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

He brushed a light hand across her arm, which she struggled not to hit away.

She knew her role though, and the more other people that bought it, the better. The time ticked on as she flirted and drank at the bar, ignoring the nagging worry that she’d missed her chance. Maybe he went home earlier, and Joe’s hacked surveillance didn’t catch it.

Then motion in the corner of her eye caught her attention. There were two men, no, actual employees carrying someone out. On closer inspection, it was Echo. His dark greasy hair fell into his eyes, but under it all, it was Echo with his tanned skin, full cheeks, and cleft chin. He must have been over six foot and weighed close to three hundred pounds. What happened to him?

She strode towards him, ignoring the looks of others. Her next few steps flew together without much effort. “What happened to him?” She glared at the two men in dark polos shirts, the company name on the pocket.

“He maxed out his card. His time to go.”

“Go?”

“To the curb.” The light skinned one had little sympathy like this was a regular occurrence. “He doesn’t have the credit to dry out in here. We don’t run a free shelter.”

“I’ll take him.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized they were about to hand him over. Nothing she could do with a semi-conscious man of his size. “Can you give him anything to help him wake up?”

“Can you pay?” the man asked.

She blew out a huff of frustration stuck out her arm, offering the HUB on her wrist for payment. “Not too much, just enough so he can walk.”

“Can’t promise anything.” One man scanned her HUB for payment.

The other man moved behind the bar to work up the cocktail. More drugs probably wouldn’t help Echo’s heart, but Ari needed him able to move, yet not too sober that he would be bothered by a strange woman helping him home. Given his history, this would be like any other night. Maybe his condition was a blessing in disguise. Soon the employee returned and administered a shot in Echo’s upper arm. It took seconds and his eyes flashed open bright red.

He lashed out and Ari hurried out of range, barely missing his meaty claw. The employees restrained him, but even then it was a struggle. Not missing an opportune moment, Ari rushed forward.

“Hey, Echo. It’s me. You’re okay, baby. You’re safe. Just another bad trip. I’m gonna get you home and make sure you’re comfortable.”

His red eyes flashed confusion, but that was normal. He was too stoned to know if his own mother sat in front of him, so Ari kept talking to him.

“You’ll be okay in a couple minutes. They had to wake you up. Remember we had plans tonight. Just relax and everything will be okay.”

It took a couple more seconds before the large man came around. “We made plans?”

“Yep. Before we went in. You promised to show me a good time. I’m Jewel, remember.” Ari knew her cover was Maria, but any girl in a joint like this wouldn’t go by her real name. Especially one that worked men for a living. Shoving down her revulsion she continued the act, pressing her body into him. “Let me take you home, baby.”

He nodded and slowly the employees released him. “Take him out of here before he passes out again, okay? The MAT shot we gave him won’t last forever, and I don’t want to carry him out.”

She shot the worker a dirty work. “Will do.” Then, turning back to Echo, she added, “Can you walk?”

Still obviously confused, he nodded. “Yeah, I don’t live far.”

“Okay. Let’s go.” She offered him her arm.

“Are you coming with me?”

With a warm smile, she moved closer and cupped his face with one hand. “Of course, silly. We made plans, remember?”

“Good.” He mumbled and leaned heavily on her arm to get up.

She stumbled slightly in those useless three-inch high-heeled boots. At this point, he wouldn’t notice if she wore heels or combat boots. Wrapping his arm over her shoulder, they maneuvered through the crowded bar. Once outside, Ari was grateful for the gush of cool air. She didn’t realize how much manual labor would be involved with seducing him.

Turning him towards his complex, she weighed the options of taking a car the half block instead of walking. Once in a car, she might never get him out. Walking it had to be.

“How do you know where I live?” he asked. “Have I got you before?”

She needed to be more careful, he may be more conscious than she thought. “You said you lived close by. This is the closest living complex. Unless you live in a home?” Homes were rare and very expensive. Maybe he could have afforded one with his talent, but how he wasted it on drugs and VR no one would really think so.

“Yeah, yeah.” He staggered slightly. “All the way up there in a little box inside a big box spinning on the hamster wheel like everyone else.”

She forced a light laugh. “That’s why you have to live it up while you have the chance, right?”

“Live it up. Live it up.” He spoke the words as they entered the lobby. With a hand scan they boarded the lift. Once inside, he watched her through the reflective glass inside. “How do you live? Why do you live?”

She ignored his depressive monologue. At least he wasn’t handsy in this state. She had to be grateful for small mercies. She worried about how Joe and Marco would make it up the lift though.

Turning her thoughts back to his question and her cover, she replied, “I live in the moment, live for the good times. What else is there?”

Watching her closely, he shook his head, a soberness to his gaze. “No. You’re more than good times.”

She forced herself to soften her smile. Maybe that drug sobered him more than she wanted. “You’re drunk, baby. We’ll be inside soon.