Studenstein (Love-Bots, Book Two) Read Online Free PDF Page A

his makers were.
    His mind halted that train of thought. It wasn’t punishment. It was…how he was designed. They had to protect their assets, and he was valuable. Shani, on the other hand—her group was probably composed of steins no one really wanted.
    Something fired in the inner crease of his thigh—so sharp that his body crumpled with pain and Royce fell to the ground. Both his hands shot out to squeeze the spot between his legs. “Fuck! Ah shit! I’ve gotta…” He’d meant to beg to go back, to literally cower at her feet and plead. But Royce’s jaw set in a hard line. No. Fucking. Way.
    With shaking limbs, he shifted his weight until he was upright.
    “I…” She sounded scared. “Uh…I gotta call my boss. See if he knows what to do.”
    Royce scowled—an ugly expression he was pretty sure he’d never made in his life. “Yeah, you go do that.”
    * * * * *
     
    “It’s no use bringing him back early. Frank won’t be home from that conference until late tomorrow.” Q-ter sounded apologetic, not that it helped her one bit. “I could get started on his scans, but… You know Frank does the actual cutting. I wouldn’t want to cripple the guy.”
    Shani peered in the window of the van, at Royce curled in the fetal position on the bed. She felt horrible—the guy looked a total mess. “But you have more meds there. I could keep him doped.” She thought about the remaining sedatives she had stashed in the med kit in front. She only had enough to keep him out a couple more hours.
    “Maybe…” Q-ter hedged. “But we don’t know if the booby-trap is distance-dependent.” When Shani argued, Q-ter cut her off. “They could shut down his breathing or heartbeat. Then we’d have to keep him on ice and hope he wouldn’t rot before Frank could work on him.”
    She pressed two fingers into the spot between her eyes. “Well, should I head south and stay closer to San Francisco?” The very idea made her sick to her stomach. Lingering close to Synadate Headquarters seemed like asking to get caught.
    “No. The interference device on the van only works on 278 frequencies. They may have some signals outside those closer to their offices. Maybe even in their cars if they’re out looking for him.”
    “Fuck, Q!” Shani pounded her fist into the van’s siding. “Why did I have to get him tonight then?”
    “Because this was the only night we knew they’d let him in public!” Q-ter had raised his voice, something he almost never did. After a long moment, he cleared his throat. “Does the guy seem in danger? Is he dying or anything?”
    Shani peeked in the window again. Pained? Yes. Dying? Not so much. “No.” She exhaled a long rush of frustration. “Not right now at least.”
    “Okay.” Q-ter sounded as frazzled as she felt. “Just…do what you can to keep him comfortable, but stick to the schedule.” He paused. “Can you do that?”
    “Of course I can,” Shani snapped. “But I’m dropping him off at the office by afternoon tomorrow. And if Frank’s not back yet, the boy can be your problem!” Ignoring Q’s squeak of protest, Shani hit END on the call and then swung open the van’s back door and climbed inside. Royce winced when she shut the door, as if slamming made it worse.
    “Is there something you need? Like, that I can do for you?”
    He lifted his head from the bed and glared at her. “Fuck you.”
    Shani shifted back a half step. Then she fussed around, setting aside the forgotten plates of food. “Why don’t you tell me what’s wrong and maybe we can come up with a medication plan to tide you over until we get back?”
    Royce didn’t look at her, just muttered through clenched teeth. “Did you grab my bag?”
    She closed the cabinet door too hard, a tendril of fear winding down her spine. “Your sex bag?” She’d checked his duffel for clothes or other useful items during the drive, but it only contained vibrators and stuff. Shani reached instinctively for the