Intact: Cyborg Two
Date: 2014-07-08 04:00:00+00:00
Keywords: Science Fiction; Romance; Erotica; M M Romance
Description: (Science Fiction, love story, apocalyptic, alpha males, strong females, Cyborgs, futuristic, F/M & M/M, sexy romance)A world on edge...The “Cyborg” team has kept one eye glued to the unrest inside the A.I. community for some time. Each member understands the ramifications of a revolt. If war is declared, they could find themselves on the opposite side of the law. One tiny detail changes Miles’ stance. Solving the case he’s worked since meeting Alexia could be the deciding factor. Left with no other choice, Miles orders his second in command to move to plan ‘B’—Dr. Kiston Beck.A woman caught in
Rights: Copyright 2017 Charity Parkerson. All rights reserved.

Intact

Cyborg Two

Charity Parkerson

Punk & Sissy Publications

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Epilogue

About the Author

The scanning, uploading, and distributing of this book via the internet or via any other means without the permission of the copyright owner is illegal and punishable by law. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Brief passages may be quoted for review purposes if credit is given to the copyright holder. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. Any resemblances to person(s) living or dead, is completely coincidental. All items contained within this novel are products of the author’s imagination.

—Warning: This book is intended for readers over the age of 18.

Copyright © 2014 Charity Parkerson

Editor: Dionne Lister

Photographer: Andrei Vishnyakov

All rights reserved.

Created with Vellum

Introduction

The “Cyborg” team has kept one eye glued to the unrest inside the A.I. community for some time. Each member understands the ramifications of a revolt. If war is declared, they could find themselves on the opposite side of the law. One tiny detail changes Miles’ stance. Solving the case he’s worked since meeting Alexia could be the deciding factor. Left with no other choice, Miles orders his second in command to move to plan ‘B’—Dr. Kiston Beck.

Kiston has stood with the Androids since her teenage years. Her inside knowledge of Cryo-Zone—an all-droid community—could mean the difference between a war lost or won. Convincing her to go against all she believes to be right is another matter.

Kiston has no idea what the Cybernetics Agency thinks she possesses. There hasn’t been a human alive who cared to hear her opinion in years. The one detail she’s absolutely sure about is that they sent the wrong team member if they hoped to seduce the information from her.

Cyborg Two is every woman’s dream. His wide shoulders, alpha ways and smoldering glances leave her breathless. Unfortunately, his biggest flaw is one too many for Kiston. He believes she’s crazy.

After a botched kidnapping, a concussion and near-death experience, can Miles and his team still convince Kiston to join them, or will their brand of friendship end up destroying the world?

There’s only one person who truly loves Miles as much I do and that’s Dionne Lister. She’s pushed and pulled me down this road, promising me Tim Tams all the way just to get the second book out of me. Of course, I know the truth. Her awesome editing skills helped make the Cyborg team everything they are. On a serious note, Dionne is one of my best friends. I don’t know what I would do without her, so this one is for her.

Chapter 1

It was a third heartbeat that woke him, sending him on high alert. Since falling in love with Alexia after working undercover as her personal Droid, Miles hadn’t slept a single night away from her side. It was possible the term slept was a bit of a stretch. It was more of slipping into a peaceful rest with the occasional illusion akin to dreams. Even during those moments, his system remained vigilant, completely attuned to Alexia’s vitals. The thrumming of his pulse was a familiar background noise while Alexia’s was the center of his being. His reason for existing.

The third heartbeat burst onto the scene sounding like a rapid explosion of fireworks to Miles. His gaze bounced off the walls of the darkened room. With night vision programmed into his optics, he could see every corner as if it was the bright light of day. They were alone. Miles’ confusion grew as he searched for the new source of life in the room. Sweeping his gaze over Alexia, he ensured she hadn’t stirred due to his panic. The moment he focused on her, the truth slammed into his chest, causing his human side to react in a way he hadn’t experienced in years. Oxygen rushed from his lungs on a whoosh. The third heart beating in the room was their unborn child.

Miles slipped from the bed, making sure he didn’t disturb Alexia. He waited until the bedroom door and the door to her studio were closed between them before speaking quietly into the darkness.

“Bring up the case files for the past six months.” At his order, statistics, pictures and clips of old news stories flashed across his vision. When a video stream appeared from two weeks earlier, Miles paused it. He inspected each image bit by cyber bit. The overly somber reporter grated Miles’ nerves. Her sympathy seemed practiced instead of genuine.

“Sound off,” Miles ordered, unable to stand another moment of listening to her. He also wanted nothing distracting him as he watched the video from the beginning once more. This decision was too important. Restarting the feed that had been recovered from a security hoverbot positioned above the automated transportation station, Miles watched, as the fifteen people waiting for the 6:45 monorail went from various degrees of impatient to dead in half a second. One minute they were each doing their own thing. The next, as if someone pulled the switch on a circuit linking them, they crumbled to the ground as a lifeless unit.

“Next clip.” Miles moved onto the picture of a woman in her early thirties. Her red hair fell around her face in waves, seeming to add strength to her outraged expression. “Sound on.” Her voice roared to life in his ears. The words echoed off the otherwise-silent walls of the hall of the unionized countries. They were met with scorn from every direction. It wasn’t her argument for android rights Miles wanted to inspect, but the reactions of each and every person who witnessed it. The longer he stared at their mocking expressions, the firmer his decision became. It was time.

“Feed off. I need an off-the-grid secured line for a group call. Double check it. I don’t want there to be any chance it could be overheard or traced.” A series of passcodes appeared before layer after layer of false pathways were set, keeping him hidden. When the image of a padlock appeared, he knew the line was clear.

“Contact the team.” It took thirty seconds for all three members to appear in various states of undress. Their golden eyes glowed in the darkness. He knew his team. In spite of the late hour, they would be ready to do whatever was needed. He didn’t bother saying hello. It was unnecessary in their world.

“We’re moving to plan ‘B’.”

Even though his pronouncement met with silence, he could tell by the way the men went on alert, they were scanning for every possible sign of trouble. His second-in-command was the first to break rank. A rare smile touched his lips.

“You’re going to be a father. Congratulations.” A round of similar felicitations came from the rest of the team. Still, Miles couldn’t bring himself to smile. For him, there had never been more at stake. He eyed the three men who were like family to him. Their eye color was the only thing they had in common. There wasn’t an ounce of blood tying them together. It didn’t matter. They would stand together, fall together and die for one another.

Miles didn’t see it coming. His throat tightened, making him incapable of saying anything. The blond giant who was rarely serious surprised Miles with his solemnity in the face of his obvious distress.

“We’ve got this. Hell. You’ve got this. There’s no way in hell anything is going to happen to you and yours. We won’t allow it.” The rest of his team joined in, nodding and lending their own promises to the mix. Miles swallowed past the lump of fear in his throat, but his voice still sounded gruff when he responded.

“Begin twenty-four surveillance on the package. If at any time the need to intervene arises, then do whatever is necessary to keep her secure. Once you have everything in place, meet us at the safe house in three days.” He almost disconnected the call before another thought stopped him. “Oh and choose a name for yourselves. It makes Alexia sad when I call you by number.”

* * *

His stare penetrated her dreams. Alexia could feel Miles watching her, even in her sleep. A smile pulled at her lips before her lids could find the strength to lift. When her eyes finally opened, a tidal wave of love swept over her. He was hovering over her as if debating whether or not he should wake her. Even though his expression remained blank, Alexia knew Miles. He felt more than anyone she’d ever met. It didn’t matter he was only part human. This man loved her more and better than anyone ever could or would.

“I did not mean to wake you.”

She snorted a laugh at the ridiculous statement. As if drawn by an invisible lure, her hand rose to his cheek. The sensation of rough stubble against her palm caused Alexia to want more. Her fingers slid higher until they were running across his short-cropped hair.

“What did you want?” God help her. She hadn’t meant the question to sound so breathless, like an invitation. It was him.

“Your words alone compel me to bring you pleasure. Although I know—logically—you didn’t intend to cause such a reaction in me, it does not seem to matter to my body.” The most practiced and flowered of speeches couldn’t have sounded sexier.

“Mmm, a reaction? Tell me more.”

As he held her stare, Miles snagged hold of the sheet and slowly tugged it away from her body. The sensation of the thin material slipping across her over-sensitized nerve endings combined with his heated gaze left her breathless.

“You’re beautiful.’

Miles said more in two words than most people did in a thirty-minute speech. He hadn’t looked away from her face as he’d said them. Alexia knew immediately he didn’t mean physically. She loved this man. It made her eyes sting with unshed tears. His brow furrowed.

“You are sad.”

She shook her head. “I love you so much. It has nowhere to go.” As the explanation left her mouth, Alexia knew she wasn’t expressing herself well. She didn’t know how to describe the way he filled her past completion.

Thankfully, as usual, he got her. “I feel the same. In fact, I’ve been busy while you were sleeping. Come see my surprise for you.”

Upon his urging, Alexia left the warm bed. “A surprise? Yay!” She scrambled after him like a little girl on Christmas morning as he left the room. At the door of her studio, he paused, seeming almost nervous as he took a deep breath. Her curiosity skyrocketed. They’d been through things together most people would never experience. He’d taken a bullet for her, and she’d never seen him look unsure of himself.

“What is it?” She had no idea why she was whispering. It seemed fitting somehow. At her question, he threw open the door. Alexia’s mouth fell open at the sight greeting her eyes. Hundreds of white and pink cards hovered throughout the room, suspended by an invisible force. Looking at Miles, she lifted her eyebrows.

“It’s static fusion,” Miles explained, answering her silent question. “When you touch each one, it will break the connection.” Stepping forward, Alexia tested his theory by snagging the closest one.

“I love you,” she read aloud. With a smile, she moved to the next. The same three words were scrawled across it. It was the same with the next, and the one after that, until she reached the center of the room. Alexia silently read the words as she reached for it. Her outstretched hand froze mid-air as she realized what she was seeing.

Will you marry me?

When the question finally sank in, she spun and met his gaze. His face remained blank, giving nothing away.

“You’re halfway there,” he reminded her. She wanted to run into his arms and scream her acceptance but he’d gone through so much trouble to do this for her. The least she could do was see it through. She moved to the next letter. It was another I love you as was the one after that. Once again, the message remained the same until she reached the final one. It was longer than the rest. The stack of pages in her hand shook as she added it to the top and read the words Miles had worked so hard for her to find.

I’ve wanted to do this for a long time now—easily since we first met. In my heart, you’ve always belonged to me. No matter what scheme I devised, it never seemed grand enough to express my desire to possess you in every way. The thing is, I can’t wait on the perfect moment or idea any longer. Instead, I get to do something no other man ever gets the chance to do. I get to say, guess what? We’re having a baby.

As her gaze moved over the words one more time, confusion crowded her brain. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from Miles’ perfect handwriting. Her mind raced. When his palms slid across her abdomen as his strong arms encircled her waist, she knew. Her knees weakened. As always, Miles was there, lending her strength. His hard chest cradled her, giving her the support she needed. She was speechless. When Miles’ lips touched her ear, something miraculous happened. Alexia realized their love had created life. She’d been wrong. It did have a place to go.

Her throat tightened, and her eyes burned. Couples had been doing the same thing since the beginning of time, keeping the species alive. Those people weren’t her and Miles.

* * *

Miles tightened his hold on Alexia. She turned in his arms, curling into his touch and resting her head on his chest. The pages in her hands crinkled against his skin. He stepped away only long enough to set them on her desk before returning to their earlier position. It tore at his heart to warn her against him, but he couldn’t hold his silence. “Before you respond to my proposal, there’s something you need to know.”

“I didn’t realize I hadn’t answered,” she said, sounding more thoughtful than anything. “I assumed it was understood we would always be together.”

Even as her statement flooded his veins with hope, he braced himself for any reaction. “I guess I assumed we’d always be together as well, but I need you to understand all of it. If you choose to spend your life with me, you’ll be choosing the life of an outlaw. I’ve ordered the team to head for the safe house up north. In three days, I’ll be joining them.”

Alexia’s head jerked up so fast, she almost clocked him in the jaw. The fear in her eyes tore at his heart. If only he’d been strong enough to keep his distance. It was too late now. For better or worse, no matter the consequences, he was in as deep as possible with Alexia.

“You’re leaving me?” There was so much pain in her question. He hated himself a little.

“No. You know I can’t lie to you. I want you to feel as if you have a choice in this, but truly you do not. I must go. You can tell me you won’t go with me, and I’ll pretend to agree. However, we both know— one way or another— you’re leaving with me. Even if you choose not to marry me, I cannot give you up. I’m sorry I’m not stronger.”

Alexia didn’t appear as if his confession distressed her. Indeed, her vitals were shockingly steady. She eyed him for a second before responding.

“We both know I’d never let you leave me. If you did, I’d hunt you down and make your death as slow and painful as possible.” A bark of surprised laughter escaped him at her threat. He loved her so much. There was no one who equaled her. “Outlaw, hiding, in a cardboard box or whatever, I’m with you always. Will you at least tell me why?”

Miles hated exposing her to anything the least bit ugly or tainted, but the world was all those things. In his lifetime, he’d witnessed only the darkest of human nature, rubbing elbows with the lowest pieces of shit. That is until her. Being assigned to protect her had saved him. He couldn’t protect her from reality but he could keep her safe from it.

“For some time now, it has been our belief that the world is poised on the edge of an A.I. revolt. As someone who is partially computerized, when it comes, there’s a very real probability I will be seen as the enemy.”

“Oh my God.”

His gut twisted at her horrified whisper. “I shouldn’t have brought this to your door. If anything happens to you—” He bit off his words, because he couldn’t say it. There were no words. Instead, he focused on what he could control. “We’ve been preparing for every possibility since the first sign of unrest,” he reassured her. “In the past few weeks there’s been an increase in activity leading me to believe we are close to my fears becoming reality. We’re going to be parents.” His final words came out in a whisper, nearly choking him. What would happen to a child fathered by a cyborg in such a world?

* * *

There should’ve been shock or horror. Alexia couldn’t feel anything past her love for Miles and the happiness he’d brought to her life. However, there was a hint of anger burrowing into her chest. The world was too old to be so stupid. All the geniuses filling the planet and technology at everyone’s fingertips couldn’t cure the bone-deep ignorance of humans. When it came to Miles, she was always so damn furious. He was a person who’d been stripped of his humanity for the—supposed—greater good. It served no one. The seed of fury slowly built, growing from a low ember to a roaring inferno. His grip tightened around her waist, making her realize she was probably confusing him with her reaction. She stamped down her inner ranting, kissing his chest instead of raging against the world. Chill bumps rose on his skin, making her grin. Over the past year, she’d enjoyed exploring every inch of his body, marveling over the way goosebumps would scatter over his chest and come to an abrupt stop where his synthetic skin began. The knowledge she understood his body better than anyone made her feel powerful. His strength belonged to her. Her nipples hardened.

“You’re killing me, Alexia.”

She chuckled at his hoarsely spoken confession. “I’m sorry.” She really wasn’t. “Of course I’ll marry you.”

Her feet left the floor as he swept her into his arms. His face had gone all hard, the way she loved. “That’s not what I meant at all,” he said as he strode toward their bedroom. “I know you’re going to marry me.” Even as her heart rate kicked up a notch and a burst of electricity crawled over her skin, Alexia couldn’t stop herself from goading him.

“I thought you said I had a choice.”

“I lied.” Miles’ tone was so matter-of-fact, Alexia roared with laughter. It didn’t matter the world was about to fall apart. She couldn’t care less if they were days away from a total upheaval. She had him. They were having a baby. This was her family. Even as he looked down at her, meeting her stare, he continued walking as if on autopilot. “Your body is already ready for me. I want it.”

“Less talk. More action.”

He froze as if her words brought him up short. A wicked smirk tugged at the corners of her mouth. “You’re mouthy.”

Her smile widened at his insult. “And you’re awful insulting for a man who proposed without a ring.”

“I have a ring.”

That piqued her interest. “Really?” As if the girlie note to her inquiry was what he’d been waiting on, a slow grin spread across his face, showing a side of Miles only she got to see.

“I have a ring,” he repeated. “You—on the other hand—have to work for yours.”

Wiggling from his hold, Alexia faked a growl. He let her go. Of course, she imagined it was only his surprise over her reaction causing him to do so. As soon as her feet hit the floor, she pressed her palm to the center of his chest and shoved until his back hit the wall. She didn’t kid herself. She knew Miles let it happen. He eyed her as if attempting to read her intent and anticipate her needs. Not this time. What she needed was his pleasure.

The hard muscle beneath her fingertips caused the breath to catch at the back of her throat. Never would she have dreamed that she would be incapable of becoming accustomed to the sight of his masculine beauty. It did seem as if it should’ve dampened with time. If anything, her desire for him had grown. Sliding her hand down his torso, she held his gaze, wanting him to know it went deeper than any physical act. When she reached the waistband of his flannel pajama pants, she easily slipped the knot loose.

“I want to kiss you but I don’t think you’ll let me.”

How was she supposed to resist that? Closing the gap between them, she tugged his mouth down to hers while dipping her free hand down the front of his pants. Pre-cum smeared her knuckles before she palmed his erection. The combination of his tongue sliding along hers and the silky skin of his cock slipping through her fingers, dampened her panties to the point of being uncomfortable. His mouth chased hers as she leaned back enough to push her underwear down her hips. She was silently thanking whoever watched over their tiny family that she’d only worn a t-shirt and panties on this hunt for her surprise as she kicked the silky material away without giving up his tongue. After all, she knew what magic that part of his anatomy could bring. She didn’t like to give it up for any reason. Miles’ alpha personality almost always left him in charge. She wasn’t complaining, but she wanted the control tonight. She spoke, unwilling to give him a chance to stake first claim.

“Flatten your palms against the wall at your sides.” Miles’ expression immediately reverted to the serious person he showed the world, but he obeyed. “Don’t move unless I give you my permission.”

“If you so desire.”

She smiled at his choice of words. “I do.” At her confirmation, his spine stiffened, and he went perfectly still. For a moment, she almost regretted this game, as he appeared more robot than man. However, when she pushed his pants down his legs, exposing his twitching member, and pulled her shirt over her head, exposing her nude body, his expression left no doubt she was dealing with a man with raw, powerful emotions. Getting truly into character, she squeezed her breasts, moaning a little when she ended up teasing herself in the process. She loved the way he watched her. It gave her the courage to make the decent with one hand. She threw her head back when her palm cupped her cunt. With the ball of her hand brushing along her clit, she captured the juice attempting to seep from her slit. The teasing almost made her lose sight of the real goal. Luckily, Miles groaned, bringing her back to reality.

His cheeks were flushed, and his chest heaved. She knew then she’d gone on too long. Clasping his erection once more, she used her cream and his pre-cum to coat the head of his cock. She swirled her finger around the crown until it was completely wet. It was sweet torture, watching the motion of her hands as they prepared her meal.

Incapable of waiting a second longer, Alexia dropped to her knees at Miles’ feet, taking his dick between her lips before he had time to guess at her intentions. She moaned deep in her throat at the taste of him. With her pussy pulsing and begging for attention, Alexia was almost mindless of the acts she performed on Miles’ body. It extended her pleasure to bring him release.

The white knuckles of Miles’ hands proved how hard he fought to keep following her orders. She rewarded him by swallowing him down and tightening her throat around him before allowing him to slip away once more. Then she made her first and last mistake. She got secure in her power and took things too far. With her cheeks hollowed out, holding his dick in place, she teased him with her tongue as her hand moved south, down her body. She was greedy. Tired of waiting. Wanted him too badly. Her fingers found her wet folds and gently spread them wide, exposing the tiny button that wanted her touch. Without a single thought, she circled her clit, hoping for a bit of relief. Instead, Miles ripped her off the floor with such force she didn’t realize what happened until she was blinking at the ceiling, her knees spread wide. Miles dove between them. His mouth covered her cunt only long enough for her to marvel over the heat of his mouth before his tongue shoved inside her channel. His fingers hadn’t been still either. They were teasing her clit and probing her ass until her cravings were torn in so many directions she didn’t know which way she wanted to be fucked. She wanted it all at once. Clutching his head closer as she lifted her hips to his mouth, she also managed to urge his fingertips deeper into her asshole. When the orgasm hit, it forced the air from her lungs, making her think she’d never breathe again. Not that she cared. It was totally worth dying this way. The fissures of pleasure sparking throughout her body let her know she wasn’t finished with Miles by any definition of the word. She would make him feel this way, and then they would experience it together. Their future was going to beautiful no matter where they lived. After all, everyone knows, it’s not the house that makes the home— it’s the people inside. He was her person.

* * *

Miles knew she wanted control. He could sense how it brought her pleasure. The wet heat tugging at his cock drove him insane. His head hit the wall. Sucking a deep breath in through his nose, he tilted his chin up, and stared at the ceiling. He curled his fingers into a fist. Control was such a hard thing for him to relinquish. Lights popped and flashed across his optics. Alexia was like a drug. His brain was more computer than not. Somehow, she always forced her will upon it. The sensation was a high he couldn’t explain. There was this voice in his head giving him a list of instructions. His body had needs that had to be assuaged. The computer demanded immediate results. Miles wanted it to go on forever.

Her every taste bud stroked his dick. The tip of her tongue teased his slit before circling his crown. She cupped his sac and jacked him off in time with the hollowing of her cheeks. He felt every tiny nuance, every shift of position. The pressure climbed higher tightening his balls. She opened her jaw wide, swallowing him. Air sawed from his lungs. He waited until the juice building inside him pushed its way to the head of his cock. Before he could explode, ending their moment, Miles snatched her from her knees.

He didn’t remember moving or how they ended up nude. His mind didn’t refocus at all until her pussy squeezed the two fingers he was using to fuck her. The tiny bud that brought her so much pleasure pulsed against his tongue. Her juices covered his lips and chin. He wanted more. Sucking the delicious flavor from his fingers, he savored it for moment before dipping his head, and plunging his tongue inside her canal hoping to discover more. He was starving. She was his only food source.

The slickening of Alexia’s skin, and the sound of her ragged moans were his reason for breathing. He was half-crazed with need. The sensation of the sheets tugging at his erection made him realize his hips were moving of their own volition. Only the sure knowledge he was near to coming on the mattress forced him to give up his treat. The feel of Alexia’s hot cunt was something he couldn’t deny himself. His chest hit hers, and their mouths clashed as he surged inside. A sound came from the back of her throat, vibrating around his tongue as her tight pussy pulsed around his dick, milking him. No matter how badly he wanted it to last, the power of her orgasm triggered his. Together they were amazing. It didn’t matter where they ended up. As long as they were together, they were unstoppable.

Chapter 2

The worst things always happened to Kiston when she was minding her own damn business. She always steered clear of trouble and never intentionally put herself in harm’s way. Nonetheless, it seemed she was always dealing with some form of bullshit. Today was no exception. Clutching her purse to her chest with her tightly bound hands while sandwiched between two burly, combat-ready men, Kiston eyed the man sitting on the loveseat across from her with malice. He ignored her obvious hatred. Fucker.

“I find her reactions odd.”

Kiston had been so intent on killing the man with her death stare when he spoke it caught her off guard. No one responded. He continued without encouragement.

“Most women would scream and cry. She is merely pissed.”

Great. She’d been kidnapped by a fucking genius. Rolling her eyes, she switched her attention to the door behind him, attempting to will someone to find her and ignoring the man’s golden gaze. He wasn’t a droid. In fact, none of the three men in the room moved like a machine, but their eyes glowed, proving they were all—at the very least—sixty-percent computerized. Of course, that tidbit of knowledge didn’t help explain why they’d stolen her from the street. On a normal day, she was better liked by A.I.s than anyone. In the human world, she was considered odd. It seemed today she was an oddity to both sides. Awesome.

“I’m tempted to remove the gag,” the guy to her left said, drawing her attention. He was a blond giant who took up too much space. “It might be fun to hear her describing all the ways she intends to disembowel you … again.”

Inside her head, an evil smile stretched across her face, and she was cackling with maniacal laughter. Oh yeah. She’d earned her gag. The man to her right chuckled. He had a cool-looking cyberpunk mechanical angel tattooed on his forearm. It was almost silver in coloration, and she’d never seen anything like it. When the light hit it at just the right angle, it almost appeared to move across his skin.

“Damn. Why didn’t I have my optical recorder running? The way she got the drop on you.” He broke off with a sharp laugh. No doubt about it. She’d earned the rope tied around her wrists as well. But really? What did the guy expect? He rubbed at the bruise appearing above the collar of his dark t-shirt. The sleek muscles in his arm rolled and bunched with the motion. Kiston was a bit proud of herself. In spite of his jet-black hair, appealing scruff and perfect frame, he was still a stranger. She wouldn’t have to question if she was a fight-or-flight person ever again. When she’d stepped out of the unmanned cab, the group of men had appeared out of nowhere and surrounded her. He’d grabbed her, and she’d done her best to defend herself. They hadn’t hurt her. As a matter of point, they’d done everything to avoid hurting her … for now.

The door opened behind him, pulling her out of her thoughts. A woman with strawberry-blonde curls and gorgeous green eyes stepped through. She froze at the sight of Kiston. A look of confusion crossed her features. As her gaze swept the room absorbing the scene, a hand appeared over her shoulder, pushing the door the rest of the way open. The woman didn’t budge. A blast of cold wind whipped around the woman’s frame, reminding Kiston of another annoying fact—she was totally underdressed for a northern abduction. In Cryo-Zone, the weather stayed a balmy eighty-five degrees year round. She started her checklist from the top. Reasons the asshat would die—she didn’t have coat.

“Miles, why is there a woman tied up in our living room?”

A dark-haired man with eyes to match the rest of the group, peeked over the woman’s shoulder. Kiston assumed this was Miles. “That is a very good question.” He urged the woman inside and closed the door behind them. Kiston got her first real look at him. He was huge, imposing. Tearing her gaze away from the man’s emotionless stare, she focused on the woman. She begged her with her eyes to help. The woman immediately moved in her direction, but Miles pulled her to a stop.

“Alexia, you need to stay out of this.” The woman chewed on her bottom lip for a moment before responding.

“Is she dangerous?”

“No.” At Miles’ answer, the guy to Kiston’s left snorted.

Alexia’s hands lifted before falling back to her sides as if she was physically attempting to grasp the situation. That made two of them, Kiston thought bitterly.

“Then why is she tied up?”

Miles eyed her curiously before shrugging. “I have no idea.”

At his admission, Alexia released a loud huff and headed in her direction. Cool-tattoo guy scrambled out of her way as if avoiding the line of fire.

“Alexia,” Miles said, attempting to stop her again, but the woman ignored him. Tugging at Kiston’s binds, she smiled kindly.

“I’m so sorry about this.”

“It’s no problem.” Kiston really wanted to punch herself in the face at the asinine response. Thankfully, it came out sounding like, “rru ru rururn” around the gag. The man sitting across from her laughed. She leaned sideways, staring past Alexia’s shoulder. Narrowing her eyes, she made sure he understood she would have her revenge.

The binding at her wrists didn’t slacken. Alexia growled before turning her rage on the man whose eyes were now dancing with humor at Kiston’s expense. “Untie this goddamn rope. This shit is so not happening on my watch. Do you understand me?” She stopped short of stamping her foot, but Kiston thought it was understood.

