Chapter 14 #3
When Electra whimpers again, he knows he doesn’t have a choice.
The sound of her distress is too much this time.
He’d do anything to stop it, including letting the men take anything they want from this building, as long as it’s not her.
He slowly lowers the weapon to the floor.
One of them picks it up. Res6 starts as it digs into his back.
“The layout shows a storage closet this way,” the leader says. “Move.” Then he shoots the locking mechanism, effectively locking the lab techs in.
He thinks, Bexly seems to be okay, but needs medical attention. Where are the police?
He hears They’ll be here any minute, sir. Hold on.
Res6 glances at Electra, hoping his falsely calm expression is enough to ease her worry. If the criminals wanted to kill them, they would have done it already. They spared Bexly and the lab techs.
The robbers walk them to a nondescript door.
The man behind him wrenches the door open, pushing him inside.
As he stumbles forward, the sparkler clicks.
A misfire? The man says, “Oops,” as two green bolts hit the wall beside Res6.
The third strikes the back of his thigh, and he yelps.
His vision darkens, but he clings to the edges.
“Electra! Give her to me.” He staggers forward, grasping for the doorframe, as darkness overtakes his vision.
“Let me go,” she cries, then she crashes into him.
He releases the doorframe and draws her into his arms. “If you’re going to lock us in too, do it, then leave.”
The larger man with the broken nose, presumably the shooter, shoves them back into the cramped space. As his back hits the wall, the door slams. There’s another series of shots; the mechanism has been disabled, locking them inside.
Electra is finally in his arms. The taste he got after the horseback riding fiasco wasn’t enough because this feels incredible.
Addictive. So right, despite her trembling.
Just knowing she’s safe is enough for him to keep it together.
“Shh.” He tries to calm her quiet weeping, cradling her tighter into his chest. “The police are coming. Security will search the building. They’ll see the blown locks and get us out. We’re safe now.”
“Is your leg okay?” she asks, sniffling.
“It’s fine.”
She must sense his lie because she tries to pull away, but he doesn’t let her. I’m never letting you go.
They stand huddled against the wall until she says, “I need to sit.” She’s shaky, but it’s clearly for his benefit.
He slides down the wall, pulling her into his lap like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
He heaves a sigh of relief as the throbbing ache of the sparkler burn eases.
The feel of her against him warms him so thoroughly, he feels like he might catch fire.
What was he thinking denying himself this pleasure?
“Why is this happening?” she asks. “I thought the future was safer, at least indoors.”
“It is. But we have precious resources here. I think they were after genetic material.” But they had no way of knowing which liquid nitrogen dewars stored the cryovials containing Electra and Jerme’s organic specimens.
A pang of dread hits him. They had Bexly in the BioBank.
Bexly could access the Laboratory Information Management System, or LIMS, and point them to any specific DNA they were looking for.
“Those silver cases they were carrying?” she asks, nuzzling into his chest. It feels unbelievable. She’s unharmed and nestled in his embrace. It’s almost enough to make him forget about the ache radiating from his thigh or the implications of the robbery.
“Yes, those are temperature-regulated cases meant for stabilizing organic materials at their perfect temperature as they’re transported,” he supplies.
“But who would be after your organic material?”
“Considering our security system is near impenetrable, it has to be someone who works for me who has a high level of clearance.” A lab tech? Someone recently promoted?
“Maybe it isn’t what you think,” she says.
“I wish I could be as optimistic as you.” Because how else would they know, in a full tower’s worth of floors, which one held the BioBank? It’s not like the layout of his company is public knowledge. Unless they got to Bexly first.
“I’m sorry they got away because of me,” she says, glancing up at him. He can faintly make out the concerned expression on her lovely face.
He should be focusing on comforting her, yet he’s stewing over his company. This proves how terrible he is at caring for others. Jerme would probably attest to that. That’s why it will be so much better when his brother is back.
“I told you I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.” And I’ve already endangered you by bringing you to the lab for scans.
“But if it’s really DNA they’re after, it could hurt your company,” she says.
“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 having a 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 reaches down, 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.
Lextr is saying, “According to Bexly’s statement, they were after DNA samples, but it appears the data has been tampered with.” Lextr turns as he and Electra step up beside him.
They were after DNA? His pulse skyrockets. Jerme’s DNA would have been in that BioBank. “So we don’t know what DNA they took?”
Lextr’s eyes flash in a way that suggests he understands the underlying question: Did they get Jerme’s DNA? “We won’t know until Bexly and his team can do a physical inventory.”
He nods outwardly, but thinks with his m-volt, Message Lextr. Have them check for Jerme’s DNA first. I want to know if it’s missing STAT.
Lextr’s eyes go distant as he listens to the message. They clear, and he glances up, nodding.
Good. It’s probably nothing to worry about—just a random hate group trying to disrupt his operations.
Whoever those men were, they would have no reason to target his brother’s DNA.
Not to mention, the odds of them selecting Jerme’s DNA out of the millions in his stores is highly improbable—yet there’s enough of a chance to make his palms sweat.
Now that he’s set his mind to bringing his brother back, it feels like everything hinges on it. If these criminals inadvertently ruin his chances . . . He doesn’t know what he’ll do. Probably have another seven-year downward spiral like he did when Jerme first died.
Electra, who’s still tucked into his side, must sense his inner turmoil because she snakes her arm around his waist, squeezing, which draws his attention to the present. He steels himself. This isn’t the time to have a meltdown.
The petite blonde inspector sitting across the table turns to the other officers.
“When the rest of our team gets here, I want a full sweep of the premises.” She nods to Lextr.
“Work alongside him as his staff reviews the DNA stores. Find out what’s missing so we’ll know what is in those silver cases.
I’ll join you once I’m finished with this interview. ”
Lextr and the two inspectors rush out of the room. Tommy hovers behind him. “Tommy, you may go.”
Tommy nods. “Of course, sir.”
“Take Chryl to my office and wait there.” Both Tommy and the manupartner frown but head down the hall together.
He and Electra settle into the seats opposite the inspector. She’s all business as she turns her piercing blue eyes to them. “I’m Inspector Wanda. I’ll be your NHOS liaison during this investigation.”
Beside him, Electra’s knee vibrates. He grabs it, squeezing. When she stills, he lends authority to his voice and says, “I’m Res6, CHOICElover’s owner, founder, and the inventor of manupartners. This is Electra, our latest, most LifeLike prototype.”
The inspector nods. “Excellent. I’d like to take a statement from you both”—she eyes Electra warily—“and try to develop a profile of the perpetrators.”
“We’ll help in any way we can. I want to find out who is behind this as much as you do,” he says.
Inspector Wanda takes out her tablet and a stylus. “I’m going to record our conversation if you don’t mind.”
“Of course not,” he says.
“Excellent. Thank you for your cooperation. Being the victim of a robbery can be an unsettling experience, so I appreciate your cooperation.” When Inspector Wanda directs her assurance only to him, he momentarily bristles on Electra’s behalf.
But she isn’t being callous. She thinks Electra’s a manupartner.
He rubs Electra’s thigh, trying to transfer the reassurance to her.
A second later, her fingers brush his. At first he thinks he’s overstepped, but when they close around his hand, that buoyant sensation in his chest from a few minutes earlier explodes.
He has to fight to keep from grinning like a lunatic.
Really, who would be so joyful after being robbed?
Only a man whose world is actively being uprooted by a woman from four hundred years ago and likes it.
Oh, Zorg, he really likes it. Especially the way their hands fit together and—
Shit. Inspector Wanda is saying something.
“. . . to recount the sequence of events for my official records.” She taps the tablet’s screen. “Go ahead.”