Page 21 of Jump or Fall
She glanced at Silva, who answered for her. “One week, provided there are no surprises.”
Millon drummed his fingers on the table. “Good.” He rose. “Asher.”
Her apprentice paled at the sound of his name.
“You’ll take on Mara’s fittings and repairs until this project is complete. Silva, delegate as needed.” He tapped a metal finger on the table. “Also, test the effect of non-combatants in close proximity and ensure it doesn’t shoot unless the certainty is at least ninety-eight percent. We can’t risk the suit targeting the wrong person.”
Silva inclined his head. “Of course.”
Lastly, Millon turned to Dawson and cleared his throat. “Secretary.” With a sharp nod, he exited the room.
Silva and Asher followed, neither saying a word.
Dread seeped into Mara’s bones. She kept her eyes lowered and waited.
Dawson swiveled to face her, leaning back with his head resting in one hand. “Stand.”
She obeyed, standing stiffly as he kicked her chair away.
“You’d probably stand there until you collapsed, my beautiful Kaplan doll.”
She said nothing.
“Come here.” His tone was soft, almost tender. He reached out, pulling her over to face him.
With a simple gesture, he instructed her to kneel. She did, resting back on her heels, hands folded in her lap.
Her shoulders relaxed slightly. If he was keeping her here for the usual, maybe she wasn’t being punished for the synth-mind delay.
A long sigh escaped him. “You’ve always been my favorite. So well-behaved. And such an entertaining profession.”
He leaned forward and cupped her face, extending the claw on his thumb to trace her lips. She held perfectly still as he ran the sharp blade across her teeth.
“You understand your good behavior is why you have so much freedom, correct?”
“Yes.” Her body tensed again, unsure of where this was going.
The claw trailed up her cheek. “How old are you now?”
“Thirty.”
He tsked. “Still so pretty, but your eyes give you away. I think you need more sleep.”
Her breathing remained steady but her mind raced. Had he searched her bag and found the extra tablet? Had someone seen her with Gordon? Was he already dead?
Don't react. Don't move.
He dug the claw into her cheek, dragging it down again and parting her lips. She didn’t flinch. The pain gave her something else to focus on.
He reached for his belt—but a soft chime interrupted him. Someone was calling.
Jaw clenched, he tapped his ear. “What do you want?” He stared off while he listened. “Fine. Have Nella brought over afterward.”
With another tap, the call ended. He looked down at her, amusement playing across his features.
“Lucky for you, doll. Business calls.” He gave her cheek a light slap.
“Nella’s still afraid of these.” He playfully extended a claw before retracting it. “Someday she’ll sit as pretty as you.”