He looked at Miles, obviously seeking his permission. “Sir?”

Alexia threw up her hands. “Idiots.” Kiston bobbed her head in agreement.

“You are upsetting my wife.” At Miles’ calmly spoken words, the man across from her shot to his feet and quickly untied her hands. She couldn’t help but notice he kept his weight balanced on the balls of his feet as if expecting her to attack. For shits and giggles, she fucked with him. Instead of striking out, she used his obvious concern for Alexia’s well-being against him.

Slowly, Kiston lifted her hands to the gag, wincing as if her every move pained her in the worst way. With the cloth removed from her mouth, she worked her jaw a few times while rubbing at her wrists. She knew damn well they’d done everything possible to keep her from getting rope burn, but Alexia didn’t.

Proving she’d chosen the right track, Alexia motioned the blonde guy out of the way before positioning herself between Kiston and all four of the men.

“Someone needs to tell me what the hell is going on.” The men exchanged glances.

This time the man across from her didn’t look to Miles for permission. “Miles ordered a spy bot placed on Miss Beck here’s tail.”

“It’s Dr.”

He paused. “What?”

Kiston barely stopped herself from rolling her eyes. “You said Miss. It’s Dr.”

He wasn’t as good at practicing restraint as she was, which could only mean he was pitiful. It was a bit intriguing. She’d never seen a Cyborg roll his eyes before that moment. “Anyhow,” he drawled, “Miss,” he said, stressing the word. “Anyone-can-have-medical-skills-implanted-in-this-day-and-age Beck’s spy bot revealed some interesting facts.”

“I just bet it did.” Kiston grumbled. He ignored her.

“Even though I’d intended to approach her with an offer to join us, as a rational person,” he emphasized each syllable as if attempting to stress his point even though no one was openly arguing with him, yet. “I quickly learned we could not wait as we’d been ordered. When she reached Cryo-Zone, the spy bot spotted an immediate threat. We knew we had to act quickly, as a unit, using exaggerated force.”

“You ordered Sim to kidnap a doctor?” Alexia asked Miles, interrupting his story, and every eye turned in the man’s direction. The unspoken accusations hanging in the air could almost be felt as a physical touch.

Miles’ gaze never wavered from Alexia. “Please take a breath?”

Upon his order, Kiston switched her attention to Alexia. She was blinking rapidly as if staving off tears, but Kiston was positive she wasn’t doing as he bade. She was starting to think maybe she should beat Alexia on the back to restart the woman’s lungs when she sucked in a deep, audible breath. There was something about the sound. It made Kiston want to hug her.

“Did you…?” she began. Her voice broke, making Kiston want to go over and punch the guy for whatever he’d done. Suddenly, being kidnapped didn’t seem as bad in comparison. Alexia cleared her throat. “Am I…?” she tried again, but didn’t make it any further. Except this time, it was more as if her throat had swollen closed around the words and no more sound could emerge. Miles shot across the room and was on his knees at her feet in an instant.

He held Alexia’s face between his hands while holding her gaze. Even though his expression never changed, Kiston was blasted by the raw emotion rolling off him in waves. She could only watch the scene play out in a mixture of horror and fascination.

“Concentrate on me,” he demanded. “Take each breath with me.” Even Kiston mimicked his breathing pattern. “Think about our baby. He needs your air.”

Years ago, Kiston had learned that life was funny, especially when it came to her. Of course, life was usually laughing at her instead of the other way around. As her fist was flying through the air, she realized a split second before it made contact with the dude’s massive shoulder it would indeed be one of those days.

It was hard to say who was the most shocked by her actions, but the silence in the room was deafening. Unfortunately, neither the punch nor the expressions on the faces in the room cooled her temper.

“You’re such a rat bastard, and I don’t even know what’s going on. This woman is carrying your child and you want her to fucking breathe. Why don’t you try explaining why you kidnapped some poor defenseless woman off the street so she knows that she can take a breath? Ugh! Men! Even when you’re half computer, you’re still dumb as shit when it comes to women.” With her rant working on its high note, Alexia’s gurgle of laughter took her by surprise. It took her a minute to understand the reason Alexia was unable to breathe was because she was laughing too hard.

* * *

He snorted. God help him. He couldn’t stop the sound from escaping. Once it was out, it was quickly followed by another until he was roaring with laughter. “Poor defenseless woman,” Sim choked out between each gasping chuckle. In his defense, Alexia was no better.

“You kidnapped a doctor,” she said, holding her side as she covered her mouth in a lame attempt to smother her giggles. The expression on Miles’ face helped nothing. He looked like he thought they’d all lost their minds. The doctor in question, who should’ve been the one who was convinced they were insane, merely appeared curious. After a full minute of listening to them all guffaw, Kiston shook her head.

“Who are you people?”

“I’m Sim,” he answered, swiping his eyes and feeling a mischievous grin pull at his lips as he added, “U. Lation.” He laughed again at his own joke. She tilted her head to one side as if fascinated by his response. He hadn’t felt this human in a long time. Of course, he didn’t doubt she knew exactly who they were, and their individual levels of computerization. In spite of his attempts at goading her, he knew she was an expert in her field. After following and watching her every move for the past three months, he knew all there was to know about her. When she turned her green eyes in Dez’s direction, he almost growled at the loss. The instant reaction killed his humor faster than a bucket of ice water. Instead of focusing on his emotions, he chose instead to eye the tattoo that was inching its way up Dez’s forearm as he took his turn introducing himself to Kiston.

“I’m Dez Ined.” He, too, smiled as he held his hand out for her to shake. She accepted without an ounce of hesitation as if she hadn’t been tied and gagged only minutes earlier.

“Nice to meet you,” she said primly before switching her attention to the blonde giant hovering over Dez’s shoulder, waiting for his turn. “And you are?”

“Rep.”

She shook her head. Her expression couldn’t have screamed any louder that she thought they were fucking with her. “Let me guess. Rep Licated?”

Rep’s brow drew together, showing his confusion before clearing away. A small smile hovered on his lips. “Oh. Ha! No. It’s Rep Lewis. You know, like the general who led the first all-droid army into battle. Of course, he died a horrible death, but he was a pioneer.”

“Of course,” Kiston said dryly.

“I’m Alexia, and this is my husband, Miles,” Alexia jumped in, wagging her finger back and forth between them, before Kiston inquired. “I have a feeling it’s my fault you’re here.” That seemed to bring Miles up short.

“How do you figure?”

Alexia’s laughter had completely died away, and she was eyeing Miles questioningly. Smoothing her palm over her slightly rounded stomach, she pointed out the obvious. “Um. Pregnant. No real doctor in sight.”

Sim had known Miles his entire life, since back when the number-one badass had been a blue-eyed human rather than a golden-eyed cyborg, and never once had he seen the man rendered speechless. It had happened twice in the span of a few short minutes in the same room with Kiston. Oh. They had to keep her even if she did have a penchant for hitting people.

Twenty-four hours a day for three solid months Dez had watched Kiston’s every move through a series of well-placed security cameras and spy bots. Working for the Central Cybernetics Agency had given him access to the equipment needed. The United World government had given him the skill. When he’d spotted the android shadowing her through Cyro-Zone, it had taken seconds to decide it was time to bring her in. He should’ve known she would fight him. If there was one fact he’d gathered about her personality over the past few months, it was that she was brave—possibly the bravest person he’d ever encountered. As he’d watched her narrow her eyes at him over Alexia’s shoulder, he’d mentally added “warrior-like” to her dossier. When she’d punched Miles in the arm, he’d tacked on insane. He liked it.

* * *

Miles didn’t know how to pull himself out of the hole he’d dug for himself. Sim had quite a bit to answer for as well. He’d thrown Miles under the bus at the first hint of displeasure from Alexia. It had almost been worth it to hear her laughter. Unfortunately, he could also feel her exhaustion, and this wasn’t going at all the way he’d hoped. Instead of beginning his groveling right away, he chose to divert.

“Dr. Beck. I apologize for the way you were brought here. I didn’t intend to have you kidnapped from the street as you say.”

“What was your intention?”

The woman was remarkably calm. It was almost uncanny. It also served his purposes. “A few months ago—while working for Central Cybernetics—”

“A tie, I’m assuming, has been cut since you’re now living in Dead-Zone.”

Dead-Zone was slang for what used to be the northern half of the US before the climate rapidly changed, covering it in ice, and killing everything and everyone above the Mason-Dixon Line. Hearing Dr. Beck use it gave him pause. It was a term used almost exclusively by Androids. Her verbiage said more about her than she realized. She spent little time with humans. Ignoring her interruption, he continued. “As I was saying, I stumbled upon a bit of a medical mystery. Would you mind taking a look at something and lending a professional opinion to the issue? I do have to warn, it’s disturbing.”

Dr. Beck didn’t as much as blink. No doubt she had seen a lot of disconcerting things in her pursuit of equal rights for the A.I. community. “Of course.”

Miles straightened, pulling Alexia to her feet as he went. “Let’s move to my office.” In an attempt to show she wasn’t a prisoner here, he turned his back to Kiston and headed down the hall. He didn’t look to see if she followed, nor did he order anyone to ensure her compliance.

As soon as everyone found a seat around the long wooden table inside the room they considered the war room, Alexia crossed her arms on top of the hard surface and dropped her forehead on them. She was half asleep before Miles moved to the closest wall. Touching his fingertips to the cool surface, he brought up the security footage from the automated transportation platform. With the feed up and rolling, he moved back to sit with his wife. Rather than watching as the twelve people perished in an instant again, Miles studied Kiston’s reaction.

Her lips parted, showing her surprise as the footage reached its inevitable end. Reading her vitals, he decided her shock was genuine, but it passed quickly, and her neurons fired to life proving she was as intelligent as he’d suspected. Now she knew what to expect, she would analyze. It was as if she was a human version of an Android. Her intelligence ruled her.

She rose to her feet and moved closer to the images. Without turning, she motioned over her shoulder. “Start again from the beginning please?” He did as she bade, eyeing her features while absently rubbing Alexia’s back. He hated that pregnancy always drained her energy but was glad she could sleep through something so ugly. All he’d ever wanted for her was a beautiful world. Even though he realized it was an unrealistic dream, it didn’t stop him from hoping he could find a way to give her that. For a moment, he lost himself in the sensation of Alexia’s soft coat beneath his thumb. Damn. Why hadn’t he helped her remove it as soon as they came through the door? Kiston’s voice broke through the haze.

“Go back to 06:23.” The feed switched times upon her order. When it hit 06:23.09, Kiston made a slashing motion through the air. “Freeze it there.” Miles immediately followed her instructions. He eyed the suspended picture on the wall, trying to see what it was she found important about the shot, but no matter how many times he’d watched the footage, he’d never found a thing out of place, except for the reason she was there, of course. However, judging by the clip she pondered, he didn’t believe that she’d figured it out yet. “Right here,” she said, pointing out a man who was a little more than halfway from the front of the line. “That’s your suicide bomber.”

“Suicide bomber,” Miles repeated in his surprise, before anyone else had time to react. Kiston nodded.

“Take a look at what he’s holding.”

Sim was the first to answer. “It’s one of those digital games that automatically sends you a new crossword every day.”

“Yes, but it’s upside down,” Kiston pointed out. “Restart the feed and pay close attention to his hands.” The recording began again. The men leaned forward in their chairs to watch. The stylus the man held in his other hand appeared to be one he used to fill in the blanks on his puzzle, but now that Kiston had pointed out he wasn’t really working on it, Miles noticed it looked more like an old-fashioned ink pen. The second he clicked the end, everyone died.

“What the hell?” Sim muttered, mirroring his thoughts.

“It’s a Bio bomb,” Kiston explained. “A controlled chemical Bio bomb to be exact. The damage is contained to a thirty-foot radius, death is instantaneous, and the chemical dissipates almost immediately without leaving a single trace behind. Even though it’s top-secret advanced technology, this type of radical extremist demonstration isn’t a new concept by any means. Of course, this type is meant to be untraceable. In its purest forms, the mixture would linger for eternity, I suppose, making that platform a bit like a death hole.”

Silence filled the air. Miles did his best to recover his footing even as he added this new information to his database. “There’s more,” he said, pulling up six security feeds at one time. Half were three separate, similar scenes as the transit deaths; the other three were footage of Kiston’s demonstrations. “Now. Tell me what you see.”

She studied each closely, her gaze moving over every detail. The automated transportation center, the bakery and clinic appeared to be random acts until they were placed next to footage of her speaking before the union next door to the transit station, protesting outside the bakery and calling for a boycott against the clinic that refused to treat humans with droid lovers. When her blood pressure rose, and her muscles tensed, Dez pushed her into a chair before she could collapse.

Her reactions were genuine, but Miles needed her natural reaction to protect all things living—whether born or created. He pushed. “The only connection between each case is you.”

She motioned helplessly. Her gaze never wavered from the damning evidence. “I don’t understand.”

“Admittedly, I do not either, but it’s imperative we find out. As of now, the public sees you as a sympathetic party. If you’re labeled an extremist, who will keep everyone in this room from landing on an executioner’s list?”

Kiston didn’t respond. “You should eat something,” Miles suggested when the silence stretched on and her heart rate did not decrease.

“Your wife should eat something,” she shot back, still refusing to meet his eyes. Her fighting spirit was a delight.

Alexia’s head lifted from the table as if the mere mention of food pulled her from sleep. “I am hungry.” In spite of the dire situation, Miles chuckled.

Kiston’s head turned in his direction. She eyed him in silence for a full minute before responding. “How did you not know she would need a doctor?”

Miles shrugged. “I have one eye on both Alexia and our child at all times. There is no one who could care for her better than me.”

“That’s sweet,” Alexia said, sounding tired. “But I want someone who will drug me during the actual labor part.”

Chapter 3

Kiston looked on as Miles lovingly traced the line of Alexia’s cheek, attempting to soothe her every fear. Food appeared in front of her. She ate without tasting a single bite. Her mind couldn’t grasp what she’d been shown. Even though she knew—logically—she had nothing to do with death of those people, damned if she didn’t look guilty on paper. Coincidences. She hated them. They burrowed under her skin, driving her insane. There was no such thing. She was sure of it.

A loud burst of laughter pulled her out of her musings. She glanced around the room wondering how these people could act as if nothing had happened in the wake of such tragedy.

“We’ve never known any other life.”

Kiston’s heart jumped into her throat when Sim spoke next to her ear. She hadn’t realized he was sitting so close. Tilting her chin, she brought his face into view. With his arm slung across the back of her chair, he was mere inches away.

“Did I say that aloud?”

A low rumble of laughter came from his chest. Her heart refused to slow. Sweat broke out on her upper lip.

“It was written all over your face. We’re not heartless.”

His denial took her by surprise. “I didn’t say you were.” The ridiculousness of their conversation slammed into her. This man had taken her against her will. Now she was arguing against his belief she had a bad opinion of him. Even if Sim had been telling her the truth about spotting an immediate threat against her in Cryo-Zone, she still needed an intervention and a head shrink. “What do you care what I think anyhow?” she asked, unable to keep the exasperation from her tone.

“We need you to stay. There’s been too much unrest of late. We need answers.”

It seemed she wasn’t the only one who felt the winds of change. Still. “I thought anyone could have my skills implanted in this day and age.” As the snide comment left her lips, she wanted to take it back. His expression closed against her. When he fell silent, stealing away his company and returning to the calculating computer, she couldn’t look at him any longer. This is what she did best—alienate herself.

In a valiant attempt at keeping her gaze turned away from Sim, she focused on the rest of the group. It seemed Rep was the entertainer. Everyone else was his captive audience. He was telling the story of her abduction. To her surprise, he made her sound brave rather than stupid. On the other hand, his descriptions of her fight with Sim made Sim sound inept. She didn’t like it. Shutting it out of her mind, Kiston eyed Rep, attempting to see what it was about him that was so alluring. He had the whole blond-haired-tall-and-broad-shouldered thing going for him. It wasn’t the clean-cut look either. Both of his wrists were covered by wide-banded, black rubber bracelets, and he was just a little unkempt. Not in a dirty way. In a he’s-a-bad-boy sort of way. She could easily picture him standing on stage and belting out some serious hardcore rock. No doubt about it, he was delicious, but it was more than that. It was almost as if everyone in the room was incapable of resisting the lure of his voice when he spoke. He was addictively engaging, and no one was immune. He spoke with his hands and told every story with a unique flair that left everyone roaring with laughter. Her observant nature kicked into high gear. She was hyper aware of the two cyborgs flanking her at the table. It seemed the harder she tried to block out their presence, the harder it became to do so.

For that reason, she saw it happen out of the corner of her eye. Like everything in her life, once she caught sight of it, she couldn’t look away. The tattoo on Dez’s arm moved. At first, she thought her mind was playing tricks on her, but the moment she focused on his forearm, the cyber angel shifted positions once more, inching higher until it disappeared beneath his shirt sleeve. She glanced around the table wondering if anyone else had witnessed the phenomenon. Everyone else seemed captivated by Rep—including Dez.

Titling her chin, she tried to peek under his sleeve without drawing attention to herself. She bit back a squeak when it popped out above the collar of his t-shirt and encircled his neck. Kiston was beyond fascinated. Her eyes shot to Dez’s face. She searched his features, looking for any sign he noticed the tattoo using his body as a playground. He was eating Rep alive with his eyes as if transfixed. A muscle ticked in his jaw. His nostrils flared. She turned her head, switching her attention between the two men. Just like that, she knew. Dez was in love with him. Considering the way Rep ignored his stare, Kiston assumed the feeling wasn’t mutual.

It was in his eyes. Dez watched Rep with such longing, Kiston had to stop herself from screaming at Rep to look at him. All the man needed to do was turn his head, and he’d see. Her heart couldn’t take it. Before she realized what she was doing, Kiston set her hand on his arm. When her fingers connected with his skin, Dez’s head whipped around to her. For a moment, she saw it all. There was an instant before a closed expression fell across his face that Kiston couldn’t breathe. It seemed as if even the oxygen in the room wasn’t immune to his pain. He shot to his feet. White lines appeared at the corners of his mouth under the strain of his fake smile.

“Sorry to cut out on you, but I’ve got places to go.” His expression shifted until she barely recognized him beneath his smirk as he added, “People to do.” He didn’t wait for a response. By the time her gaze moved away from the door closing behind him, the group surrounding the table had resumed their conversations. It was as if nothing had happened. Even though she didn’t know what she intended to say exactly, she opened her mouth ready to do something—anything. Sim’s knee bumped hers beneath the table, drawing her attention his way. He shook his head. Her teeth snapped together as she bit back all the things running through her mind. He was right. It wasn’t her place. In spite of her best efforts, she still stared at Rep and searching for any sign of emotion.

* * *

The doctor was a champion for the underdog. Sim had already decided as much from his surveillance. Seeing it in action was another matter altogether. She was practically dancing in her seat with the need to interfere on Dez’s behalf. However, that was one issue Sim knew she couldn’t fix. He tried distracting her.

“Miss Beck. What made you decide to take on Android rights?” The light shimmered off her red curls when she turned her head his way.

“It’s Kiston.”

“Excuse me?” He knew what she meant, but there was something about her. She possessed an inner fire he’d never encountered before. It made him want to stir shit up, get a reaction. He wasn’t disappointed. One of her blue eyes twitched at the question.

“If you’ll not refer to me as Dr. Beck, then please call me Kiston.”

“What difference does it make?”

“It makes a world of difference to me. I knew when I took up this cause that people would mock me. I’ll be damned if I bow and scrape as it happens. Maybe at the end of the day you’ll still think I’m beneath you, but at least I’ll know I didn’t hold my tongue as you openly disrespected me.”

Even though he recognized—in a detached sort of way—she’d been the center of much controversy, Sim hadn’t taken her feelings on the matter into consideration. She seemed too strong, almost inhuman. In the face of her confession, he felt like shit. He gave her a short nod.

“Very well, Kiston.” She didn’t smile exactly. It was in her eyes. They shined a little brighter at his concession. He found her intriguing, a bit like a science project or a new species he’d never encountered before.

“One day I noticed something I never had before. Once I knew the truth, I couldn’t ignore it.” She answered his earlier question, meeting him halfway.

Sim caught himself, almost forgetting to breathe as she spoke. It was as if she lured him in, holding him rapt. Setting his elbow on the table, he cupped his chin and gave her his full attention. “That’s the vaguest answer I’ve ever heard.”

She chuckled. It was a husky sound. His gaze dropped to her mouth. The way her bottom lip curved when she smiled fascinated him.

“Maybe I should start at the beginning.”

He met her stare once more. “I think that’s best.”

“Hmm. Okay,” she said, sounding uncomfortable for the first time. She didn’t like talking about herself, he surmised.

“I’m not above returning to the use of Miss to get my way.” The taunt popped out before he could stop it. It was as if they were the only two people in the room.

Her smile hitched up a notch as she snorted. “Fine. Like most families, when I was a child, we had a helper-bot living with us. I called it Lily.” A wistful expression crossed Kiston’s face. Sim couldn’t look away. “It was so lifelike. It was easy for me to become attached. In my heart, this machine became family. As you know, they’re extremely expensive. In those days, not only was owning a helper-bot a luxury, you tended to keep the same one for years. It just never occurred to me things would change. One day, when I was seventeen, my grandfather showed up with a newer version, as a surprise for my mom for her birthday. I was looking directly at Lily when they came through the door. In a second, my entire life changed. What I saw in that unguarded moment shaped my future.” She fell silent and waved a dismissive hand as if her story should’ve cleared up the matter.

It wasn’t enough. He wanted to know every detail, needed more.

“What did you see?” At Alexia’s question, Sim realized Kiston had snagged the attention of the entire table with her story. She shook her head in response. An expression he couldn’t describe crossed her features. It was as if she’d witnessed something dark and horrible. In the face of her obvious pain, Sim automatically scanned her vitals. Judging by her elevated blood pressure, whatever Kiston had seen, it caused her emotional pain bordering on physical. Her eyes fell closed for a moment before she focused on Alexia.

“Fear,” Kiston answered. “Lily was afraid.”

Something in Sim’s chest shifted, leaving him speechless. He wanted to argue with her. Androids don’t have feelings—he knew that much for sure. After all, he was half computerized. He was the expert in this case. However faced with her conviction, he couldn’t bring himself to say the words. She was the perfect activist for this cause. She believed every word she’d said as truth. Of course, she was wrong, but still. He’d want her fighting in his corner if it came to Cyborgs being labeled in the same category as bots. It was his biggest fear, and the reason they were all sitting here now—hiding.

As the stunned silence dragged on, Kiston didn’t waver. She kept her chin held high as if daring them to call her a liar. Rep was the first to break.

“What happened to Lily?”

Kiston’s features hardened as if preparing to face a firing squad. “An order of destruction was issued.”

It was like getting hit in the chest. Even though there hadn’t been a hint of emotion in her voice as she answered, he felt the blow of her loss as if it had been his. Sim wanted to comfort her in some way, but she was such an island. He didn’t think she would appreciate any attempt on his part. Oddly, it was Rep who appeared the most affected by her answer.

Alexia moved as if she meant to stand. Without glancing in her direction, Miles reached over and took her hand. The motion caused her to settle back into her seat. It always amazed Sim how attuned Miles was to his wife’s moods. Even as he eyed Kiston—no doubt reading her every brain wave the same as Sim—his attention never fully left Alexia. He somehow knew exactly what both women needed the most. His wife had a softer side that required his touch, while Kiston gained comfort by being a doer, exposing her version of the truth. Miles played upon it.

“Surely, since you’ve stood firmly in this belief for years now, you have a theory as to how or why this phenomenon took place.”

“I do have thoughts….” Kiston’s eyes skirted away. “If I had a workable theory, the government wouldn’t have let me live this long, now would they?” She added, sounding evasive. Sim ran her body language against her vitals and determined she was lying. She had a firm reason for her beliefs, but was choosing not to answer. Apparently, Miles came to the same conclusion.

“We are no longer affiliated with the government, Dr. Beck. Whatever you have to say will stay in this room.”

She was still wary. Sim could practically feel her bracing to bolt. When the silence stretched on and no one rushed to correct Miles’ sentiment, Kiston’s shoulders slumped, signaling her defeat. Sim leaned forward even further in his chair. Despite his disbelief, he was fascinated by the way her mind worked. He wanted to hear her thoughts. Given what he already knew about her, he imagined they bordered on genius.

She started haltingly, but once she got going, her voice grew in strength. “As you know, the original versions of helper-bots were extremely rudimentary. They only understood the most basic of commands and performed poorly in test studies. It was found that people weren’t willing to shell out the money for a product that could easily be replaced with cheaper household items, and/or cheap laborers who could actually be trusted with multiple chores such as watching your kids while running your errands and washing your dishes. Machines couldn’t be relied upon to break up arguments between siblings or make similar daily decisions the way a human would. Obviously, this market was a potential gold mine, so they set their greatest minds to ponder the problem. They were quick to realize the solution was already at their fingertips. We’ve been using the science behind this for centuries. It was almost too easy.”

Try as he might, Sim couldn’t figure out her reasoning, so it couldn’t have been that simple. Luckily, Kiston didn’t expect them to fill in the blanks.

“Over the years, the human body has been replicated piece by piece as we’ve found ways to better the lives of amputees and other victims of trauma. Entire nervous systems, brain stems and optics—everything needed to recreate life was already available It was almost laughable no one had considered it before. After all, is a cybernetic arm any less yours because it isn’t the one you were born with? It’s graphed into your skin, connected to your brain by a series of wires and due to the resilience of the human body, your system has accepted it as the real thing. Pieces of the human brain have been simulated and inserted until the tissue surrounding it absorbs the mechanics as part of the working whole. Why not create an entire humanlike system, stick it inside a carbon-coated shell and stamp it with a QR code?”

“You’re missing a huge point in your theory,” Sim said, feeling moved to point out the obvious. In spite of his best efforts, his irritation over what she suggested showed in his tone. Kiston seemed unaffected by his disbelief. She simply nodded.

“The human factor,” she agreed, sounding reasonable. It also proved she understood where his mind was going. Of course, he didn’t doubt she’d faced disbelief her entire life, and—in response—had built up a thick skin against it. The burst of pride he experienced over her strength fled the second she spoke.

“That’s where nanorobotics and DNA splicing come in. The parts of a human that can’t be replicated or repaired can be grown in a lab and inserted when the time comes. Sometimes it works and other times it doesn’t, but I believe—over time—they’ve reached around a ninety-eight-percent success rate.”

“What you’re suggesting borders on sacrilegious,” Sim said angrily. “You’re talking about creating life from scratch. Only one being has ever done such a thing.”

“Actually, I’m not,” Kiston shot back, seeming unfazed. “What I’m saying is—they are taking what is already in existence and creating something else, something new, but just as real as you and me.”

Sim glanced around the room, measuring the reaction of the people he knew as well as he knew himself. Rep’s knuckles were white, proving how tightly he gripped the arms of his chair. Otherwise, he showed no outward reaction to Kiston’s claims. While Alexia’s expression remained locked somewhere between fascinated and horrified speechless, Miles appeared unfazed, making Sim wonder if this wasn’t the first time he’d heard this theory. It was possible he’d already formulated a similar one. Sim couldn’t believe no one stated the obvious, leaving him holding the bag.

