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

last time she went to see her father? He was mentally gone, in a different world. Even if he was still alive, he was just another vegetable fallen into a VR coma not wanting to return to the real world.

“They are looking for me too,” Tessa said honestly. “And if they find me, then I can’t help you guys.”

Looking smaller somehow, her mother dropped gaze to her hands. “Okay.”

Ari squeezed her hands. “Maybe not today, but someday. I promise.”

“Okay.” Her mother repeated, obviously not buying it.

Before she could do anything else, Marco swung open the door. “We gotta move now. These guys aren’t the typical cops looking for extra cash. They’re tracking someone.” He eyes focused on Ari. “Someone worth tracking.”

Chapter 10

Tessa knocked over the wine as she hurried to her feet. “Grab anything you can’t live without.”

“Anything identifying,” Patrick added.

Ari’s mother jumped up in a flurry of Spanish as she emptied the top drawer of a nearby dresser into a purse.

“Don’t you need to get anything?” Patrick asked her brother.

Marco stood by the open door watching outside. “Nope. I’ve learned to not carry much and live on less.”

“Good for you,” Tessa said. “Let’s get out of here. I’ve had my fill of church for the decade.”

Ari would have laughed or made some comment about Tessa’s soul, but there was no time. She grabbed her mother by the arm and followed the others out the door.

Marco led them through the back of the church.

“Is there a back way out?” Ari whispered to Tessa, who was right in front of her. The church looked pretty cornered in.

Marco must have heard her. “I always have an exit.” Pushing away a rich, red velvet curtain, there stood a small door. “After you.”

The door led them through the kitchen of a neighboring building. People rushed about, the smell of food and detergent welcoming them. Tessa led the others, not bothering the reply to the shouts of surprise. Once outside, they slowed down, tying to not draw attention as they maneuvered the crowded streets. Marco cut a quick path, avoiding security like he knew their route, which he probably did.

Tessa stuck close to Ari. “I guess our reunion is cut short.”

“I wanted to tell you thanks for everything you’ve done and—”

Tessa held up her hand. “No time for sentimental blabbering. Marco knows how to get a hold of me through my games. I’ll get you back to the plane. If no one’s there, take it as far as you need. It’s untraceable on my end, but I’m sure you know not to trust anything too far.”

“We’ll be fine.” Patrick spoke behind them. “I have arrangements.”

They made it to the platform and said their goodbyes, and the four of them left on Tessa’s plane. As it took off, Ari couldn’t help but watch Tessa on the roof. How could she ever repay her friend? She may not know now, but one day she would.

The plane took them to another city nearby, which then led to another time zone before they finally headed to the correct country. Her mom stayed close during the trip, leaving the details to Patrick. Marco remained unusually quiet as well. Ari tried to push away the guilt at turning his life inside out.

The commercial plane they were on was large, with two decks carrying up to three hundred people. They didn’t want to draw attention by sitting together, so they sat in pairs. Patrick and Ari in front and Marco and their mom behind them. At one point when Patrick left to use the restroom, Marco slid into the empty seat next to Ari. A quick glance behind, showed their mom asleep in her chair.

“Hey,” Ari nudged Marco. “You’ve been quiet.”

“Just thinking.”

“Be careful. You may break something,” she joked, one they both used repeatedly.

“I might have.” Marco voice had a serious edge. “How much do you trust Patrick?”

Ari took a deep breath, really considering the question. “I trust him, Marco. He saved me from VisionTech.”

“Saved you or stole you?”

She started to object, but he cut her off. “He just watches you with an intensity that tells me he wants you for more than your ability.”

“Maybe he does,” she admitted. Denying his feeling was stupid. “But he respects my boundaries and knows my feelings for Reed. He’s even willing to help me get him back.”

“So he says.” Marco’s dark mood bothered Ari. “I’ve worked enough jobs in my life that I can read people pretty well. I just like to have as much information as possible up front. Like where does he get all his money? Rich playboys don’t grow on trees, despite what your romance novels tell you.”

She chuckled. “True. I’m not sure where all the money comes from, but he tries to do good. We go after bad guys and try to protect people like us.” The money thing worried Ari, but she knew Patrick was one of the good guys. Right? A nagging voice reminded her she had thought the same thing of VisionTech at one time.

“If this is the way we have to do things, we can do it. The more we know the better, though. Just don’t get sucked into his altruistic side. Everyone has a motive.”

“I get that.” Ari hated to think that way, but maybe Marco was right. “This was my decision though, and you’re going to have to trust me.”

“I trust you, sis. Your boyfriend’s coming back.” He motioned to Patrick walking down the long isle.

“Please don’t call him that.” Ari hoped her mother was still asleep.

“Don’t worry, sis. Your secret is safe with me.” He winked at her and returned to his seat.

Patrick sat down. “Everything okay?”

“Yes. Just my annoying brother bringing out the worst in himself.” She spoke loud enough for Marco to hear.

“It was your idea to get him,” he reminded her.

“I have a feeling you won’t let me forget that either.”

“Nope.” He smiled and buckled himself in.

The rest of the flight was smooth and uneventful. They arrived in town the