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

other. Reed’s mother led her into the kitchen and motioned to one of the chairs.

“What can I get for you?”

“Water would be great.” Ari couldn’t remember the last time she ate, but with the nerves in her stomach she didn’t think she could.

“I’ll make toast,” Reed’s mom said to herself as much as Ari. “You’re too thin.”

“So are you,” Ari replied.

“Maybe.” Anita turned and watched her for a moment. “What did you call the stray cat Reed and Marco found?”

A light smiled pulled up her face as she remembered the mangy feline. Neither mother would let them keep the cat, so they worked hard to feed it from the scraps. Soon it had enough of the kids and left, but it kept them entertained for a whole summer. “Sparks.”

“Just had to make sure,” Anita nodded, not any happier to see her, and turned to open a cabinet.

“Where is Reed?” Ari couldn’t hold in the question any longer.

Anita didn’t answer at first, instead sticking the bread into the toaster. After pouring a glass of water, she set it in front of Ari. Then she went back to work on the toast, leaving Ari with the raging thoughts in her mind.

Glancing around, she found a picture of Reed on the mantel in the front room. He stood surrounded by friends. It looked like it was taken at work at the factory. His smile lit up the whole room. Ari didn’t think she could take another minute when Anita finally spoke.

“It’s not that I don’t care for you, child. I watched you grow, and your mother and I always did watch out for each other’s children.” Her gaze skittered to the door. “But with you, always comes trouble. My son has finally found some peace. He’s finally happy again.” She motioned to the same picture Ari had been looking at earlier.

Biting her lip, Ari nodded. One of her biggest fears was that she hurt Reed, along with those she loved. Anita was right. Ari’s life, chaotic and crazy, hurt those she was around no matter how she tried to help. Coming back to see Reed was purely selfish. Did she really think that he would just leave his mom, his home, and run around the world with her with the threat of death or imprisonment always hanging over her head? She loved him more than that.

Pushing back from the table she stood, heat flooding her face. “I understand. I just needed to know that he was safe and okay.”

“He’s working right now and is showing great promise. Management material is what they call him. I recently got laid off, but he has a good job down at the plant. Makes a decent wage, despite leaving school early. He’s a smart boy with many prospects here.” The way she said prospects, Ari knew it referred to the opposite sex. Reed was always popular, and girls at school were always eager to talk to him.

“Glad to hear it.” Ari had to leave, before she broke down completely in front of Anita. “I’m sorry I came and put you at risk. Like I said, I had to know for sure.”

As tears burned her eyes, she spun towards the door. It swept open without her command and standing in the doorway was Reed. Her Reed, with his perfect hazel eyes looking kindly down. He had let the stubble on his face grow in more than usual. She reached out a hand, her heart aching with every passing moment. Then she stopped. This wasn’t her Reed. Not anymore. She didn’t deserve him.

He glanced at his mother. His eyes questioning, before returning to her. She realized hot tears flowed without restraint and he must think her insane. Seeing him now didn’t make any difference. His mother was right. It was best for him if she just disappeared. The knife had dug just a little deeper in her heart when she stared at his beautiful face and he didn’t even recognize her.

Chapter 26

Realizing how she must look, a strange woman crying inside his door, Ari turned her head and hastily wiped at her tears.

“Mom?” Reed turned to Anita for an explanation.

“Just a friend, dear, going through a hard time. Excuse us as I see her out.” Anita stepped behind Ari, helping her out.

“Oh. I’m so sorry.” Reed stepped around them and with him, taking her heart.

Anita placed a hand around Ari’s shoulder and escorted her outside. The door closing behind them, leaving them alone outside. Ari clenched her hands, reining in her emotions.

“Just remember,” Anita said. “Family has to come first. You know that.”

As she tucked away the pain and hurt, a coldness spread down Ari’s back. “I understand. I guess I just thought we were family.” Then she headed down the walkway, not looking back.

She didn’t blame Anita for protecting her son. It was something Ari had wanted to do since Reed first left the country with her. But that realization didn’t ease the pain she forced back.

In the lot, a strange car sat idling with no driver. The shiny silver sedan without a hint of rust stood out amid the half-running heaps that littered the street in Reed’s neighborhood. Maybe she had alerted someone when she checked on her dad. It would make sense the next place the government would check would be Reed’s. Instinct kicked in and she continued to the next apartment complex.

Once she hit the alley, she picked up her pace, jogging quietly to not draw attention to herself. She was grateful she parked her car behind the liquor store. In between the dumpster and tow truck, no one could see her small car from the street.

With a quick glance at her watch, she realized she had only hours to find a secure connection and leave a message for Patrick. She itched the wig on her head and hurried to the car. It wasn’t until she was miles away on the highway that she tore the pins out of the wig and pulled it