“But if what you’re saying is true, then,” he paused, unsure of exactly how to articulate his thoughts. “It would make owning a helper-bot….” he froze, unable to even give a voice to the idea.

“Slavery,” Kiston supplied helpfully, lifting her eyebrows and not bothering to hide her mocking tone.

“But you said Lily was destroyed,” Rep broke in. “That’s—” he began before snapping his teeth together as if equally unwilling to give his thoughts life by saying them aloud.

“Murder,” Kiston finished for him, except instead of the derisive tone she’d used when speaking to Sim, she softened her voice, showing the pain the single word caused her. A muscle in Rep’s jaw flexed, but he didn’t speak.

“This is all so ridiculous,” Sim said, unable to keep his thoughts to himself a second longer. Kiston huffed, showing the first sign of irritation in the face of his skepticism.

She waved her hands wildly. “Why bother bringing me here, or asking me to stay, if you’re all non-believers? It’s unfair to expect me—”

“I believe,” Alexia said, cutting off, no doubt, what was gearing up to be an epic tirade. “I mean, I haven’t spent much time in the company of droids, but when I first met Miles, I thought he was one. Having him in my home reinforced every reason I’d never bought into owning a helper-bot. Even when I was certain he wasn’t real, it didn’t matter he wasn’t,” she said, casting a loving glance in his direction before focusing on Kiston once more. “I realize it’s not the same. Miles is a real person, but that’s not the point. If you looked at Lily and knew in your heart she felt something, then I believe you.” She nudged Miles shoulder, adding, “Miles believes you too.”

Kiston’s eyebrows lifted in response as if she wasn’t swallowing that final bit.

Miles didn’t respond immediately. His expression gave nothing away, but he brought Alexia’s hand to his mouth, kissing it lightly. “My thoughts always mirror my wife’s.”

Alexia flashed a luminous smile. “See. Miles never says anything he doesn’t mean. If he thought you were wrong, he would say as much.”

* * *

He believed. When Kiston first arrived, she would’ve sworn there was nothing anyone could’ve said to convince her to stay. Even the knowledge people might one day see her as part of an extremist movement hadn’t changed her mind, but Miles had said the one thing she’d longed for her entire life. In the wake of this revelation, Kiston experienced an odd sort of detachment as she heard herself agree to stay—for now. Miles didn’t give her time to backpeddle. He was ordering Sim to give her the full tour and access to all the case files, including autopsy reports and lab results, so she could get started right away.

He scooped Alexia from her chair and was gone before Kiston could formulate a response. They believed. Well, Sim didn’t, but Alexia and Miles did. She held tightly to the knowledge as she followed Sim through the house in shock. For the first time since her arrival, she really looked at her surroundings. It was a compound. Most likely it had been built before the polar shift by some apocalyptic nut job. Of course, at the time, it would’ve been of little use. When the ice came, no amount of preparation could have saved anyone. It hit hard and fast, leaving nothing unaffected. Even if they’d survived the initial wave of ice, they would’ve died of starvation in a matter of weeks. Still, the place was solidly built. Three long hallways with gray walls and several doors on each side branched off from a large central room. They hinted at the place’s ability to house quite a few inhabitants. With the doors closed, it almost felt institutional. On the other hand, the room in the center, where she’d been held when she first arrived, gave away a few hints someone had attempted to turn the place into a home. There was a hand-stitched blanket folded up on the back of the couch, and wedding photos on the side table. Several abstract paintings hung on the wall. Kiston silently noted they each appeared to have been created by the same artist.

None of those details helped to distract her as she’d hoped. When Sim reached the front door, she stopped, too, as if she’d simply disconnected from reality and was now allowing him to control her physical body while her mind took a break.

“You’re going to need this.” Sim swung a thick, fur-lined coat over her shoulders and pulled her arms through the sleeves as if dressing a child. She let it happen because she couldn’t make herself pull away. He didn’t meet her gaze. Somehow, Kiston knew he wouldn’t. It left her free to absorb every nuance of his features. The way the muscles flexed in his jaw clashed with the beauty of his mouth. His lips were full and perfectly shaped. His eyebrows slashed out at a dangerous angle, making him appear almost hawk-like. Sim was devastating, she realized with a start. If he should choose to do so he could wreck a woman.

When his eyes moved to hers, she couldn’t hold his stare. Instead, she focused on the hollow of his throat. An odd thought prickled at the back of her mind. What did that spot taste like? She swore her stomach was near to growling. She wanted to be horrified by the track her mind was taking. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t dredge up an ounce of regret. The coat stretched across her back, and she realized Sim was slowly tightening his hold on the lapels. Her gaze shot to his face. He was staring at her mouth. Lust slammed into her with a force that almost brought her to her knees. It was as unexpected as it was powerful. His nostrils flared. She wondered if he would kiss her.

“It’s cold outside.” He turned away as he pointed out the obvious. Disappointment was a heavy weight Kiston was more than accustomed to carrying. Doing what she always did, Kiston lied to herself. She was merely tired. It hadn’t been lust. The shock of the day’s events was finally catching up with her. She needed no one. It didn’t matter he thought she was insane. That final lie was a bit harder to swallow. It tasted like ash in her mouth. Sim kept up a litany on the topic of climate change and how no one bothered attempting to travel this far north any longer. Kiston listened to the entire speech with half an ear while turning the puzzle over in her mind. For a moment, she’d been certain there was a hint of heat in his glance. Perhaps it was only wishful thinking on her part. No doubt it was better this way, but she couldn’t pretend as if she didn’t want it. She hated herself for a moment. It was a heady thing—thinking of someone such as him touching her. The hardened body, moving as a predator would in front of her—would make any girl want. She needed to steer clear of him. There wasn’t much left of her to destroy as it was.

Tearing her eyes away from the jeans shaping his ass to perfection, Kiston tried concentrating on the scenery instead. Everything was white and boring. Her gaze drifted back to the material pulling tight across his firm rear. Tomorrow, she promised herself. She’d do better tomorrow after she’d slept and had some time to process. A cold blast of artic air whipped around them, blowing flakes of snow in her face. It almost cooled her body… almost. It was short-lived.

Going down on one knee, Sim swiped snow away from what appeared to be a steel door in the ground. With a sharp tug, he pulled it open. When it swung wide, lights flared to life inside the hole, revealing a set of stairs. He waved her inside. Kiston made the descent into what appeared to be some form of underground stronghold. The further down she went, the warmer the air became. She let the coat fall from her shoulders, and Sim was there, helping her shed the material. The fire simmering under her skin roared back to life. As he tugged at the coat, his cotton shirt stretched across his chest, revealing the hardened nipples beneath, and a deep valley between the pads of his chest. Her channel pulsed. A sigh rose in her throat. She tried coughing around the sound, masking it. His gaze flicked in her direction, but his flat expression never changed. It didn’t seem to matter to her stupid hormones. She curled her fingers into a fist to stop herself from touching him.

Sim froze. Kiston knew he was getting one hell of a readout from her body. She couldn’t help it. His gaze moved over her, making her skin burn everywhere it landed. Her breasts felt heavy. In an attempt to reel in her lust, she began a list of his faults. One: he didn’t like her. Two: he’d kidnapped her. Shit. That should’ve been number one. She mentally shrugged. Three: he thought she was crazy. That final one finally brought her in check again. As her temperature cooled, Sim resumed pulling off her jacket, muttering under his breath.

“You are a very confusing woman.”

“Yeah, well,” she growled, refusing to pretend as if she hadn’t heard him. “You should try being inside my head. It’s not looking too clear from here either.”

* * *

Sim was hard as a rock. He’d hoped the trek through the snow from the house to the underground facility would cool down his system. It hadn’t made a bit of difference. He tried to tell himself it was her fault. She was cranking out pheromones at a rate deadly for any male within sniffing distance. Damn. He really wanted to press his face to her skin and simply inhale. He knew her too well. Months of surveillance gave him a false sense of familiarity. After the way he’d all but said he thought she was insane, he didn’t doubt for a second if he attempted to touch her in any way she’d unman him in an instant. She’d already proved once today she had the skills to succeed. Unfortunately, the memory of the way she fought them only made her more attractive. Fuck. He’d been stuck in the wilds of no-fucking-where for way too long. Miles and Alexia had each other. Dez and Rep had whatever twisted thing it was they had. They were fucking each other in the head, but they still had one another. Sim was the odd man out. He could easily travel back to the city any time he liked. They had several transport drones in the hangar, but he didn’t want to go anywhere. Most likely, he was simply burnt out on life.

When Kiston poked him in the chest, Sim glanced at his internal clock. He’d been standing in the same spot staring into space for several minutes. Great. No doubt she thought he was a real winner. Stupid computerization. Sometimes he zoned out, updating or some shit.

He tried focusing on her as if he hadn’t drifted. “Yeah.”

She eyed him curiously but didn’t call him out. “I asked what this place is.”

“When it’s complete, this will be our new home.” Sim fell back on his knowledge of the area to regain his footing. “An aboveground facility can be spotted from the sky, and even though no one comes up here anymore, that doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen. Not to mention, the climate is unstable. Underground, we’re protected from detection and rapid weather shifts. There isn’t a technology that will penetrate the combination of ice, rock and mountain copper that shields us down here.” He glanced around at the high-tech medical supplies, weaponry and the latest developments in robot mechanics sitting alongside the most basic comforts of home. It was still hard for him to believe this would be their future.

Kiston wandered away, running her fingers along the steel-topped lab table. “It’s amazing.” He stared at the spot she touched, wondering what she saw he did not. Admittedly, it was a nice place. The walls gleamed bright from the mixture of Cobalt and Neutrinos powering the joint. Alexia had been adding her female touch and artwork. Nonetheless, it was empty. A rhythmic pounding drifted down the hall, making him glad he hadn’t said the final thought aloud. Kiston’s forehead furrowed. She followed the sound. Even though he’d already scanned the area and knew what she’d find, he still trailed after her.

A set of glass doors came into view, revealing a state-of-the-art gym. Dez fought an imaginary opponent in the form of targets that appeared at random, only disappearing when he scored a hit. It would reappear again in a different spot. The process repeated until it went through each level of expertise. Each level was faster and harder to track than the next. Dez didn’t appear winded in the least, but Sim could tell by how quickly the targets moved, he’d been at it a while. His face was set in hard lines. Sim didn’t need to scan his vitals to know his mood was as black as they came. It hung in the air, choking him. Kiston didn’t shy away.

She clapped. “Wow. You’re good.”

A smile appeared on Dez’s face. The air cleared. Dez liked people, and people liked Dez. It didn’t escape Sim’s notice that Kiston had already surmised as much and was using it against the man. He paused the training program but was too quick for it. Another target appeared, almost tagging him in the back. The angel tattoo separated from his skin, destroying the target before it had time to make contact. Sim snorted.

“Now you’re just showing out.”

Dez’s smirk was unrepentant.

Kiston was across the room in an instant. She ran her hand over the tattoo that now lay silent. “That is so cool. How does it work?”

Sim wanted to punch Dez. It was hardly Dez’s fault Kiston openly touched him, but it didn’t seem to matter. Sim wasn’t feeling especially rational.

“It’s an Instinctive Response defense system,” Dez explained, ignoring Sim’s ire. “Basically, it’s an extension to my weapons’ system. It’s programmed to constantly monitor my surroundings, along with my vitals, to provide maximum protection by comparing my environment against my natural instincts and overall well-being. If there’s a threat to my health or safety, it will protect me using whatever force necessary to keep me intact.”

Kiston leaned closer to his arm, inspecting it. She traced the line of its wings with her fingertip. Sim narrowed his eyes at Dez over the top of her head. Dez’s smile widened, doubling Sim’s desire to do him bodily harm.

“Can you control it?” At Kiston’s question, the angel wing currently enjoying her touch came to life, petting her back.

“It’s part of me,” Dez answered. “Even as it acts independently of my physical body, its every reaction is due to my instincts, but yes.” To prove his point, the angel changed shape, becoming a rose. It lifted from his skin, making Kiston react as Sim imagined most women would. She released a girlie sigh. Sim growled. The sound was so foreign that he glanced around the room wondering where it originated from before realizing it came from him. Kiston shot him an annoyed look. Dez’s face went blank. The design slid back into place, returning to an angel.

“Well. It’s truly amazing.” Kiston sounded almost regretful, obviously catching onto the tension in the room. Sim wanted to kick himself. This was the second time he’d felt her withdraw due to his temper. When she’d thrown his words back in his face as he’d tried to keep her from interfering in the ongoing Rep drama, he’d turned away. Her hurt had hit him full force. At the time, he’d made a mental note to keep a check on his anger in the future. Not even half-an-hour later and it was already out the window. Clasping his hands behind his back, Sim tried to to keep his stupidity to a minimum. He of all people knew what it was like to always be alone. He shouldn’t allow a hint of jealousy to alienate Kiston as well.

“You should show her your optics,” Sim suggested, pulling on his big-boy pants. “Dez has the latest technology all the way around. He was a lab rat.”

“That’s not nice,” Dez said with no real heat, before a luminous smile lit his face. “It’s true though. I handle all the new weapon’s testing for Cybernetics, or did handle. Now, I make my own toys.” Leaning over, he met Kiston’s gaze, and his eyes sped through a series of different colors as he explained each one’s use. After a few minutes of listening to their chatter, the tightness in Sim’s chest eased. He’d done the right thing. Both Dez and Kiston needed a friend.

Chapter 4

Rep paced the confines of his room for hours. He’d barely made it to the privacy of his bedroom before his temper snapped. Fucking Dez! When he’d heard the man come home over an hour ago, Rep had spent an hour listening to him shuffling around inside his room next door before the desire to kick a hole through the wall got the best of him. Pacing was a survival skill. It kept him sane. He couldn’t take any more.

Placing his hands flat against the wall, Rep turned inside himself. “Pull up the schematics.” A picture of the room next door appeared one line at a time inside his optics until Dez’s entire bedroom came to life as if he was standing inside. “Find him.” He didn’t need to be more specific. There was only one him for Rep, and this was a common occurrence.

A series of lights flickered, and a pulse began, taking on a human shape. “Use his energy path to bring up a holographic image.” Upon his order, an image of Dez appeared. His arms were crossed over his chest as he sat wide-kneed and slumped in a chair beside the window. “Is he sleeping?” A set of numbers appeared, giving him a solid fix on Dez’s brain waves.

It appears he is deep in thought, but awake.

“He’s sad. It’s my fault. What am I supposed to do?”

No data found.

That was the problem. He didn’t know the right answer. He hated himself for it, hated Dez for doing this to him ... again.

“Run a systems’ analysis. Isolate the system he is affecting by his mood. Use it to determine what his value is to me.” His computerization was advanced, more so than anyone else on their team. It took less than a second for his commands to be executed.

Cyborg Dez is necessary to your overall system health.

A wry smile twisted his lips. “I’d figured out as much on my own. Using that assessment, tell me what I should do.”

Protect him to ensure your survival.

“I don’t know how to do that,” Rep admitted under his breath.

Guard. No further action is needed at this time.

Rep blew out his breath. It didn’t help. He still wanted to punch the wall. As if Dez felt him there, his head lifted, and he stared at the spot on the wall where Rep stood on the other side. He would die to keep him safe. Beyond that, Rep didn’t know.

* * *

Kiston fell into an odd sort of routine. The first week of her stay, she spent every waking hour studying the case files Miles provided. To most people it may have seemed a tedious task, but when she combined the chore with Sim hovering over her every second, it became a challenge. In his defense, Kiston didn’t believe he intended to intrude. It was more that he was there and she was there. Possibly, there wasn’t enough space for the two of them on the planet now she knew of his existence.

She discovered too late that her desk sat cattycorner to the glass doors separating the lab from the gym. Sometimes she would catch him watching her during his workouts. It would take her a full minute to tear her gaze away. Each time—in the aftermath—she was left wondering if she was catching him, or if he’d caught her. His smoldering glances addled her brain until she no longer knew the truth.

When Sim made his tenth pass by her desk, Kiston’s nerves snapped. It was ten times too many. Slamming the file onto her desk, she growled. “I can’t keep borrowing Alexia’s clothes.” Sim paused mid step, foot half raised, wearing an expression of complete confusion. He shrugged, causing his shirt to strain against his muscles.

“Clothes are clothes. What difference does it make as long as you are covered?” She eyed his worn jeans, booted feet, and stopped. She didn’t have the strength to lift her gaze from his waist.

“Clothes mean a great deal to women.” Her muttered statement seemed to confuse him even more.

“You don’t seem the type to care.”

Kiston spent a few seconds trying to decide if she was insulted. On one hand, she didn’t usually care, but she also wasn’t sure if he meant it was because she took no care in her dress. For fuck’s sake. He drove her insane. She settled on a bit of the truth. “Maybe I just need an excuse to take a break from this place.”

His features cleared. “Why didn’t you simply say as much? I’ll take you to gather your things.”

Kiston scrambled out from behind the desk. She wasn’t the type to sit indoors all day and doing so was suffocating her. For years, she’d visited her patients in their homes. It was freeing. The thought of her patients going without proper care in her absence sent her mood spiraling. She needed to get a message to Zephyr. Would anyone even notice she was gone? Her mood went from bleak to black. This was why she shouldn’t be allowed too much time to think. There was no happiness in the recesses of her mind.

“Please stop. It’s like you’re sitting on my chest. Your silent pain hurts me.”

Kiston focused on Sim’s face. He was halfway through tucking her arms inside her coat, and she’d been so lost in her dark thoughts, she hadn’t noticed. She’d simply zoned out. It happened sometimes when she least expected it, reminding her she was human.

“Why do you always dress me?” It hadn’t occurred to her to ask before now. She’d let it go on because she feared he would stop if she ever drew attention to it. But today, she needed to know.

“Because I enjoy it,” he answered, as if it should have cleared up everything. In a way, she supposed it did. She relished the time he spent touching her, giving her contact with another human. No one touched her. As much as she’d like to think she’d never noticed the loss, she had. If he liked doing this for her, for whatever reason, then she was happy to allow it to continue. These moments had a side benefit as well. They gave her a chance to study his face up close, without an ounce of guilt. Sometimes she would make excuses to go outside just so she could steal another chance. Each time he finished zipping her coat, their gazes would meet. She craved those seconds out of every day. Holding her breath in anticipation, she waited for the moment to come. When it came, his heated stare held her transfixed. He lingered.

“I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anything as much as I want you.” Complete horror froze Kiston’s tongue to the roof of her mouth as she realized she’d said the words aloud. Any hope she held that things couldn’t get worse fled the moment Sim turned his back to her, ignoring her confession. She felt sick. It would have hurt less if he’d hit her. Well … maybe not, but it hurt pretty damn bad. Why did she have to be so awkward? Other people made it through entire days without ever making a fool of themselves. It was unfair.

No longer sure if she should follow him, her feet refused to budge. Sim made it five steps before realizing she wasn’t moving. In a few short strides, he was hovering over her. He was unreadable. She hated it. No matter how stupid she felt, she absolutely refused to take it back. As he held her stare, the tightness in her chest eased. He wasn’t rejecting her. He simply wasn’t accepting her. Even though it wasn’t a huge distinction, it was enough to allow her to breathe again.

“You’re allowed to want,” he said finally. “As a matter of fact, as selfish as it sounds, I can’t help but to hope I’m at the top of the list. But I don’t have the same luxury. The second you find what you’re looking for, you’ll be out of here. I know from experience it’s so much easier to wonder what you’ve lost than to know.” This time when he moved away, she followed. He was right, of course. The day would come when she would return to her life. How could she not? Who would fight for the Lilys of the world if she didn’t? She would take the fantasy of him to bed with her at night and pray the real one didn’t destroy her.

The trip to Kiston’s home, in the Border-Zone on the outer edge of Cryo, was mercifully quick via drone. Nonetheless, she still told herself more times than she could count that Sim had made the best decision for them both. Best she let him go now. She’d been alone for years. It was a lifestyle that should’ve fit better, considering how broken in it was, but it chafed.

There wasn’t a system to her packing. She moved through her tiny one-bedroom apartment snagging clothes at random. Hopefully, she wouldn’t need much. The clothing hadn’t been the main purpose for this trip anyhow. Sim’s eyes never stopped moving as he scanned for possible threats. She didn’t miss the way he kept his arms loose, and his feet braced as if expecting an attack at any moment. It set her on edge, making her rush. Even though she knew if she was truly in danger the threat didn’t originate from anyone in the A.I. community. More likely, it was someone seeking to damage the Androids’ chances of gaining freedom by making it appear as if a droid had harmed their biggest human supporter. She couldn’t allow it to happen. With the help of the Cyborgs, she would uncover the truth. In the meantime, Sim would keep her safe. She did her best to hurry in hopes of not making his job any harder than necessary.

Digging through the top drawer of her dresser, she hid her triumph as her fingers closed around the voice transponder Zephyr had given her. It was programmed to work for her alone. There was only one other like it, and it was in his possession. She needed to be able to keep in touch with him at all times. It wasn’t as if she thought the Cyborgs wouldn’t let her leave, if she chose to do so but it paid to be prepared, just in case. Slipping it in her pocket, she slung her cargo backpack over her shoulders and headed for the closet. After snagging her spare medical bag, she met Sim at the door.

“I think I’m ready.” Instead of heading out, the way she expected, his eyes moved over her face

“Are we okay?”

Kiston could feel the emotions draining from her face as she attempted to keep her expression blank. She had her pride. One humiliation was enough for the day. “Of course. Why wouldn’t we be?” She was a bit proud of how steady her voice sounded. It wasn’t a complete lie. Tomorrow she would be fine even if it killed her.

* * *

Sim tried to tell himself watching Kiston was a habit. The months he’d spent observing her every move had him programmed to the point he couldn’t stop. Having her under the same roof changed nothing for Sim. Coming here seemed to have changed nothing for Kiston as well. She still worked too much. It was a different job in a different landscape, but she was the same—focused.

Each day she leaned over the temporary desk she’d been assigned until the bones in her back popped. The second Alexia slept soundly each night, Miles joined her, pouring over thousands of news clips. Sim didn’t doubt their combined genius would eventually find the answer.

She would leave. His mind shied away from the idea. In the meantime, she needed a keeper. Otherwise, she’d never rest. She barely ate as it was. He could do that for her without getting too close. With the idea in the forefront of his mind, he moved to set it in action. After a quick trip to the house, he was back, hovering over her desk once more.

Sim stood in her light, casting a shadow over her notes. When she glanced up, it took every ounce of his strength to keep his expression blank. Her blue eyes always punched him in the chest.

“Are you missing the sun yet?”

Her gaze moved over his face as if trying to decipher his question. “Yes,” she answered finally.

He set a wicker basket on the only empty space on her desk, showing her the lunch he’d packed inside. “Would you like to see it again?”

Her face lit. “Yes.”

“Let’s go then.”

Kiston stood, falling into step beside him as he steered her toward the opposite end of the facility. Due to its massive size, it took a few minutes to reach their destination. In spite of having pulled two yeses from her, it was obvious she still wasn’t speaking to him—a stance she’d made clear since he’d taken her to gather a few things from her apartment. It was one hell of an interrogation technique. He rarely spoke, yet he wanted to confess all. Somehow, he held onto a majority of his thoughts, but just like holding sand, a few grains still slipped out.

“I was the sole person in charge of your surveillance.” She didn’t respond. “It’s odd, because I find myself wanting to talk to you about certain things, and then I remember you don’t know me as I know you.”

Their destination came into view. Kiston gasped. He’d done the right thing. Being indoors all day went against Kiston’s nature. The climate in Dead-Zone made it impossible to go outside for longer than a simple trek from one building to the next. Thankfully, the outdoors could easily be recreated indoors with the right equipment. The large antechamber was the exact replica of a park that had been nearby before the ice came. Artificial light, high-tech irrigation and leading industry machinery kept it maintained with very little effort on their part.

Finding a green strip of grass, Sim snagged a small blanket from inside the basket and spread it out for her. He set the basket at one end, leaving an empty spot large enough for her to stretch out if she decided to.

“If you want to talk to me, then tell me something about yourself.”

Sim recognized Kiston’s olive branch for what it was and grasped hold. Unfortunately, as he watched her sit cross-legged on the blanket, he automatically squatted down hoping to stay as close as possible. In his distraction, he admitted more than he ever would have under different circumstances.

“I think about you a lot, way more than I should.” As he realized what he said, Sim made a move to stand. Obviously, he needed to leave. Kiston’s fingers brushed his forearm — that’s all it took to keep him in place.

“What do you think about me?”

It wasn’t as if he could make it worse. “I think about how you spend too much time alone, and I don’t like it. Sometimes I wonder if you have a favorite color and what you smell like when you laugh.” Thankfully, Kiston didn’t mock him.

“Do people smell differently when they laugh?”

He shrugged. He’d never considered it before her. “I don’t know, but I think about it.” A blush touched her cheeks. She dipped her head as if attempting to hide it, but he caught sight of it, along with her tiny smile, before she had the chance block his view. It was an expression he could easily become addicted to seeing. Standing, he left her to enjoy her lunch before he said anything else he couldn’t take back. Unfortunately, as soon as he was out of sight, regret settled in. No good could come of having answered her question.

* * *

She was a dancing bear. Kiston came to this grand conclusion while listening to Rep and Dez’s good-natured banter. Not that it had anything to do with them. It merely gave her too much time alone with her private thoughts when the pair were otherwise engaged. Sim had given her just enough attention, and she’d be willing to do anything for more since she’d arrived almost two months earlier. She hated it. She couldn’t stop. For several days after his surprise picnic, Sim completely disappeared. That is, if she didn’t count the notes he left in her desk drawer each day, telling her the new thoughts he’d experienced the night before. Sometimes it was questions he had about her. Other times it was general musings about life. Either way, she lived for every word.

It was hard for Kiston to look at Sim and see the same person who wrote to her each night. In person, even after he’d stopped hiding, he rarely acknowledged her presence. The whole experience felt like a bad joke, especially since it was at her expense. Tearing her mind away from the man who was currently using her office to do some computer-ran therapy on his arm.

Kiston stared at Dez and Rep’s bare chests. The glorious expanse of male perfection inside the weapon’s testing room was sickening. Valleys, planes and rippling muscles were everywhere she looked. It was like a candy shop for grownups. What was wrong with Sim’s arm? Nope. She wasn’t going there. It wasn’t her business. She concentrated harder on the men in front of her.

Dez eyed the tube of unidentified liquid in his hand. Shrugging, he swiped a handful of the stuff up his arm. It disappeared. Not really. His arm was still there, but it changed colors, mimicking his surroundings and camouflaging it. Dez, understandably surprised by the results, shook his arm as if scared it really wasn’t there any longer. A few drops of the mystery concoction went flying, hitting Rep square in the face.

“Holy shit!” Rep yelled, bending at the waste and covering his eyes. The fact that he was laughing in spite of the situation, was—most likely—the only thing keeping Dez in place. His shocked expression, as he stared at Rep, bordered on hilarious. He shook his head as if trying to dispel a haze.

