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

hand, not wanting to let him go for a moment. Looking at Reed though, guilt ate at her. None of this would have happened if not for her. Now she was expected to just drop him and leave. It didn’t sit well with her.

Ari trusted Dave. They had out maneuvered the government drones and easily stayed off radar as they travelled to Tessa’s father’s corporate office. Dave had saved them, and Ari planned on letting Tessa’s dad and his attorneys deal with the authorities. But they weren’t in the clear yet. Marco and Tessa were meeting with her father and his attorneys, planning their next step.

“Do you think Marco and Tessa will be okay?” she asked.

Dave turned to Ari. “Tessa and Marco weren’t ever in custody, so with Tessa’s father’s connections they should be fine. We do keep tabs on family left behind.”

But not Reed. Ari read into what Dave didn’t say. Williams knew Reed was with her. There was no going back for him.

She glanced at Reed. She’d ruined his life and she worried he might not like the results. “Reed needs to come with us. It’s not safe for him here.” Ari was too chicken to watch Reed’s reaction, so she kept her gaze on Dave.

“I know.” Dave’s eyes betrayed a touch of sympathy as he turned to Reed. “If you want to come with us, there is always a spot for data security support. You will be required to sign the same contract and be under the same restrictions.”

Ari watched Reed’s face, pale and drawn, and his silence worried her.

“Can you give us a minute?” she asked Dave.

“We’re in private airspace, but it doesn’t mean we’re safe. You have two minutes, and then we’re taking off.” Dave stood and left the aircraft.

A cut on Reed’s temple stood out, the clear bandage slowly sealing it. All because of her. And now his schooling and life there was over. How could he still care for her after everything she’d put him through?

“You don’t have to come with me,” she offered. “Maybe they can hide you somewhere. Take your mom to safety. If you want to bargain for something else, I will. Just let me know how to make this right.” Her throat tightened with emotion. This goodbye had been coming for a while, but she’d never wanted to face it.

The plane’s motor hummed as Reed reached for her. He traced down the side of her cheek. His touch sent a soft tingling sensation along her neck, and she blinked back tears.

“I’m not going with you because my schooling and career are over or because I may end up in jail. It’s just not a good enough reason.” He lifted his gaze, blinking thick lashes. “I’m going with you because I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember. I didn’t know it was love at first. I thought I was just being a big brother, caring for you, and making sure you were happy and safe. At some point it turned into something more, something amazing that I don’t want to end.”

She let go of the breath she’d been holding. “So, you’re coming with me?”

He leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers. “Just try to get rid of me.”

Their moment of peace together didn’t last long. Marco and Tessa appeared alongside Dave to say their final goodbyes.

Tessa gave Ari a hug. “Life is going to be so boring at school now.”

Ari laughed as she pulled away. “I’ll miss you, too. Thanks, Tessa.” Thanks, wasn’t enough for what Tessa had done for her, but it was all she had. Ari turned to her brother and hugged him.

“This isn’t goodbye, little sis.” He held onto her just as tight. “I will see you again, even if I have to hunt you down.”

“Promise?” Her eyes burned as she held back the tears.

“Promise.”

“Take care of yourself.” She stepped back, though her heart ached to do it.

“You take care of my sister.” Marco slapped Reed on his good shoulder.

Reed still winced in pain. “You know I will.”

Dave approached. “We need to go now, before anyone knows we’re here.”

Ari nodded. She couldn’t hold back the tears as she buckled into the aircraft. She watched Tessa and Marco until they shrunk into nothing. Wiping her eyes, she turned to the horizon.

The sun set in a ball of gold as they headed to the ocean, the real ocean, a blue sheet of water traveling farther than she could see. Both Ari and Reed were on pain meds but refused to be put under. No, she needed to be awake. With Reed’s steady frame beside her, she didn’t want to miss a minute of the rest of her life.

Turn the page to continue Ari’s adventure in the short story, GLITCHED REALITY

Glitched Reality

A Hardwired Short Story

A Hardwired Short Story

As soon as the alarm sounded inside the virtual reality program, Marco knew it was his fault. He’d been sloppy rushing into this VR and didn’t trust this joint. Now, his sister, Ari, may be at risk. At least she had the resources at her disposal to get out in one piece. He wasn’t so sure about his situation.

Despite the alarm, the program carried on. A breeze had picked up, eddies of sand swirling around their feet. Marco always felt at peace overlooking this canyon. Or he would have, if not for the klaxon. He ignored it and focused on his sister. Panic filled Ari’s eyes. Seconds ago, she had looked good, happy even. This transition to a new job, in a new country, looked good on her. And now, Marco being… well, Marco, had done it again. His chest tightened. He didn’t know when he’d get to see Ari again.

“Get out now! And cover your tracks.” A woman’s voice rang throughout the program. “Now!”

“I’ll be fine. Just go.” Ari waited for him to leave, her long brown hair flying about with the wind.

Looking at her one last time, he