“The only person I could trustwas Mom.Mom . Who I’d never see again unless Iaced these tests. And all I had to do wasbe a good little an droid. Strong . Focused.Emotion free.”

“No matterhow big my attempts to hide from my true nature, it still existed. I was a machine,and a powerful one.”

“The room was a small square of hopelessness.A flash of red. And then:Dimensions: 10 ft. by 9 ft.I swallowed a horrific giggle. Perfect. And now I knew the exact measurements of hopelessness.”

“There’s nothing wrong withbeing an android”

“I’d prefer to stand when ladies are standing,” he said quietly to Livia.She longed to smooth a balm on all his wounds. “Blake, I’m exhausted. What I really need is a nice, strong lap to sit on to get me out to the car.”He reached up and stroked her hair. “I could be a lap for you, my tired angel.”

“If they’d caused you pain, I’d never have been able to live with myself,” he said as he backed up a step. “You might want to find another place to sit. Those idiots could cook up a plan for revenge.” “I can’t leave.” Green Eyes took a huge breath. “This is the only place where I get to see you.” He looked like a man who’d just bet his entire fortune and laid his cards on the table.”

“Hey, Dad, if I needed to check someone’s background, would you be able to do that for me?”“That’s a little unethical, Liv.” John smoothed his mustache. “Is this about a boy?”Livia cringed. “Yeah, it is.”“Then absolutely. I’d be happy to.”