Page 105 of CHOICE Lover
He didn’t pick the word up during their argument, but he’s replayed it in his mind so many times now. LOVE. It illuminates his mind like a neon sign. Is that what’s between them? He drops his head into his hands. Impossible. This wrecked feeling he gets when he thinks about having to face her certainly isn’t love. It’s something far worse.
Therefore, it’s best he gets on with his life and pretends like she never existed.
A knock sounds at his door, and his new employee Viper pokes his head inside. “Are you ready for our meeting?”
“Ah, yes. Please sit.” Res6 collects his tablet, giving the other man a moment to get settled in the chair across from his desk. “I’ve decided to approach an inspector I know about the information you shared with me.”
Viper’s brows lift. “What prompted that?”
To his mind, Electra already put them at risk with her column. If he were to report GROW’s criminal activity, and the nature of Electra’s existence came to light, he could explain that she was a onetime mistake and show he has a track record of working transparently with NHOS, even going above and beyond to discover information that would help them with their reincarnate case. For all they know, the physician Sable is the one creating reincarnates—and he wants to put a stop to that.
Electra’s voice sounds in his head.You’re an unbelievable hypocrite.Jerme is different, he reminds himself. He owes his brother a second chance.
“I’m concerned about consumer trust,” he answers, his tone brisk enough to broker no further questions.
“I see. What do you need from me?” Viper asks.
Res6 lifts his tablet. “I’d like to record your testimony so I can use it along with the video you sourced. Please start from the beginning.”
December 24, 2390.
When he got home the night before, Electra’s door was shut again. He decided that a few days of space wasn’t a bad thing. Not that he’s ready to face her. In the romance novels he loves, breakup scenes arecommon at the beginning of the third act, which easily explains the argument between him and the writer he may or may not be dating. The problem is, the more he marinates on their argument, he isn’t sure which one of them is the hero. She’s probably pegged him as the villain for attempting to bring Jerme back. Her very own mad scientist. Except she doesn’t want him, does she? If she did, she wouldn’t have walked away.
He picks up his Lase-Razor and runs it over his stubble. Does he look as tired as he feels? He forces himself to meet his own gaze in the mirror. The answer is yes. That’s what happens when you toss and turn all night. “How did you get yourself into this mess?”
The man in the mirror doesn’t answer. Thinking about her is the last thing he needs. Right before he left the office, he got a message from Inspector Wanda asking to meet first thing this morning. Apparently, her version of early is 06:30. Knowing he wouldn’t sleep, he agreed.
He needs to focus and give his company the best shot for when the world discovers Electra’s true identity. He needs to get Inspector Wanda on his side and convince her they want the same things. That being the proper control of manupartners, so NHOS won’t perceive them as a threat to their stable society and shut hisstupid companydown. Nothim,as Electra so aptly put it.
When he finally gets to his office, the inspector is already waiting for him. “Good morning,” he says, pressing his palm to the pad outside his door.
“You said you had a lead on the reincarnate case?” Wanda says, following him inside and taking a seat.
“A possible lead,” he clarifies. “I’ve become aware of a physician at GROW using manupartners in an illegal fighting ring. I thought it might be connected.”
Wanda’s blonde brows shoot up. “Good. I wanted to meet early because there might be an opportunity, depending on what you have for me.”
Res6 pulls up the video and the audio file of Viper’s testimony. “Let me show you.”
Wanda listens as Viper details what he saw along with several extrapolations and a short extraneous rant about a woman named K8 who apparently embarrassed him with a vehement rejection in front of his coworkers, which explains his vendetta. Occasionally, Wanda takes notes on her tablet. He plays the video next.
“Pause there,” Wanda says, getting up to get a better look.
“My source confirmed that is a manupartner called James. I’ve included his unit number in the package I’ve prepared.”
Wanda quickly taps her tablet and her eyes go distant for a moment, a sign she’s mentally dictating more notes. “And you say there’s a GROW physician involved?”
“Yes,” he says. “Her name is Sable. My source says she and the manupartner James are behind most of the big upsets at the club over the last month. Perhaps you could get—”
Wanda clears her throat. “Let me remind you, I know how to do my job.”
His gaze flicks to his hands. “Of course. My mistake.”
“The unauthorized use of manupartners draws scrutiny to your product. I’m sure you’re aware.”
“I am,” he says.
“Then explain your motivation in bringing me this, so I don’t think you’re trying to redirect my attention elsewhere. Considering the robbery, imagine how this looks from my perspective.” Her blue eyes are piercing as she meets his gaze.
