When Good Toys Go Bad by Debbie Cairo Read Free Book Online Page B

in on the questioning when Brynn snapped her fingers and hurried out of the room. She returned a few seconds later holding a jumpsuit. She handed the clothing to Kai. “This is a jumpsuit for a maintenance droid. You should blend in.” She avoided making eye contact with him, though I did see her steal a quick glance at his bare chest.
    With his usual lack of modesty, Kai stripped right there in the kitchen and put on the jumpsuit. Brynn turned a dark crimson and quickly turned away from the sight. I’m not sure why she was embarrassed, since she had already held his penis in her hands.
    “You can turn around now,” I said when Kai finished zipping up the jumpsuit.
    “It just surprised me, that’s all.” Brynn straightened the bottom of her blazer and composed herself before sitting down at the table with us.
    In all the excitement, she must not have thought about changing her hair color back to green. It was still honey blonde. I had forgotten how beautiful she was, especially with the leftover blush still visible on her cheeks. A flash from the time she and I were a couple swept through my mind. The intensity of the memory jarred me.
    “Okay, let’s get down to business.” Brynn took a swig of her wine. “I did some checking. Your court-appointed lawyer is a staff attorney for The Consortium. They normally tap her for the more covert assignments. They must really want this one—” she poked a thumb at Kai, “—in a big way.”
    “Well, he is worth a small fortune,” I offered.
    “One I’m sure you would happily pay. I’m thinking they have another reason for wanting him back. Remember when I told you about the Kai who hit that woman?”
    “Yes, and I told you not to worry about Kai.”
    “I’m not. What I’m trying to tell you is that it’s worse than reported. There are multiple incidents of Kai units losing their minds and killing people. I think the lawyer they assigned you was part of the team put together to cover up the deaths.”
    “What!” My mouth dropped open. I stared at Kai for a reaction. There was none. “Did you know about this?”
    “Unfortunately—yes. The Consortium has been doing a pretty good job of keeping the story under wraps, even from other parts of the company—and of course the general public. Other Kai have become…” he searched for a word, “…aware, but didn’t adjust to emotions very well. I heard one chopped his boss up and threw her into the smelting tank.”
    “And you’re just telling me this now?”
    “Hey, would you advertise the fact that a group of people genetically identical to you lost their minds and were now on a killing spree? That would have definitely endeared you to me. I couldn’t take the chance. I love you.”
    I put my hand on top of Kai’s and squeezed. “Point taken.”
    “If you two lovebirds are finished…”
    Nodding my head, I focused my attention back toward Brynn.
    “Well, from what I hear, if they find you two—” she pointed at me, “—you’re heading to jail—” then at Kai, “—and you the scrap pod.”
    The rash on my stomach and arms was eating away at me, causing extreme discomfort. I clawed at the red patches.
    “Shit, was that from the isotope?” Brynn ran to get a medkit.
    She rubbed the salve on my rash. Everywhere she touched miraculously stopped itching. Her touch was gentle. She took longer than necessary on my belly and thighs—not that I was complaining.
    I took her face in my hands. “Thank you,” I said and then kissed her softly.
    “My pleasure.” She helped me up off the chair.
    We moved into the living area. The couch was overstuffed with synthetic avian feathers. It was the most comfortable couch I’d ever sat on. I sank in and the upholstery molded around me like sand.
    “There are opiates and antihistamines in the salve which might make you a bit groggy,” I heard Brynn say as I began to drift off into sleep.
    “How long is this going to last?” Kai asked.
    “Forever I