still wound up, dashing amongst the other families while John kept a watchful eye on him.
“May I join you?” The Judge’s deep voice interrupted her thoughts.
“Of course.”
He sat down next to her, and they rocked in silence.
“It looks like Kami is giving riding lessons again,” she murmured as she watched the girl put Daisy’s son on Blackie’s back. Kami was the oldest child on Mars, and she ruled over the increasing number of other children like a queen.
The Judge laughed. “She says the horses enjoy it.”
“I think she’s right. Winston loves carrying Ren and Angel.”
They resumed the silent rocking. It wasn’t an uncomfortable quiet, but she wondered why he had come to join her.
“I knew this day would come but it still feels strange to know that Mars is now independent,” he said finally.
“I know what you mean. But it’s a good kind of strange.”
“It is. And I want to say thank you,” he said quietly.
“Thank me? For what?”
“You made it possible, Serena. You kept quiet about Kami and Brian. You helped us stop the hybrids. You were even the one who suggested we use GenCon’s activities to help convince Earth to set us free.”
Heat rushed to her cheeks. “I had my own reasons.”
“I know. But it doesn’t change the outcome. So again, thank you.” He studied her face. “I’m not the only one who feels this way. You are welcome amongst us.”
She had the oddest urge to cry, but no one except John had ever seen tears in her eyes.
“There you are, love. Ren wants you to come and watch him ride,” John said, walking over to them. His eyes traveled from her face to the Judge’s but he didn’t comment. Instead he grinned at the Judge. “And Kami wants to demonstrate that she can ride backwards.”
The Judge returned his smile as he rose to his feet. “I suspect I had better make sure she doesn’t get too carried away. Are you sure that you still want her to spend the night with you? She’s going to be bubbling with excitement.”
“Of course we do. She’ll be fine with us.”
“I know she will.” The Judge’s hand briefly touched her shoulder. “Thank you, Serena.”
She stared after him as he disappeared back into the crowd.
“What was that about, love?” John sat down in his place and put his arm around her.
“He seems to think I had something to do with Mars becoming independent—”
“Which you did.”
“—and he said I was welcome.”
“Because you are.” Careful not to disturb their sleeping daughter, John put a finger under her chin and lifted her face for his kiss. His lips teased hers, warm and gentle and infinitely arousing. “You’re a Martian, Serena, just like all of us. We are all family now.”
The tears she hadn’t shown the Judge appeared in her eyes and he kissed her again.
“Now. You have a son who wants to show off for you. And if we want to get any sleep tonight, a young girl to calm down.”
“Sleep?”
“Eventually,” he said, his eyes warm with promise.
And together they went to join their family.
Author’s Note
Thank you so much for reading The Outlaw Cyborg! Serena’s story was a hard one to tell but it made her happy ending that much more satisfying. I love the way she has developed over the series and gradually revealed more of herself. And of course, I love a big, protective hero!
Whether you enjoyed the story or not, it would mean the world to me if you left an honest review on Amazon – reviews are one of the best ways to help other readers find my books!
As always, I have to thank my readers for taking this trip to Mars with me! Your support and encouragement make it possible for me to keep writing these books. As always, a special thanks to my beta team – Janet S, Nancy V, and Kitty S. Your thoughts and comments are incredibly helpful!
I’m thrilled to announce that all of the books in the Cyborg on Mars series will be available on Audible! The first book, a special edition combining High Plains Cyborg and The Good, the Bad, and the Cyborg, is available now! Click here to order Cyborgs on Mars: Publisher’s Pack!
So what’s next, you ask? Lots of very exciting things!
I’m delighted to announce that Bex McLynn and I are returning to the Treasured by the Alien series in A Family for the Alien Warrior – coming November 22nd!
A grumpy alien warrior. A pregnant librarian. A ready-made family!
Then in December – Krampus and the Crone! A sweet and steamy holiday tale with a determined heroine, an unexpected hero, and, of course, a very happy ending!
And coming next year – a whole new series featuring human women naked, afraid, and fighting for survival on a strange new planet with a hot alien warrior at their side!
To make sure you don’t miss out on any of these new releases, click here to sign up for my newsletter!
Other Titles
The Alien Abduction Series
Anna and the Alien
Beth and the Barbarian
Cam and the Conqueror
Deb and the Demon
Ella and the Emperor
Faith and the Fighter
Greta and the Gargoyle
Hanna and the Hitman
Izzie and the Icebeast
Joan and the Juggernaut
The Alien Invasion Series
Alien Selection
Alien Conquest
Alien Prisoner
Alien Breeder
Alien Alliance
Alien Hope
Cosmic Fairy Tales
Jackie and the Giant
Cyborgs on Mars
High Plains Cyborg
The Good, the Bad, and the Cyborg
A Fistful of Cyborg
A Few Cyborgs More
The Magnificent Cyborg
The Outlaw Cyborg
Treasured by the Alien
Mama and the Alien Warrior
A Son for the Alien Warrior
Daughter of the Alien Warrior
A Family for the Alien Warrior
About the Author
Honey Phillips writes steamy science fiction stories about hot alien warriors and the human women they can’t resist. From abductions to invasions, the ride might be rough, but the end always satisfies.
Honey wrote and illustrated her first book at the tender age of five. Her writing has improved since then. Her drawing skills, unfortunately, have not. She loves writing, reading, traveling, cooking, and drinking champagne - not necessarily in that order.
Honey loves to hear from her wonderful readers! You can stalk her at any of the following locations…
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Website: http://www.honeyphillips.com