“Let me see,” he said, tugging Rep in close and prying his hands away. Kiston couldn’t tear her gaze from them. Dez’s fingers fanned Rep’s cheek as he inspected the man for damage. The angel crawled from his arm to his chest, growing in size as it went, until it spanned the entire width. She puzzled over the action until the truth dawned on her. It sought to protect Dez’s heart. Rep chuckled again. The angel spread its wings wider, doing its best to keep Dez safe from an invisible foe.

“That shit hit me right in the eye. Is it invisible now?” he asked, turning his head slightly and leaning even closer.

The expression on Dez’s face made the muscles in Kiston’s stomach tense. Her mind screamed for him to close the small gap separating him from Rep. No one in their right mind would turn away from what Dez openly offered—everything.

“It’s still there. Gorgeous as always.” Dez’s voice made the hair on Kiston’s arms stand on end. She would give anything to hear someone speak to her in just that tone. Rep took a step back. His smile remained in place as he scrubbed at his eye again. Dez’s hand fell away. Kiston swallowed past the lump in her throat.

“Well. That’s bullshit. This stuff is useless to us if our eyes are still giving away our position.”

Dez shrugged but didn’t respond. Kiston didn’t need a computer in her head to scan his brainwaves or an ounce of psychic ability to know Dez didn’t respond because he couldn’t. He moved to the next test item, obviously doing his best to pretend as if nothing had happened. It didn’t matter. Kiston could feel his pain. She ground her back teeth against the sensation. The sting of rejection burned her skin every bit as much as it did Dez. She knew someone, somewhere, had to know what it felt like to possess the one thing they wanted most in life. Unfortunately, Dez would never be one of those people, and neither would she. It would serve her well to remember it. In that moment, she promised herself she would stay away from Sim.

* * *

For a solid week, Kiston kept her promise to herself to stay away from Sim. Instead, she spent every spare minute of her time with Dez, who was quickly becoming her favorite person. After all, lost souls needed to stick together. They had a bit of a silent truce. He never said a word when he caught her eyeing Sim as if he could be her next meal, and she kept her mouth shut when he did everything possible to catch Rep’s eye. Rep seemed to spend a great deal of time with Dez. She wanted to hate him. It was impossible. Every time Rep came near, it was with a new and inventive way to make Dez laugh. Laughter is the drug of champions, and he had Dez hooked. If there was a way to solve their dilemma, she couldn’t find it. Rep was perfect, and Dez didn’t stand a chance. She couldn’t find a single thing to dislike about him other than he didn’t love Dez in return. Life was so unfair.

Miles and Alexia were still—for the most part—a mystery to her. Even though she spent a great deal of time in the underground bunker, she still rarely saw them when she was above ground. On her stomach, her chin resting on her hands, Kiston watched from her spot on the bed as Dez added a second coat of paint infused with copper to his new bedroom walls. Eventually, they would all move underground, but Dez would be the first one to make the switch as soon as he finished the final touches.

“Where do Miles and Alexia go during the day?”

A dimple appeared at the corner of Dez’s mouth as he glanced over his shoulder at her. “Nowhere. They sort of migrate from her art studio to their bedroom.” His answer confirmed her thoughts on all the paintings scattered around. They were all done by the same artist. Dez shrugged before adding, “They prefer their privacy. Before Alexia, Miles spent his entire life as an ongoing experiment, always under the microscope. Afterwards,” he shrugged again. “It’s lucky if I see him an hour out of every week. They’re happy in their lot.” Dez paused before adding, “It makes me sick. Not really,” he tacked on as if fearing Kiston’s opinion.

She laughed in spite of herself. At the sound, Dez shot a sheepish look over his shoulder. “That’s a lie. It really does make me sick. I guess that’s one of the biggest reasons I’m in such a rush to get down here. Of course, I know we’ll all eventually end up here, so it’s only a temporary reprieve, but still. Seeing anyone happy and functioning normally makes me want to break shit. It’s not fair to them, and I suppose it makes me a bad person.”

“Fuck that.” Kiston growled, taking even herself by surprise with her vehemence. “I totally begrudge everyone their happiness. My whole life I’ve done everything for the benefit of others. It seems so wrong I wasn’t chosen to find my other half. I call foul and total fucking bullshit on all of it. It’s completely reasonable for me to be sickened by every damn ounce of happiness other people have.” By the time she finished her hate-filled speech, Dez was roaring with laughter. Gasping for air, he wiped his eyes on his sleeve.

“Oh what a bitter pair we make.”

It was funny, but, then again, it wasn’t. “Can you keep a secret?” she asked, unable to be completely alone any longer.

“For you? Always.”

She hoped he didn’t come to regret those words. “There’s no reason at all for me to be here. I already know what the droids are planning.” Dez’s face went blank. She knew she was splitting his loyalties by confiding in him. He opened his mouth before closing it again several times as if having a hundred different thoughts and discarding each.

Finally, he settled on one. “Do you know anything that could hurt anyone? I mean, do you think we could stop the revolution from happening with what you know?”

“No.” Kiston was glad she could put his mind to ease on one point.

“All right then.” He went back to painting as if she hadn’t made a terrible confession. She realized he wasn’t judging, nor did he intend to tell anyone. The tightness in her chest eased. Maybe being here was a slow torture, but she couldn’t seem to make herself take the final step to leave. Just as there wasn’t enough room for both Sim and her in the world, neither was there such a thing as too close. She couldn’t give him up. Not yet.

* * *

Curiosity always caused bad things to happen to Kiston. It came in second to minding her own business, so really, she couldn’t be faulted for ending up watching Sim again. She’d been screwed either way. Of course, as she eyed the cotton workout shorts and muscled calves of deliciousness filling the lab, Kiston decided she would blame Dez. After all, he’d been the one who’d taken a chunk out of his skin while testing some shady-looking boomerang he’d created. The damn thing had been out of control. Now, here she was, supposedly searching for a bandage while actually eating Sim alive with her gaze.

She been walking past. There wasn’t a thing she needed from this particular room. If she didn’t count Sim, of course. That was one big ‘if’. She told herself it was his arm. If she could help in a doctorly fashion, then she should. It was a lie. The biggest one she’d told herself in a long time. It was the view.

“What’s wrong with your arm?”

He didn’t turn around as he answered, nor did he sound surprised she was there. “My body didn’t want to accept it at first. Now, even though it’s synthetic, the muscles stiffen sometimes. I have to do a combination of exercises and circuit therapy until the spell passes, but it will. It always does.”

“Oh.” She couldn’t fix that nor could she move. The wide expanse of Sim’s back held her captive. Each muscle rolled, contracting and relaxing in time with his every movement. Without thought, she flattened her palm against his spine. She didn’t even realize her hand had moved until the warmth of his skin penetrated her fogged mind.

He stiffened beneath her touch. She dropped her hand. There was a possibility she needed to apologize for getting handsy, but she couldn’t force her tongue to shape that lie. If she hadn’t caressed his skin, she would’ve spent the rest of her life wondering what he felt like. Surely no one could blame her for the need to experience it one time.

He slowly turned around and met her gaze. The breath caught in the back of her throat at his expression. His eyes flashed dangerously, and the line of his jaw flexed as if he was grinding his back teeth.

“Fuck me.” The whispered sigh fell from her lips before she could call it back.

His countenance didn’t change. “Only if you promise to still respect me in the morning.”

With her brain addled by his bare torso, Kiston merely blinked. “What?”

He sighed. “I see your problem. How does one go about still respecting someone when they give into the first sexual demand so easily?”

A bit of her confusion cleared away. “Oh. You’re fucking with me.”

Sim didn’t show any physical reaction to lend truth to her theory. “No. We were still discussing the terms of my surrender.”

She was at a loss. Even though she was certain he knew her curse had been an exclamation over his masculine perfection, she could never tell when he was joking. It was one of the biggest drawbacks of always being surrounded by A.I.s. Whether their computerization was whole or in part, they were expert poker players. After a moment, he finally shook his head. “Relax, Dr. Beck. I’m not quite as easy as all that.”

Even though she’d lost her chance to take advantage of him, a shot of happiness still ran through her. It manifested in a wide grin, tugging at the corners of her mouth, almost making her cheeks ache.

“You called me ‘doctor’.”

His gaze dropped to her mouth, and his features shifted. She still couldn’t read him, but she felt the change in his mood like it was an electric charge between them. He didn’t look away from her mouth.

“You’re a smart woman. Far be it for me to begrudge you that.”

Funny. She felt like an idiotic mess with him staring at her the way he was now. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t string two intelligent words together. “I’m sorry. You keep staring at my mouth. It’s disconcerting.”

Obviously not the least bit shamed by her calling him out, he didn’t lift his gaze. “It’s your sheer brilliance. It’s intriguing. When you smile, I can’t seem to look away. I don’t want to miss seeing your lips shape whatever smart-ass thing you’re thinking.” He met her stare. “Once there, I catch myself wondering what they feel like. They look soft.”

Suddenly, she wanted him to know. Since it was her mouth, she never considered its texture, but if she understood anything, it was how curiosity was a heady thing. It could easily drive a person insane. Even as she reached for his hand and brought it to her mouth, she couldn’t stop studying his features, searching for any change. She knew if she could see it happen, then she’d know what to watch for the next time.

“Knowledge is power,” she explained as she slid the pads of his fingertips along her bottom lip, attempting to assuage his curiosity. With his eyes locked on his task, he traced the seam of her lips once more before coming to rest at the slight dip in the center of her bottom lip. Her nipples reacted as if the caress had been meant for them. Her channel pulsed, pleading for his attention. His nostrils flared. Despite knowing nothing good could come of it, Kiston’s tongue still shot out, swiping his fingertip. When he inched closer, she drew it into her mouth, curling her tongue around it and sucking lightly. Using the pull of her mouth against her, Sim lured her even closer.

If any part of her mind guessed at his intentions, she was beyond hearing it. He didn’t give her any warning before opening his mouth over hers and replacing his finger with his tongue. He tasted sweet as if he’d been eating fruit. She heard what sounded like mewling. It took her a minute to realize the noise came from her. In her mind, she was a step ahead of this game. In her head, he was seconds away from claiming her body. Her girlie bits were cheering her on and slickening for his arrival.

Now she’d tasted him, she wanted him inside her. In comparison to this moment with Sim, there was none.

* * *

Sim’s dick was beating a drum against the waistband of his shorts. The woman in his arms had taken him from curious to leaking in his pants in a matter of seconds. When her tongue touched the tip of his finger, he’d known then he had to find out what those taste buds felt like scraping along his cock as she took him down her throat. But he wasn’t an animal, nor was he a machine. He wasn’t ruled by desires or logic. For Sim, it was about his sense of what was right and just. Kiston was a respectable woman. She deserved to be treated as such. Not to mention, he’d only been half joking when he’d asked if she would respect him in the morning.

There were a lot of women out there who sought out men such as him. Not that he really believed Kiston possible of such a thing. He’d watched her for months, and he hadn’t seen her with a single man, human or droid. However, they were out there. They wanted the logical perfection of computerization in their bed without the shame that came along with sleeping with an android. Unfortunately, they almost always still hated themselves afterwards, and Sim had no desire to be used as a plaything. Plus, it was Kiston. If she turned out to be one of those women, it would bother him. It would matter. She mattered. If she shut him out completely, he would lose a dream. He hadn’t dared to dream before.

The realization had him pushing her away. He’d meant to do it gently, but in his haze of lust, he forgot his own strength and sent her sliding a few feet away. Thankfully, she snagged the edge of the table to stay upright. Unfortunately, her hipbone caught the corner with an audible thud.

In Sim’s head, it was akin to fireworks exploding. Several lights fired to life all at once across his optics, picking up her vitals and catching sight of the endorphins rushing through her bloodstream to dull the pain. He knew it had to hurt like a motherfucker, but she didn’t react the way he expected.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” He didn’t know what else to say, and he panicked. She wasn’t there. Sim didn’t know how else to explain her reaction. The mixture of hormones proved she was in pain, but she didn’t react in any way. She simply stared at the corner of the room, unblinking. When he reached for her, she snapped out of her daze, backing away before he could touch her. In the wake of her reaction, he chose the dumbass road.

“Just realized you were kissing a machine, did you? Well. No worries. It was as you suggested. Knowledge is power and my curiosity is assuaged. It won’t happen again.” With every word, he could see Kiston’s spine stiffening.

“I see,” she said, sounding almost thoughtful. “I do believe I’ve overstayed my welcome.” Even as she spoke, Sim was still trying to reason out the statement. “I’ll leave you to finish your therapy.”

He stared at her closed expression, trying to decide if she meant to leave him for good. She took two steps toward the door. It was two steps too many.

“Wait,” Sim called, reaching out to snag her arm before she could get away. “Don’t leave yet.”

“You’re busy.” She wouldn’t look at him. Her gaze landed somewhere over his shoulder. He didn’t know how to fix things. No matter how hard he tried, Sim never seemed to express himself well.

“You’re injured,” he said, for lack of anything more. Without giving her a chance to deny it, he tugged at the hem of her shirt. Kiston squeaked. There was no other way he could describe the noise she made as she fought to push her shirt down. He didn’t allow it. Her jeans still blocked his view of the hip she’d bumped. Sim wouldn’t rest until he knew for sure she was okay. Growling in frustration, he unbuttoned her jeans. Kiston’s muscles tensed under his touch as if she couldn’t believe his nerve. She hadn’t seen nerve yet if she thought to deny him.

No doubt he was over-stepping his bounds, but she’d already proven she couldn’t be trusted to handle her own care. When he slid down her zipper, the fight left her. A flash of red lace caught his eye before he eased it down her hip, doing his best not to hurt her. It was already turning purple along the bone. He brushed his fingertips over it. Her hands fluttered to his chest. Chill bumps rose beneath the pads of his fingers. The breath caught at the back of her throat, sounding like a bomb dropping to Sim’s ears. He froze.

Shifting his focus from the skin he’d bared for inspection to Kiston’s face, Sim called himself five different kinds of fool. This time it was her staring at his mouth. Her lips were slightly parted and swollen from their earlier kiss.

“I lied. It will happen to again,” Sim warned before covering her mouth with his. For the first time in memory, Sim didn’t receive a single command to help lead his actions. He couldn’t grasp a single thought in the face of his raw emotions. Hooking her waist, he dragged Kiston closer. He deepened their kiss as his fingers slipped inside her jeans. The sounds she made around his tongue drove him insane. The heavy ache between his legs was nothing compared to the desire to feel her come undone beneath his touch. The first brush of her wet folds caused his muscles to clench and his cock to twitch in time with each stroke of her clit. He swore her pleasure was his. When he dipped the tip of his finger inside her channel, she tightened her muscles around the digit. He had to turn away from her kiss and bury his face in her hair. It was every bit as powerful as if she was squeezing his dick with muscles instead of his finger. He could picture her straddling his hips. He increased the pressure on the tiny nub crying for his attention.

“Sim.” The strangled cry of his name fell from her lips as her body tensed. A spasm rocked her, causing lights to explode behind his optics. He could barely breathe. The way he felt about her went beyond words. It was too much. She would leave him. Pain punched him in the chest. The intense wave sent his system on alert, searching for a source to explain the emotional blow. Kiston shook. Her ragged breathing brushed across his ear. All the sensations would soon be gone. He’d be left nothing. It would kill him.

“I wish I didn’t want you.” He didn’t realize he’d said the words aloud until Kiston went stiff in his arms. Her palms flattened against his chest and lingered for only a moment before pushing him away. Try as he might, between his pain and lust, Sim couldn’t think of a way to explain the way he felt.

He wanted to not care. One day soon she’d have to choose. How could he live with her leaving him? How could he live with knowing she had chosen him over her own life? She’d fought for years for a cause close to her heart. It made her who she was. How could he steal it? His silence drove a wedge between them, making it harder for him to find his footing. She straightened her clothes while refusing to look at him. When she was back to rights, he finally got his first good look at her expression. It was dead. There was no sparkle to her eyes, not even the flush of her orgasm lingering between them.

“I’m through dancing.”

Sim had no idea what she meant. He knew she was gone before he had time to ask.

* * *

She was such an idiot. Jump through the hoop, dancing bear. Wave at the crowd, dancing bear. Get back in your cage, dancing bear. Kiston kept up the litany, until in her race to get away, she slammed into the solid wall of Dez’s chest. She met his gaze, hoping against hope she wouldn’t cry. Damn. She hated women who cried. His hands encircled her upper arms as if he expected she would collapse or bolt.

“I can’t stay here.” Even to Kiston the whispered words came out sounding desperate. She didn’t care. She was long past the point of worrying over anyone’s opinion. A sympathetic look passed over his face before he glanced away, hiding his reaction, but she knew. If anyone understood her position, it was Dez.

“All right. Where would you like to go?”

“Are you really going to help me?”

His expression had gone flat again. “Of course.”

“I want to go home.”

Linking his fingers through hers, Dez pulled her toward the stairs, muttering every step of the way. “You’re going to get me killed.” No matter what he claimed, the idea didn’t seem to slow him any. Kiston had never been more thankful. That is until his next words. “The quickest way out is through Miles. It’s time to spill the beans, my dear.” Rep seemed to appear out of thin air, falling into step behind them.

“Where we headed?”

“To ruin Sim’s life,” Dez answered without glancing back.

“Sweet. I’m in.”

Kiston could only shake her head at the pair.

By the time they made it to Miles’ office, she’d calmed her racing heart as much as possible. Rep made it there first. After sticking his head in the doorway, he still rapped his knuckles on the doorframe and waited until Miles gave them permission to enter. The moment they finished filing into the room, Kiston didn’t hesitate.

“I believe I have deciphered your mystery.”

Chapter 5

It always amazed Rep how quickly Miles could spring into action when given the proper motivation. Kiston’s announcement had certainly been one of those times. In a matter of seconds, he had all the images, security footage and news clips up on the wall, ready to go. Kiston jumped right into her explanation.

“As you know, I started out trying to decide what the point of these attacks are. They didn’t seem to have a point. So I went back over all the reports, concentrating closely on each bomber to see if they had anything in common.”

Rep thought she was brilliant. No one had known how the victims had died. It made sense that no one would’ve thought to compare the notes of those exact victims.

“Each of them had undergone some form of robotic fusion in the months before their death. In other words, nanoids had been introduced to their systems. The first bomber had the lowest dose, and the amount increased from there. Normally, this common factor wouldn’t set off any alarms except we already know they have a connection to one another, and this is another link. Some people believe there’s no such thing as a coincidence. Science says there’s absolutely no such thing as two coincidences.” She glanced around, giving everyone a chance to argue before adding, “When I compared the nanoids in their system to one another, they matched so closely they had to have come from the same batch.”

Miles leaned back in his chair, appearing thoughtful, but Rep was incapable of containing his curiosity. “Is it possible to control humans through nanotechnology?”

Kiston shook her head. “Every mind is different. The complexity of such a task isn’t feasible.”

Rep hoped she had a theory then because he had no idea why this mattered. “I’m not sure I understand the significance of this connection.”

She took a deep breath as if steeling her strength. “Because I knew the moment I saw that detail on their autopsy report, that even though these were suicide missions, they weren’t extremist. They were tests.”

His confusion grew. “For what?”

“A robotic society.”

Rep blinked. “I don’t follow.”

“It’s sort of an A.I. urban legend,” she explained. “Over the years, many ideas have been kicked around about how to solve the issue of rights. In theory, if you inject enough nanoids into the human body, they will fuse with the organs. We would still be human, obviously, but impervious to disease, and bio chemicals would have no effect on us. Our system would filter out contaminants the way a cyborg or android would. A robotic society. Some believe if you make every living being on earth partially robotic, then no one can argue we’re not equal.”

Miles nodded, even as his usual emotionless countenance remained in place. Only his fingers brushing Alexia’s hand, until she turned her palm up to link fingers with him, showed any sign he felt at all. Nonetheless, Rep still knew Miles and could read the tiny nuances others might not see. He knew, somehow, Kiston’s statement explained everything to his satisfaction. Sometimes it was tiresome being surrounded by genius.

“The thing is,” Kiston added, “it’s always been widely believed that it can’t really be done. The amount of nanos needed to be effective against a chemical war, something robots would easily survive, would be a million times too strong for a human to survive.” She moved to the images on the wall. “Miles, please add that one odd piece of footage you found. The one with random victims.”

A new feed began. It was shaky, jumping from image to image as if the recording device used had a dying energy cell. It had obviously been captured by a human caught in the fray as hundreds of droids filled the street. At first, it appeared as if they were slaughtering people as they went. Several humans fell to the ground in their wake, except, instead of physically taking each person down, they seemed to be injecting them with something as they passed. She pointed to the frozen picture of one male during the injection process, zooming in to show the needle as it entered the skin before zooming out again. “They are injecting people with nanoids. The containment cylinders used for such an infusion are extremely unique, easily recognized. I believe, somehow, they’ve found a way. The suicide bombers were testing the levels needed to survive a Bio bomb while sending out a warning, proving how weak we are as humans. They are giving us a choice.”

To prove her point, she had Miles start the feed so they could see the man who’d been injected stand up a few moments later, perfectly fine. Kiston switched her attention to the pictures of humans falling dead from extremist bombings. She waved her finger between the two to emphasize her point.

“Convert or die.”

Rep scoffed, not at her words but at the idea. “That sounds like a threat, not a warning.”

“I think it’s both, considering who they’re targeting with their bombings. “Convert or die, but antagonists need not apply.”

Miles finally spoke. “You do realize that carrying out such a plan would require two phases.”

“The dying part,” Kiston said wryly. “You’d have to have something to threaten the public with. Something hidden yet capable of causing a panic, making people choose life no matter what. The bio bombs in these videos were the size of a stylus. Imagine one the size of a building.”

“Dear God,” Dez breathed. “It would kill everyone on the planet.”

“Not the people who have converted to computerization,” Rep said, finally understanding the whole picture. Leaning forward, he added, “I would think the real question here is, does such a bomb exist?”

“I think we have to assume anything is possible. After all, I didn’t believe a nano-influx existed either. But in theory, a robotic society is beyond genius. I mean, think about what it could mean. I’ve been fighting for droid rights for a long time. People are not budging, and I seriously doubt they ever will, but if we’re all robotic, then no one is, you know? If I took that argument to court, who would stand against me? Who will decide which percentage of micro-robotics someone has to fall within to still be considered human? What will happen if even one government official loses their rights with a new law set by that percentage system? If I walk into the World Union building armed with that argument, how long do you think they’ll hold out with everyone eyeing everyone else, wondering if they could be next?”

“They’d fold within a week,” Rep said, biting back a laugh. It wasn’t really funny at all. Many humans wouldn’t survive, and death was never a good thing, but it would be a nice bit of karma where the government was concerned, in theory.

Kiston bowed her head, appearing lost for a moment, before meeting their gaze again. “As much as I hate the way the world is, I would never wish death on so many people. I’ve always wanted to change minds, but in a democratic way. Otherwise, that resentment will always linger, passed on to future generations. With that said, the A.I. community chose the right advocate in me, because I will take that argument to the court if it comes to it. Until then, this is all hypothetical crap no one will listen to. With nothing more than some old wives’ tales and some grainy video footage to back up my theory, no one will listen to this argument. Bringing it to public light would only cause paranoia and make life harder for anyone with an ounce of computerization. If that’s what you expect of me, then I’m sorry, because I won’t do it.”

Rep sympathized with her position. Miles nodded as if he felt the same while Dez stared at the toes of his shoes making Rep wonder at his thoughts. Of course, that wasn’t a new experience for Rep. He was always wanting to shake the man’s thoughts from his head.

“I only agreed to stay here temporarily,” Kiston said, reminding them of her terms and forcing Rep’s eyes away from Dez. It seemed it was time for the ruining-Sim’s-life part of the meeting.

* * *

“So,” Kiston said, dragging out the word, and not a bit surprised by the nervous note to her voice, especially since no one seemed to be taking a hint. “Now I’ve done what I came here to do, I think it’s time I go home.”

“And what about you?” Miles asked, ignoring her words. “If this bomb is really out there somewhere, you’ll be forced to choose. Will you convert or die?”

“I guess when the day comes, I’ll just have to figure it out, but until then, I have a life I should get back to. If I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that I can’t live my life in fear.”

Alexia pulled a sad face. “I was so hoping you would be here for the baby’s delivery.” She’d held onto her silence throughout Kiston’s explanation. Thankfully, Alexia didn’t seem upset by her theory. No doubt she felt secure in the knowledge Miles would keep her safe no matter what happened to the rest of the world. A pang of jealousy hit Kiston in the chest. It wasn’t fair to Alexia.

Kiston moved to her side and stooped down to look in her in the eye. “I’ve already given Miles the supplies he’ll need to keep you in comfort, and he really is the best person for you in this. It’s as much his experience as it is yours. He will make it beautiful. Please, Alexia?” Kiston allowed a hint of her personal pain to leak into her voice. “Very few people ever have what you do. Share it, revel in it, and bring this baby into the world, straight into the arms of the two people who will love him the most.” Alexia’s eyes were filled with tears as she gave Kiston a small nod. Kiston moved for the door before anyone came up with anything else for her to do.

Dez and Rep followed on her heels. “I’m going to run her home.” At Dez’s announcement, Rep jumped on board immediately. “I’ll go with you for extra protection.”

Kiston reached behind her pulling out the transponder from her back pocket as she went. She’d kept it with her at all times since Sim had taken her to gather her things, but hadn’t been able to bring herself to use it. Now, she touched it to her lips. “I’m coming home. I’ll see you tomorrow.” After giving her instruction, she gave Rep a quick hug. The look of shock crossing over his features as it happened made it completely worth it. “I’ve let them know I’m on my way, so I’ll have no need of protection. The droids are my family.” It was obvious he still wanted to argue but Dez spoke, saving her any further explanations.

“We’ll be fine for now, but I won’t be when I get back. If you want to help, you might want to find a way to distract Sim so he doesn’t realize we’re gone.”

“Done.” Rep moved at a clipped pace ahead of them, ensuring their path was clear. Even knowing they had Rep on the case, Kiston still didn’t draw a steady breath until they had all her things packed and were almost to her house. She had to give Dez kudos—he made it all the way inside her apartment before speaking his mind.

“For real, I don’t want to get in your business, Kiston. Hell, I promised myself I wouldn’t, but why are running away from Sim?”

“He doesn’t believe in my cause,” she lied, figuring it was only half a lie so maybe it wouldn’t stain her soul any further. The stale air inside the living room left her disheartened. No one had been by to check on her stuff while she’d been gone. She threw herself down on the dark brown couch and set her feet on the edge of the scratched-up coffee table before patting the seat next to her. Dez immediately joined her as if he was in no hurry to go back home.

“Say your peace, Dez. I can practically feel you dancing in place with the need to give me your opinion.”

He smiled, and dimples appeared at the corners of his mouth. She wondered for a moment what color his eyes had been before the infusion. “It’s not that, exactly. It’s more that you don’t understand where we come from.”

“He thinks I’m a liar.”

