“Yet you are the only one who was brave enough to come over and introduce yourself.”
“Well, I figured what was the worst you could do? Take my other arm?” Alloy shrugged.
Reaper cracked the hint of a smile. “I think we are going to get along well, Alloy.”
The tension in Reaper’s frame eased, and I released the breath I hadn’t known I’d been holding. I wanted this to work for the rebellion…for Brone. The Tank Class deserved it. They all did.
“You’re smiling? Is it because you are thinking about how handsome I am?” Brone shifted in his seat, puffing out his chest and showing off his true size.
I rolled my eyes. “Have you always been like this?”
“Fabulous?” He chuckled. “Then the answer is yes. I have.”
I sighed at his over-the-top response, but secretly some part of me was loving this side of Brone. He had an air of playfulness that I found myself enjoying, even though I refused to admit it.
I shoved a bit of egg into my mouth, ignoring the fluttering of the butterflies that had decided to take up a spot inside my swooping stomach.
The sound of a fork being dropped and hitting the floor behind me sent my head whipping around. My eyes widened at what I saw stepping through the door. I opened my mouth, but Chaos beat me to it.
“Did the Science Model multiply?”
Brone snorted, eggs flying off his fork. “Looks like it, doesn’t it?”
Core grinned. “That is Dex. We met him last night. Reaper told us that we had to keep it secret. That the rebellion had been through enough and everyone else would find out when things calmed down.”
“I guess Dax decided things were good and he could spill the beans.” Brone smirked. “He was never good at keeping things quiet. Too excitable.” He winked at Core. “Keep watching, you three. We might get to see Reaper blow a gasket.”
My cyborgslaughed.I flashed Brone a glare. “This isn’t funny.” Reaper might blow more than a gasket. And how would the rest of the rebellion take the news about another Science Model?
I heard Acer’s reaction. He was the one who had dropped his fork. Then Poe let out a squeak, and from there, the whole room erupted into chaos.
A sharp whistle rang out. Reaper stormedto the middle of the room, both blue eyes blazing. “Rebellion, this is Dex. He is Lennox’s resident Science Model.”
Poe shot up from her seat, striding over to Dax. She wrapped an arm around his waist, tugging him against her.
The newly revealed Science Model’s eyes scanned Poe from head to toe then smiled lazily. “You feel like testing me out to see which one you like better, beautiful?”
Dax elbowed the other one in the ribs, releasing a growl.
Dex threw his hands up. “I’m kidding! Relax!”
Poe’s eyes narrowed. “You may look like him but trust me, there isonly oneDax. And he’s the only Science Model I’ll ever need.” Rising on her tiptoes, she planted a big kiss to Dax’s cheek. “Now, care to tell the rest of the class how you exist? Because I have done extensive research on the cyborgs and there was never any mention ofyou.For all the world knows, Dax is the only Science Model ever created. Either you are another model type made up to look like Dax, or someone has lied about the fact that there are two of you. So, which is it?”
Dex’s eyes widened in amusement. “She really is your female.” He pointed at Dax. “Your cyborg accused me of the same thing.”
Poe let go of Dax, crossing her arms over her chest and lifting an eyebrow. “So, which is it?” she asked again.
The whole dining room had once again gone silent, everyone who was part of the rebellion awaiting his answer. Those that were with Lennox seemed to be awaiting the rebellion’s reaction instead.
Dex shrugged. “Ask Dax. He knows how I was created. I’m sure he’ll tell you.”
Poe’s head whipped to Dax. “He was with me last night, and he said nothing aboutyou.”
Reaper cleared his throat. “That was because of me. I asked everyone who had met Dex last night to keep it quiet.” Reaper turned to glare at Dax. “It seems your cyborg couldn’t help himself.”
Dax suddenly found the ground as interesting as I had found those eggs a few minutes ago.
Reaper rolled his eyes. “If I didn’t need you today to come with me to headquarters, I would be asking Dex.”