Page 70 of Assassin

Still, the way MATE said that was creepy.

Then, it got worse.

“That would make Elizabeth my mother. You should be nice to her. I will defend her to the end of my existence.”

They all looked at Zayn who busted her ass. The looks said it all.

Oh, and he got it.

He wasn’t insulting Elizabeth while at the Matrix. That was just asking for trouble—the kind you found in a horror movie.

Others on the team were excited, though.

“Your Father knows how to set up a lab,” Merry said, wanting to touch everything. “Can I play in here?” she asked.

MATE beeped.

“Absolutely, Meredith. Mi casa es su casa. In case Mr. Thundercloud needs that translated, I said, ‘you are my prisoners now. Let the games begin’.”

He swallowed.

Not far away, Jagger laughed.

“Zayn, MATE is based on Elizabeth’s needs. She’s screwing with you. She won’t kill you, will you, MATE?”

MATE was honest.

“I won’t kill anyone, unless I see that Elizabeth is in danger here. My directives and programing are to protect her and Maura.”

Well, that worked for Jagger. He knew where he was keeping his wife.

In the matrix at Area Fifty-Two.

Hell!

He was moving his kids in next.

For damn sure.

“Would you like a tour of the upper floors?” MATE asked, and sure as shit they did.

Who wouldn’t?

They walked toward the concrete stairs on the opposite side that opened onto the next level.

“What’s upstairs?” Maura asked.

MATE explained.

“Those would be the private suites.”

They walked down the hall, and each room had a metal plate with a code on it.

“Scan it,” MATE said.

Maura pulled out her phone, and when she held the camera up to it, she was able to read the code.

“It’s Dakota and Eve’s space,” she said, showing him. Below the scan code was a plate. Dakota took a chance and put his hand on it. Knowing his friend, Elizabeth would make those rooms secure too.

---