by J. D. Tyler
But the earth didn’t move. His touch didn’t carry a fraction of the spark she’d experienced with Jaxon, and he hadn’t even kissed her. Gently at first, she tried to disengage. Then with more insistence, pushing at his chest.
“Aric, let me go.”
“Sugar, I—”
“I am not your sugar, sweet cheeks, or darlin’, and as talented as your lips are? Sorry. They don’t make my universe hold hands and sing, or whatever. So for the last time. Let. Me. Go!”
The redhead opened his mouth to say something else, but never got the chance. Suddenly he was yanked from her and bodily thrown against the wall, a seriously pissed-off Jaxon in his face.
“How many times does a lady have to ask you to let go before you get it through your thick skull?” he shouted, gripping Aric’s shoulders and shoving hard for emphasis.
“Get the fuck off me, asshole.” He shoved back, bared his lengthening canines, and the fight was on.
Kira squeaked in alarm as the two combatants slammed off the walls, throwing punches, shaking the building. After about the fourth bounce they went down, Aric on top of Jax, and shifted right in their clothes. Pants and shoes were kicked aside as one red and one gray wolf rolled, snarling and tearing into each other. In short order, their T-shirts were bloody and hanging in tatters off their broad shoulders, deadly claws and fangs slicing.
Terrified they’d kill each other, she bolted. She had no idea which way to go, but she had to find help. Just before she reached the end of the corridor, Ryon, Zander, and a big bald man she’d never seen before rounded the corner.
“Whoa, dogfight!” Ryon called. He slapped the big man’s beefy shoulder with the back of his hand. “Dude, go get Nick.”
“Shit,” the guy spat. But he did as Ryon said, disappearing the way he’d come.
Ryon took her arm and gently moved her a few feet farther from the fray while Zander got as close as he dared, yelling at his friends.
“Hey, you idiots! Cut it out before Nick gets here!”
Anxious, she wrung her hands. “Can’t he do something?” she asked, referring to Zander.
“They’re too far gone to listen to anyone but the head Alpha,” Ryon said, wincing as the gray wolf sliced the red’s shoulder. “Anyone else who tries will be toast.”
It seemed like forever but was likely no more than a minute before a white wall of fur barreled into the fight, separating the two warring wolves and knocking each one on his ass. Fangs bared, he let out a low, menacing growl, gazing from one of his errant soldiers to the other.
Kira stared in awe. The white wolf was slightly bigger than the other two, which was saying a lot. He was beautiful, and it was tough not to be impressed with the way he made his subordinates back down. The red wolf caved first, flattening his ears back and lowering his head in submission. Then the gray. Though clearly neither wanted to give in, since they kept shooting side glares and rumbling at each other.
Without warning Nick shifted and pushed to his feet, standing gloriously naked in the middle of the hallway. “Clean up and come to my office. Right fucking now. You’ll be lucky if I don’t suspend you both.” With that, he turned and walked toward where Kira stood with Ryon.
She couldn’t help but notice the man, who must be in his early forties, was damned fine. He nodded, then strode past as though he couldn’t care less what she saw. As she turned her attention to Jax and Aric, she saw they’d shifted also. She’d have to be dead and buried not to goggle at the taut, tattooed male flesh on proud display. Any second, her brain would overload.
What a way to go.
As though reading her mind, Ryon spoke up with a chuckle. “You’ll get used to it. Mac and Doc Mallory did. We’re part wolf, and what need do wolves have for clothing? It’s in our nature not to worry overmuch about nakedness when we shift back to human form. Saves time if everyone just gets over it and gets on with business.”
“Makes sense,” she murmured. It did. But . . . wow.
“Not that we ride into town and parade around naked,” Zander put in with a wink. “That only flies when we’re here, among our own.”
“Sure.” Seriously hot, naked wolf shifters. Oh, the agony one must endure.
But wait. The other women had gotten used to it? The idea that Mac or any other female had seen Jaxon in the raw didn’t sit well. At all. In fact, it downright sucked, though she couldn’t fathom why she should care.
