(Note: in this future universe, men and women are addressed as "Mr." Don't be confused by the heroine Tosha being called Mr. Cameron by her assistant.)
Tosha's refurbished cyborg shows up for work:
“Mr. Cameron? Something’s going on down the hall. I heard screams.” Amadis’ tone was level, but her expression was tight as she stood in the office’s doorway.
Tosha rose. “Screams?”
“Maybe you should duck in the safe room, just to be sure.” Her assistant glanced at the wall panel that hid the reinforced door to Tosha’s panic area.
“Let me take a peek.” Probably a dumb move, but if Tosha’s employees were in danger because of her, she wanted to know.
She ignored Amadis’ disapproving frown as she hurried through her aide’s office. Both women hovered just inside the doorway that led to the corridor.
No screams, but the usual hum of conversation that took place in the vicinity of lesser executives was louder than usual. Then quiet descended like a curtain. Utter silence.
“Let me look,” Amadis whispered. “Stay back.”
Tosha clung to her other arm, listening for shots, ready to jerk Amadis into the office. Her assistant winked.
“So far, so good. Having that look now.”
She leaned out, staring down the hall. Blinked. Her mouth dropped open. Her eyes widened. She whispered. “Saturn, put a ring on it, because I’m done and won. Mr. Cameron, your cyborg’s here.”
Tosha’s heart rate sank to acceptable levels. She chuckled. “Impressive, isn’t he?”
She stepped past Amadis, entering the hall. It was her turn to gawk, as did every employee who ventured from the offices lining the corridor.
The Wall, standing inoperative on the stage of CyberServe’s storage bay, had been a notable sight. Walking towards her, his impossibly huge frame forcing the accompanying Jeff and Beauchamp to follow in his wake rather than at his side…
Overwhelming. Terrifying.
The missing lens had been replaced to give him two brown eyes and hide the orange mechanism. They riveted on Tosha, and she wondered what he thought. Or rather, what his program told him about her. Did cyborgs think anything about their owners, or was it all a cold data stream that identified her as female, five feet-ten, medium build?
“Woof.” Amadis’ expression was far from professional.
“I had no idea you went in for the dangerous look.”
“What can I say? I love them rough and tough and bad man all over.”
The TWM was that, and then some. His features, all solid planes, had been sculpted to instill panic despite a lack of emotion. Perhaps it was that impassive demeanor that made him scarier than he would have been otherwise. Tosha had the notion that when he reached her, he might keep walking, disregarding her as he knocked her down and stomped her flat.
The metal chassis was completely concealed, his bronze skin regrown. He moved with a grace that was odd for his size. He almost slunk, a tiger stalking prey. She shivered.
His size. She didn’t remember him being so big. The tee-shirt covering his massive frame stretched taut. It might as well have been painted on his wide chest, on his ponderous shoulders. The pants weren’t quite as tight, but the shape of his thighs was obvious.
The Wall was aptly named. He was a walking barricade.
Practically running on his shorter legs to keep up, Beauchamp hailed Tosha as they neared. “He’s something else, isn’t he, Mr. Cameron?”
Something else. That was one way of putting it. “You’re the very soul of understatement, Mr. Beauchamp.”
The Wall drew within ten feet of her and stopped. His gaze hadn’t wavered from her face from the moment she’d stepped into view. Disconcerted, Tosha returned his steady regard. They stared at each other for a couple of beats.
He spoke. His voice was deep, almost guttural. She felt it in the marrow of her bones.
“You are Tosha Cameron. I am Model TWM, serial number two-two-one-two-one. I am here to serve you.”
Scheduled to release in April.
She’s marked for death. He’s her only hope. But can a de-commissioned cyborg once programmed to kill humans be trusted with her life…or her heart?
They called him
the Wall, part of a cyborg army that terrorized humans during a long war waged
by those intent on wielding power. When Tosha Cameron, owner of a multi-billion
corporation, first sees the deactivated cyborg, he’s a tattered remnant of a
horrific past.
Most would
prefer to see cyborgs destroyed, but those with vision see a valuable resource.
When Tosha’s business rivals target her for assassination, the Wall—whom she
renames Brick—is her best bet for protection.
Reprogrammed,
Brick proves he’s more than a mere machine. Programmed to guard Tosha,
he can supply her every need. He soon develops beyond his learning
matrix and software, becoming capable of humanity…and more.
Dark secrets from a bloody past are waiting deep in his circuitry, however; secrets that could kill the woman he loves and has sworn to protect.
