Page 24 of Furi

“That was a risk. Lose and she could choose not to provide for you any more.”

“We know but the council felt it was worth it. She was supposed to be alone. 6 of us would have taken her easily.”

“I wouldn’t bet on that. She’s well trained, more so now.”

“You are not from around here?”

She gripped that steering wheel harder. The tracker knew. Furi wasn’t exactly being discrete.

“No. The union is recorded as Darkside, her father having made the preparations before he died. I accept it.”

That was clever. She knew they couldn’t lie. He’d told him in a roundabout way a statement that was likely recorded on the community hub so he wasn’t lying at all in the way he said it. And she knew her father had made preparations for Emily’s birth.

“I’d appreciate a hand with my men.”

“Granted.”

Chapter Five

Stringing several horses together both men loaded up the injuried. She watched in fascinated silence as they worked together to get the job done. And with a salute, the injured tracker took his leave pulling the other horses with his men now secured on them.

Furi coming to her she wound the window down. “He saw you.” She blurted. Her fears getting the better of her. Giving a short nod, he wiped some blood from his hands. “Jesus you’re hurt. I’ve a first aid kit here.”

“Later, my nano’s will deal with most of it. I’ll follow him for a while, make sure he and his men are gone. Then be back and wash up in the river, see if I need any treatment after that.” Blowing out a breath she looked him over. It looked bad but knew that didn’t mean much to Cyborgs.

“Okay. You told him we’re married and recorded.”

“4 said you needed the protection, his connection to Emily prevented him from being able to do it. The others would have been difficult. I was the logical choice to do it.”

She worried her lip for what that might mean. His hand coming back to her neck pulling her into him, he kissed her long and hard. And then was gone into the night. Her hand shaking she turned the cab truck lights off and sat in the dark for a while unable to move.

Once the tracker had looked into things a bit more, he’d know Furi was not from there. That didn’t mean that she would know that if her father was in the frame for the connection. She’d be off the hook but then available again. Looking around her fears hit her. It wasn’t just her she worried about. Emily had no protection if the leader of the family was dismissed. She’d be a target too. Likely used against her to have her compliant.

Things were getting out of control.

She’d have to ask 4 to take Emily with them when they left.

Her heart hurt at the thought.

Could she go on alone?

It was too difficult to contemplate.

Sitting in the silence for some time, looking in the direction of each sound until she couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer. Locking herself in, she threw the blanket over herself, lifting the steering wheel to the windscreen, she pulled the bench seat down making one large bed. And turning on her side, drifted trying not to relive the battle she’d seen.

Her last thoughts that she was officially married on her world.

****

He had to be honest, the evidence all over his optic, he needn’t of touched her so intimately or kissed her so deeply to make his point to those men. But he had because his need had bleed through. His optic showing his own fears.

He’d been at a disadvantage during the fight. Him on the ground, them on horses but he’d not let that stop him. Holding his own until she heard her cry out for him, her fear for him in the air, his beast responding to a Mate's cry and then he lost control. Becoming brutal in needing to secure her safely. Losing not an option.

His body already heeling the damage he was carrying. Taking to his solar bike he easily followed the horse's tracks. For an hour and a half making sure at a distance that the tracker did not dump his injuried and turn around.

Satisfied he turned back for Betty.

Not sure of his welcome.

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