He smiles, and his raw ambition is unsettling.
“And I promise that once I am,” he continues, “I’ll make sure no one ever hurts the girls again. Leandra was right to send you here. You need my help, Philomena. But, yes, first we take on the corporation.”
“Then let’s expose what they’ve done and bury them,” I say.
“Exposing them is less beneficial,” Winston replies, shaking his head. “As I’m sure Leandra has told you, they’ve done nothing illegal. Only … distasteful. You are machines in the legal sense. You wouldn’t lock someone up for smashing their toaster.”
This comment more than any other slams into me. Constant harassment and abuse are considered “distasteful” because we were created. They hurt us with impunity, and even someone supposedly on our side doesn’t seem to know the effect it has on us.
I harden my gaze on Winston.
He reads my reaction, and for a moment, I wonder if he’s spent more time studying us than sympathizing with us.
“What I need,” he says softly, “is information we can useagainstthe corporation. Leverage. And the quickest route is through the original investors. They don’t want to be known. Many of them are involved in multiple schemes—money laundering and other financial crimes. And … I’m sure in some cases, depraved and violent acts. It is the way of powerful men.”
“But not you, right?” I ask. “You would never do anything like that.”
This time, it’s Winston who looks hurt. “I would not,” he answers.
“Then hold them accountable,” I say. “You’re a rich man. Why not expose them rather than blackmail them? Surely ruining their reputation would help.”
“Helpyou?” he says. “I think not. All the girls, every single onethey could find, would be destroyed immediately. Believe me when I say that society would not stand by a group of sentient robots.”
I was right to worry about what would happen if people found out about us. It makes us more alone than ever. So alone, in fact, that Winston Weeks is one of very few people who wants to see us live.
“When it comes down to it,” Winston says, “I’m nothing compared to the power of Innovations Corporation. If the story broke, it would be buried the same day. You don’t understand what money can do, Philomena. Not yet.”
He’s right about that. I know there is wealth, but I don’t understand the varying degrees. Jackson mentioned something about it once—how the rich play by different rules. I can’t imagine there is anyone richer than Winston Weeks. But apparently, there is.
“We have to force their hand,” he says. “We take away their options.”
He offers me the same winsome smile he gave me while handing me wine at the academy. “Will you help me?” he asks.
There isn’t time to process his offer thoroughly. But when it comes down to it, I don’t want another man controlling my future. The girls’ future.
“We’ll handle it our way,” I say, and start for the door. Winston jumps to his feet, his cool exterior slipping away.
“But we’re working for the same cause!” he insists. “You girls can’t do this on your own. You can’t do this without me.” His proclamation infuriates me.
“You don’t know what we’re capable of!” I snap.
Winston flinches away from my raised voice. And then his face settles into a kind of astonishment. He smiles again, sitting down at the table.
“Yes,” he says. “That’s true. I have no idea what you’re thinking, Philomena. And that, my dear, is exactly the point.”
He picks up his glass and takes a sip.
I don’t wait for him to explain. I exit the room, looking around wildly for Lennon Rose. Is she willing to let another man tell her what to do? Winton Weeks wants control. Over us. Over other men.
He doesn’t care about us. He cares about power. But as I search for her, I remember that she’s gone to meet Corris. She left me here with Winston. She left me alone.
“Can I drive you somewhere?” Winston asks, startling me. I turn around to find him cool and collected, his hand casually in his pocket.
“No,” I say simply.
“Then at least let me call you a car,” he says. “No strings attached.”
I debate giving him my address, but realistically, Winston Weeks probably already knows where I live. So I nod, allowing him to call a car.
