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

and had no clue if this was the right step. For the past year she had felt like life had been taking her on a roller coaster that she couldn’t get off.

First it was her assignment at school, where she learned she had a rare ability. Once she learned her worth as a commodity, she fought for the only freedom she knew with a private company. VisionTech wasn’t a bad company… well, maybe for some people. They expected her to take over people’s virtual lives and not ask questions. They also failed to mention this amazing warping ability that everyone wanted would eventually kill her or drive her insane.

A cold chill ran up her spine at that thought and she stepped out into the sun. She wasn’t going to go crazy. Patrick and this group of misfit warpers were working out a way to protect themselves. This was the first choice she had made in some time.

She had met Patrick through her last job inside VLEX, a worldwide government virtual reality program. He had been Antione then, posing as the boyfriend for one of the skins she assumed. Things got a little closer than she imaged. Once she learned about Patrick’s team, she had to prove herself inside the VLEX by announcing to the world they are on watch. It made her a bigger target than she wanted, but she couldn’t do anything about that now. She joined his team to find a better life for herself and her family.

The problem was those she loved had been hurt too much in the process. Reed, her boyfriend, had gone with her to VisionTech’s secure island. When they had tried to escape, he had been captured by their security team right before she’d boarded the ship that brought her here.

Her trainer, Niomi, had promised to look out for him, but Ari hadn’t heard from Niomi or Reed. Her mom and brother were somewhere out there as well. Ari’s only contact was through her best friend and old roommate, Tessa, who she hadn’t been able to reach either. So, what started out as a way to protect those she loved, now appeared very selfish since she had no way to protect, help, or even know how the others were doing. She bit the inside of her lip.

“Those don’t look like happy thoughts,” Patrick said behind her.

Ari jumped, knocking over her near empty drink. “Crap. Dang. You surprised me.” She picked up the mug and shook off her wet hand.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to.” He stepped next to her and turned to watch the small village below. “I thought this was your happy spot, but you don’t look too happy right now.”

“It usually is.” Ari shrugged, scooting sideways to make sure he had enough room. “Just…” She didn’t want to complain about home sickness.

“What?” Patrick pushed for more information. “Come on.”

“I’m frustrated.” Once she said it, the flood of anger and emotion opened up. “I’m supposed to be this warper, worth millions and I can’t help anyone. Not Tricky during the mission. Not my family. Not Reed.”

“Mistakes were made, but we did gain the list.” Patrick pointed out. “That list you bought shows us the European officials working with Maxim for illegal weapons, guns, and sex trade. It tells us who to trust. That saves lives.”

She let out a big breath. He was right, but it didn’t make her feel better. “Not that our work isn’t important, but what about our families?”

“This is my family.” Patrick’s jaw tightened, and coldness crossed his face briefly. He softened it and turned to Ari. “You miss your family.”

Being free and now living with Patrick almost felt like a betrayal to her boyfriend. “And Reed. He’s stuck with VisionTech because of me. I have to make that right.”

“You’re not the only one that came to us with baggage. You just need to practice a bit more, so you’d have the power to do that.”

“I’ve been trying, but with Maxim in there… I just…” She trailed off trying to keep the tension out of her voice.

Patrick turned back to the scene in front of them. He rubbed his neck, quiet for a moment. “Okay. I think you’re right.”

“About what?”

“I think you need to contact your family and make sure they are safe. Once that stress is off your plate, you’ll have more time to devote to improving your abilities.”

“Really?” Ari didn’t know whether to trust this hope building inside.

He turned back to her with new resolve. “Yes. We’ll contact Tessa and try to find your family.”

“And Reed?”

He lifted a hand. “Let’s take one step at a time. I can’t promise anything.”

“I have to find him.”

“You will, just give it time.” Patrick lost his smile but reached out his hand to shake on it.

Ari grasped the warm hand in return. “Thank you.” A flood of emotion warmed her cheeks, and she turned away. Ari wanted to start working on this as soon as possible. Contacting Tessa would need a lot of people, for security and whatnot. People would be watching Tessa for any trace of Ari.

Just then, the HUB on her wrist beeped with a reminder that she was on kitchen duty right now. “I gotta go before I’m in Sue’s bad graces.”

He checked his HUB as well. “Yes, we better go.”

Ari and Patrick found their way to the dining room. The large room had a high ceiling and a dark intricate chandelier. The dark wood table sat ten. The chairs were oversized with tall fabric backs. Nothing she’d ever thought she’d get used to, but she had. Over the last couple of months, it had begun to feel like home.

They were early to lunch and helped Sue set up. Sue was a jack-of-all-trades and the Matriarch of the house, one may say. Not only was she married to Sketchy, but Sue was also the team doctor, cook, and ruler of all things house related. Secretly, most of the people thought Sue ran this place. Patrick was ‘technically’ in