Hard Wired Trilogy by DeAnna Pearce (smart books to read .TXT) 📕

didn’t want to believe everyone knew but her, like an idiot. “How did you know that my job would kill me?”

“I didn’t. Just guessed. I’m an old woman and have been around through the last warper. But like most white men seeking to make money, they don’t always tell the whole truth.”

Ari choked on her next word, fighting the instinct to bury herself in this woman’s embrace. This madness called VisionTech had to stop now. She had to talk to Tessa and get off this bloody island.

“Come with me.” Jewels motioned to someone in the crowd and walked away from the group. In the midst of a few palm trees, the wind lessened with their protection.

Tamar joined behind them, sweat dripping down his temple and glistening on his bare chest. “Hey, Ari.”

“Hi.”

“I talked to Jewels about your situation. We can send a message to the mainland with a ship that leaves tonight. They have to make it out before the storm.”

“How long until we hear back?”

“A few days. And you’ll have to pay him.” He ran a hand through his damp hair, getting it out of his eyes.

Glancing at Jewels, who just confirmed what she already knew, Ari’s thoughts spun with what type of message to send. She could just tell Tessa to come get them. By where was she? The islanders would know. But could Tessa actually bail her out?

Jewels stepped forward, placing a hand on Ari’s arm, but speaking to Tamar. “She needs to leave tonight.”

Startled Ari pulled back. “What?” Granted, it may be just what Ari was thinking, but not so soon.

Tamar must have been as equally puzzled. “Why, Grandmother?”

“The work they have her doing is killing her. If she stays, she will die.”

He turned to Ari. “Is that true?”

Ari’s chest tightened as everything in her world spun out of her control. “Yes, it is. I want to leave, but don’t have everything set up. Could we do it later? Maybe in a few days?” At the end of the week, Kari was supposed to meet Antoine for vacation. If she could get her information together, she could pose as Kari and move between countries. She’d been playing with idea since her last meeting with Antoine.

“The next boat won’t be going out for two weeks,” Tamar told her. “The good thing is if you get out in front of the storm, no one will be able to come after you for several days.”

“Do you think they’ll send someone after me?”

“You are an expensive commodity. If you leave, I assume you will be breaking contract and owe them quite a bit of money. They will come after you to prosecute you. I don’t believe they will hurt you. You are worth too much.”

If she was ever going to leave, it had to be tonight. Right now. What about Reed?

“My boyfriend, he came here with me.”

Tamar shoulders sagged. “It will be harder with him. Getting new identities, traveling as a pair you will be more conspicuous. The new identities will be expensive, and you will have no money.”

“But I’ve been paid—”

“In electronic traceable currency. You have to go off-grid to truly get away.”

“I can’t leave him without telling him.” Was that the right choice or would it just guilt him into coming along? Remorse ate at her that she was about to destroy his life again. Maybe he would choose to stay, and part of her hoped he would for his sake.

Tamar nodded. “Let’s go then.”

“Wait—my tracker.” She motioned to the back of her neck. “The guards are watching me from the car.”

“I can hold that for you for a while. Give you a head start,” Jewels said.

That’s all fine and dandy, except getting it to Jewels involved cutting it out of her neck. “Do either of you have a knife?”

“I do.” Tamar said. “You’re not a man if you don’t carry one.”

Ari let a nervous laugh escape. “Never heard that one yet.” Turning around, she pulled up her thick braid. “Don’t cut deep. It’s right under the skin and hopefully should slide out.”

“Don’t worry. I can gut a fish with precision.”

The wind wiped through the trees, the skin on her neck raising. “Great. Just think of me as an oversized fish.”

A small sting bit into her skin. Then his cold hands added pressure to her neck. “Here.” He dropped the tracker onto Ari’s hand, a bit of blood along with it. Staring at the small silver device she realized it was all over. Her dreams of a better life, or starting over with Reed, they were all gone before they even got a chance to begin.

She forced herself not to go down that dark train of thought. Now she had a chance at a real life, a life away from fake skins, electronic dangers, and people who wished to use her like a tool. It may not be the way she wanted, but this may be the best way for things to play out. Her heart tugged at the thought of Reed and the Islanders and everything they have done for her.

Glancing between Tamar and Jewels, she said, “Thanks for everything. Really. I hope nothing happens to you because you helped me.”

Jewels shook her head and pulled her into a hug. “Don’t worry about us. We’ve been dealing with these city folk for years now. They’re not as smart as they think.” She took the tracker from Ari and held her hand for another moment. “Be strong, Ariana. It’s a big world out there with a lot of paths. Find yours and find the courage to take it.”

Tears fell from Ari’s face, a mixture of the wind and emotion, as she nodded. She found solace in the old woman’s words. “Thank you.”

The woman turned to her grandson. “Take her to find her boy. Then hurry to the boat. The storm is angry, and they’ll be safer out at sea.” Jewels walked out of the safety of the trees and headed to the fire.

Tamar reached for Ari, and they