Page 51 of Reckless Consequences

The first real obstacle appears exactly where Mona predicted—secondary security checkpoint requiring double authentication.

“Employee access code needed,” Finn whispers, studying the panel. “Mona’s bypass won’t work here. Different system architecture.”

I bite back frustration. “Options?”

“Fourteen seconds until security sweep. We need cover.”

Without discussion, we press into an alcove housing cleaning supplies. The space barely fits us both, forcing our bodies close enough that I feel his heartbeat against my ribs. His breath warms my neck as we wait in perfect stillness, listening to the steady footfalls of the security patrol.

“Your pulse is elevated,” he whispers, so close his lips brush my ear.

“So is yours.”

His hand finds my wrist in the dark, fingertips grazing my pulse. The moment he touches me, the pack bond flares—unexpected but real. We’re not supposed to connect like this, not beta to beta. But somehow, his logic and my chaos slot together like they were designed to.

“Eighty-seven beats per minute,” he murmurs. “Optimal stress response.”

“You calculating my vitals to distract yourself, Professor?”

His quiet laugh vibrates against my collarbone. “Is it working?”

“Define working.”

The security patrol passes, footsteps fading into distance. We remain still for three additional heartbeats, then slip from our hiding place with synchronized precision.

The secondary checkpoint still presents its problem, but Finn’s expression has shifted to something approaching excitement.

“I have a hypothesis,” he says, studying the panel. “The operating system shows architectural similarities to Sterling Labs’ research division.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning I might know how Alexander’s security team structures their access protocols.” His fingers move across the keypad with practiced confidence. “When I was researching the virus, I identified repeating patterns in Sterling’s security encryption. Seven-digit foundation with nested Fibonacci sequences.”

The panel blinks, considering his input. I watch his beautiful mind work, translating theoretical knowledge into practical application with elegant efficiency.

Green.

“Finn, you beautiful genius.” I resist the urge to kiss him, though the impulse registers through our bond. His answering smile carries notes of pleased embarrassment.

“Beautiful might be excessive.” His eyes meet mine. “Genius, however, is factually accurate.”

For a moment, we’re just standing there, grinning at each other like idiots in the middle of a high-security facility. The absurdity strikes me suddenly—how far we’ve come from that first skydiving lesson where I thought he was just a buttoned-up beta with an adrenaline habit.

The moment passes. We continue our infiltration with renewed focus, moving steadily toward the central server hub. The facility’s layout unfolds exactly as mapped. Almost too perfectly.

“Does this feel too easy to you?” I whisper as we approach the final security door.

Finn nods, expression grim. “Eighty-nine percent likelihood that primary security focuses on the formula itself, not its digital architecture.”

“Sterling wouldn’t leave his research this exposed.”

“Unless the research isn’t here.” Finn’s eyes meet mine, connecting pieces beyond simple observation. “What if this is just a production facility? What if the real research is elsewhere?”

The possibility sends cold realization through me. “We’re hitting a decoy.”

“Or a secondary site.” Finn adjusts his approach. “Either way, we proceed. Even partial formula corruption could save lives.”

The server room door requires final biometric authentication. Once again, I press my palm against the scanner, fighting nausea as Sterling DNA responds to technology designed to recognize its signature. The strange warmth intensifies, spreading from my palm through my entire body. My vision shifts, colors becoming simultaneously sharper and more saturated. My hearing expands until I can detect the electrical hum of equipment three rooms away.

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