Page 38 of Her Lawless Prince

Nyle could see the resemblance. They had the same dark eyes and brown hair.

“Do our parents know?” Ryland demanded.

“We can talk about it on the flight,” Payton answered.

“You are now my brother as well,” Yevgen said to Ryland. The man looked appalled by the thought. The cyborg held his arms out as if Ryland should embrace him. “You may welcome me into the family.”

“Seriously, Payton, you married a droid?” Ryland demanded.

She gave a light shrug. “Cyborg.”

“Come here, love,” Rick interrupted, hugging Payton. “I want to hear what you have been up to, but first, let’s get out of here where it’s safe.”

“Good to see you, Princess,” Jackson said, lightly cupping her cheek.

Dev patted her shoulder, nodding. “You are as beautiful as your mother.”

“Are we fueled?” Jackson asked.

Ryland nodded, still eyeing Yevgen.

Dev pressed a button on the bottom of the ship and opened a hatch. A dim light shone down as a ladder lowered for them. “Everyone up.”

Jackson and Rick went up the ladder. Ryland motioned for his sister to go. After she reached the top, he jumped in front of Yevgen to stop his ascent.

“If this is a joke, I don’t find it funny,” Ryland said.

“No joke. It is as I said in my transmission to you. We are in danger,” Yevgen said. “The Federation wishes for what is inside me.”

“Ry, leave him alone,” Payton yelled down.

Ryland moved aside so Yevgen could go up. He turned to Nyle. “What about you?”

Nyle didn’t answer.

“He’s not important. You can leave him,” Yevgen answered from above.

“Let’s go,” Rick ordered. “Everyone!”

Ryland went up the ladder. Dev motioned for him to follow. Nyle climbed up the hatch into the ship. Payton waited for him at the top. The others had gone ahead.

“I’m sorry if they scared you,” Payton said. “They were just playing around. I sent them to get you so you could meet us here. And I’ll talk to Yevgen. He should have told us sooner that he had reached the crew. I don’t know why he didn’t. I think he might be glitching from the blood loss.”

Nyle reached for her hand, needing to touch her. “As long as you are safe. That is all that matters.”

Dev came inside and secured the hatch. Nyle let go of her and waited as the man passed by them.

“Your cyborg is jealous,” Dev stated. He glanced at their hands even though they were no longer touching. “Any fool can see it.”

“He’s a machine,” Nyle said. “He doesn’t feel emotions.”

“You might want to tell him that.” Dev gave Payton a small smile. “We’ll contact your parents as soon as we’re in the sky. It will be good to see them again.”

“Are the others here?” she asked.

“No, just the four of us on this transport,” Dev said. “We were on a supply run to pick up ship parts when we intercepted the message. The rest of the crew is docked on Letame, waiting for us to return.”

Payton followed Dev into the passageway. “Thank you for picking us up.”

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