Page 148 of Fatality

CHAPTER 29

Riven

365 - Charli xcx

Night has long since settled over Kairo-9.

Light spills through the windows while the constant hum of drones and distant voices drifts through the garage.

My hand is bandaged.

It’s probably past three in the morning.

I don’t have my comm.

I still haven’t eaten.

I keep working, pulling the dents from the hood. At least the windshield is finally done.

My hands are sore and trembling.

True to Evren’s word, I had to reinstall the damn thing ten times before it was perfect.

That shit is heavy, so I ended up using suction cups.

When Varek gave them to me, I thought it would be a lot easier.

I mean, we live in a world where everything is automated.

Apparently not this piece of junk—old, heavy, dirty, and fought me every step of the way.

I slide down the hood and collapse onto the floor, too exhausted to care about the grease or the cold concrete.

I close my eyes, I just want to sleep.

I crack an eye open.

Varek and Ren are still there, watching me. Every now and then they exchange a glance, but neither of them looks tired.

Not even a little.

Are they even human? Or did Evren hire a pair of fucking robots?

“I’m hungry.” I announce.

“You finish the side mirror first. Then you eat.” Ren says, completely serious.

“Unless I heard wrong, Evren ordered you to feed me and keep me hydrated.” I grin, all teeth. “And I’m fucking starving.”

Ren and Varek exchange a glance, but neither of them budges.

“Fine. Then you can explain to your bastard boss why his captive—his personal slave mechanic—is passed out on the floor because she hasn’t eaten in eight fucking hours.”

Varek moves.

Ren shakes his head, probably in desperation or annoyance.

Hell if I know, at least I’m getting food.