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

Reed was his best friend, and Marco did not take it well when Ari first told him what happened with VisionTech. Ari didn’t blame him.

“Niomi, my old trainer, could only hide me on the boat. Security had already taken Reed and reported him.” Ari said again. “Patrick didn’t have anything to do with it. We had to get ourselves off the island. But we’ll get him back. The more I learn about my abilities, the more power and resources I’ll have to get Reed. I’m not forgetting about him.”

Marco didn’t relax his tight posture, but nodded curtly and turned to his dresser. Ari had seen her brother mad more times than she could count. He’d be okay.

She glanced at Patrick, gratitude in her eyes. He had done a great deal for her. Of course, in the last several months she had pulled her weight on the team. Somehow this felt like a gift, though. His face remained blank, not giving anything away.

“We need to stay together as a family,” her mother said.

Ari turned her attention to her mother. “I know, but it won’t be safe here, and—”

Her mother lifted a hand, silencing her. “If we must leave, we will. I just can’t lose my daughter again.” Her voice wavered with emotion.

Ari found her own emotions made it hard to talk. How could she have ever doubted them? “Okay, Mom. We’ll stick together.”

It took another hour of planning, emotion, and short temper on Marco’s part for them to figure out the next step.

“I just don’t get why we can’t get Reed now?” Marco asked. “You should be able to figure out where the island is located, and money isn’t an issue.”

“It’s more than money,” Patrick explained. “We studied VisionTech for the past year for some of their business deals that seemed a bit too… easy, let’s say. They are secured for anyone that gets within a hundred miles. Connections run deep in nearby government agencies as they employ hundreds. We couldn’t ever extract Ari. She had to escape on her own.”

“Can we help Reed escape?” Marco asked.

“I doubt they left that option available to him.” Ari remembered the islanders and hoped none of them suffered for their help. “What about his mother?”

“Last I talked to her, she still has the same job back at home. Her official position is that she disowned her son for running off with his trampy girlfriend.” Marco looked at Ari.

“Hey.”

“It’s what she had to tell the authorities to keep them off her back. They are watching her closely. She can’t accept any extra cash, but she doesn’t need it either. She has a new boyfriend and between the two of them, they do well.”

The news cut Ari. Not that Reed’s mom had a boyfriend. She deserved it. Reed’s dad left the picture a long time ago. Ari was happy for her. The guilt of separating her from her son and putting him in danger ate at Ari. She needed to make it right.

“Maybe Marco is right?” Ari’s thoughts sped along.

“Even I think going to the island is stupid,” Tessa said. “And I’ve done stupid.”

“No, not that,” Ari said. “But maybe the way to get back is to contact VisionTech directly. Put pressure on their practices, threaten to expose them. I’m living proof of their illegal manipulation and possible murder of political threats.”

“La muerte?” Cynthia muttered softly.

“We can’t do that here.” Patrick rubbed the back of his neck, his gaze distant, like during their planning meetings.

“What about Tessa?” Marco suggested.

“I’m not in that league. Even with my dad’s coverage, I can’t pull something like that off. Not that I’m not up to helping.”

Ari watched Patrick. He had run these types of ops all the time. If they had a chance, he would know.

“I’m not saying, it’s a go, but we can do some recon on it. Tricky has been working in VLEX lately going after Maxim, maybe she’ll have some leads.”

“Tricky?” Cynthia asked.

“Long story. We’ll fill you in when we get there,” Ari turned back to Patrick. “You think it will work?”

“It’s worth trying, but we have other work as well, you know.”

Ari nodded. They had lists of agencies they watched, trying to keep people in check, while searching for people like them, and making money to keep their peace and security intact. Patrick had a lot more to worry about than Ari and her boyfriend, but she had to ask. “I’ll work extra hours, and Marco is good at security as well. He can help.”

“We can work it out.” Patrick’s gaze softened as he watched her excitement grow.

A soft knock sounded on the old door. Marco opened it just enough for her to see the small boy. He spoke in Spanish. Ari could only catch something about policia. Marco obviously had better Spanish than Ari, and replied before turning to the others.

“Is everything okay?” their mom asked.

“Yeah. I just have to check on something while the pastor welcomes in the next mass. I’ll be right back.” Marco’s tight smile told Ari he was more worried than he let on, but he hurried out the door behind the boy.

“Is that normal?” Patrick asked.

“Yes,” Ari’s mother said. “He helps the pastor with the local authorities. That boy could sell pictures to the blind.”

“Good,” Patrick said absently and moved to look out behind the curtain.

“I did want to ask you something while Marco is gone.” Her mom turned to her.

“Anything.” Ari turned on the small bed and hitched up a knee.

“I want to check on your father before we leave the country.” Her large eyes pulled on Ari’s heart.

She wished she could take back her last word. That wasn’t something she would be in a position to do. “Mom, it’s too dangerous. If they see any of us there…”

Patrick let the curtain go and turned to the conversation. “I agree with Ari. I’m so sorry that—”

“What about Tessa checking? They don’t know her.” Her mother’s pleas broke her heart. How could she tell her mother about the