Jax and Aric had pulled on their pants and were still glaring. Jax stepped close, invading the redhead’s space. “Don’t ever touch her again, unless she asks.”
Aric’s jaw ticced, but he kept his cool. “I didn’t intend to. What you interrupted was me about to apologize to her. But you didn’t give me the chance.”
Kira heard the truth in his words.
Jax’s cheeks colored and he backed off. “Then I owe you an apology. I thought . . .”
“Yeah, I know what you thought,” he said quietly. “I’m pushy, but I’d never force myself on a woman. And I’d hoped you knew me better than that by now.”
“I do, man. I’m sorry.” He sighed. “I lost my head and I don’t have a clue why.”
He gave Jax a long look. “Hope you figure it out.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothin’. Let’s go get our asses chewed out so we can get on with this wonderful day.” Aric strode toward her and stopped a safe few feet away. “I’m very sorry, Miss Locke. I didn’t mean to offend you. Hell, who am I kidding? I did mean to push your buttons because that’s the kind of bastard I am. But I meant no real harm. Please believe that.”
“I do, apology accepted. And it’s Kira.” She tried a smile, which he returned. His real smile, absent of his smartass mask, was breathtaking. Not as much as Jaxon’s, but still.
“Thank you.” With that, he took his leave.
Jax stopped in front of her, ignoring Ryon and Zan, who looked on with interest. “My apology is next. I’m sorry for scaring you. My wolf went nuts when I saw him manhandling you, not that it totally excuses my behavior. I could’ve controlled it better, but I didn’t.”
“It’s okay. Apology accepted,” she said, drinking in the sight of him. His shirt was a goner. He was smeared with blood, had bites and slices all over his chest, shoulders, and arms. “Don’t you two need to get those tended?”
“I’m fine. They’ll be healed soon. After we see Nick, I’ll go grab another shower and then it should be time for him to meet with you and me.” His expression grew concerned. “You didn’t show at breakfast. Did you ever eat?”
“No, I got lost and ended up in this restricted area. I swear I didn’t see the sign. Aric found me here. Then you found us, and things went from bad to worse.”
Glancing around, he raised his brows. “I just realized where we are. Got an eyeful, did you?”
“You could say that.” Remembering why she’d been so upset when Aric found her, she felt her mood darken all over again. “Someone is going to tell me what’s being done for those pitiful creatures I saw locked away like ax murderers. Especially the guy with the wings.”
“Sounds like we have a lot to discuss. Later, though.”
“I’m holding you to it.”
Using his torn shirt, he wiped a trickle of blood from his temple. “Come on, I’ll walk you back. Go get something to eat while I get called on the carpet.”
“Yes, sir.” She gave him a mock salute.
“That’s more like it, soldier.”
“Don’t get used to it.”
His lips curved upward. “Want to bet? I’m awfully good at getting my way.”
For some reason, she very much wanted him to try.
Four
Jaxon watched Aric leave Nick’s office without bothering to rise from his own chair. As expected, their leader had coolly reprimanded them for their behavior, accepting no excuses before dismissing Aric. Jaxon knew without being told that Nick wasn’t finished. He’d have more to say before sending him
to fetch Kira.
But for the longest time, Nick simply stared at him, expression unreadable. As always, Jaxon had to work not to give away how much it bothered him, wondering what the man saw. Finally he broke the tense silence. “We told you Kira got lost on her way to breakfast, which is how she ran into Aric. But you need to know she stumbled onto Block R.”
That unhappy news got a swift reaction. Nick swore. “I should’ve realized she might have, considering where the fight happened. Why didn’t you mention this sooner?”
He shrugged, refraining from cracking, You’re the PreCog. Why didn’t you know? Nicky hated when people said shit like that. “I’m mentioning it now.”
“How’d she react?”
“I could tell she was upset and is sympathizing with their situation. She’s particularly concerned about Blue.” The team’s nickname for the winged creature, since nobody had been able to learn his real name—if he even had one.
