Chapter 7

Jovan found some crackers and a box of macaroni and cheese in the pantry, and figured he couldn’t screw that meal up. For someone whose creed was to leave everyone alone and they would reciprocate, he surprised himself at this role of protector and provider he had stepped into. He sat at the counter with Liberty, listening to her tale of how she ended up working in a strip club.

“When I arrived in the city, I quickly realized I needed to earn money. Walking down the paved path one day, I saw a sign that said, “Girls, Girls, Girls.” Since I’m female, I went in.”

Jovan listened to her tale, doing his own translations to her jilted English. He guessed the “paved path” would be the sidewalk.

The club manager had hired her on the spot. When he realized her demure demeanor, he thought a shy French maid would be a great addition to the line-up. She would start off serving drinks, and depending on how she interacted with the customers, she could move into the coveted position of performer.

“At first I thought that it wouldn’t be very awful to have a position where I remove my clothing, because truthfully, I find it very cumbersome. I didn’t fathom why humans want to cover their true forms in fabrics. But then I witnessed the way the males stare and comment on the females, and decided that perhaps having a position where my clothing remained intact was best.”

Jovan rubbed his face, wishing he had another shot of Jaeger. For some reason, it was fine for human women to strip, and it was damn fine for him to enjoy the show. But for an SR44 female, one born into servitude to become a stripper sat as well with him as a case of head lice.

“How did you get out of working at night?”

“I told him that I had a child at home and needed to leave before darkness set in as I was afraid to walk alone at night.”

He had to admit, that was a smart move.

“I do wish I had some other clothing,” she said, finishing off the macaroni and cheese in her bowl.

Jovan realized she was still wearing her French maid outfit under her coat. “I’ll get you some in the morning, okay?”

“That would be lovely,” she said, meeting his eyes for a second, then her gaze darted downward again. Her SR44 form glowed from her eyes a light pink, as pure and innocent as virgin snow.

She looked down at her plate. “This was delicious. What exactly is it called? And is there more?”

Jovan chuckled. How in the world could she not know what macaroni and cheese was? Well, because she was from another universe, dumbass, and had only been on Earth for two weeks. He wondered what type of living conditions she had been in and had a feeling they weren’t good.

“What have you been eating?” he asked after he served her more mac and cheese.

“There is a place of business down the street from my living quarters that has ninety-nine-cent tacos. I’ve been getting my nourishment there.”

Ninety-nine-cent tacos? For two weeks? Jesus, she was probably malnourished, and he wasn’t doing her any favors with the mac and cheese. When they met up with the other Warriors, he would have Hudson whip up something nutritious for her.

He had to admit, he was a little concerned about the other Warriors with the FBI poking around, but he was pretty certain that they would be okay and get the hell out of dodge, which they were going to do anyway. The visit from the FBI just put their plan in motion a little faster.

The plan was for everyone to meet up in the Fernley, Nevada silo. Noah had told Talin and Cohen not to go back to the Phoenix silo. Abby had arranged for Talin and Cohen to leave on a private jet that night as they had their contacts in, while Jovan would be flying out the next day because he didn’t have any contacts. He couldn’t imagine showing up at the Phoenix airport with his eyes glowing green; that wouldn’t go over too well with the fine folks at TSA.

Jovan knew he had to take Liberty with him. Really, what choice did he have? He couldn’t leave her; it would be like abandoning a child. He would get her to the silo in Fernley, then put her in the care of someone else, and he could go back to his solitude. He wondered what everyone would say when he showed up with an SR44 female.

And speaking of solitude, he realized he hadn’t heard any thoughts from her.

Nice.

He looked around the huge kitchen. Noah was always looking for new investments for them, and apparently this was quite the score. Jovan imagined he had picked it up after a foreclosure or something. The place was beautiful and would definitely fall under the title of mansion.

Turning his attention back to Liberty, he watched her scoop up the mac and cheese like it was the best meal she had ever had, and he couldn’t believe that he was looking at an SR44 female. He wondered who she had been in servitude to, and what the hell was going on that she was sent here with others. And there were others? What the hell was that about? Where were they now? She had made it very clear that she only wanted to tell the story one time, and he could understand that, especially if it was bad news.

However, the curiosity was eating at him.