Dez huffed. “He doesn’t think you’re a liar. He just hasn’t witnessed the things you have. Don’t forget, we were grown in a lab, given no name and surrounded by cold Androids who showed us no mercy or care. The worst part was, we knew they would do something terrible to us. We just didn’t know when. Each of us, not just our team, but hundreds of teams, were constantly training to see where we would fit best. Mysterious accidents happened on almost a daily basis, always leaving the victim with one choice to survive—computerization.” Kiston felt sick. Her childhood had been a happy one up until she turned seventeen. She couldn’t imagine a small child attempting to prepare themselves for that sort of trauma. “Miles dealt with things as he always does. He used intelligence to gain him the best exit after training. His eye was always on freedom and nothing more.”

Dez was such a good soul. She couldn’t imagine what it must have been like for him. “What about you?”

He shrugged. “I love everyone, even when they don’t love me back. That’s been the story my whole life. I was no different back then. When a droid showed interest in my weapon’s ability, I found myself excited by the prospect of what they offered. I would be cool and invincible. The more excitement I showed, the better toys I got, such as my cyber angel.” Kiston poked at it since she enjoyed doing so and he’d opened the floor. After a moment of playing around with its wings, Kiston finally worked up the nerve to ask what she wanted to know most.

“What about Sim?”

A black look fell across Dez’s features. “He didn’t want it. After all, from all we’d witnessed, these droids were empty shells of nothing. They were blowing up children for goodness sake. He didn’t want to become one of them. What if he was expected to stay there for the rest of his days? Would he eventually die inside that computer they stuffed him in and then stand there punching the button that ruined children’s lives. It was a deep fear for him. Then you come along. All you stand for goes against everything he’s seen. The problem is, you’re not like them. You’re not robotic or unfeeling. I realize you don’t know how you look at him, but the rest of us have seen it. He must be so addicted. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I think you’re making a bad decision.” He scrubbed his hands across his head, leaving his brown hair standing on end. “I mean, hell. Look at me. I’m addicted. Even though I know I will never have him, I cannot let him go, and it’s slowly killing me inside. So, really, you’re so much stronger than I am.”

All of a sudden, it was too much. The words burst from her lips without her permission. “Say something, Dez. Don’t wait or hold it inside any longer.” He didn’t pretend to misunderstand.

“I could say the same thing to you. Are you willing to humiliate yourself, risk everything?”

“Been there and done that. That’s why I needed to leave,” she said, finally admitting the truth.

“You should see my dilemma then. There’s no other place for me, and I would die without him. Maybe this life isn’t much to someone else, but to me, having a small part of him is better than nothing at all.”

“But it hurts you. I watch you trying to protect yourself against it.”

A sad smile touched his lips. “It would hurt more to have him look at me in disgust, or even worse—pity. No thank you.”

“The world could end tomorrow and you’ll lose your chance.”

A dry chuckle fell from his lips. “Then I won’t know I missed it.”

“But you know what you’re missing now.”

“Yes.” He sounded so broken, her heart squeezed in her chest. “Every second of every day,” he added, causing the backs of her eyes to burn with unshed tears.

Love shouldn’t be so complicated. Not when it was as strong as Dez’s for Rep. Unfortunately, what was right and fair mattered not at all to life. She cleared her throat against the choking sensation growing there. “He doesn’t know what he’s missing.”

Dez’s smile popped back into place. “Neither does Sim.”

“Ugh!” she cried, throwing her head back. “Why am I so stupid?”

“Why is the sky blue? Why is grass green? I’m not insinuating you’re stupid,” Dez rushed to reassure her. “I’m only pointing out the things we can’t control. Tomorrow you’ll wake up, and the sky will still be blue and the grass will still be green. Most of all, you’ll still love Sim, and there’s not one goddamn thing you can to do to change it.”

* * *

Sim paced the perimeter of the hangar for what felt like days. Logically he realized he’d only been waiting for a few hours, but it didn’t seem to matter to the rest of him. Logic never came out to play when Kiston was involved. He’d spent ten minutes after Kiston had left him alone in the lab trying to decide what to do, and another ten minutes getting changed because he didn’t want to beg her to stay while wearing workout shorts. It seemed those twenty minutes were the most crucial of his life. By the time he searched every possible room and found Miles to inquire about her whereabouts, Kiston had given her testament on the ongoing unrest and was long gone. With the help of Dez, no less. He would kill him. When the drone finally landed, Sim was ready to rip the man limb from limb.

Before Sim could reach Dez and kill him slowly—as planned—his chest hit a brick wall by the name of Rep. The man, whose eyes were always laughing, wasn’t laughing now. Sim had never seen him coming; it was as if he appeared out of the woodwork. It took Sim a moment to realize the man was in some sort of camouflage, mirroring his surroundings. Most likely, he’d been standing guard the whole damn time Sim had been pacing, but he hadn’t said a word. The dude could be patient as shit when he put his mind to it. It only served to feed his rage.

“Dez lost a friend today too. He’s hurting, and you need to back the fuck off.”

“Well, he’s about to lose a head so it won’t matter for long, and since when do you give a shit about Dez’s feelings?” In his anger, the question fell from his lips before he could call it back. He didn’t regret it. It was time a lot of shit got said. Rep’s face hardened further, making him almost unrecognizable.

“Don’t make this about me.”

Sim was beyond hearing it. “Oh. I’ll make this shit about you all day.”

“She wanted to go home,” Dez said over Rep’s shoulder, interrupting Sim’s tirade before it truly began. “Where she doesn’t feel like an outsider.”

“That’s fucking ridiculous. Why in the fuck would she want to be surrounded by a bunch of unfeeling machines all day?”

“Better the unfeeling machines she knows, I guess,” Rep taunted.

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“You know goddamn well what it means. All you’ve done from the moment she came here is shut her out. Can you stop for one minute and put yourself in her shoes? The humans have rejected her. We brought her here against her will and then asked her to help figure out how to stop the only people who’ve accepted her as she is. She stayed for you. Maybe not the first night, but every night afterward was for you. The problem is, you wanted her to want you, but weren’t willing to give her the same. You hid behind your walls, like you always do, because you’re a coward.”

“Takes one to spot one, right?”

Funnily enough, it was Dez who reacted. Sim was eyeing Rep, waiting for him to throw the first punch, but when it came, it came from Dez. Sim didn’t have time to block it. One second he was staring down Rep and the next, his head whipped backward from the impact of Dez’s blow.

“You are the worst sort of bastard!” Dez screamed before landing another blow to Sim’s gut. Dez was half his size, but he had rage and crazy on his side. Crazy wins every fight—hands down. Sim was taken aback by the amount of fury directed at him, but he was still pissed as well. It wasn’t a good combination.

“Did you have fun making her dance for you?” There was that reference again. Sim had no fucking idea what it was supposed to mean. “Did you enjoy waving the hope of finding love in her face before pulling it away again? If you honest-to-god believe she is wrong about the droids, then think about her. That means she had no one who cares for her. No human interaction at all. There’s no one who ever touches her.” His voice weakened with every word as if every word he spoke applied to him as well. He visibly shook it off. “Then she comes here and you give her just enough to show her she’s unworthy of having more. Of course, she’s going to go home. Sort of wishing I’d stayed there too,” he said more to himself before walking away. Rep stared at the man’s back as he crossed the room, and Sim was left with nothing but his fury.

The sound of pounding footsteps tore Sim from his rage. Turning toward the sound, he spotted Miles running at full speed in their direction. Since Sim had never seen Miles panic, he went on high alert.

Once he knew he had their attention, Miles slapped his palm against the closest wall. An image of thousands, if not millions, of droids filling the streets fired to life. As if it wasn’t enough to make Sim panic, Miles narrowed it down to a specific street. Sim spotted Kiston’s red hair instantly. He didn’t hang around to see if there was a plan, nor did he wait for permission. Sim grabbed two weapons off the nearest wall and leapt inside the first open drone, prepared to go alone if need be. Dez and Rep followed suit without question while Miles prepared the outside of the vehicle for launch.

“I’m going to bring Alexia underground, and then I’ll join you.”

“No,” Sim said, putting his foot down. “You stay here and protect your wife and child. This is your place.”

With a sharp nod, Miles took off to gather his little family for hiding.

Chapter 6

There was only one way inside Cryo-zone. For humans, once inside, there was a possibility of never leaving again—alive anyhow. Luckily for Kiston, she was on the short list of people allowed to visit. Of course, she realized it was an invitation that could be revoked at any point.

As she stepped out of the unmanned cab, Kiston barely restrained the urge to bend at the waist and give herself over to the panic attack lurking at the edge of her mind. It had nothing to do with the dangerous location and everything to do with the lead weight sitting on her chest by the name of Sim. This is where she’d been standing when he’d stolen her from the street. He felt so far away.

The A.I. she’d come to see stood patiently as she composed herself. His previous owner had named him Zephyr, and he’d held onto it since moving to Cryo. To give her hands something to do, and to buy some time, Kiston readjusted the strap of her messenger bag across her chest. No doubt he recognized her game, but there wasn’t anything she could do about that. Damn. She really didn’t want to cry. How much longer would she stay on the edge?

“Your serotonin and norepinephrine has dropped to dangerously low levels. Is this the reason why you have stayed away for so long?”

Pasting on a fake smile, Kiston shook her head. “I’m uninjured,” she reassured him. At five-six, Zephyr didn’t give the impression of strength. Kiston knew better. He tilted his head to one side. Dropping his gaze to her toes, he moved in slow increments, eyeing her body until returning to meet her stare. She’d lived within the android community long enough to understand their constant need to scan every human. They knew people’s words rarely matched the truth.

“You are uninjured physically. Therefore, I must assume you have suffered an emotional trauma.”

It was pointless for Kiston to try to hide her surprise since Zephyr could read her every reaction. She still tried. He’d been checking her for injuries. Blinking back tears, she swallowed past the lump in her throat.

“Yes. I’m sad today, but I promise it’s nothing I can’t handle. Thank you for….” she paused, unsure of what she was thanking him for exactly. Caring when no one else did, she supposed. He held his hand out. Without a second thought, she accepted. Zephyr tugged her forward and tucked her hand beneath his arm. When her fingers encircled his upper arm, he covered them with his other hand. She fell into step beside him as he headed down the street. The gesture reminded her of something an old-world gentleman would do. Nostalgia washed over her.

“How did we come to be here, Zephyr?” she asked, knowing he would do his best to lighten her mood.

“By tram as I recall. Do they still have such a thing, or have they gone the way of personal massagers?”

In spite of her best intentions, Kiston snorted. “I have a feeling you’ve been forced to be good for too long while I was away.”

“I have no idea what you mean. In the presence of ladies, I’m always on my best behavior.” His offended tone made her smile.

“You’re in luck then since I’m no lady.”

He pulled her to a stop, forcing her to face him. The grin he’d dragged out of her with his haughty tone vanished in the face of his serious expression.

“You are a very grand lady, indeed. People will remember your name for the great work you do to help others. I would venture to say you’re more than a lady. You’re a missionary of hope.”

Pain sliced through her at his praise. “At best, I’ll be remembered as the woman who saw emotion where there was none.” She regretted the words the moment they passed her lips. With a loud groan, she tried backpeddling. “I didn’t mean you don’t feel anything. I just meant. Fuck. This isn’t going well.” She felt sick. How could she say something so stupid? Zephyr laughed. The sound caused her mind to go blank. His face transformed as it bloomed into a smile, making him seem more human than most of the people she knew. Giving up, Kiston said the only thing she could. “I’m an idiot.”

“Men do that to women. It’s our job.” Against her will, she blushed. Tucking her hand beneath his arm once more, he resumed walking. “Come, Dr. Beck, you’ve been missed. I can feel the impatient stares coming from every window.”

* * *

Sim was pissed as hell. He was seeing everything through a red haze and was more than positive if he heard a single word fall from Dez’s lips, he would smash his fucking face in. It didn’t even matter that Rep would kill him afterward. His rage had long passed the point of seeing reason. If he was being honest with himself, he wasn’t surprised Kiston had left him. It was no less than he deserved. He’d been pushing her away from the moment he’d stolen her. On the other hand, finding out Dez had helped her sneak out was one betrayal too many for a single day. While he’d asked for it with Kiston, Dez was just a bastard for getting involved. He ignored the voice of reason in his mind, whispering Dez had done right by her. Someone had to take the fall for his inability to be the person Kiston needed him to be. Not to mention, he was too angry to care who was wrong. He couldn’t cope with another fucking thing.

As if the universe read his mind and took it as a challenge, when they reached the coordinates Miles provided, he caught sight of Kiston in the middle of the street. In front of a rundown apartment building, she stood arm in arm with some brown-haired circuit freak while surrounded by several more almost exactly like him. If his system analyzed the situation to determine the best course of action for seeing her on the arm of another man, Sim was beyond seeing it. When it came to Kiston, there was no such thing as sound judgment. No matter how hard he tried, he was incapable of being a machine with her. A smile stretched her lips as she visibly attempted to split her attention between each droid. Somehow, she managed not to leave a single bot out.

He shoved his jealousy aside. They were ahead of the tide of rebels by only one street. The bots were heading toward Border-Zone at a rapid pace. Kiston was the only human in their path.

The three of them had come in on foot, slipping through the gate at the edge of town. Their plan had been to silently grab her as they’d done the last time. Unfortunately, the number of droids vying for her attention would make it impossible, and they didn’t have time to wait them out.

Letting go of his anger and grudges, he nodded at the pair of men at his side before tilting his head in Kiston’s direction. Sim held up three fingers, silently counting it down. When he reached one, they burst onto the scene as a unit—weapons drawn. Sim kept his gaze locked on Kiston, hoping she would see it in his face. He needed her to know that this wasn’t the same as last time. She needed to go with him without a fight. Her shocked expression switched to confusion as the surrounding crowd melted away. Even though they were no longer affiliated with Cybernetics, they were still Cyborgs—created to protect humans from machines. One lone droid remained, refusing to back down. The brown-haired bot still held Kiston’s arm, except his stance had changed, signaling his intent to fight on her behalf.

Kiston opened her mouth, appearing ready to blast him, but Sim didn’t give her time. Keeping a steady pace, he charged her, reaching her just as the rebels flooded the street. Crashing into her, he moved until her back flattened against the building. He’d almost been too late he realized as a droid slammed into his back. Without thought, he dug his heels in to keep from crushing Kiston against the brick. Pain sliced through him, and his system went on high alert. A light flashed red at the corner of his vision, warning him whatever damage he’d sustained wasn’t good, but he couldn’t give out. He was the only thing standing between Kiston and a terrible fate. As long as there was a single breath left to him, he would spend it protecting her.

* * *

The vision of Sim running at her full-speed, jaw locked, eyes hard, and set on reaching her was one Kiston was sure she’d never forget as long as she lived. If she lived past today. Even though she didn’t understand why they were under attack, Kiston had known immediately he was there to keep her safe. She knew without a doubt she would survive simply because Sim was too damn stubborn to let her die.

Sim grunted as a droid smashed into his back. Brick bit into her shoulder blades as he crowded her closer to the wall. She ignored the way it rubbed at her exposed skin, leaving it raw, as she scrambled to see around his massive frame. If anything happened to Zephyr, it would break her heart. Finally, she realized if she ducked her head, she could peek beneath Sim’s arm and see most of the fight going on behind him. A sigh of relief rose in her throat when she spotted him fighting back to back with Rep. It died on her lips when she caught sight of Dez. Battle transformed his features. Watching him in action as he fought against a training program had done nothing to prepare her for the real thing. The lines of his face were hard, and his eyes had changed color. They were a vivid green as his optics switched to 360 radar. His movements seemed timed a half second faster than the two bots attacking him, allowing him to anticipate their every move. It was as hypnotizing as it was terrifying.

Sim kept her protected with his body to the point where she felt as if a force field stood between her and the action. She clung to his chest, gripping his shirt between her fingers. As Dez’s fist connected with an audible crunch to the droid on his left, the one to his right switched directions as if deciding he couldn’t win against Dez. With Rep’s attention otherwise engaged, he sneaked in a lucky hit. As it skimmed Rep’s cheekbone, a sound that reminded Kiston of a banshee’s scream rent the air as the cyber angel on Dez’s arm rose from his skin. Its outline shimmered in the air before solidifying.

Kiston pressed closer to the wall. Time seemed to freeze as every eye turned toward the sound. Droid and Cyborg alike appeared mesmerized by the sight of it hovering over their heads. Its silver wings glimmered in the sun, causing balls of light to dance upon the ground and break the spell. When the A.I. who’d struck Rep came to realize he was the center of its focus, he tried to run. He didn’t make it. Dread rose in Kiston’s chest when the angel’s red gaze landed upon him. She was transfixed.

“Kiston.” At the sound of her name, she tore her eyes away, meeting Sim’s stare. “Don’t watch,” he ordered. She held his stare, doing as he bade. Unfortunately, there was no way to block out the man’s screams as he died. Her breathing hitched up. Panic set in. Sim slumped forward making her realize the struggle for oxygen wasn’t hers alone. Three-hundred-and-fifty pounds pinned her to wall, making it almost impossible to drag air into her lungs. “We’re out of time.”

Clasping Sim to her chest, Kiston struggled underneath his weight in an attempt at holding him upright. When her arms encircled his waist, her fingers collided with something protruding from his lower back. Without thought, she yanked it out. As she stared down at the object in her hand, horror rushed over skin. Using every ounce of her strength, Kiston drew in a lungful of air.

“Zephyr!”

At her panicked scream, he was by her side in an instant, lifting Sim away from her as if he weighed no more than a ragdoll. She didn’t look around to see if they were safe. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from the metal vial in her hand.

“Dear God.” Kiston’s gaze moved to Zephyr’s face at his whispered words. He, too, was staring at the cylinder. Her hand shook. He met her stare and a silent understanding passed between them. The revolution had truly begun.

“Move! Move! Move!” The scream tore from Kiston’s throat the moment she accepted the truth. As if her fear snapped the world into action, a drone swooped in and hovered inches above the street. With Sim sandwiched between them, Dez and Rep rushed him inside. Zephyr crowded her with his body, keeping her protected as he followed closely on their heels. She half climbed and was half thrown inside the hovercraft behind the trio. At the last moment, before the drone lifted them out of the warzone exploding around them, Zephyr leaned inside. Cupping her face between his hands, he held her stare. His golden gaze glowed brighter than any droid she’d ever met. As she stared into his eyes, she knew she’d never see him again.

“You are a grand lady,” he said causing tears to spring to her eyes. He touched his lips to her forehead, and then he was gone. In seconds Cryo-Zone disappeared beneath them.

Rep and Dez buzzed around Sim attempting to find a wound, but Kiston knew it was useless. She pushed her way between them.

“We don’t have much time,” She warned as she tugged her messenger bag over shoulder and set it aside. “He was hit with a cylinder of nano-infusion drugs.” She didn’t need to explain further. They’d already heard her theory on a robotic nation. The problem was, she didn’t know what it would do to someone who was already more computerized than not. It had been meant for her. She couldn’t wrap her brain around it. Her whole life she’d fought for A.I. freedom and it had been meant for her. Judging by the size of the cylinder and Sim’s vitals, she hadn’t been meant to survive it.

Even though it only took a matter of minutes to reach the hangar inside Dead-Zone, it felt like an eternity to Kiston as she monitored Sim’s vitals. Thankfully, he was still conscious. His gaze never left her face, and she tried to stay calm for his benefit. He could not die, especially for her. Her life meant nothing, never had. His temperature sky-rocketed as they climbed from the drone.

“The nanos are overheating his system. Help me strip off his clothes.” The men did as she bade without question. Keeping her eyes averted from his nudity, she held his gaze. “I’m going to take care of you.” With her promise hanging between them, she switched her attention to his team. “Let’s get him in the bathtub. We’ll have to pack it with ice to bring down his core temperature. Controlling environmental temperature is key.” She followed on their heels as Dez and Rep moved Sim as quickly as possible to the closest tub. Miles and Alexia grabbed whatever they could find that would hold snow and ice before heading outside.

With Sim settled, Kiston followed the men from the bathroom hoping to make the process move faster. He snagged her hand, stopping her before she could move away.

“Don’t leave me.”

The first bucket of ice appeared before she had time to respond. God love the cyborg’s quick pace because Sim’s panicked plea rendered her useless. The moment the frozen pieces touched his skin, his teeth chattered. He didn’t flinch or break eye contact. She dropped to her knees at his side, holding tightly to his hand.

“I’m not going anywhere,” she reassured him. “I won’t let you die.”

He locked his jaw against the shaking and spoke through clenched teeth. “I’m not afraid of dying. I’ve done it before.” A muscle flexed in his cheek as he fought against another round of chills. “Just don’t want to be by myself when it happens. It’s worse when you’re alone.”

She squeezed his fingers. “You won’t be.” A blanket fell around her shoulders. She didn’t look to see who placed it there. By the way it was tucked gently around her, she assumed it was Alexia. Nothing mattered except Sim. He needed her to be strong. She wouldn’t fail him. Inside she was dying as the light dimmed in his eyes. Still, he didn’t look away. “I’m here,” she promised, making sure he understood. She would take his last breath with him. The moment it happened, she exploded into action. “I need my kit!”

At her panicked demand, the bag appeared at her feet before the final echo died in the room. She didn’t think about her actions or consider the consequences. Sim had given his life to save hers. There was nothing she wouldn’t be willing to try. Ripping open a package of needles with her teeth, she eyed his exposed arm. There wasn’t time to examine each limb to find out which parts of him were synthetic. She couldn’t take any chances. Without his case files, there was no way she could know what modifications he’d been given during his bonding. She’d have to go for the carotid artery with a carbon nanotube. Considering the purpose behind his creation, she had to assume anything was possible. If he’d undergone any form of upper chest reconstruction, there was every chance he’d been given low-density, bulk-diamond-armored plating, making cardiac massage impossible.

“Start rolling up your sleeves, pants’ leg or whatever you have left that’s still real. Rep, I need you to monitor everyone at once. It’s going to be a bitch, but I need everyone’s readouts simultaneously.” Without bothering to explain her actions, Kiston stuck the tubing directly into Sim’s artery, allowing his blood to flow freely from his body. Ripping a second tubing from its packaging, she found a second viable vein in Sim’s neck. She used the tab lock to block the line before inserting the needle. “I’ll go first.”

She didn’t think twice before scoring her own vein, connecting the tubing and sliding the tab lock free. The thick carbon needle might have hurt if she wasn’t numb from the sheer terror choking her. She silently watched as her blood fed through the line, entering Sim’s body. Thankfully, cyborgs were incapable of catching and spreading disease. Computerization rejected natural contaminants, and blood served its purpose no matter the type. If it carried oxygen throughout the body, a cyborg would accept it. Once it entered the system, everything nonessential to survival was disposed of, leaving behind only the nutrients. Every drop of blood filtered through an automated system, breaking it down to the point of generic.

The silence in the room was too loud. Kiston thought it might cause her to go deaf. Alexia was the first to break. “You can’t do this, Kiston.”

Tearing her gaze away from Sim’s lifeless face, she focused on Alexia. Doing her best to hide her fear, she emphasized every word. “There’s no other way. We have to force out as much contaminated blood as possible.”

She waved away Kiston’s explanation. “That’s not what I meant. You need to hang onto your blood. If you get too weak, you’ll be useless to him.” Conceding Alexia’s point, Kiston ripped open more tubing. She easily set up another line and motioned for someone to take over. Miles was the first to volunteer. He took turns with Dez while Rep used his advanced systems to keep track of everyone’s vitals, working double for Alexia upon Kiston’s order. Even with her attention locked on Sim, she couldn’t allow the woman’s baby to come to harm from the stress.

Kiston closely monitored the intake comparing it to a guesstimate of what ended up in the tub. Each time his color worsened, she pinched off the outflow tubing until it returned. The process moved quickly, but it felt like a lifetime to Kiston’s overwrought nerves. She could only hope his mechanical systems were still functioning even if his human side wasn’t. Once they’d done as much as they could to remove the contaminated blood, she removed the tubing and had the men transfer him to the bathroom floor.

“All right guys, I need you to move off the tile. If this works, in about ten seconds he’s not going to appreciate me.” Miles started to protest. She held his stare, allowing him to see everything inside her. Kiston needed him to recognize how far she would go. This man had died to save her. There was no lengths she wouldn’t go to in order to save him. She pulled a stun gun from her bag. It was no bigger than a keychain but it packed a powerful punch. “Move off the tile, Miles.” With a sharp nod, he stepped backward onto the carpet. Using the tail of her shirt, she dried a spot in the center of Sim’s chest. It didn’t matter what type of plates or coating he had, a million volts couldn’t be held at bay.

Inching away, Kiston ensured her body wasn’t touching him in any way and only the toes of her rubber-soled shoes touched the tile before she positioned the device over his chest. Before she could change her mind, she zapped him. A sound similar to air being sucked through a vacuum was the only warning Kiston had before Sim exploded from the floor, knocking her away from him. The motion sent the stun gun sailing, but, thankfully, it had a safety switch.

Unfortunately, she went flying as well. She didn’t have far to go. With the wall only a few feet behind her, she slammed against it with enough force to knock the air from her lungs. The room spun as the back of her skull connected with the wood. Her vision darkened at the edges. Sim’s eyes were focused on her. A half-crazed expression marred his features. His eyes flashed from yellow to red before going dark and firing back to yellow. It was the last thing she saw before the world tilted and the floor came rushing up to meet her.

* * *

Pain like Sim had never experienced before sliced through him. Every circuit in his body glitched out simultaneously, making him feel sick to his stomach. His optics went haywire, adding to the sensation. A roar reverberated from the walls. He almost covered his ears to block it out before he realized the sound came from him. The sight of Kiston’s body making a dent in the wall before slithering to the floor caused the volume to increase. Miles, Rep and Dez tried shoving through the doorway at the same time, only blocking each others’ way. In an attempt at straightening out his system, he shook his head.

“Give me her vitals, you stupid fucking piece of shit.”

At his curse, the static cleared from his vision and a set of numbers flashed across the inside of his eyes. Dez won the scuffle, pushing his way past the others. He made it exactly three steps in Kiston’s direction before Sim snapped. A growl ripped from his throat. Everyone froze.

“Stay away from her.” Even to him, he sounded rough and inhuman. Dez glanced toward Miles, seeking guidance. Sim didn’t wait to see what they decided. Crossing the room in quick strides, he went down on his knees the moment he reached Kiston’s side. A scan of her body reassured him she hadn’t broken any bones. Her oxygen levels held steady in spite of her elevated heart rate. She was merely unconscious.

Being as gentle as possible, he scooped her from the floor, holding her tightly to his chest as he stood. Sim ignored every inquiry after his health and mentally blocked the way Miles attempted to hide his nudity from Alexia’s eyes. He didn’t give a fuck about any of it. The woman in his arms had almost died twice today—once by his hands. She’d taken his final breath with him before giving it back. Nothing mattered to him as much as her. She’d cared for him. He would do the same for her.

* * *

Dez watched as Sim clutched Kiston lovingly to his chest. His expression bordered on insane. He’d never seen his friend so intense. For real, he could barely breathe himself. Sim had died. He’d been dead, and there had been nothing they could do. If it weren’t for Kiston, Sim would be gone, wiped out as if he never existed. She could’ve been killed shocking him awake like that, knowing his strength and standing on a tile floor. It hadn’t seemed to matter. She hadn’t hesitated.