“Aren’t we all.” A grim statement, not a question.
“Yeah. None of them is in terrific shape, but he and Raven are the worst.”
At the mention of the feral black wolf, the atmosphere in the office darkened. Raven was a painful subject for all of them, an incomprehensible tragedy. Nick leaned back in his chair and studied Jaxon thoughtfully.
“In addition to being a lab assistant with medical training, Kira seems like the nurturing sort. She’s genuine and has empathy. More important, she’s going to be here for a while and needs a job. If she’s inclined to work with the creatures on Block R, I think we should let her try.”
Jaxon found the prospect interesting. “Did you see this in a vision?”
“Not per se. It’s more of a strong, positive feeling.”
“Then it’s as good as a vision.” He paused. “Are you asking my opinion on this?” Nick didn’t discuss staffing decisions unless they affected the whole team—which they usually did.
“I am. What do you think?”
“I don’t know her very well, but from what I’ve seen, I’m not sure. After all, she did get into hot water, presumably for stealing, someone at NewLife is after her, and she hasn’t yet finished her explanation. I say we hear the rest first before you decide to grant her access to sensitive information and place vulnerable lives in her hands.”
Nick nodded. “I agree. Why don’t you go get her and let’s finish this interview? Afterward, I need to meet with the whole team.”
“What’s up?”
“Couple of items came across my desk this morning from Grant. We’ve got a potential problem to deal with and four unusual murders to investigate.”
“What sort of problem?”
“Reports are coming in of a man hanging around the cemetery outside Cody, possibly a paranormal being. He’s starting to spook the locals.”
“Think he’s connected with the murders?”
“Not sure. I’ll bring you up to speed with everyone else.”
“Knew it’s been too quiet around here.” He stood with a grunt. “Be right back.”
He found Kira in the dining room, clearing her spot at one of the big oak tables. As it had since last night, the sight of her hit him in the gut. Other places, too. She should look ridiculous, drowning as she was in the red shirt and jeans, but instead she was cute as hell. Looking up, she spotted him heading her way and greeted him, her gaze wary.
“Hey. I was just about to take this to the kitchen.”
Had he put that hesitation there? Idiot. Of course he had. In less than twenty-four hours she’d seen him tear apart two men and go after a good friend. As a wolf. Naturally, she wasn’t going to be overjoyed to see him.
“Leave it. The cook’s two helpers get paid well to keep the place clean.”
“Oh. Okay, then I guess I’m ready to face the firing squad.” She grimaced, grabbed her purse from the floor beside a chair, and fell into step beside him.
“It won’t be so bad. You were lost and that wasn’t your fault. I, or someone else, should have made sure you had an escort to breakfast. Don’t worry. Nick won’t rake you over the coals until after you’re officially employed and no longer have an excuse not to break the rules.”
She looked up at him in surprise. “Is he planning to offer me a position?”
“Maybe. Let’s finish our talk with him and we’ll see.”
Once they’d settled in, Jaxon relaxed as Nick brought last night’s aborted interview up to speed. Kira fidgeted, outwardly nervous.
“Miss Locke—”
“Kira,” she blurted. “I’m sorry. But it’s Kira.”
He smiled, no doubt hoping to put her at ease. But it only made him appear more dangerous, which Jaxon knew wasn’t intentional at the moment. “Right. Kira. Let’s revisit what you told us before.” He shuffled some papers on his desk, notes he must’ve taken after they’d left last night. “You said you’d become suspicious of Dr. Bowman and Dr. Rhodes. They’d been sending their assistants home, working late, and you overheard them speaking about meeting with Orson Chappell and some of the board members. That correct?”
“Yes.”
“I did some checking on NewLife. Chappell is not only the CEO, he’s the owner and founder of the company. It seems he has a stranglehold on the board and the buck stops with him.”
“That’s what I’ve heard. He’s a charismatic public figure, but he’s rumored to be very tough to deal with and work for one-on-one.”
