Broken Protocols by Dale Mayer Read Free Book Online

twice, but he preferred to be with a woman because he liked her, not because she had the requisite body parts. And – he twisted his lips in a dour smile – he was a romantic. Old fashioned. He wanted to love and be loved. Was that so impossible?
    He rolled over again. How could he stop the world from finding out about Milo’s accomplishment? He also had to stop Milo from repeating his actions. And he needed to find a way to send Dani home. Although he wouldn’t mind if she stayed for a bit – if she wanted to.
    Was it wrong of him to want her to stay? Instantly he crushed that thought. She wasn’t meant to stay here. He didn’t dare get attached to her. She wasn’t a pet. He couldn’t just keep her.
    But a part of him was considering it.
    Just as morning light drifted into his room and he thought he might finally be able to go to sleep, there was a pounding on his front door. Groaning, he pulled on a shirt and pants. When the noise came a second time, he stumbled to the door, calling out, “Hang on. I’m coming.”
    He pulled open the door, his hand hiding a yawn. And froze.
    Two suits were standing there with Johan sandwiched between them. He glanced over at Johan, a question in his eyes, but asked in a genial voice, “What’s up, gentlemen?”
    One man said, “You’re wanted for questioning at the Council.” The tone was stiff, uncompromising. Just like the look on the first man’s face. Levi glanced at the second man’s stone face. Council henchmen. Great. He was in trouble again. He cast his mind back to see where he messed up. And how to recover…
    Levi frowned at his friend. “Johan, what’s going on?”
    Johan shrugged but wore his customary careless grin. “Damned if I know. I’m being hauled in, too.”
    Not good. Levi straightened, looked at the first man, and said, “Do I need my lawyers, gentlemen?”
    “If you feel you need one, you may certainly call in representation as is your right. However, at this moment, while we are requesting your presence at the Council, it is not an order.”
    The unspoken “yet” hung in the air.
    “Right. Give me a moment. I’ll get dressed and meet you there.”
    The first suit, who’d yet to speak, said, “No. We will wait and escort you there.”
    So this was serious. Levi nodded and returned to his bedroom. He swallowed a booster, hoping to make up for his lousy night. He walked to his wardrobe where he pulled out a suit and dressed carefully. Milo did creative. Levi did power and intimidation.
    After a quick glance around, he pocketed his comp and walked out.
    Johan at his side, the four men travelled to the Council building and were escorted into the inner office immediately.
    No waiting. No coffee offered. Immediate reception.
    This was very serious.
    They were led forward to face four Councilmen all seated on a raised podium, watching as Levi’s group approached.
    Levi recognized all four of them. His stomach sank. He didn’t exactly have a good relationship with the Council after Milo broke protocol over a year ago. Except for one member, Stephen Cavendish, a junior member who was also an old friend. As a junior member, his presence on the Council was sporadic.
    There wasn’t a sound for a long moment as the Councilmen assessed him and Johan. One of the two Councilmen in the middle finally spoke up. “Johan and Levi, thank you both for coming. We understand that there was a disturbance on the health pod registered to you, Johan.”
    Ah shit.
    So much for his orders to that damn computer. It hadn’t wiped the data and had instead submitted it as per protocol, and that had raised flags. He’d expected the power outage to have done that. Although there’d been several of those lately, unrelated to Milo’s work. He frowned. Or were they? Had Milo tested his program out earlier?
    Johan raised his hands, palms outward. “Anything is possible. It experienced heavy use last night as several of my guests took advantage of my personal unit.