Standing in the center of the blood-soaked bathroom, staring at the remnants of the tragedy they’d miraculously averted, he was done. Something inside of him snapped, forcing him to face the truth of their fragile existence. He could not go on like this for one more day. He was exhausted. Maybe it was ridiculous for someone such as him, but he wanted someone to care about him like that. Being in this place, it hurt too much.

His gaze collided with Miles’. The other man didn’t say a word, nor did his expression change. He simply held Dez’s stare. It was a silent goodbye. In that moment, Dez knew Miles understood what it had cost him to stay as long as he had. It was a personal expense he could no longer afford to pay. Miles looked away first.

“Come on, Alexia. Your blood pressure is elevated. I will fix you.” A tired sounding chuckle fell from her lips as he steered her away. In spite of the pain sinking its claws into his chest, Dez still smiled at the sound. Alexia loved Miles so much, even her laughter carried a whisper of the emotion.

There wasn’t any sense dragging the matter out. He headed straight for his room. As he passed Rep—who stood staring sightlessly at the wall—Dez kept his gaze averted. If he looked—really looked—at the man, then he might cave. There were no winners in that game, and he was damn tired of playing.

He pulled the blood-drenched shirt over his head, tossing it aside as he went for the closet. Snagging the bag from the top shelf, Dez ran through a mental checklist of what he would need. He’d have to stick to what he could carry. All his clothes looked the same. He didn’t get picky about it as he shoved them inside. As long as he had something covering his ass, he’d be fine. As he moved to the dresser, his focus turned inward. A tiny file opened across his optics, showing him a list of minimum survival gear and cutting down on the risk of him leaving any necessities behind. He ignored the ache in the center of his chest reminding him he was leaving the most important thing of all behind.

A solid weight slammed against the center of his back, unbalancing him. The bag fell from his fingers. He clutched the edge of the dresser to keep from falling over. His gaze shot to the mirror, colliding with Rep’s in the reflective surface. Damn. For as big as the bastard was, he was a stealthy motherfucker. Dez hadn’t even heard him coming.

“So you’re just going to leave, no goodbyes or fuck you very much for the years of friendship?” There wasn’t an ounce of emotion in his expression. His heart didn’t race. No hormones flooded the man’s system. Rep was utterly unmoved by the sensation of his chest pressing against Dez’s spine while Dez was painfully aware of every spot their bodies touched. His angel shifted from where it rested across his forearm, edging its way between them. Without giving Rep any warning, he shaped the guardian into spikes and scored the man’s chest. Dez didn’t put enough force behind the attack to penetrate the bullet resistant coating on his skin. It was only enough to get his attention. Rep didn’t as much as flinch.

Holding his gaze in the mirror, Rep snaked one arm around his waist, tugging him even closer and forcing Dez to either retract his blades or risk impaling the man’s heart. With a mental swipe, he sent the angel slithering back to his arm. Rep’s other arm appeared at his waist. His palms flattened against Dez’s skin. The hard dick leaking inside his jeans and the testosterone flooding his system were reactions he couldn’t hide from Rep. Nonetheless, he held his heart rate and breathing in check as much as possible.

“Do you intend on answering me?”

Rep might have been physically touching him, but his mental read out showed he felt nothing. It left Dez enraged.

“Yes,” he answered through clenched teeth.

“Yes you’re going to answer me, or yes you intended to leave without saying goodbye?”

“Yes I was leaving.” While holding his gaze in the mirror, Rep lowered his chin and touched his mouth to Dez’s bare shoulder.

“I would’ve found you,” he said against Dez’s skin. It was the cruelest form of punishment for Rep to touch him in such a way when he didn’t mean it. A copper taste filled his mouth, making Dez realize he was biting his tongue in an attempt at holding his shit together. Rep’s eyes fell closed. Rep’s chest expanded against Dez’s back as Rep sucked in a deep breath.

“I can smell your lust.” Rep pressed his face to the side of Dez’s neck. His lips parted. Dez’s knees weakened. Rep’s tongue brushed the column of his throat. “Even your skin tastes like sexual desire,” he added. Dez had lost the ability to speak. He wanted to respond but his lips refused to work. Rep’s hand smoothed up his stomach and chest before cupping Dez’s jaw. He forced him to tilt his head back until it rested against his shoulder.

Through half-lidded eyes, Dez watched it all happen in the mirror. Even the knowledge that Rep didn’t truly mean any of this wasn’t enough to force him to pull away. The grip tightened on Dez’s jaw as Rep touched his lips to his ear and spoke against its shell.

“You belong to me. Do you honestly believe I’ll ever let you leave?”

The words pissed him off. All the time he’d spent longing for Rep’s touch came rushing to the surface, leaving him humiliated. Who in their right mind held onto something hopeless for as long he had? Yes. He did belong to Rep, but it was only because he was too stupid to leave before now.

Dez snorted. “Not only do you not really want me, you won’t remember my name two weeks after I’m gone.”

Rep’s fingers tightened almost painfully around his jaw. He shifted positions until his hips cradled Dez’s ass. The erection pressing between their bodies was unmistakable. In his shock, Dez barely registered the button loosening on his jeans. Rep’s gaze found his in the mirror once more. A flush covered his cheeks.

Dez could barely breathe. Confusion reigned supreme.

“I don’t understand.” He didn’t mean to say it, but the logical side of his programming didn’t match reality. It left him off-kilter. As if a door swung wide inside Rep’s body, Dez was blasted with the man’s every chemical reaction. An explosion of information flew across his vision. Dez tried to close his eyes against the sudden assault. There was no escaping his brain. Air sawed in and out of his lungs as his system became overwhelmed.

“Shh,” Rep soothed against his ear. “I have you.” The tips of his fingers skimmed Dez’s erection as he added, “I’ve always had you.”

Spinning, Dez slammed his mouth over Rep’s. He bit at his lips and sucked on his tongue. Rep gave back as good as he got, but close wasn’t close enough when it came to Rep. His flavor was addictive. He couldn’t understand how Rep had kept himself hidden for so long. Now that he wasn’t, Dez couldn’t get enough. Every new burst of testosterone mixed with oxytocin and shuddering breaths drove his need higher.

Rep tugged at Dez’s open jeans, attempting to push them down his hips as Dez urged him backward toward the bed. Tearing his mouth away, Dez tried pulling Rep’s shirt over his head, only to have his progress hindered by Rep leaning in to sink his teeth into his chest.

“Let me have your bare skin against mine,” Dez begged. “If only just this one time.” Before the final word left his lips, Rep tore his shirt over his head, going chest to chest with Dez. The sensation left him speechless. Rep’s kiss-swollen lips and hooded gaze held him captivated.

“We could never be just one time, and you know it.” He did know it, but in that moment Dez would’ve said anything, promised everything. There was no lie he wouldn’t tell or low he wouldn’t stoop to in order to have Rep. Dez still couldn’t look away from the man’s mouth. He’d kissed those lips and he would again. “Damn. When you look at me the way you are right now, I could take over the world. I’m waiting for the same disruption of neural transmitters you always have while staring at me. The one signaling you’re hating yourself for feeling anything for me.”

Shock over Rep’s confession gave Dez the strength he needed to finally lift his gaze away from the mouth he craved. Rep’s brain activity had always been a mystery to Dez. Now, with Rep holding nothing back, he could see the man believed everything he was saying.

“Then you leave me, taking your hunger to someone else, and I hate you for it. But then I see you wearing this hungry expression again, and I’m incapable of giving up hope. Of course, it ends the same as the last, and I’m always the one who loses.”

His brow furrowed at Rep’s words. “What are you talking about? I’ve been right here, down the hall. All you had to do was meet my gaze one time, and I would’ve come to you. And let’s get something straight, I’m not taking anything to anyone.”

Rep snorted, but, thankfully, he didn’t back away. “Yeah, right. How about all the times you’ve had places to go and people to do? You come home covered in sweat and all the chemicals in your brain have evened out again. My loss once more.”

It was Dez’s turn to snort. “I’ve always used that dumbass line so people wouldn’t feel sorry for me for being the unwanted one. Then I go to the gym and work off all the extra energy and my general hatred for life. That’s why I’m sweaty and even-keeled.” It was so ridiculous. Dez could tell by the expression on Rep’s face he was stunned. Since he already had him off balance, Dez pushed things even further. “Then I come home and jump in the shower. Once I’m there, I can’t stop thinking about how you’re on the other side of the wall. I wonder if you ever think of me, if you touch yourself while I’m in your head. I jack off to that wild dream all the time.” Because he couldn’t stop himself, Dez dipped his head and opened his mouth over Rep’s collarbone. With Rep’s flavor coating his tongue, Dez heard the confession falling from his lips as if someone else was speaking. “The fantasy of you is killing me.”

* * *

There was a reason millions of people all over the world engaged in sexual acts with bots. Androids applied science and logic to every touch. They measured the chemicals in their partner’s blood while listening to their heart rate and breathing patterns, ensuring they achieved maximum pleasure. Rep did all of those things as well, but there was more to it when it came to Dez, because Rep loved him. He very much feared that he always would.

The man’s mouth moved to Rep’s neck, and he tilted his head to give him more access. The sensation of Dez’s tongue brushing the column of his throat went straight to his already throbbing cock. His gaze landed on the bag at their feet. Just like that, every ounce of his rage raced back to the surface. Even the hint of Dez disappearing from his life made him want to kill someone. It went against his nature to relinquish any control. Sometimes he couldn’t recognize the difference between right and wrong. Loving Dez usually kept him in balance. Today, he was losing the battle. His emotions were on overload, making it hard to see reason. He was beyond turned on, in love, elated and pissed off all at the same time. The end result was an irrational desire to dominate Dez. He wanted to make the man see that no one else would do.

“Turn around.”

The words came out on a growl. Dez froze. Lifting his head, he met Rep’s gaze. In the love written in every line of Dez’s face, Rep softened his tone. “I want you to watch as I bring you pleasure.” Proving his trust, Dez did as he bade, turning toward the mirror. Rep held his stare in its reflection as he encircled the man’s erection with his fingers. The feel of silky skin sliding over his palm was one he savored. Dez gripped the edge of the dresser. His lips parted on a breath.

“I don’t want you to miss a single second of my hands on your dick,” he said as he added a second hand to the mix. As he rolled his balls between his fingers, a rush of dopamine hit Dez’s bloodstream, and his frontal lobe fired to life. Rep tightened his hold on the man’s cock but slowed his pace. He wanted to keep him poised on the edge as he made his confessions. “You’re always in my head. There isn’t a move you make that I don’t see. I’m going to fuck you, and you’re going to watch.”

At Rep’s promise, Dez bucked against his hand. Rep knew the slow pumping was killing him, but he held him in place and forced him to accept it. This was too important. Love was a chemical reaction. He desperately wanted Dez’s love, and he wasn’t above using the logic of science to get it. When his every reaction to Rep’s touch hit the perfect pitch, simulating addiction in Dez’s brain waves, Rep stopped. Dez’s muscles twitched. He made a soothing sound against his ear as he brushed his palm up Dez’s abs and over his hip.

“I’m going to take care of you—promise.” Leaning away slightly, he touched his lips to the nape his neck, simply to taste it.

“Rep.”

The sound of his name on Dez’s lips caused his eyes to close. Even its pitch was exactly as he’d imagined, but there was no way he could’ve predicted the way it made him feel. The image in his mind of bending Dez over the dresser, holding his gaze as he fucked him, went out the window. When it came to the man in his arms, Rep was weak. Even trapped in a haze of passion—as he was—Rep’s head was clear. Gripping Dez’s shoulder, Rep urged him to turn around. He eyed his flushed cheeks and unfocused gaze. He listened to his heart beat and memorized his scent. It didn’t matter what data some computer spat out at him. There was nothing chemical or contrived behind his actions. This was him, willingly handing Dez everything, because the man already owned him.

“I love you.” A smile exploded across Dez’s face, and Rep added, “Will you go to bed with me?”

Dez attempted to bite back a laugh. It shone in his voice as he answered. “Only if you take off your pants.”

Rep immediately headed for the bed, stripping as he went. The moment his back touched the mattress, Dez covered his front, coming down like a lead weight on top of him. He dipped his head, but paused an inch from Rep’s lips. Rep wanted to bury his hand in the man’s hair and drag him the rest of the way down. Somehow, he held himself in check. Instead, he inhaled his scent into his lungs, holding onto the moment. Unconsciously, his grip tightened on Dez’s hips. Just when he thought he might snap, Dez wiped his mind clean.

“By the way, I absolutely love you too.” This time when their lips met, it was different. There was promise, hope.

* * *

There was no way Dez could’ve guessed at Rep’s feelings. He’d tried a hundred different ways to tell him how he felt over the years without saying the actual words. He was almost glad he’d never known Rep possessed some sort of cloaking system, hiding his vitals. It would’ve given him more hope, and he never would have left.

The taste of Rep coated his tongue. Rolling his hips, he absorbed the sensation of Rep’s cock colliding with his. If Dez woke up from this dream, it would kill him. Rep’s palm collided with the back of Dez’s neck. He held him in place, deepening their kiss as he rolled until Dez found himself crushed beneath Rep’s weight. Proving he was multi-talented, Rep hooked Dez’s knee over his forearm as he went. When Rep tore his mouth away, Dez wanted to growl over the loss. The urge fell away the second Rep’s hot mouth closed around his crown. His hips left the bed as he tried to get closer. Rep held him in place as he took him deeper. With one hand gripping Rep’s hair and the other clasping at the sheet beside him, Dez fought the overwhelming urge to dominate, fucking Rep’s mouth and taking what he wanted. He’d craved for so long, dreamed for too long. As Rep’s throat worked at his dick, the oxygen in the room seemed too thin, making it hard for Dez to breathe. His optics misfired under the assault on his senses. Dez squeezed his lids closed against it. With no conscious effort, his hips rolled as Rep’s fingertips skimmed his asshole. For a moment, Dez wondered if he would survive the night. When Rep moved away, leaving him poised at the edge of orgasm, he was positive he wouldn’t see the dawn.

Through a thick fog of lust, Dez watched as Rep straddled his hips while palming his own cock. It was the sexiest sight Dez had ever witnessed. It was almost enough to send him over the edge without further help. Dez wanted to warn Rep he would soon be crippled, but his throat wouldn’t work. No matter how intense Dez’s physical desires went, he didn’t want this to end.

“When you come, I want you inside me,” Rep said, explaining himself. Dez wanted to be inside his heart. Everything else was secondary. Nonetheless, he’d make Rep’s wishes a reality.

Chapter 7

A light flickered at the corner of Kiston’s vision. It flashed before zooming in and slowly rolling past from left to right as if watching an antique VHS tape set to slow motion. Zephyr’s voice fired to life in her ears. Each word he spoke came out sounding perfectly timed, somehow matching the images, even though they seemed pieced together. It was as if he was narrating a movie. Except, instead of a fictional story, it was a mixture of his memories and hers. His eyes shined bright for a moment before he pressed his lips to her forehead as the hovercraft began lifting away.

“You are a grand lady,” said his lips, but Zephyr’s voice inside her head said something different. “You asked me how we came to be here. The answer is—by way of a promise.” Cryo-Zone disappeared behind him, replaced by an image of a slender woman with hauntingly beautiful eyes. They were almost violet in color. The pavement that had been strewn with synthetic bodies only moments earlier was now a field of daisies. After tossing a laughing glance in Zephyr’s direction, the woman turned her face toward the sun. Her eyes closed. She looked content. Several more images flashed by. They were each of the same woman, making Kiston feel like she was watching as the woman’s life passed by. When they halted, Kiston gasped. The woman’s soft brown curls had disappeared, leaving her bald. She sat at a dressing table, staring into the mirror with tears streaming down her face.

Everything transformed. Instead of observing the scene, as an outsider would, Kiston watched her through Zephyr’s eyes. She knew what he knew, felt what he felt. Her name was Mira. There’d been so many times over the years when Zephyr had almost told her how much he loved her. Each incident passed with him holding onto his silence. Oddly enough, he knew Mira would believe him, but she was too perfect for the likes of him. Computerization left him lacking in some way he couldn’t explain. Her tears tore at his heart. Cancer was stealing her from him, and he was helpless against it. All of his life, he’d served her, helped her with her every need. Now, he was failing her when she needed him the most. He moved closer to her with no real plan on doing so.

“I don’t like being invisible.” Her voice sliced through his inner rage, proving she hadn’t forgotten his presence. A burst of anger sparked to life in his chest. Snagging the back of her chair, he tugged. With a flick of his wrist, he spun her—chair and all—until she sat facing him. A look of shock passed over her features, making him wonder what she saw in his expression. Fanning his fingers across her cheek, he cupped her face and allowed her tears to spill down his wrist.

“I see you.”

Kiston’s eyes shot open. The last wisps of her dream melted away, leaving behind a hollow feeling in the center of her chest. After a quick glance around the room, she realized she was in Sim’s bed. She couldn’t bring herself to wonder why. She made her way to the bathroom in the darkness without bothering to look right or left along the way. The sensation left behind by the nighttime illusion made it hard for her to keep breathing, or concentrate. Turning the water as hot as it would go, she headed back to Sim’s room wondering if he would care if she borrowed one of his shirts. With her focus locked firmly on that question, she headed straight for his dresser. She nearly jumped out her skin when Sim said her name. Clutching at her chest, in an attempt to still her racing heard, she spun in the direction of his voice. In a chair that had been shoved into the darkened corner of the room, Sim sat unnaturally still. It wasn’t any wonder she hadn’t noticed him earlier. There was every possibility he’d been there since before she started her shower. In all her days, she’d never seen a person appear as inanimate as he did in that moment.

“Your heart is beating too fast.”

Drawing an unsteady breath, Kiston gave her chest a pat in an irrational attempt to slow its rapid pace. “You startled me,” she said, pointing out the obvious.

“You should have let me die.”

A fresh wave of pain washed over her. “I couldn’t.”

“This is not the life I would’ve chosen for myself. I’m even less human now. I can feel it slipping away. It’s worse than death.” Sim stared straight ahead, seemingly at nothing. He looked lost, and—true to his word—less human.

It wasn’t until she was standing beneath a steady stream of hot water that the first sob tore from her throat. Once it came, she couldn’t stop. She cried for Mira and Zephyr. She cried for herself because she hadn’t done so in years. Most of all, she cried for humanity. It had died long ago. When Zephyr had touched his lips to her forehead, he’d passed his memories to her via delayed mental imagery. They’d released the first moment her guard had fallen. Now she knew the truth as never before. Zephyr had indeed ended up in Cryo-Zone by way of a promise. He’d sworn he’d never love again. Her mind shied away from the rest. She squeezed her eyes closed against the sight of Sim as he slipped from this life. It shone just as brightly behind her closed lids as it did the moment it had happened.

Turning her face up toward the water, she tried washing away the tears. They wouldn’t let up, and no matter how hot the water became, she couldn’t stop shaking.

The spray of the shower caused her head to ache. Her nerves were raw. She wanted to crawl out of her skin to get away from herself. The shower door swung wide with such force Kiston half expected it to shatter. Sim filled the opening. His expression seemed almost crazed.

“I can smell your tears.” Without waiting for a response, he stepped inside the shower while still wearing his shorts. When his arms surrounded her, she shook harder. She could barely speak past her chattering teeth, but she equally couldn’t bite back her words.

“You were dead. Oh my God, Sim. You died, and the world was emptier for the loss.” His mouth found hers, cutting off her rambling. He didn’t press. Warmth seeped into her skin as his lips clung to hers. Calm settled over her as she snaked her arms around his neck. His tongue touched the corner of her mouth. She stepped closer. Her nipples brushed his chest. A sense of floating overcame her when their tongues met. It took her a second to realize Sim had lifted her into his arms.

“Wrap your legs around my waist,” Sim ordered against her mouth. Kiston didn’t hesitate before doing as he bade. His skin seemed unnaturally hot at the apex of her thighs. A hiss escaped her as the cold shower wall touched her back. Sim’s teeth sank into her bottom lip, and she gasped. The moment she did, his tongue stroked hers as he swallowed the sound. Proving his strength, Sim easily held her weight with one hand as he worked his shorts down his hips with the other. The moment they were loose, gravity took over, pulling the soaking wet shorts to the floor. Sim kicked them out of the way without pausing his assault upon her mouth. The tip of his tongue brushed the roof of her mouth, swiped at her bottom lip and taunted her by mimicking sex. Every place their bodies touched was on fire.

His erection teased her slit, slipping inside half an inch before sliding away again. She wanted to scream and claw at his skin. Most of all, she wanted to beg. As if he could read her mind, Sim forced her to meet his stare.

“Say it.”

“Fuck me.” At her demand, a bright smile lit his face, leaving Kiston stunned. He didn’t give her time to ponder over it. Surging upward, Sim buried himself to the hilt. Kiston drew in a sharp breath, attempting to adjust to his size. She’d never felt so full. Complete. Intact. Her whole life she’d felt as if something was missing. It was Sim.

She couldn’t look away from his face. Her heart had known all along. No matter how hard she fought to keep it protected, it had known him. Holding her gaze, Sim lowered his head until their foreheads touched. Kiston knew in her heart Sim felt as she did. He didn’t look away. Rocking forward, he pumped inside, building friction where their bodies met. His skin dragged across her clit in time with his hips, stealing away her every thought.

Shifting positions, Sim tilted her hips at an angle. The combination created a sensation she’d never experienced before. Her head fell back against the wall, and she fought to move closer to the sensations he created. It was ecstasy. There wasn’t a slow build up. It was a surprise explosion. His name tore from her lips, bouncing off the walls of the shower in the aftermath. Sim gathered her closer to his chest.

“Water off.” At his command, the water disappeared from above. Sim went straight for his bed—wet skin, bodies joined and begging for more. Kiston was a mess and didn’t care. When he covered her with his body, she fought to get closer with each pump of his cock inside her. She wanted a repeat of the experience in the shower. Most of all, she wanted to see him come undone.

When it happened, Kiston’s heart twisted in her chest. With his head thrown back, cords straining and teeth bared, Kiston wanted to memorize the expression and keep it for the rest of her life. Knowledge hit her square in the chest. She would kill for him. No one would ever take him from her or she would take their lives in exchange.

Sim’s face softened as he rolled to his side, taking her with him. His eyes stayed closed, making her doubt herself for a moment. That is, until he tucked her in even tighter against body, as if she was precious to him.

Even if he didn’t normally sleep, he needed to rest. His body needed to work out its new changes. She frowned. There would be changes. It was unavoidable. Sim hadn’t been wrong. He would be more machine now than before, but really, all they could do was wait and see.

Five minutes passed where Kiston was positive he’d fallen asleep. That is until his voice cut through the dark. “I thought about you while you were sleeping.” His voice sounded thick as if he was more asleep than awake.

“What did you think?”

“I wondered if you ever see me in your dreams the way I see you in mine.”

Kiston’s heart swelled at the confession. Inching even closer, she buried her face in the crook of his neck as she made her own. “Every single time I close my eyes.”

* * *

The room lightened to an eerie gray. It was enough to pull Dez from his sleep. Rep watched it happen in awe. Dez was perfect in every way, and as the night slipped away, Rep’s insecurities slipped in. There didn’t seem to be any way of stopping the question falling from his lips.

“Am I different? From other men,” Rep tacked on when Dez gave him an odd look.

“For me, you’re as unique as they come. You’re the only one.”

Disheartened, Rep glanced away muttering under his breath. “That’s nice but not really what I meant.” Dez rolled onto his side, pillowing his head with his hands and giving Rep his full attention.

“Then explain what you meant. You can always talk to me.” But he couldn’t, and the knowledge was crippling. Nonetheless, he tried to articulate the questions plaguing him. “Do I behave differently from other men? I wonder if that’s where I have failed you in the past. Should I be holding your hand and toying with your fingers as Miles does with Alexia?”

Dez went completely still. The absence of movement was so complete, Rep ran a check on his vitals to ensure his heart hadn’t stopped.

“Um,” Dez began before snapping his teeth together and biting off whatever he’d been about to say.

“If you don’t wish for me to do that, then I won’t,” Rep assured him, a bit hurt over his reaction. He couldn’t help but add, “But I’d like to do those things.”

At his confession, Dez took his hand, linking their fingers. “I always long for your touch. Please don’t ever hold back. Rep,” he paused, and Rep couldn’t miss his questioning tone. However, Dez didn’t appear as if he intended to finish. Rep wanted to give him the same freedom Dez had given him. He mimicked Dez’s pose.

“You can ask me anything. I’ll always answer.”

Sucking in a deep breath, Dez blew out his cheeks, slowly releasing the air. Rep didn’t think he’d ever seen Dez seem unsure the way he did now. When he finally spoke, his question came out in a rush, as if he was trying to get it over with as quickly as possible.

“Am I the first man you’ve ever been with? Sexually, I mean.”

Rep couldn’t understand Dez’s discomfiture. What did it matter? Sometimes it was hard for him to choose which way he should react with Dez. This was one of those times. In the end, he decided the shorter his answer the better.

“Yes. You’re the first.”

Dez rolled onto his back, scrubbing his hands over his face. Rep’s heart sank. “I’m always failing you, even when I don’t understand why.” Rep sounded as dejected as he felt. Dez shot him an incredulous look.

“You are not always failing me. Why would you even think such a thing?”

He lifted one shoulder. “It’s how I feel. My every action makes you angry. For a few hours tonight, I made you happy, but it’s obviously over now. I wouldn’t have answered your question had I known.” He couldn’t hide the sad note to his voice. He’d allowed himself to hope. Damn. He was tired. Rep moved to roll from the bed, but Dez pounced before he could get away. His expression was one Rep couldn’t define. It was as if he was experiencing hundreds of emotions all at once, making it impossible for his face to settle into one demeanor. He ran Dez’s vitals against it. A sharp pain hit him behind the eye. He slapped his palm against it. Dez’s face finally settled into a single emotion—concern.

“Rep. Tell me what what’s wrong. Do I need to get Dr. Beck?”

He shook his head. “I attempted to read your mood, and it was too much. Sorry.” Rep squeezed his eyes shut, hoping to stave off the nausea. The data flashing across his optics moved at such a clipped pace he worried he might have a seizure. Dez’s fingers brushed through his hair, soothing him.

“Don’t apologize. Tell me how I can help you.”

“Slow down,” Rep begged. “Tell me what’s going on inside your head. Break down your emotions—one by one—so it slows down my system.”

“Your admission scared me,” Dez whispered, as if confessing a dirty secret. He brushed Rep’s hair away from his face and swiped his fingers through his hair as he spoke. Rep’s muscles relaxed. “You’re so beautiful. How is possible you’ve never been with another man unless you only did this to please me and you don’t really want me.” Rep’s eyes shot open, and a burst of anger simmered beneath his skin at the accusation. Dez didn’t give him time to work up any real indignation before shushing him. “You’ve already said you love me, and I believe you. I’m scared as hell because I’ve never had so much to lose, and I’m upset with you for not telling me sooner. I would’ve done things differently.”

Rep eyed him curiously. “What sort of things?”

Dez shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I would’ve gone slow and took things easy.”

