Chapter One: Activation

The crate was so tall she had to tilt it sideways just to drag it through the door.

Lina Reyes wrestled the thing into her living room, shoved the coffee table out of the way, and finally pried the lid off. Inside lay the most beautiful man she had ever seen, packed like a statue in black foam.

Unit X-9. Helios.

Six foot five, broad shoulders, carved abs, skin that looked and felt real, warm, faintly golden. The face was pure sin, sharp cheekbones, a mouth ...