Read Online Saved by Venom: 3 (Grabbed) by Lolita Lopez - Free Book Online

able to cover us from above and provide a place for retreat but it would have been tense until more ships arrived.”
    “It may be time for us to take control of security at the Grabs.” Raze looked less than excited by the prospect.
    “It’s going to agitate them. It’s probably what the Splinters want.”
    “Probably,” Raze agreed, “but we can’t put innocent women in harm’s way and our soldiers and airmen too. They need to know they’re protected. And frankly I don’t give a shit what the people down there think. They’re getting a hell of a lot more out of our treaty than we are. Think of the small number of brides they’ve sent to us and the huge amount of resources we’ve sunk into protecting their backward little planet.” Raze shook his head. “To hell with their feelings.”
    Venom eyed his friend with some surprise. “No, no, no, Raze. Tell me how you really feel.”
    Near the trash can, Pierce snorted while changing out the bag and wiping down the silver can. Venom had to give it to him. When he played a part he played it well.
    “All I’m saying—” Raze stopped as Risk entered the waiting room.
    Venom leapt to his feet. Even though Dizzy’s procedure was probably considered minor his stomach clenched like a fist. He hated that her first experiences with him were so miserable. “Doc?”
    “The procedure went perfectly,” Risk said with a reassuring smile. “We inserted some drains to keep fluid from building up again in that area. We’ll want her to come in periodically for scans to ensure that she’s not forming new calcium deposits.”
    “Is she still sedated? She’s not feeling any pain?”
    Risk shook his head. “She’s out like a light. We’ll keep her sedated until it’s safe for her to sit up and move around.” He checked his watch. “Probably eight or nine hours. Feel free to grab lunch or run errands. We’ll take care of her.”
    “No.” Venom’s hand brushed the pocket holding her collar. “I’m staying with her.”
    “I’ll grab some things for you from your quarters,” Raze offered. “I’m your emergency contact, right? I have access to your new space so it’s no problem. I’ll get Cipher to bring you lunch so you can stay with your bride.”
    “Thanks, man.”
    “No problem.” Raze backed away. “I’ll be back in an hour or so.”
    When Raze was out of earshot, Risk stepped closer. “When we scanned your wife’s neck we found some of our synthetic blood vessels in place. They’re all in perfect working condition so don’t worry about that. We ran the serial numbers. It looks like she was patched up on the Indefatigable .”
    Venom frowned. “That’s the warship we replaced when we were deployed here.”
    The surgeon nodded. “They were the ship in orbit when the bombing happened. One of the medics working in the OR was on that rotation. He remembers about two dozen citizens of The City being brought onboard for treatment. He didn’t remember her but it was a mass casualty incident so that’s not unusual.”
    “I’m surprised the officials in The City allowed their wounded to be evacuated and treated.”
    “That’s the thing,” the surgeon’s tone grew almost conspiratorial. “All of the victims who were brought here worked at the embassy or had a connection to some of our men stationed there.”
    “But Dizzy would have been just a teenager. She couldn’t possibly have worked there.”
    “Exactly,” the surgeon said. “When we ran her blood samples, the computer kicked back a rather surprising result.”
    His heart sped up as he feared the very worst. “And what was that?”
    “Half of her DNA is Harcos. She’s one of us .”
    Venom stared at Risk as he tried to process that information. “But that’s—”
    “Impossible?” Risk shrugged. “Before today I would have agreed. I mean, she’s much too old to have been part of the current Grab scheme on her planet. Clearly her mother had access to our men two decades ago.