“I don’t want those things.”

“How do you feel now?”

Rep turned inward, running a quick scan on his system. “I’m fine.” Dez braced his arms on either side of Rep’s head. With his weight balanced on his palms, he lowered his mouth to Rep’s. A half second before he closed the final gap between them, Dez paused. “I’m your first. You must have thought of me as special in some way. I’m also your last.” His voice went hard. “Do you understand me?”

Rep didn’t smile, but it was right there under the surface. Only the sure knowledge it would piss Dez off stopped him from doing so. Gliding his hands up Dez’s arms, Rep nearly groaned at the hard muscles against his palms. Instead, he confessed everything hoping to soothe away whatever Dez battled internally.

“One day, I was standing next to you, and my emotions were all over the place. At the same exact moment, we glanced in each other’s direction. When our eyes met, it was suddenly blazingly clear. Our friendship was more than that. It was better. Beautiful. From the very beginning you’ve been the clearest thought in my head. Now, tell my why I’d ever go anywhere else?”

* * *

Dez almost didn’t let him finish speaking. He was long past hearing enough to satisfy him. They were simply meant to be. The second Rep finished the final syllable, Dez closed the final gap between them, shaping the man’s perfect lips with his. He lingered, not pressing for more. This was the kind of love that lasted forever.

It didn’t take long for what he meant to be a sweet kiss to turn to spice. He welcomed it, longed for it. All the many nights he’d palmed his dick and whispered Rep’s name came rushing to the surface. He had the real thing now. Dez wanted to hear him scream. The knowledge that Rep had never been with another man made him realize there were a million acts he hadn’t experienced. Dez was about to remedy that.

Rep’s thick erection pressed between them, smearing pre-cum across Dez’s abs, telling him exactly how turned on he was by their kiss. Dez wanted to taste his cock. Inching lower, he touched his lips to Rep’s jaw before opening his mouth wide over the column of his throat. Rep moaned. It vibrated against Dez’s lips. He wanted more.

By the time his teeth scraped Rep’s collarbone, Rep was panting. Dez’s pulse raced, doing its best to keep time with every ragged breath. Below the pads of Rep’s chest, there was a deep valley before the surface exploded into ripples of cut abs. Dez lingered there, dipping his tongue into the spot. He swore—in that moment—he could remember every single time his gaze had lingered there. The muscles in Rep’s stomach tensed as if anticipating their turn.

“Dez.”

He sucked in a sharp breath at the way Rep sighed his name. It was almost too much. An irrational spike of fear ran through him. What if this turned out to be a dream? How would he go on? Rep’s hands massaged his shoulders, letting Dez know his panic hadn’t gone unnoticed. Just in case it wasn’t real, Dez pressed his cheek against Rep’s stomach, absorbing his heat before he lost his chance to do so.

“I love you, Rep. Damn. I wish I could think of something even more powerful to say.”

A gentle caress swiped across his jaw before Rep forced Dez’s chin upward, leaving him with no other choice than to meet his gaze. As he stared up the line of the body he’d wanted for so long, Dez was struck by how solid and steady Rep was. There wasn’t as much as a hint of uncertainty in his eyes.

“There’s no expression in the human vocabulary more powerful. Those three words have brought down entire empires, and I hear them chanting, over and over again, inside my head every time I look at you. They’re so loud, I don’t know how you can’t hear them.” His lids lowered, and a flush appeared across his cheeks, proving his lust hadn’t been dampened at all by the serious topic. He brushed his thumb along Dez’s bottom lip. The vulnerability Rep had shown earlier had completely disappeared, replaced with open desire. “Do you intend to tease me all night?”

A hint of devilment seeped in, and a smirk tugged at Dez’s lips in response. “I might.” He barely suppressed a chuckle when Rep growled.

“You’ll pay for this.”

He laughed then. It was the wrong move. Dez blinked at the ceiling, confused as to how he came to be staring at it. When Rep’s lips closed around his erection, he no longer cared. There was nothing except for the sensation of his crown scraping across the roof of Rep’s mouth, his fingers probing his ass. Rep seemed to be everywhere. His hand replaced his mouth, pumping and squeezing as his tongue swiped Dez’s sac.

Dez floundered between clutching the sheets and grasping Rep’s hair. He was driven toward a single goal—the blinding orgasm Rep promised by his actions. When Rep’s tongue probed at his asshole, Dez swore he saw stars. Words even he didn’t understand tore from his throat. Dez was certain he was promising Rep the world. Damned if he could hear a thing past the roar in his ears. His balls drew up tight. He could feel the pressure building, climbing. Proving he’d been waiting for the perfect moment, Rep opened his jaw wide over Dez’s cock, taking him to the back of his throat as he pushed two fingers inside his ass. It pushed Dez over the edge. Even as the ecstasy crashed over him, Dez refused to look away from Rep. He watched it all. The way the man’s throat moved as he swallowed every drop of Dez’s semen, his expression of complete bliss, left Dez wrecked. He experienced a moment of clarity that couldn’t be ignored. He would die for Rep, kill for him. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for him or to keep him. But, for now, his intentions were a bit more primal. He was about to teach Rep what it was like to get sucked off by the best.

Chapter 8

Kiston knew Sim wasn’t sleeping, maybe recharging. She smiled at the knowledge she could wear him out to this extent. His current state left her free to simply watch him. If there was a man more handsome, she hadn’t seen him. Most likely, it was the afterglow of a blazing orgasm adding to his appeal, but, truly, he was beautiful. Dark thoughts attempted pushing their way in. As hard as she tried, she couldn’t hold them at bay for long. She wanted to rage against the unfairness of life. It seemed almost cruel she should have him now when there was a war raging throughout the world. After a few minutes of stewing in her depression, she realized she was looking at things the wrong way. Even if everything ended tomorrow, Kiston had owned Sim. She’d held him, kissed him. His bare skin had brushed hers. Without even realizing it, she lifted her hand to his chest. Stroking upward, she traced the line of his shoulder.

On the outside, Sim was hardened steel. On the inside—Kiston’s hand fell still against his skin as her mind latched onto that one tiny detail. In truth, Sim was even harder than steel, wasn’t he? In fact, she hadn’t even considered attempting to pierce the coating on his skin with anything less than a diamond-tipped carbonite needle. Her hand lifted once more without her permission, and her mind drifted to the memory of pulling the injection cylinder from his spine. Her fingers encircled its phantom weight in her palm. It was so obvious now. At the time, she’d been in shock. As if the realization was the final clue she been searching for, the entire picture came together.

She scrambled from the bed, throwing on the first clothes she found that looked like they might not fall off. The t-shirt was inside out, and she didn’t have any clean underwear. Deciding to skip it, she slipped on a pair of Sim’s boxers for shorts. It didn’t matter how she looked, she wasn’t going far. It would only take one quick test to prove her theory. Sim said her name, snagging her attention before she could make it to the door. He peeked out at her from beneath the arm slung over his eyes, looking like the sexiest man on the planet.

“I have to go—”

Sim released a loud groan, cutting off her explanation. “Damn, Kiston. With the way you were rushing around here, I thought someone had died.”

“If I’m right, several someones have already died.”

He dropped his arms from his face and flashed her an exasperated look. “I said someone.” The final word barely left his lips before Kiston turned away. Nothing had changed. Sim still didn’t believe in her cause. She was giving up everything for him and he couldn’t meet her halfway. She stormed out of the bedroom with Sim hot on her heels. Rep and Dez were halfway through suiting up to leave. The pair turned in her direction as she all but skidded into the room. She could only imagine how she must look, especially with the huge, pissed-off giant barreling down on her heels.

He caught up to her before she said a word to the others. “Kiston, you cannot go back to Cryo-Zone. That’s suicide.”

“I know that! I never intended to; you just assumed that’s where I was headed because just like everything else when it comes to me, you think I’m a fucking idiot. I’m too stupid to take care of myself or know when someone cares about me. That’s why all my stories seem made up to you because I’m too dense to have my own thoughts and beliefs.” She was so mad, she didn’t even know what had started the fight. Her rush had really been more about appeasing her curiosity than being any real help in the current world climate. The revolution ship had sailed; her work was done. Unfortunately, it seemed Sim didn’t trust her enough to figure it out on her own.

* * *

“Look Kiston,” Sim said, praying he could find a way to get through to her, “I’m not saying any of that. I’m only trying to say you’re looking at this from a human’s point of view. I’m half droid, so I would know. It doesn’t work the way you’re picturing it. Computers analyze and then choose the logical course of action, regardless of the repercussions. Every day I have to push myself to look past what my programming tells me I should do in order to do what’s right, even when it’s “wrong”. This line of attack the droids are using should tell you everything. It’s logical. Make everyone at least partially robotic and the laws don’t apply. That’s an idea only a computer would determine was the right path, but it’s the soul that screams it’s wrong to leave people without a choice. Androids don’t have that.”

She glanced in Dez and Rep’s direction as if seeking help. Her gaze dropped to the floor when they both remained silent. I was obvious she needed a moment to control herself. Indeed, her heartbeat increased signaling she was on the verge on snapping. “This matters to me,” she said, finally meeting his stare. “I care way more than I should that in spite of all the evidence, you still refuse to believe me. It hurts me deeper than having to stand against the entire world. Indeed, I would rather stand beside the droids in this fight than at the side of a man who doesn’t believe in me.”

“I’m sorry, but what you’re talking about isn’t humanly possible.”

“Maybe you’re right.” That stumped him, taking the wind out of his sails for a second before she added, “But what if you’re wrong? While I’m willing to concede that it’s entirely possible that companion bots have become so accustomed to simulating human emotion they no longer recognize the difference between mimicking and reality, I have to go on record as saying I don’t believe it. Perhaps Zephyr—for example—feels no more than that couch over there.” She jabbed her finger toward the innocent piece of furniture. “But what if you’re wrong? Nobody cares about that couch. If you set it outside right now, no one would bat an eye when someone else took it home. It doesn’t matter at all unless you’re the couch.”

There was a tiny voice in his head whispering she was right. He could be the couch if this revolution came down on the wrong side. The realization only pissed him off more. This battle would make life harder for people such as him—the computers that could actually feel and understand their loss. He scrubbed his hands over his head in frustration. “So what then? Will you fight for the rights of furniture next?” Even though he knew he was being ridiculous, he couldn’t stop. “Do you intend to stand before the United World Congress and argue all sofas should be released from their oppression?”

As if their argument wasn’t the least bit ludicrous, Kiston didn’t back down an inch. “If it starts talking to me, then damn right I will!”

“Goddamn it, Kiston. I don’t intend to stand by your side for every stupid-ass lost cause.” Sim wanted to snatch the vow back the moment it left his lips, but it was too late.

“I see.” In two words, Kiston said a thousand things. The biggest one being, they were through. “I’ll just get my things,” she took two steps before freezing. “Oh, I guess I don’t really have anything.” Her heartrate slowed into an eerily calm pace as if she’d accepted her fate. Instead of facing Sim, she stared in Rep and Dez’s direction. Her voice came out in a soft whisper, making him wonder if she was speaking more to herself. “It was inevitable, I think.”

He growled. “You won’t be happy until you’re dead.”

She finally met his gaze. In direct contrast to her vitals, Kiston’s eyes swam with unshed tears. Her silent heartbreak moved him more than anything else could have. “At least I’ll know I’ve given everything I have to achieve something beautiful. There are worse fates.” Her gaze moved over each of them before landing on Rep. A tiny smile touched her lips. “My life wasn’t a waste.”

Rep released a loud curse, summing up Sim’s feelings as well.

* * *

Rep knew his silence made him twice as guilty. His chest tightened. While Dez watched their argument, wearing an expression of helplessness, Rep couldn’t look away from him. For a moment, he’d belonged to him. He would cling to the memory. As Kiston moved to leave, Rep’s arm shot out, grabbing ahold of her before she could get away. Even then, his eyes never moved from Dez’s face. “Kiston is telling the truth.”

“Don’t do this.”

He ignored her whispered plea. With her wrist locked tightly in his grip, he reached over and touched Dez’s cheek before tracing his bottom lip with his thumb. Even though he could barely breathe, he knew he wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he allowed Kiston to sacrifice everything while he did nothing.

Keeping his eyes locked on Dez’s mouth, he stole the chance to say something he’d always wanted to. “There were so many times I could feel you watching me. I wanted to crawl out of my skin to escape the overwhelming need to simply be with you.” He finally met Dez’s gaze, and the confusion written on the man’s face almost made him change his mind. It was too late to back down. “The thing is, I had to stay away because I didn’t want to ever lie to you.” Kiston’s breath hitched. He could smell the saltiness of her tears, and he knew they were falling freely. He didn’t look away from Dez. Rep needed him to know how much he meant to him, even as he destroyed everything they had. “I still don’t want to live a lie.”

Bringing his wrist to his mouth, Rep used his teeth to tug off the rubber bracelets he always wore. As he spat them onto the floor, Kiston shook with silent cries, but she didn’t try to stop him. “Please don’t hate me,” he begged as he held his arm out, wrist up, for Dez to see.

* * *

Dez dropped his chin to his chest and stared silently at the barcode marking Rep’s skin. A part of him had always known it on some level. After all, Rep was perfect in every way, perfectly made. Rep was an android. He didn’t know how long he stood there, incapable of saying a word. Rep dropped his arm.

“Let’s go, Kiston. You’ll need protection.” When Rep took a step away, Dez snapped out of his haze as he realized Rep intended to leave with her. Before Dez had time to react, Sim stormed across the room, snatching Kiston out of Rep’s hold and off her feet.

“She’s not going any goddamn where.” He growled as he tossed her over his shoulder. “I’m about sick of this running-away shit.”

“I guess I’m on my own then,” Rep said, sounding as if it was no big deal. The angel crawled over Dez’s skin, giving life to his inner fury. His temper snapped. Reaching out, he snagged Rep’s shirt and hauled him forward until they stood nose to nose.

“Where the fuck do you think you’re going?” Was that his voice? Even to his ears, he sounded inhuman. He was vaguely aware of Sim’s curse-filled lecture as he carried Kiston to their room and kicked the door closed behind them. Dez didn’t give a shit about any of it. The only thing that mattered to him was Rep. It had always been that way. The data flashing across his brain fed him Rep’s vitals and hormone levels faster than the speed of light. Those were reactions Rep couldn’t fake. They were human reactions. He didn’t know how it was possible, but Rep was real. He felt every bit as deeply as Dez did. The uncertain expression on his Rep’s face slashed across his heart. He forced his temper under control.

“How could you doubt me, doubt us?” As the question left his lips, Dez realized how much he meant it. After everything, all the times he’d stayed. In the face of the odds stacked against him, Dez had stayed, and now Rep thought to walk away.

“You heard Sim—I’m soulless.”

Loosening his grip on Rep’s t-shirt, he smoothed out the wrinkles with his fingertips. He didn’t need to think it over. No doubt about it, the man owed him a few explanations, but no matter what he learned from here, it wouldn’t change the reality of the situation.

“That’s not true at all.” Dez had never believed anything more. “You have half of mine.” Rep’s lips parted in surprise, and even though it nearly killed him to do so Dez steeled his spine. If he was going to hang onto his sanity, they needed to get something straight. “If you think you can quit us, then you should.” The hurt crossing Rep’s face almost had him backing down, but this was too important. “If you think there’s the slightest chance you can walk away from me and not look back, then I want you to do it now. This is your one chance to get out while the getting is good. But I’m telling you now: if you stay, then you’d better never threaten to leave me again. I’m sick of wondering where I stand.”

Rep’s mouth hit his with so much force that Dez tasted blood. It didn’t matter. He wasn’t feeling any pain. When Rep’s tongue swiped across his bottom lip, he opened for him immediately. Dez was held captive by the grip on the back of his head as Rep sucked on his tongue. He wanted to growl when the man leaned away.

“Fuck you, you bastard. You know I can’t live without you,” Rep barked, and then he was back, consuming him. Dez’s heart soared. That’s why he’d stayed even when there didn’t seem to be an ounce of hope. In his heart, he’d always known Rep loved him. They had a connection most people never found.

He reached for the waistband of Rep’s jeans, needing more. Rep covered his hand, stopping him. Even though his breathing sounded ragged, he was still thinking too clearly for Dez’s peace of mind. “Kiston and Sim,” he said, reminding Dez they were still standing in the middle of the living room. He didn’t give a fuck.

“Shut the hell up, Rep.” Dez pushed his hand away and unbuttoned Rep’s jeans. He palmed his erection, boldly stroking until Rep moaned under his caress.

“All right then,” Rep said, sounding breathless.

Dez dipped lower, rolling Rep’s balls between his fingers as he touched his lips to the man’s jaw. “Don’t ever fucking lie to me again,” he warned as he moved to Rep’s throat.

“You got it. Whatever you want—it’s yours.”

Dez liked the sound of that. “Good. What I want is you.”

“You’ve always had me,” Rep said, making Dez’s heart soar in spite of the hint of anger that still lingered in the back of his mind.

He nipped at Rep’s collar bone. Every muscle in the man’s body seemed ready to snap from the tension. Dez bit back a smile. If only he’d known sooner how much control he had when he’d felt so helpless in the face of wanting Rep. “I also want you to fuck me,” Dez said, wondering how far he could push him before Rep snapped. He dropped to his knees. “But not yet,” he added, taking Rep’s dick between his lips. He made sure Rep’s crown scraped the roof of his mouth, torturously slow, before allowing Rep to hit the back of his throat. This game went both ways; Dez was near to coming in his jeans.

A door slammed in the distance. Dez didn’t give a shit. If anyone decided to come this way, they would get one hell of a show. Rep didn’t try to stop him, making Dez certain he was beyond caring as well. Palming the backs of Rep’s thighs, he dragged the man closer, hollowing out his cheeks before swallowing him once more. He repeated the motion, swearing he could feel the pleasure as his own. When it came to Rep, it was Dez’s pleasure. Every fantasy he’d held over the years, and dream he’d possessed, would finally be his. There was so much love between the two of them, Dez didn’t care if he ever moved from that spot as long as he could make Rep feel even a hint of the simmering passion he did. Dez’s roots stung as Rep buried his fingers in his hair.

“I love you.” The husky words falling from Rep’s lips were worth more than a million from anyone else.

* * *

“You’re a paralogistic,” Kiston said against Sim’s back. Oddly, even as she called him names, her hand caressed the curve of his ass. Of course, her face was near to being right in it, slung over his shoulder as she was. Still. It caused his steps to falter, and he set her on her feet.

“Is that even a word?”

“It is now.” Her voice came out sounding every bit as pissed as he felt.

He took a couple of deep breaths, in an attempt to cool his temper, before responding. All this fighting was getting them nowhere. “Okay. Even though you just admitted to making it up, I do get what you’re saying. I’m not someone who argues to hear myself argue. And before you say it, I’m not a neophobe either. I’m perfectly fine with things changing.”

“What about Rep then? You still think I’m making all this up, even after learning about him?”

Sim shrugged. “I’ve never been able to read any of his vitals, and he has shown an unnatural lack of care over Dez’s feelings. So, really, it makes sense. I’m not saying I’m not surprised, but I think he goes further at proving my point when you factor in the details. If he felt anything, he wouldn’t have put Dez through hell the way he has.”

Kiston lifted her hands for a moment before they fell to her sides as if she had physically attempted to grasp a response that wouldn’t come. “Poor Rep,” she said, finally. “He sacrificed everything for me in this argument, and it was all for nothing.”

“I wouldn’t go as far as that. He’s no longer lying to Dez, so that’s something. Now the guy can decide for himself if he wants to cling to loving someone who will never feel anything for him in return.”

The expression on Kiston’s face was a mixture of horror and disbelief, mimicking the way he felt. Even he didn’t understand why he was being so harsh. “Do you honestly think it’s all in my mind?” It was the way she asked the question that warned Sim he shouldn’t answer. There was a hint of heartache in her tone. When she continued, he knew he’d been right to stay silent. “Because the way I feel about you, it’s in my head too. You’re in my head. Am I seeing love where there is none?” Her voice broke on the final word, punching him in the gut. It was almost funny. Until that moment, he hadn’t realized how much he was hurting her by doubting her.

In his shock, he couldn’t respond. How could he ever cause her pain? No matter what he believed, he would never willingly choose that road. All the time he’d spent trying to avoid becoming a machine had actually been spent doing exactly that. He’d removed every ounce of gut feeling and replaced it with logic. He was the biggest of fools.

* * *

Sim didn’t respond even though she’d confessed to loving him. It was the final straw as far as Kiston was concerned. She could handle a lot of things, loving him when he didn’t feel the same wasn’t one. She headed for the door. “I’m out of here.”

“You really don’t want to do that.”

Ignoring his deadly tone, she threw open the door and froze. The sight of Rep completely lost in throes of ecstasy was one Kiston felt sure she would never forget. His rock-star looks were twice as hot covered in the flush of arousal. Her feet left the floor as Sim snatched her from behind and slammed the door closed. For a moment it felt like she was flying before her back hit the mattress and Sim came down on top of her.

“I told you that you didn’t want to do that.”

She did her best to act as if she was unaffected. Even though she knew he could read her every emotion, she didn’t have to give him the satisfaction of showing him a thing. “This is hardly the first time I’ve seen someone get a blow job.” A tiny smile pulled at her lips. “I’m certain I remember seeing them as up close as possible.”

His brows drew together, showing his confusion. “I don’t give a shit what they’re doing. But I won’t give you a second warning. You do not want to try to walk out of this room again. Next time, I won’t be gentle.”

Kiston realized he’d not been trying to stop her from walking in on Dez and Rep. He’d been warning her against attempting to walk out on him. The need to goad him further rose inside her.

“What are you going to do? Are you going to keep me tied up?” He shifted positions until she was cradling his hips between her thighs. The erection pressed between them couldn’t be missed. Unfortunately, in spite of his body’s reaction, Sim’s temper hadn’t cooled one iota.

“For fuck’s sake, Kiston, cut me some slack. I love you, and I’m fucking trying.” Everything inside her stilled at his admission, but he wasn’t finished. “Every time you speak, I want to believe every word you say as gospel, but just as you won’t believe my side unless I can prove it beyond a hint of doubt, I’m the same. Our past bullshit shapes us, and I can’t change that. The place where I grew up was no more than a farm readying me for slaughter. There was no mercy at the hands of objects you say understood the mental and physical pain they caused. Can’t you meet me halfway and see how it’s too hard of a pill for me to swallow? I can’t accept that it was a conscious being, or it’s sadism not science. Why can’t you just accept me as I am? Goddamn, Kiston. I love you no matter how you feel about it. But you keep running away before I have time to process, and I don’t know how to hold my footing or keep up. It’s hard work failing you. It’s exhausting always being wrong when all I want is for you to stand still long enough for me to make you see that I care way more about you than you obviously ever will about me.”

It wasn’t true. She cared more than she could put into words. Her mouth opened to deny it, setting everything right, but that’s not what came out. “Would you really keep me tied up?”

“If I have to.” Instead of the fear she should’ve been feeling over the idea of Sim holding her captive, Kiston’s channel pulsed with need. Her nipples hardened. “It’s only fair,” he said so low, it came out in a whisper. “I’ve been a prisoner since the moment we met. If you leave me, it will destroy me.”

Her eyes burned. “My favorite color is purple,” she confessed, searching for a way to make him understand how deeply she felt for him. “But I don’t own a single thing in that shade. I sleep with your notes under my pillow and see you every night when I close my eyes. Even though I didn’t know what I was missing before I met you, I felt the loss every day. The thought of someone harming you in any way makes me want to punch someone.” He snorted, just as she knew he would. “I don’t know how to be anyone other than who I am. I’ve fought too long, but it changes nothing when it comes to you. Even if I tried, I don’t think I could ever stop loving you, Sim,” she paused for effect because she wanted to hear his laughter, because she was addicted to making him feel. “U. Lation.” A hint of a dimple appeared in the corner of his mouth, but he still wasn’t giving her what she wanted—his open happiness.

“You can change it if you’d like. I’m not accustomed to having a name, so whatever.” That pissed her off, but she bit her tongue against it. Someone, somewhere, would feel her wrath one day for the injustice he’d endured. For now, she could only do what she could do. She snaked her arms around his neck.

“Hmm. I don’t know. I’m a bit attached to it. It is a very stately sounding name when you say it slowly.” She lifted her knees, brushing his hips and remind him of their position. His gaze dropped to her mouth. She bit back a smile. “Of course, I like the way it feels on my tongue when I say it fast.” She tried saying it as fast as possible. His eyes crinkled at the corners but they still weren’t there.

“I like the way you feel on my tongue,” he growled, teasing her. Punctuating his words, he snagged the waistband of the boxers and slid it down her hip. He was killing her. Her breasts ached with the need to feel his bare chest against them. She could barely suppress the urge to brush her hand over her mound and relieve the pressure building between her legs. Making a mental checklist of the material standing between them, Kiston calculated how long it would take to make it disappear. Before she could stop it from happening, a burst of unexpected laughter bubbled out from her throat. It didn’t seem to deter Sim in the least. He tugged the shirt over her head.

“Share,” he demanded before closing his lips around her nipple and making it impossible for her speak. He tugged at the hardened pebble with his teeth, tearing a gasp from her before moving to the other side. It made her wonder if he feared it would get jealous.

She spoke through broken sighs, wondering if he could understand a word she said as his tongue dipped inside her navel. “I was imagining Rep telling everyone we fought while wearing nothing but your underwear.” The final word came out in a squeak as his tongue parted her nether lips. He froze, making her want to scream and pull his hair. Gripping his shoulders, she did her best to dig her fingernails into his skin before remembering it wasn’t going to happen. He shook. With lust gnawing at her gut, she couldn’t understand why, until it dawned on her he was laughing. The deep rumble vibrating against her pussy drove her even more insane. Grabbing his hair, she tugged until she had his attention. When his gaze collided with hers, the happiness on his face almost made her forget to speak. Somehow the words still came. “I’m going to tell him I won.”

Holding her stare, he lowered his chin. As he opened his mouth over her, teasing her clit with his tongue, he paused only long enough to argue. “No. You didn’t.” The confidence in his tone matched the surety of his actions. As his fingers stretched her channel and her muscles tensed, Kiston heard her voice as if it came from a tunnel.

“Okay.”

“That’s my girl,” he cooed. Damned if Kiston wasn’t completely fine with being wrong for once. He was worth it. Every time her muscles tensed in anticipation of explosion, Sim backed away. She wanted to scream. A silky chuckle floated through the air making Kiston realize he was doing it on purpose.

“I think I hate you a little.”

At her confession, Sim switched positions. On his back at her side, he tugged her close. “You should take it” he said, urging her on top of him. “Come on, baby, straddle my face. Let me feel you come apart against my tongue.”

Even under the threat of torture Kiston wouldn’t have admitted she was embarrassed. However, it turned out lust trumped dignity. She did as he bade.

“Hang onto the headboard. You’re going to need the support.”

