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

do what’s best for you, don’t push this issue. It won’t end well. If you don’t believe me, bring it up in therapy.”

Biting her lip, Ari nodded. How could she ever trust the words coming out of Niomi’s mouth? She lied to her day in and day out. They wanted her for five years, but after that, what? Would she even be able to function or get off the island?

Niomi reached forward and took her hand. “Do you understand me?”

Repulsion rolled around Ari’s stomach. It took everything she had, not to yank it back. “Yes, I understand.” For the first time, she really understood what this job meant.

Walking out of Niomi’s office, Ari’s eyes burned, heavy with unshed tears. One of the worst feelings in the world was being stuck, trapped in a world where her voice wasn’t hers, where the institutions rule your life. Tired of feeling like a rat in a cage, she gritted her teeth. She wasn’t helpless, and she was tired of everyone else directing her life. Between her skills and connections, she began to formulate a plan. She needed to talk to Reed right away.

He beat her to it as his call rang through when she entered her room. His smile lit up the large screen in her sitting room. She forced a pleasant look, despite her inner turmoil. He had a way of doing that to her.

“You won’t guess my news.”

Ari plopped down on the couch anxious to talk to him as well, though it would have to be off line. “You’ve been assigned project manager?”

“I said you couldn’t guess.” He enthusiasm was contagious.

“Okay, I give.”

“My mom’s coming here.”

Pausing in the middle of reaching for a drink, her gaze lashed back to the screen. “What?”

“They said since I have earned an official position, they are able to review family requests.”

That sounded great. Almost too great. “Did you request it?”

“No. I guess there was something about it on paperwork when we first came.” His eyes looked so happy. He looked like… he was finally getting something he’d wanted for a long time. Despite what he said about leaving his mother behind to accompany Ari, she knew it bothered him. “I just can’t believe it. It’s all coming together. She’ll work an administrative job with a decent wage and an apartment. This is a dream come true.”

Her stomach dropped. A cold feeling traveled down her body. Her plans, her ideas of being free of all this, and then VisionTech offers Reed the one thing he’s always wanted. She forced a mask in place, a guard to the truth going on inside.

“When is she coming?” Ari hoped maybe they could change plans. Get her out of the country another way, another time.

“I still have to convince her to come, which may be the hardest part. They have to schedule a meeting. My mom doesn’t even like VRs so it may be a little bit.”

Swallowing, Ari blinked back tears. They did this on purpose. VisionTech knew she wasn’t happy, so they brought more people here to keep her here. They probably would have sent her family here if they hadn’t gone underground with Tessa.

“What’s wrong?” Reed leaned forward.

“Nothing,” Ari responded fast. “I’m just not feeling too great. Tired.”

“I’m sorry. I wish I could be there, to help. Which actually brings me to my next point.”

“Which is?”

“Niomi said I was also approved to get a room next to yours.”

Even though Ari knew this was another ploy on the part of VisionTech, she couldn’t help the happiness spreading in her chest. She’d been so lonely lately. “That would be great.”

“Now that I have an official position, I can request co-habitation status. I have to be careful of what I tell others is the only thing, really. I didn’t want to assume you’d want to live with me, but they said I could have a room in your wing.”

“That’d be great.” Ari had asked for this several times when they first arrived on the island. She didn’t want to tell him the real reason for VisionTech’s decision. How could she? How could she ruin this dream of his? On the island, he can have a future and career he only dreamed about. His mother could have this too. And in time they could move wherever they wanted. Even then, why would they? Working here was as close to paradise as one could get.

It may be a death sentence for Ari, but it would be a great life here for Reed. She had derailed Reed’s life for long enough. Though it felt like her heart was tearing apart, she found happiness in Reed’s future and joy. With so much practice lately living other people’s lives and detaching from her true emotions, Ari had no problem exhibiting the joy she should feel.

“Are you okay?” He leaned forward, his brow creased. “Is it my mom? I’m sure we can get Marco and your mom here too.”

She forced herself to act happy. “It’d be great if you two could be together.” It wasn’t a lie. She always admired his mom’s loving attitude despite her hardships. “Promise.”

“Good, should we go out and celebrate?”

“Definitely. How about that place up high in the trees? Could you snag us another reservation?”

“Probably. I’ll give them a call and get back to you.”

“Message me. I’m going to head to bed.” Ari watched him on the screen, memorizing every aspect of his imperfectly perfect face. “And Reed?”

“Yeah.”

“I love you.”

He paused, the declaration not new, but must be surprising. His soft lips curled up in a smile. “I love you, too.”

“Goodnight,” she said and clicked off the screen.

That was how Ari wanted to remember him, blissfully happy and obtaining everything he deserved in life. VisionTech wasn’t a bad company as blood-sucking companies go. Hailey had said the same thing. Ari loved Reed enough to give him the life he deserved. Even if that life meant she was not a part of it.

Chapter 33

New messages pinged on her screen, telling her