Hard Wired Trilogy DeAnna Pearce (if you give a mouse a cookie read aloud txt) 📖

Chapter 30

Unable to read the drive without notifying VisionTech, she stashed it in her room for now. Yet being so close to a file full of answers made it difficult to stay asleep. Awake before six, Niomi had messaged Ari to call her when she woke. Her trainer must have had her own problems sleeping because they ended up outside at their exercise area just as the sun was rising.

They ran several miles along the beach. Niomi even took it slow. Not that she had anything to say, but it calmed Ari to run beside the endless waves, then they finished their run with light sparring. Light sparring still ended with Ari sweaty and breathing hard.

“You ready to go in to meet Antoine?” Niomi asked. “It won’t be lunch, but a quick trip at the end of their day. About two our time. You can leave him a message to clean up this mess.”

Ari bristled at the casual reference to this man whose heart Ari was about to trample on. “I’ll be there. I wanted to go to the community center for some late breakfast. Catch up with Vinh.”

“He may be busy.”

“If so, I can eat alone.” Ari realized during that long run that the only place that she could look at her file without alerting VisionTech may be Vinh’s, since he was assigned to treat her.

Getting him to agree to it, or look the other way, may be the problem, but she’d get to that when she needed.

“Okay. Don’t be late.”

“I won’t.”

Ari hurried to shower and drove down to the center, continuing to mull over the plans in her mind. Vinh was the first person she considered going to. If he helped her contact her family once, he may be able to give her a device that was offline. But did she really trust him not to say anything? Or did she want to be the kind of friend to put him in that position?

Then Reed flashed in her mind, and she felt guilty for not thinking of him first. Even though he was in the Art Department now, he specialized in security and hacking. If anyone could get her a private connection, it was him. Granted, he hadn’t been able to figure a way to contact their family, but that involved getting off the island. She had to try.

Not exactly sure where she was going, it took a good thirty minutes and a few stops with the interactive maps to find where he worked now. On the third floor, or top floor, of this building, the Art Department held amazing views of the islands. The curved clear walls showed off the luscious jungle beyond and the ocean as far as she could see.

“Can I help you?” a man asked.

She turned, a bit startled. “Yes. I’m looking for Reed. He started last month.”

“Oh, yeah. The new kid. He’s down the hall. Let me show you.”

She followed the tall man. He didn’t wear a uniform either, just khakis and sandals. The relaxed atmosphere of the Art Department looked appealing to Ari.

They entered a nearby door, which opened up to a large workspace littered with cubicles.

“Reed,” the man hollered. “Someone here to see you. Cute too.” He sent a wink in her direction.

Reed stood, his head sticking up among the cubicles. When he gazed at Ari, a warm excitement colored his eyes. Ari wished this was only a social call. After saying something to a co-worker, he headed over to her.

“What brings you to my neck of the woods?” He leaned over to lightly kiss Ari’s cheek.

“I was hoping you could help me out with something.”

“Of course. I told them I was taking a break.” He patted the bag at his side. “I have ten minutes or so.”

“Great.”

He took her hand as they walked down to the common area. “I’m glad you stopped by. I’ve wanted to talk to you for a while.”

“About what?”

“Not that quick. You first?”

Noticing all the people around them, she worried about others hearing. “How about we grab a drink and go outside?”

He raised a brow but didn’t ask any questions. “Of course.”

With warm drinks in each hand, they headed outside and found a small table in the courtyard. The weather had been overcast and windy. The threatening of a storm that hadn’t materialized. She sipped her coffee and took a seat.

“Did I ever tell you how cute you look when you’re cold?”

She laughed mid drink almost spitting coffee all over him. “Nope. Where did that come from?”

“It’s so hot at home, and don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy you in shorts and tank tops. But when it’s a bit chilly, your nose gets pink and you huddle more against the weather. It’s adorable.”

Her cheeks pulled up in a smile, and she realized just how much she loved Reed. After being caught up in the drama of her job, it was easy to forget what was important. Moving her drink out of the way, she leaned over and kissed Reed. Losing herself in those soft lips that hinted at the hot chocolate he was drinking.

“What was that for?” He asked after she sat down.

“Because you’re pretty adorable too.”

He grinned and took another drink. “Before we get sidetracked and make out for the next ten minutes, which by the way, I’m totally okay with, what did you want to talk about?”

Like a splash of cold water, her real purpose in being there, killed her Reed-high. Tracing the lip of her coffee, she spoke quietly into her cup. “I need to read a file without VisionTech knowing anything about it.”

His body tensed as worry creased his forehead. “What’s going on?”

“I can’t say right now, but… I have a file about me. I want to read it without them knowing in case that creates more problems. I figure since it is about me, I have a right to read it.”

After a deep breath, the tension in his shoulders relaxed. “I agree, you do have