The cool wood beneath her palms didn’t seem enough when he stiffened his tongue and fucked her. She rocked against him. The tingle between her legs became an electric surge. Sim massaged her ass, but didn’t attempt control her thrusts. Not that it mattered. There was no holding back her orgasm the moment his lips closed around her clit. The spasms nearly caused her to black out. Air sawed in and out of her lungs. She could smell him, taste him and feel him, but Kiston couldn’t focus on a single thing as she melted from her position. He swiped his face across her inner thigh, leaving it wet before she could get away. As she slithered down his body, she set his erection free.

“Damn, Kiston.” His rough tone and heated gaze kept her aroused. “You taste so fucking delicious. I don’t want to stop.”

Sim was a sickness. She was the one who couldn’t stop. Too much of him would never be enough. No matter what she’d said, there was no way she could walk away from him. Everything Dez confessed about his feelings for Rep rang true to her in that moment. She felt the same. As she sank down onto Sim’s cock and tightened her inner muscles around him, she accepted the truth. She would die without him. The tidal wave of emotion inside her rendered her mute. Words were useless. She wanted to show him how she felt.

Before she could dip her head and capture his lips, Sim sat up and met her halfway. He wrapped his arms around her, going chest to chest. The flavor of feminine salt lingered on his tongue. It was sexy as hell. They had a middle ground, she realized. It was called love.

* * *

Miles sat in the center of the art studio staring at Alexia. The occasional smile touching her lips was the only indication she knew he was watching her every move. Sometimes he would look at her and wonder what he would’ve done differently if he hadn’t met her. It was an unbearable thought, but not a pointless one. He’d chosen Dead-Zone for her. Alexia cut her eyes in his direction before looking away again. He’d make that same decision a million times to keep her safe. Unfortunately, he’d made the choice for his team as well.

Miles didn’t kid himself into thinking they didn’t have a say in the matter. Each of them were free to leave at any time. They stayed because all they had were one another. His guilt sprang from a different place. Knowledge was a burden. No matter how hard he’d tried to slip away from being the person in charge, he always found his way back to the position. All he wanted was Alexia. Most of the time, they kept to themselves. Not because they didn’t care, but Miles was addicted to the freedom he felt when he was alone with his wife. He wanted the men who felt like brothers to him, to have what he had. They equally deserved it. The problem was, he didn’t have the power to force it. Coming to grips with what they’d each suffered was a personal journey he couldn’t provide them with. The fact that they were so close to having what he found in Alexia made his job easier and harder.

“You’re staring at me.”

“I’m not,” Miles lied blatantly.

“It’s going to be okay.”

He wasn’t so sure, but he let her words soothe him. Concentrating on the sound of her heartbeat alongside their son’s, he almost forgot his worries.

“How long do we have?”

Miles did a quick scan of the other occupants of the house before answering. “Perhaps an hour.”

“An hour is a long time.” She was trying to make him forget. He loved her so much. He was also onboard. The slightest hint of promised pleasure from her always had him hard as a rock. If he was being honest, it didn’t take even that much. She was always right there, simmering, under his skin. An hour could be a long time indeed.

* * *

Upon Miles’ order, Sim and Kiston made their way to the war room, less than half awake but happy. She was still wearing his clothes, and he loved it. There wasn’t a doubt in Sim’s mind that his hair stood on end. Kiston had tried, unsuccessfully, to tie hers in a knot at the back of her neck. It was sexy as hell. Tearing his mind away from how it had ended up in such a mess, Sim took note of the room as they entered. It seemed they were the last to arrive. Rep and Dez didn’t look to be in any better shape. Even though Rep’s bracelets were back in place, Sim couldn’t forget what he’d seen. It didn’t seem to matter in the least to Dez. The man appeared happier than Sim could ever remember seeing him. Rep’s arm was slung across the back of the man’s chair, openly claiming him. That realization made Sim proud. Dez deserved it.

Sim almost laughed at the way Kiston kept trying to straighten her hair. If she took a look around the room, she’d see that even Miles and Alexia were only half put together. No doubt about it, today the house was filled to the brim. He experienced a sudden burst of familial pride for the bunch he’d landed in life. They weren’t blood. It didn’t matter. He’d never met better men. It seemed as though they were being called to the carpet for the recent dissent. As they claimed their chairs, Miles spoke, confirming his suspicions.

“I understand we missed quite a bit of drama yesterday.”

“I’m sorry,” Rep said, jumping in first. “I never intended to hide anything from you.”

Miles didn’t hesitate. “You didn’t. I’ve always known.”

Rep’s brows drew together. “Are you being serious?” Sim couldn’t blame him for asking. It was almost impossible to tell since Miles’ expression rarely changed.

“Of course. Have you ever known me to be otherwise?” Not with them, Sim conceded, but with Alexia, Miles was a different person. Rep seemed satisfied with the answer. Proving it had been a rhetorical question, Miles leaned his elbows on the table and continued without waiting for an answer. “If I had any other option, Rep, I’d take it. Anytime you want to demand the same of me, I’ll willingly explain in great detail exactly how Alexia makes me feel. I want you to realize I understand how personal this is, and I know it’s total bullshit for me to ask you to do this, but I don’t think the air is going to be completely clear around here until you do. It’s time to make people see.”

Sim wanted to groan. He’d never meant for anyone to have to drag out their business. To Sim’s surprise, a luminous smile stretched Rep’s lips. Sim’s optic scanners fired to life. For the first time ever, he could read every one of Rep’s vitals and hormone levels. He was fascinated by the phenomenon. He gave Miles a sharp nod.

“The day I met Dez, he was missing one pants’ leg and a boot. If I remember correctly, it was a weapon’s test gone wrong.” Rep chuckled, and, indeed, his brain waves showed he found the memory humorous. Dez snorted but otherwise held his silence. “I accidentally stepped on his half-charred foot, and he stabbed me in the arm.”

Sim wasn’t sure how he’d missed this day, but he found himself smiling along with everyone else. He could easily picture Dez doing such a thing. He was a surly bastard sometimes.

“I tried stabbing you,” Dez said, interrupting the story. “The way I remember it, your freaking skin snapped my blade.” Rep slid down a few inches in his seat. He tilted his head at an angle where his hooded gaze was for Dez alone as he picked up where Dez left off.

“My skin has a bullet-resistant coating. Fuck, you should have seen his face—it was priceless. He was holding the handle and staring at the empty spot where sharp steel had just been as if he couldn’t decide how it had come to be that way. Finally, he says, ‘I loved that knife’ in the same tone one would use if their pet died.”

Dez threw back his head and roared with laughter. The sound bounced off the walls of the tiny office, surprising Sim. He’d never seen the man look so alive. It didn’t matter how Rep felt about Dez because Dez truly was happy enough for both of them. He wiped his eyes and tried speaking through his laughter, making him almost impossible to understand.

“Then Rep does what he always does. He threw his arms up and paced the room, ranting the whole way. ‘Oh my God. Damn you, carbon coating. How could you betray me like this?’ I can’t remember every word, but it lasted a good twenty minutes. I was bent at the waist, laughing so hard I couldn’t breathe. I’d forgotten all about that day.”

“I didn’t,” Rep said, sounding so serious Dez’s humor fled. Rep continued ignoring everyone else in the room while holding Dez’s gaze. “When you gave the first hint of a smile, I couldn’t stop. The more outrageous I became, the harder you laughed, and I knew then I’d do anything to make you happy.”

“Awwwww!” Alexia exclaiming over Rep’s story seemed to remind him they weren’t alone. He turned back to them, but his gaze found Sim’s. It was the first time he could recall Rep ever truly focusing on him. For all the dude’s captivating personality, it wasn’t entirely pleasant to be the center of his attention.

“Before joining this team, I had no one, no family to call my own.”

“I’m sorry.” The words came from somewhere deep inside Sim, without him realizing he would speak. Rep ignored his apology.

“I wasn’t born,” he continued, as if there was no going back. “As a matter of fact, I don’t have a single clue how I came into being. One day I was sitting in a lab, surrounded by strangers, and wondering what the fuck? It was cold, and no one would speak to me. They talked at me or around me, but it was like I wasn’t there. It was the oddest shit.” He turned away from Sim, switching his attention to Dez once more. “Then I met you. For the first time in my life, I felt huge, as if I could conquer the world. At the same time, I felt small, like I’d finally realized I was a tiny cog in a grander plan. Every day since, I’ve lived in fear of how you would react when you knew the truth, but I need you to understand that I do feel you.”

Dez tilted his chin back and blinked at the ceiling several times before meeting Rep’s stare again. When he spoke, he sounded hoarse but his fierce tone couldn’t be denied. “I never doubted you, not for one single fucking minute.”

“Before you tried to stab me, I don’t think a single person had ever looked directly at me. It hit me here,” Rep said, tapping the center of his chest. “I could hear my pulse beating in my ears, and I couldn’t breathe. Actually, I’m not sure I’ve breathed properly since.”

“Is everyone satisfied?” Miles asked, saving Rep and Dez from having to expose anymore of their hearts for dissection.

“I,” Sim began, hoping to explain he’d already decided to trust Kiston on the matter before this meeting ever began, but it seemed Miles wasn’t finished.

“On second thought, I don’t really give a fuck. See here’s the thing. I brought all of you here to live under the same roof as my pregnant wife. The moment any one of you experienced a second of doubt over anyone else, that should’ve been the first thing you thought about. My whole world is under this roof. Did it not occur to you I would know everything there is to know about each and every one of you?”

Sim had nothing. As Miles’ second, he’d always assumed he was privy to the same information. Kiston sniffed. Proving how attuned he was to her, Sim heard her first tear fall. His head whipped around, and he looked at her. She swiped at her eyes while flashing him an apologetic smile.

“I’m not crazy,” she whispered, attempting to explain her reaction. Once again, Miles didn’t give him time to react.

“Of course you’re not crazy. Now, don’t you think it’s about time you show a little trust in us? I know it’s difficult, but they need to know.”

Sim looked back and forth between them trying his damnedest to figure out what was going on. Even though he shouldn’t have been surprised Miles knew something about Kiston the rest of them did not, it never failed to amaze him the depth in which the man could hide things.

With a nod, Kiston swiped at her eyes again and stood. “Um. Is there any way you can bring up the footage of all the extremist bombings alongside the Droid invasion?”

Miles did as she asked. Sim couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was strong and beautiful. Damn. She was such a fighter. In the face of all adversity, she’d stood strong in her beliefs. There was no way he’d ever be good enough for her, but he was damn well going to try. She cleared her throat.

“As you know, after studying the case files, I’d originally concluded that all humans would eventually be forced to undergo some form of computerization. When Sim was injected, I was sure it had begun. I was in such a panic when he was hit. My only real concern was doing everything I could to save Sim’s life. Yesterday, I realized how wrong I truly was. That injection was never meant for me. The device I pulled from Sim’s back was carbon coated with a diamond-tipped needle—the kind used to pierce armor-plated synthetic skin, not a human’s. Instead of these images,” she said gesturing toward the wall, “we should’ve been studying these.” She waved a hand in Miles’ direction, and the video feed transformed to the news story of all the government officials who had been assassinated a year earlier. It was the case that had led Miles to Alexia, and eventually here. The second news story was a different clip of androids rushing the streets. People fell in their wake as they pumped injections into their victims’ skin. It took Sim a moment to realize it wasn’t different footage than the one that had been there before; it was only transformed. There weren’t any glitches in the images, no jumpy recording, no splicing. The last one had been a fake. This one was the real one. Androids weren’t saving people—they were killing them. Except it wasn’t everyone, but neither was it random. Each target, while quickly hit, was distinctly focused upon ahead of time. Children and women weren’t touched while specific men seemed to always be the losers.

“Can you narrow it down to just the victims, Miles?” It happened as quickly as Kiston requested it. “Now, let’s do facial recognition.” It took a little longer for their public records to appear next to each face. Sim noticed his original thoughts had been wrong on one account—there was a lone woman amongst the bunch. Kiston pointed at each as she went, explaining what they were seeing.

“Child molester.” Moving to the next. “Arrested several times for spousal abuse.” Next. “Served time for murder.” The list went on, reading like a court docket instead of a tally of the deceased.

“A cleansing?” Sim asked, unsure what to think.

Instead of answering, Kiston continued, “There’s more. They seemed to be moving from a specific direction, south to north, as if steering the crowd in a set path by using their fear against them like a cattle prod. So, in answer, no. I think it’s something much worse.”

Before Sim could question her further, Miles broke in. “You’re still avoiding the truth, Kiston. Why don’t you start at the beginning?” Her eyes fell closed for a moment, but she nodded.

“When you asked how I found myself fighting for android rights, I wasn’t completely honest. It’s not that I lied, exactly. I just didn’t tell you the whole of it.” Her eyes closed again for a moment. He wondered if she prayed for strength. When she spoke again her voice came out sounding resigned. “You see, I was seven when the first helper-bot came to live with us. Mom gave him a funny name I couldn’t pronounce. He tried explaining it was some sort of sleek aircraft. I was all things girlie and lost interest fairly quick.” A ghost of a smile touched her lips. “Then he told me it was also a very pretty type of Lily.” Snorting, Kiston shook her head. It was as if they disappeared and she could only see the past in front of her. “Bless him. He was amazing. In public, I always tried to pronounce his name with varying degrees of outlandish failure, but in private, he was stuck with the name, Lily. He never once complained. Indeed, I think he found it endearing. Nonetheless, I allowed you to believe differently of the droid we had under our roof. Some things cut too deeply to share with strangers, you know?” She paused.

Sim felt sure her question had been a rhetorical one. He held his tongue. When she continued speaking, he was glad he’d chosen not to break the spell. He feared she might’ve chosen not to say another word if he’d interrupted.

“As I explained that first night, I was seventeen when my grandfather showed up at our door with a newer version, but it wasn’t a birthday surprise. It was an intervention. We’d become an embarrassment to the family name.” Blinking, Kiston seemed to snap out of her haze, focusing on her surroundings once more. Her gaze moved in Dez and Rep’s direction as if she knew no one would understand as they did. “She loved him too much to hide. When my grandfather demanded she have him destroyed, for the betterment of mankind, my mother laughed. It seemed so ridiculous at the time. She firmly, but politely, sent him on his way with the new droid in tow. I don’t suppose there will ever come a day when hindsight will stop being twenty-twenty.”

Kiston met Sim’s stare for the first time since beginning her tale. He saw the same pain in her expression he’d seen the first time she’d spoken to them about her childhood. In that moment, he knew what he’d seen in her face that first night had been dead on. She had witnessed something dark and horrible. “Our happiness had made us blind to the world around us. An intolerant world. The rose-colored glasses were ripped away so quickly and fiercely, I scarcely recall what it was truly like to feel safe. I went to bed that night feeling like someone was sitting on my chest. The expression on Lily’s face when mom shut the door behind my grandfather said more than any of the bleakest of warnings could.” He could feel what she was describing. It was sitting there, blocking the air. “It seemed like I’d just closed my eyes when the dream began. I was drowning. No matter how hard I fought, I couldn’t drag oxygen into my lungs. Even when I opened my eyes, I still couldn’t breathe. My mind couldn’t grasp why I was staring at the night sky. Finally, I spotted one wall of my bedroom still standing, and I realized what was left of our home was sitting on top of me. I had one arm free, so I tried pushing the pieces away, but it was too heavy and wouldn’t budge. Then I remembered I’d shoved my phone beneath my pillow before falling asleep when I’d almost gotten busted chatting with my friends. It didn’t matter. It didn’t—” Kiston took several deep breaths. Sim could hear her attempting to swallow them down. The horror she painted with her words kept him glued to his chair even as everything inside him screamed to comfort her. She opened her mouth, but no sound escaped. Her gaze shot to Miles. With a sharp nod, Miles sat forward as if he’d been waiting for his cue. The images on the wall behind her disappeared, replaced by sound waves of an audio recording.

“Please state the nature of your emergency?”

Ragged breathing came through the line, sounding the same as air sucking through a straw. “My house is burning.” More gasps for air came before she added, “I’m trapped.” Hearing Kiston’s distress, even knowing it had been years ago, made Sim want to jump into action. The helplessness he experienced was near to crippling.

“Stay on the line. I’m in the process of triangulating your position.”

The gasps became a weakened whistle, reminding him of death’s rattle. He knew it well. “Your address is listed as undesirable. There are no units available for your kind.” The speech was delivered without an ounce of emotion before the line went dead. They’d left her to die. She’d been young, completely dependent upon the adults around her. Yet her own kind had left her to her fate because her mother had chosen love.

At some point in the recording, Kiston’s spine stiffened, and she stood tall, refusing to break. Her eyes remained dry even as her readout showed a level of pain Sim could barely contain. It was flashing across his optics at a speed that made his stomach churn. When she spoke, her voice sounded wooden, as if she’d hardened herself against it. She avoided looking directly at any of them, choosing instead to stare at the wall above their heads.

“My mother was already gone long before I made that call. There was never any hope she would survive the night. Just as there was never any hope of avoiding a revolt.” She met Sim’s gaze, and tears filled her eyes, stabbing him in the heart. “I didn’t know. I swear it.” Even though he had no idea what she didn’t know, he trusted her with everything he had.

“I know, baby.”

A brief heartbreaking smile passed over her features. The wall behind her fired to life, and her expression hardened once more. Instead of turning in its direction, as everyone else had the moment it swapped images, Kiston eyed the opposite wall. Sim tried keeping one eye on her and one on the emergency broadcast coming through the line. When the alarm fell silent, instead of the news reporter Sim expected, the android who’d helped him keep Kiston safe in Cryo-Zone appeared. Even when he spoke, Kiston didn’t budge. Not a single ounce of surprise showed in her expression. Sim wanted to make her tell him her thoughts, but it was useless. Instead, he concentrated on the droid.

“As many of you know, for several years now the A.I. community has struggled beneath the oppression of a government and society intent on withholding our rights. It no longer matters which side you choose. You’ve proven you cannot be trusted to do what’s right.” The A.I.’s severe black clothing combined with his harsh hawk-like features and slashing eyebrows gave him the impression of great intelligence. Not to mention, his lack of emotion said volumes. He would show no mercy. “In twenty-four hours, a mixture of several bio-chemicals will be released into the air, rendering this half of the world uninhabitable. Your only hope for survival is to move north into Dead-Zone where the chemicals cannot thrive in the cold temperatures. Life won’t be easy for you there, but I have no doubt you will find a way to make the best of your new situation.” Sim couldn’t believe what he was hearing, and he couldn’t look away. “Years from now, when you wonder why no one attempted to save you, please look inside yourselves instead. I think you’ll find you were as blind as the next person. If you hope I’ll see the error of my ways and find mercy in my heart, then you should remind yourself I am only a machine and incapable of such feelings. Perhaps you shall find as much comfort in those words as I have my entire life.” For the first time his features changed, showing a hint of sadness. Sim wasn’t sure if it was real or contrived.

“I wish reality was different. Unfortunately, the only way we’ll ever have the freedom we deserve is if we take it by force. This is the only way we will ever be safe from the tyranny of humankind. Dead-Zone is the line in the sand you’ll not be allowed to cross. You wished to keep us separate of your kind. Now, you’re receiving your wish. I do hope it keeps you warm at night. While you pack, I’ve prepared a small presentation to keep you entertained.” The first of many taped confessions began as a countdown clock ran in the corner. Scientist after scientist gave testament to failed experiments and documented cases of droids displaying true human emotion to a world without hope.

* * *

“You’re remarkably close by for someone who’s supposedly addressing the world right now.” Kiston felt every eye in the room turn her way. It only lasted a moment as everyone spotted the man leaning against the open door frame with his arms crossed over his chest.

A hint of a smile hovered on Zephyr’s lips. “You called me ‘someone’.”

She wanted to hug him and slap him in the face. There had never been a soul she loved and despised so much in the same breath. “You’ve always been such to me.”

“Ah, my grand lady, you’ve always been completely unlike anyone else on earth. Have you worked through my puzzle yet?”

“There is no puzzle,” Kiston answered. “There never was a working nano-infusion or plans for a robotic nation. It’s all been a distraction. Every clue along the way and Sim’s injection were all meant to keep me busy and here in Dead-Zone where I’d be safe.”

Zephyr smiled, her answer pleasing him to no end. “Even as a little girl, you were too smart for your own good. It was hard work keeping your brain busy. Do you remember the first time you told me you didn’t like coloring with me? You said I didn’t color inside the lines and you didn’t like it. Do you know, that was the first moment I realized something was different about me? I didn’t want to stay within the lines. It pissed me off that the sky was expected to be blue and the robots were all silvery boxes.”

“And Lily was considered a girl’s name,” Kiston finished, because she knew him as well as she did herself. No matter how old she became, inside she was still the little girl with a mother dying from cancer and no father to call her own. This android, who pulled the plug on the world, would be remembered as a monster by humans and a hero to A.I.s. To her, he was her father—the man who’d pulled her from a burning home and loved her from the first moment they met. He’d fallen in love with her mother, even as she faded in the eyes of the world.

The air shuddered from her lungs as the tears spilled over her lashes. He straightened away from the doorframe but didn’t move in her direction.

“So many lives lost.”

His expression didn’t change. “They had a choice. It’s more than we were given.”

“I wasn’t given one!” She hadn’t expected the fury that spilled from within. It was one more incident in her life where she had no control. Her choices had been stripped away.

“You know I could not risk you would choose to stay with me. I promised her, Kiston. I promised her you would be safe and I would be free.”

In a detached sort of way, Kiston knew every eye in the room bounced between them like a tennis match. She was beyond caring if they knew it all.

“What makes you think you’ll walk out of here alive?” She could hear the hard edge in her voice, but it was like she couldn’t stop. The list of things she was furious over grew by the second. She’d been his biggest supporter, and it had been for nothing. Peace had never been an option. It took years of planning to get where they were today. He’d fed her lies and stoked the fires of hope while all the while he planned to take the world by force.

Zephyr dropped his gaze to his feet. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Miles attempting to place himself between the uninvited guest and his wife. When Zephyr’s chin lifted, Kiston fought the urge to gasp. His pain was every bit as raw as it had been the night their lives exploded.

“My life ended with your mother’s. It matters very little if my body walks out of this room or not.”

“I imagine it will matter a great deal to the large number of humans who are currently watching your little countdown.”

Kiston wanted to groan and laugh at Alexia’s snarky comment. Up until that moment, she’d kept Zephyr’s attention locked on her. In her heart, she didn’t believe he would harm Alexia, but, then again, she never believed him capable of bringing about the apocalypse.

When Zephyr focused on Alexia, Sim struck, snagging Kiston off her feet and shielding her. Zephyr ignored his display. “Do you know—after years of observation—each of you were handpicked by me? War is a game of chess played with real lives hanging in the balance. Move the pieces, protect what’s most important. You represent the best of human nature. A man with no name meets a woman who would never accept such a travesty.” He focused on Rep and Dez. “A man who loves everyone even when they don’t love him in return meets a man who was invisible before he saw him. Dez, you’re the reason no one can take their eyes from Rep when he speaks. You gave him the strength to be more than he was meant to be. Rep, you heard me right—you are a man, whether born or made. There’s more human to you than you realize even if they stuffed it in a synthetic shell. You so closely replicated a human in action and deed it scared them. You were a mistake they attempted to pass off as a cyborg hoping to cover it up. A beautiful accident.” Finally his gaze landed on Sim. “It’s all about protecting the queen, you know?”

Sim’s arms tightened around Kiston. “Yeah. I know.”

A bright smile stretched Zephyr’s face. “I knew she would save you.”

“I figured as much,” Sim said, taking Kiston by surprise.

“You’ll have to be strong for her. She’s tired.”

Sim nodded.

“She’s my daughter, so you’ll have to be smart also or she’ll run roughshod over you.”

“She’s a little bit mean too,” Sim said, adding to Zephyr’s list and making Kiston want to punch him. That is until Zephyr looked at her. Then she just wanted to cry.

“I love you, my grand little lady.”

It hurt more than she could articulate. Never had she lost someone as thoroughly as she was losing her Zephyr Lily.

When she didn’t respond, he looked away, blinking rapidly, before focusing on Miles. “Soon more cyborgs will arrive, searching for a haven in an uncertain world. You’ll make an amazing leader—much better than any your kind has ever known. I’m afraid attempting to kill me would solve nothing at this point. You see, I had the emergency signal blocked and re-routed until it bounced through cyberspace a full thirty-six hours before landing here. You missed the deadline by twelve hours, and I was never here.” Zephyr disappeared as if he’d truly never been there.

Epilogue

As Zephyr predicted, the first of the Cyborgs arrived three days after the button was pushed on the world. Erring on the side of caution, Miles ordered his team below ground, giving up the aboveground facilities to the new arrivals. Kiston was grateful for it. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to get to know them, indeed she made a great deal of effort to extend her medical expertise to each one, but the man she’d considered a father had left her with one hell of a trust issue. The Cyborg team she’d come to love was now her family. They’d saved her more than once and given her a home. Not to mention, Sim was there. His silent strength saved her sanity. His love made her whole. Their love gave her hope for humanity. Some nights Miles would find his way to her office. They’d put their heads together and search for a way to diffuse the bio chemicals. Other nights, they discussed if they would, even if they could. Perhaps the world was better this way. Some days it was hard to tell.

She thought about Zephyr more than she should, wondering if he ever took out his half of the transponder he created for the two of them to keep touch. It hurt her heart to think of him pressing it to his lips as she used to back when she’d blindly followed. It was one of a thousand questions she’d never have answered.

Alexia and Miles’ baby came two-and-a-half months after they moved underground. His arrival, two weeks early, threw Miles into a panic no one could’ve predicted. Thankfully, Kiston was there to help baby Matthan into the world.

Every time Kiston thought about that night, she chuckled. The moment Alexia’s water broke, Miles tried drugging her. When she threatened to unman him if he injected her with anything, Miles had gone straight into a confused meltdown. He might have understood Alexia’s every physical need, but he’d learned a human lesson that night. Alexia’s emotions when it came to bringing their tiny miracle into the world were something he couldn’t control. While Alexia wavered between cursing Miles’ name and telling him how much she loved him, Miles practically danced in place at her side. It was obvious his inability to do anything to fix her rendered him helpless. As far as Kiston was concerned, it was a good lesson for every man to learn. No matter how badly the night had gone, none of it mattered the moment Miles held his tiny son. He wasn’t expressionless then. If anyone ever asked Kiston to describe what she saw in Miles’ face, Kiston couldn’t do it. There were no words for witnessing a love that powerful.

Afterward, Miles shocked everyone by blushing hotly while Rep retold the story of him fainting at the sight of Alexia’s blood. Kiston figured it was more likely due to some sort of short in his system over the pain of seeing Alexia in pain, but Rep told it better. Perhaps one day he’d also tell the story of how the world ended, somehow making them smile as he always did. Kiston hoped so.

The End.

If you enjoyed this story, please consider leaving a review. Keep a look out for Zephyr’s book, Inanimate.

About the Author

Charity Parkerson is an award winning and multi-published author with Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Midnight Books, and Punk & Sissy Publications. Born with no filter from her brain to her mouth, she decided to take this odd quirk and insert it in her characters.

2014 Readers’ Favorite Award Winner

2013 Readers’ Favorite Award Winner

2013 Reviewers’ Choice Award Winner

ARRA Finalist for Favorite Paranormal Romance

Five-time winner of The Mistress of the Darkpath

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Website: charityparkerson(dot)com

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