“But you have no firsthand knowledge?”
She shook her head. “I’ve never met him in person.”
“How long have you worked at NewLife?”
“Four years.”
“And you’ve never met the head honcho?”
“The federal government employs almost two million people, about eighty-five percent of whom live in or around Washington, D.C. How many of those have actually met the president?”
“Good point,” he conceded with a half smile. “So that brings us to the meat and potatoes of the discussion. What was the tip-over factor for you? When did curiosity become suspicion that something possibly . . . unethical was occurring? If that’s the right word.”
“Unethical describes what I thought I might find. What I started putting together called not only ethics into question, but legality and morality.” She looked away from Nick, staring pensively at the wall, as though remembering.
“Quite by accident, I heard Dr. Bowman whisper something in hushed tones to Dr. Rhodes about the restricted area in the basement of NewLife. A security guard found a sanitation worker down there without clearance and the worker was fired, but that wasn’t the interesting thing. I’m paraphrasing, but Dr. Bowman was upset, and he said something like, ‘Remember the media explosion in the nineties when the first successful cloning of an adult mammal was done with Dolly the sheep? If anyone finds out, this will make that scientific breakthrough look like child’s play and that can’t happen—not before we’re ready.’ ”
Both Jaxon and Nick sat up straighter, eyes widening. Jax interrupted. “And you believe they were referring to whatever research they’re doing in the restricted area that the worker almost discovered?”
“I’m sure that’s what they were talking about. But I didn’t catch any more at that time because they moved out of my hearing. A few days later, Dr. Bowman was called away from work to a family emergency and I sort of took the opportunity to, um . . .”
“Snoop?” Jaxon suggested helpfully.
Her cheeks flushed. “Well, I had to get a report he’d forgotten to hand to me in his hurry to leave, and when I retrieved it from his desk, I bumped his computer mouse. Naturally, he’d forgotten to log out and shut down for the day and the screen saver went away.”
“Naturally.” Nick’s lips twitched.
“The computer hadn’t gone to sleep yet, so the screen and all the icons were right there. He had a document running, minimized at the bottom of the screen and I clicked on it. I know, I know,” she said, the blush deepening. “It was wron
g of me and I could’ve been fired.”
Nick steepled his fingers and watched her thoughtfully. “You should’ve been and if it were me, unless you had a reason that was a matter of life and death, you would’ve been. But considering what came later, getting fired was the least of your concerns.”
“I did a stupid thing,” she admitted. “But the section I was able to read on the document was alarming. It wasn’t text, like written narrative, but was several pages of formulas. Lines and lines of letters and numbers, arranged and rearranged, like notes on any number of experiments on test subjects.”
Nick frowned. “Like the doctor was recording what worked and what didn’t? Trial and error, and what he or they tried next?”
“Exactly. It took me a minute to realize the patterns that kept repeating on the page were genetic codes and DNA strands. And this is the part that’s going to sound off the wall . . . Some of the codes, or more accurately the strands, weren’t human.”
Jaxon exchanged a telling glance with Nick before he spoke up. “Not so off the wall, from where we’re sitting. Our DNA isn’t exactly human anymore, either.”
She blinked at him. “I hadn’t thought of it that way, but you’re right. Anyway, as I scanned the document, I had trouble believing what I was seeing. If I was interpreting correctly, it seemed that the lines represented genes being spliced and DNA being forced to mutate.” Leaning forward, she warmed excitedly to her topic. “From the very top of the page, each line appeared to represent a strand of traits, the code and DNA mutated in some small way from the strand before it.”
“Hang on.” Nick’s brows drew together as he tried to follow. “You’re saying these lines represented progressive change . . .”
Like Nick, Jaxon struggled to assimilate what she was getting at. Hell, he was a soldier, not a scientist.
“Yes—recorded progression of a single individual from human to something else. That’s what was on the page in black and white. From the data, I inferred that a series of tests must’ve been performed on the individual to get those results.”
