Page 1 of Kai's Hunger

Prologue

Two years earlier...

Kai

I crouched behind a row of potted shrubs, their foliage offering a thin shield from the late afternoon sun. The office building across the parking lot was a cold, glass-and-steel monolith, its reflective surface catching the muted colors of a cloudy sky. The parking lot was mostly empty now, save for a few scattered cars.

I pulled out my phone and called Wyatt. “I’m here now,” I said, since my brother insisted on a blow-by-blow of what was happening. I watched Patterson exit the building, a box clutched in his hands, muttering to himself.

Gregory Patterson worked at Cedar Haven, a prestigious research facility known for its cutting-edge advancements in genetic research. The sprawling campus was nestled in a serene, wooded area, its modern architecture contrasting sharply with the surrounding natural landscape. The building’s sleek design was characterized by large glass panels and stainless-steel accents.

It was a place where researchers pushed the boundaries of genetic science in pursuit of breakthroughs that could reshape the future. Patterson had been a prominent figure there, a scientist with a reputation for daring theories and ambitious experiments. However, his ambition had driven him down a darker path, it would seem.

“My source tells me that Patterson has been conducting experiments that pushed the limits of genetic research to dangerous extremes.”

“I’m not surprised. The bastard is mental.”

“His latest painful and cruel procedures on animals were the last straw,” Wyatt muttered.

I cursed under my breath. “Results at any cost.”

“That about sums it up.”

“So, they got rid of him. The end of their problem.”

“Terminating Patterson’s employment is the end of their problem, but I doubt he’s going to retire and move to Florida.”

I watched as Patterson shoved the box into his trunk, then got into the driver’s side and revved the engine. “A once-respected scientist now facing the fallout of his reckless disregard for the well-being of his subjects, his career in tatters, who would work with him? Hire him?”

“You think he’s a loose cannon,” Wyatt surmised. “Fuck, that could bring more trouble.”

For me, the knowledge of Patterson’s transgressions only fueled my anxiety. Patterson was no longer just a dismissed scientist; he was a rogue element with a history of unethical behavior. The thought of him lurking in the shadows, potentially seeking revenge or continuing his dangerous experiments elsewhere, would keep me awake at night.

“I should end his life right now,” I bit out. “He’s a threat to us. Always has been.”

“No, damn it,” Wyatt shot back.

“Fine, at the very least we need to monitor him.” I was tempted to disobey Wyatt. Get rid of Patterson once and for all.

“Agreed,” my brother stated.

I peered through the narrow gap between two shrubs, my gaze fixed on Patterson. Patterson’s face, visible through the windshield, was a mask of frustration, his shoulders hunched as if the weight of his recent dismissal was pressing down on him physically.

“I’ll follow, see where he goes,” I offered.

“No.” Wyatt’s voice crackled through the receiver, barely audible over the static. “You need to come home. It’s too risky to follow him now. We can’t afford any mistakes.”

I gripped the edge of the shrub, my knuckles white. I watched as Patterson glanced around the parking lot, his eyes scanning the few remaining cars with an anxious edge. When his gaze almost settled on my hiding spot, my breath caught. I sank lower, nearly flattening myself against the ground, and whispered urgently, “You’re certain? I’m already here. He hasn’t spotted me.”

“Just get the fuck out of there,” Wyatt insisted. “We’re not taking chances. We have enough problems as it is. Just come home.”

I hesitated, my eyes never leaving Patterson. The man seemed to be a storm brewing on the horizon, and my instincts were screaming that he could bring trouble down on us. The thought of letting him slip away had the hair on the back of my neck standing up.

“I can’t just let this go,” I said, my voice firm but barely above a whisper. “Patterson’s a wildcard. If he’s got anything on us, he’ll use it. We need to deal with him before he becomes a bigger problem.”

Wyatt’s sigh was heavy with frustration. “Kai, we’ve been through this. I know you want to protect us, but I know you. You’ll want to take him out.”

“Yeah,” I admitted, not bothering to deny it. My eyes darted back to Patterson, who was now driving out of the parking lot. Soon, he’d be out of sight. Forced to let him go, I straightened and headed for my truck. “I’m coming home,” I said, my voice low and strained. “Let’s hope he leaves the area for good.”

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