Page 57 of Reckless Consequences

“Alexander—”

“Go.” His eyes—my eyes, Sterling eyes—meet mine with finality. “I’ll hold them off.”

Through our bond, I feel Finn processing Alexander’s choice, calculating motivations, assessing sincerity. Jinx and Ryker draw closer, their presence strengthening, carrying notes of determination and rage. My body begins to move before my conscious mind decides—pack instinct guiding me toward them.

“Why?” I need to know.

“Because we were supposed to be helping people.” His control fractures just enough to see the child he once was—before Sterling broke and remade him. “Not this. Never this.”

For a moment, I see it—the genetic connection between us manifesting in identical mannerisms neither of us realized we possessed. We both rub our thumbs against our index fingers when processing complex information, both tilt our heads slightly right when considering an unexpected variable, both press our tongues against our left molars when making difficult decisions.

The security feed shows Roman Sterling stepping off the main elevator, flanked by tactical teams. His expression carries cold expectation of absolute compliance. Even through a monitor, his presence radiates authority and control. My throat constricts, responding to even the digital representation of his dominance.

“Go,” Alexander repeats, positioning himself between us and the approaching threat. His scent carries one last note—resolution.

Finn’s hand closes around mine. “Cayenne. Now.”

We move.

The maintenance shaft opens exactly where Alexander indicated. Security override works on first attempt. We slip through just as the central lab doors hiss open.

The last glimpse I catch of my brother shows him straightening his shoulders, expression smoothing into the perfect Sterling soldier. A mask fitting into place, hiding the fracture lines beneath.

As we escape through maintenance corridors, the USB drive burns in my pocket—binary code carved into matryoshka shell now making perfect sense. A Russian doll hiding secrets within secrets. Alexander’s quiet rebellion hidden within Jinx’s apparent gift.

The first real crack in Sterling’s empire came from within—from the son he thought he’d broken completely, the perfect weapon who finally questioned his maker.

I wonder if Roman Sterling will notice the moment his world begins to crumble, or if he’ll remain blind to the rebellion breeding in his own blood.

Through our bond, I feel Ryker and Jinx drawing closer, their relief pulsing through the connection like waves of warmth. My body moves faster, instinctively synchronizing with their approach. Ryker’s presence feels like solid oak—steady, unyielding—while Jinx’s connection sparks with electric intensity. My fingers twitch with the urge to touch them both.

Theo’s presence radiates concern and welcome, calling us home with gentle persistence. Despite the distance, I can almost smell his vanilla-jasmine scent.

For the first time, I don’t just accept these connections—I reach for them, extending my awareness through bonds that now feel as natural as breathing. My body vibrates with anticipation of reunion, skin sensitized, muscles ready for the contact that will ground me after chaos.

Whatever is happening to my designation, it hasn’t changed the most important truth: these people are my pack. And we’re taking down my father’s empire together.

Chapter14

Jinx

The timer clicks softlyas I set it—seven minutes, fourteen seconds.

Fibonacci sequence. Mona would like that. I’m not usually this precise, but something about this mission demands it. Like I’m evolving without losing myself.

My fingers work the wires of the explosive charge with practiced ease, moving through the familiar steps. Connect, secure, arm, verify. Violence waiting on my command.

“Fourth charge set,” I whisper.

Ryker nods, eyes fixed on the security feed we hijacked from Sterling’s system. His cedar and steel scent cuts through despite the neutralizer spray. Ryker’s all military precision. I’m not. But we want the same thing. He takes position with his back to the wall, watching the entry points. Alpha through and through, even now.

The production facility sprawls around us, sterile and gleaming—tanks and dispensers and quality control stations. So many beautiful weak points just begging to be exploited. My fingers twitch with anticipation, already imagining the chain reaction when my charges blow.

Mona would appreciate this. She arranges candy like she plots destruction—with weird, perfect patterns. Just like Emma would have, if my sister had lived. Both seeing what others don’t.

It’s what made Alexander a useful ally, reluctant as I was to trust him. That same resistance hidden beneath his perfect soldier act. He created the USB drive in the matryoshka doll I gave Cayenne—six months of secrets from Sterling’s supposedly perfect alpha son.

Something hits through the pack bond—sharp and urgent. Cayenne. My muscles tense instantly. Something’s wrong. My teeth ache, jaw tight. I turn toward her without thinking, even though she’s floors away.

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