Read Online Synthetic Dreams by Kim Knox - Free Book Online

survival? There was a whole new layer to her life that broke the surety she’d built around herself.
    “So commanding.” Liam’s laughter was low and bitter. “Doesn’t it get tiring, Paul? I’ve had it for seven years.” A smile touched his mouth, deepening the lines on his face she didn’t remember. “And I’m tired of it.”
    “Really?”
    Paul moved with him, mirroring the other man’s body, a lethal and liquid grace that tingled fear through Vyn. Liam’s body echoed his smoothness. They were matched. The tension between them arced, was almost palpable, and she had to sit and watch and not move. Her toes curled into the mattress, her heart beating hard. Curses ran through her head. This wasn’t her. She’d always acted…or had that illusion.
    “I had to put up with the stink of oils, the inane drivel of artists and gallery owners, self-absorbed and over-privileged adolescents.” A dark smile twisted his mouth. “The fucking of young, impressible girls. That lessened the annoyance. Especially when they wanted that extra mark…”
    Paul snorted. “Am I meant to be disgusted? You’re a lecturer. Fucking the students is expected.”
    Vyn pressed her hand to her mouth as Liam pulled out a pair of shock-weapons from holsters tucked under his jacket. Small and sleek, their low whine cut an edge through her teeth. She winced. Paul seemed unmoved.
    “I thought you wanted a fight?”
    “Maybe I lied.” Liam’s twisted smile deepened. “Occupational hazard.”
    He sprang forward. But not at Paul.
    Vyn shrieked, scrambling back up the bed as one of his shock-weapons surged power, the stink of the cauterised silk burning across her senses. Her heart thumped. Her spine hit the headboard and a whoomph of air escaped her. Shit.
    Liam swore, his face harsh. Something glittered in his eyes, and it ran a chill through her…but Paul blocked him. In a burst of movement that she couldn’t quite follow, he drove Liam back. One weapon bounced, sparking across the carpeted floor. The other flew into a wall.
    With hard hands, he shoved him back and Liam staggered. Paul flexed his fingers and his breaths were quick but slowing. His bare skin gleamed in the light.
    “Your fight’s with me. Always has been.” Paul’s low growl skittered through Vyn and she curled up against the headboard, her fists tight in the still-smoking sheet. It was a timely reminder of who and what he was. “She’s not your concern.”
    “Her?” Liam held her gaze, his cold determination stabbing into her. Paul moved, something quick and sharp, and it jerked Liam’s attention back. His head tilted. “Don’t want me looking too hard?” His dark smile deepened. “I know who she is. And I’ll fuck her before I hand her over. Take her, make her scream. The CEO only wants her breathing. Sane wasn’t a requirement.”
    “And you talk too much.” In a blurred move, Paul’s arm shot out. There was a flash, a sharp crack and Liam slumped. His body hit the carpet. Blood leaked. “Far too much.”
    For a long second, Paul’s body tensed until he let out a long, slow breath. He scrubbed a hand over his face and his fingers dug into his jaw. “Fuck.”

    “He’ll have a transponder.” Vyn wriggled forward. She stared at the dead man, the small scorched hole in his forehead leaking blood. She didn’t feel anything. Not revulsion, not anger or guilt. Her thoughts were clear and quick. It was probably a symptom of shock.
    She frowned. Liam’s wound was…unusual. Her attention jumped back to Paul, to the silver gleam of the small weapon in his hand. It wasn’t a shock-weapon. It was a projectile one. The fired bullet would’ve shredded Liam’s brain. “Even with a bullet, there’s a possibility the gear imbedded in his skull is still transmitting.”
    “Yes.” Paul’s gaze pinned her. “Here.” He picked up her fallen clothes and tossed them to her. “Get dressed.”
    She tugged the long-sleeved T-shirt over her head. “Was