Page 52 of CHOICE Lover
“Let’s worry about that later. I’m glad you’re safe.”
“You don’t even like me. With the way you’ve been acting, I figured you’d be happy to be rid of me now that you’ve got the scans.”
Her words sting. With his adrenaline receding, he can’t find the energy to lie to her. “Electra, I don’t wish harm to come to you, and I like you fine. A lot, actually. I’m not used to having someone in my space, so your presence is distracting. I don’t even go to my FRIENDS meetings. I send a manupartner made with my DNA in my place to impersonate me.” Why is he sharing this with her? It’s only going to make things harder when she remembers she doesn’t like him. That makes how perfect she feels in his arms that much more bittersweet, because he can’t really keep her if she doesn’t want to be kept, can he? Even if he wants to despite all the reasons he shouldn’t.
“I read about FRIENDS groups.”
He shakes his head. “I bet you think those are pathetic, too.”
She shrugs. “I think friends are a good thing. I miss mine like crazy. You should give your FRIENDS’ group a chance.”
He chuffs. She doesn’t know what she’s talking about, considering she’s never even met his three NHOS-assigned FRIENDS. Not that he has, but still. “You’re awfully quick to dish out advice.”
She’s probably right, though. As soon as he has the thought, he stiffens. That brings up things he isn’t prepared to discuss yet. Namely, her column.
Thankfully, she doesn’t press the issue, so they sit like that for a while, with her leaning against his chest, finally getting the comfort she asked for all those weeks ago. All his resistance has crumbled into a pile of dust. Even the ache in his lower back doesn’t seem like a priority. He’s too distracted by the circles he draws on her lower hip. Does she think this is normal, or is she only so traumatized from havinga sparkler pointed at her temple that she’s allowing the contact with a man she wants nothing to do with?
Eventually, a buzzing sound vibrates around them as the systems come back online. Though his vision is still dark at the edges, he can sense the lights coming on. They hold their breath as footsteps pound down the hallway. Then someone shouts, “Are you in there, boss?” Res6 recognizes it as the voice of Karik, his head of operations, along with the muffled sounds of a few security guards.
“Handsome, where are you?” Chryl shouts. Her heels loudly click-clack through the hallway, presumably as she chases after Karik. “We have to find him!”
“You can’t possibly be serious with her,” Electra mutters.
He can’t help but agree, though there’s no need to tell her that. “We’re in here,” he shouts through the door.
There is a commotion outside. He guesses they’re trying and failing to figure out how to work around the blown-out digital lock panel.
“Stand back!” someone yells.
They huddle against the back wall as a series of ear-rattling bangs echo in the space. He nuzzles into Electra’s hair and she hides her face in his chest, both of them preparing for more banging. He could easily become addicted to this. Her warmth. The weight of her body nestled against him. Connection. He needs to get ahold of himself, and soon, because it’s going to be that much more painful when it all gets ripped away.
With a few more hits, the lock cracks. The door swings open, bathing them in the blinding light of the hallway.
“At least it was only a storage closet. The maintenance crew had to laser cut Bexly and the lab techs out,” Karik says.
Res6’s vision is starting to fill back in. He can barely make out Karik startle as he takes in Electra. Before Res6 can stop him, Karik reachesdown, grabs her arms, and roughly hoists her to her feet. She squeaks, wincing, at Karik’s forceful grip.
Res6 quickly staggers to his feet. The woozy sensation doesn’t stop him from pulling Electra out of the other man’s hold.
He tips her chin up. “You okay?”
She nods, stepping closer to him. The movement makes his heart feel like it’s going to beat out of his chest.Get it together, Res6.
He turns his scrutinizing gaze to Karik, who says, “Sorry, boss. No harm intended. I can see she’s a very . . . uh . . . fine unit.”
“Daddy, you’re safe!” Chryl throws her arms around his neck.
“Where are the police?” Res6 asks, pulling Chryl’s arms off him. He steps around her to address Karik, keeping Electra firmly tucked into his side. “Do we know what they stole?”
“Not yet, sir. Lextr is with the officers now. They’re looking into the breach.”
“I want a full report the moment they know.” When Karik doesn’t move, Res6 barks, “Don’t just stand there. Get the HR team to see to the staff. Does anyone need medical attention besides Bexly?”
“We’re already on it, sir,” Tommy says, jogging down the hall. “Bexly already gave his statement and is in the healing wing getting treatment now. The police are asking for you.”
Electra stiffens in his arms. “Let’s go.” He guides her to follow Tommy, leaning down to say, “I know you’ve researched manupartners. Just act like one and you’ll be fine.” He isn’t letting her out of his sight.
They, including a clingy Chryl, follow Tommy into the main glass-enclosed conference room. Lextr and three NHOS police inspectors sit at a long table, reviewing the LIMS on the large particle plane that fills one wall.
