Alien in the Family

what she was, but evil because of how she thought and what she was willing to do, and took joy in doing, without any provocation or cause.
    All Reader had done was be loving to me, and she’d done her best to kill him for that—because he was a man, because she’d identified him as one of the overall targets—because she could. And she’d gloated about it. I’d killed several people by now, for what they’d done and wanted to do to Martini and to me and to the people we cared about, but I’d never gloated about it.
    “I’m sick and tired of hearing about purity of the race, the world, or the universe. I’ve never heard that argument come from anyone who was sane, or decent, or close to a loving God. If your God truly tells you to do this, then She’s evil and doesn’t deserve anyone’s worship or obedience.”
    “Our God is right, and She will help us to smite you and all who stand against us.”
    I got right in her face. “Moira? I’ve got one thing to say to you. Bring it, bitch.” Then I reared back and punched her right in the mouth. “That’s for James. Be happy he’s the kind of person who wouldn’t tell me to rip out your throat for what you did to him.”
    It was a good hit. My hand hurt a little, but I didn’t massage it. I was ready to hit her again. She licked at the blood running down the side of her mouth. “Nice. Take the straps off me and do that.”
    I was about to when the door opened. “All done.” Martini walked in with a needle and pulled me away from Moira. He grabbed her wrist and shoved the needle in. “Time for the crazy chick to go night-night.”
    Moira’s eyes got fuzzy, then closed. Her head fell to the side.
    Martini kept a hold of me and walked us out of the room. “Love the nasty side of you. You can’t possibly take her, and she was hoping you’d let her out of the restraints so she could kill you. Just in case you were wondering.”
    “Oh, okay, fine. Wow, but I hate her, and I think I’m going to hate her mate even more.”
    “I’d guess so, yeah. She was scared and upset by what you said, but, honestly, anyone with a penis should be terrified of these women. And there’s a whole planet full of them? No wonder someone put a net up.”
    “I think the net turned them into this. I don’t care right now. I want to see James.” And shower. I felt kind of dirty.
    Christopher locked the door. “We have guards on all levels.” I saw several of the big Security A-Cs in the hallway.
    “Make sure we have someone guarding the pipe. Inside only, though. I don’t want any of our guys exposed outside, just in case.”
    “Good point.” Christopher made a call.
    I looked around. “Where are Paul and Tito?”
    Martini put his arm around me and hugged me to him. “James is awake. They went to see him.” I opened my mouth, and he shut it, gently. “Yes, we’re heading there now.” He bent and kissed my forehead. “You’re quite the little tiger, aren’t you?”
    I didn’t feel tigerish all of a sudden. Martini picked it up and picked me up as well. I wrapped myself around him and didn’t worry that Chuckie and Christopher were right there. I just wanted to feel safe.
    Martini kissed the side of my head. “It’s okay now, baby.”
    “Not yet. But I’m going to make sure that it will be.”
    He chuckled. “That’s my girl.”

CHAPTER 24

    WE GOT UPSTAIRS TO THE MEDICAL BAY. Tito and Gower were in the room with Reader, and there were Security guards all over the place. “Figure James is too vulnerable to leave without guard,” Martini said. I agreed and was glad he’d thought of it already. Of course, that was pretty much his life’s work, protecting people.
    He put me down, and we went into the room. Tito stepped aside so I could get near Reader’s head. He looked like he was in a lot of pain, but his eyes looked the way they always had.
    “Hey,” he said.
    I grabbed his free hand; Gower had the other. “Hey yourself. How’re you feeling?”
    He managed a weak chuckle. “Like I was hit by a Mac truck. Love that outfit on you. Try to not wreck it.”
    “Probably too late for that.”
    “Yeah.” Reader looked at Gower.
    “Be right back, Jamie,” Gower said quietly. Reader nodded, just a tiny bit. Gower gave me a small smile, then he and Tito left. I realized Martini wasn’t in the room, either.
    “James, I’m so sorry.” I felt like I was going to start bawling.
    “For what, girlfriend? Saving my life?”
    “I’m the reason