. “I’m mean.”
“Female,” he whispered. “You are my mean and perfect.”
Her heart stuttered. He thought she was perfect. Cyborgs did not lie. He meant it. “I know. I’ll take the 10 on the left,” she told him. “You can have the 2 on the right.” And flicked out her baton. Standing ready.
He smirked. They both knew that wasn’t happening. “As you wish Lady.” He bowed to her slightly. His gaze way too hot.
“Not a La….” She stopped. But she was wasn’t she?..... Elon’s ….. Now Kito’s…
Shit… she couldn’t hide from it anymore….