Page 116 of Neon Flux

Me: You would’ve flirted too much.

Dev: Ooooo so he’s cute. I see. Keeping him all for yourself?

I ignored that and walked into the building. I made it to Cy’s apartment and walked in without knocking. He looked up from where he was sitting in the kitchen, eating breakfast.

“You still haven’t updated your security, I see.”

“Don’t see the point. You go wherever you want.” He stood, bowl of miso in hand, and walked toward me. “What do you want this time?” His eyes flicked to the case in my hand.

“I was hoping you’d play doctor with me.”

His face lit up, and I almost felt bad about misleading him. Almost.

“You know, I’m a skilled nurse—very hands-on. I’ll make sure you’re well taken care of, doll.” He was reaching out for me when I snapped the case open, and he froze. “What the fuck is that?”

“It’s a device to diagnose the problem with your implants.”

He shut down immediately. “Nothing wrong with my implants.” He was staring at the diagnostic like it was a bomb.

“Liar. It’s still glitching,” I said. He didn’t argue. His eyes stayed locked on the case.

“Those fuckers at POM couldn’t do anything about it. You think you can?”

“Not me. But Dev can. He’s worked on my chip for years. He knows what he’s doing—probably has more experience with EM Flux chips than POM’s entire department.”

“Chips. That’s not the same as this.” He gestured to his entire body.

“I know that. But if anyone can help, it’s Dev. I’m getting us all on a call in one minute.”

He was more hesitant than I’d ever seen him. His Flux pulsed erratically. Was he…nervous? I thought he was just being a macho bastard about the implants, but there was more to it. I was watching him too closely, and he noticed.

“Why didn’t you just bring the doc here?”

I shook my head. “I’ve got my facial blur active on the call. Told Dev you’re an agoraphobic shut-in, very into privacy.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Why you lyin’?”

His street accent was thicker, and I realized he really was nervous.He was trying not to show it, but something about this had him on edge. My gaze lingered on the scar on his face, down the center of his chest. I thought again about a young Cy, deep in Magenta, at the worst kind of Modder I could imagine.

I took a long pause. “Don’t you have some complex about being a ghost or some shit like that? Plus, Dev’s a good guy. I didn’t want you to freak out and fry him.”

He didn’t even bother to deny it. “He’ll have to see my face. See the implants.”

“You okay with that?”

“Yeah. I’ll trust you.”

Trust me. What a dangerous proposition.

“Shirt off.”

I saw him lock away his fear as his grin turned predatory. “If you wanted me naked, doll, you just had to ask. No need to run this long con.”

“Shut up, pendejo. I need skin contact for the probes.” I guided him over to the couch and called Dev.

“Hey, can you see him?” I asked.

Cy grinned as he pulled off his shirt, and Idefinitelydid not let my eyes linger on the defined V of muscle that traced below his waistband, knowing exactly where that led. I could feel myself heating up, and that was not a good place to be.