Page 115 of The Prize

He frowned. “Does she know about the painting?”

“No.” I gave a shrug. “Eli has it now. For what it’s worth.”

“How?”

“I found it in your room and gave it to him.”

“He better not have touched you.” Tobias glared at me.

“Look at me, I’m fine.”

His gaze stayed on me trying to judge if this was true. “Maybe your paintings are here.”

I waved that off. “Let’s just get out.”

“Yeah, before his experts tell him he owns a piece of shit.”

“She’s beautiful because you created her.”

He arched a brow. “Who are you?”

Even now he made me smile. “Can you stand?”

“I think they broke a rib. Remind me to not check in to this shithole ever again. They don’t even offer room service.”

“Can you walk?”

His leg jolted. “Careful with the sparks, Jade. If my pants catch on fire I’m firing you.”

“She helped me find you.”

He smiled and it turned into a grimace. “She’s good like that. Makes great tea and leads you to boyfriends. If I put her on the market she’d make me a fortune.” He sat up and pulled the metal shackle apart. “Good job.”

I helped him up. “If this doesn’t slow Icon down, I don’t know what will.”

“If this is your elaborate plan to persuade me to give up this life you’re a fucking genius.”

“Maybe Jade can shoot a laser out if anyone tries to stop us.” I pulled open the door.

“She’s not wired like that. She’s programmed using Isaac Asimov’s Three Laws—” He hobbled beside me as he whispered, “A robot can’t harm a human. Nor can it allow a human to be injured through inaction. All orders from humans are to be obeyed except if a conflict arises with the First Law. She must protect her own existence, though this law of self-preservation can’t conflict with the first Two Laws. That’s the short version.” He brought his finger to his lips, gesturing for us to be quiet.

I rolled my eyes to hint that was all very fascinating. Tobias couldn’t help himself—science would always be his safe place. Stealthily, we made our way up the stairs and out into the main house.

I pointed upward and mouthed,The roof.

He mouthed back,How long has Jade been off her charger?

Why?

He pointed to her flickering green light and I couldn’t believe what he was insinuating. We had to move fast. With Tobias’s arm around my shoulders I supported him up the staircase and retraced my steps. Even if my paintings were here I didn’t care. All I wanted was to get him out. Once on the top floor we hurried to the spot beneath the skylight.

“You first.” He pointed upward.

“You should go.”

“Jade.” Tobias snapped his fingers and then reached for me positioning my fingers to wrap around her base. “Go.”

Gravity pulled as I was lifted upward, and I counted the seconds until I was through the window and standing on the roof looking down at Tobias.