Page 81 of Reckless Consequences

“Worth it,” she declares, capping the third vial. “Also, you tried to kill me twice. Very inefficient attempts. Much room for improvement.”

“I never tried to kill you,” he corrects with what appears to be genuine offense.

“Budapest. Prague. Accidental survival both times. Very embarrassing execution failures.”

“Those were extraction operations, not elimination protocols,” he insists, pressing a cotton ball to his arm with more force than necessary. “If I had wanted to kill you, you wouldn’t be here to critique my methods.”

“Debatable. Your tactical approach lacks creativity. Very predictable patterns.”

“Says the woman who has used the same backdoor access codes for seven years.”

“Intentional. Tracking your monitoring attempts. Much data collection.”

Their bickering continues with the rhythm of a debate they’ve had many times before, layers of history I can’t begin to untangle. For the first time, I see them not as Sterling’s children or as potential threats, but as siblings with their own complicated dynamic that predates my entry into their lives.

“Blood processing complete,” Mona announces, holding up the vials with scientific triumph. “Formula stabilization protocol ready for implementation. Need to return to the medical suite immediately. Optimal efficacy window closing.”

“Will it work?” I ask, the question directed at both of them. I feel a tug toward my pack waiting upstairs.

“Probability high,” Mona answers. “Sterling genetic markers specifically designed to interact with formula components. Alexander’s uncontaminated DNA provides an optimal stabilization template.”

“It should work,” Alexander confirms. “Though there may be... side effects.”

“What kind of side effects?” Alarm spikes through me.

“Unknown,” Mona admits with disconcerting cheerfulness. “Formula interaction with Sterling DNA is highly individualized. Your development of enhanced sensitivity unique adaptation pattern. Finn might experience different modifications.”

“You didn’t think to mention this before?”

“Irrelevant to immediate survival concerns,” she shrugs. “Also, side effects are likely beneficial given previous interaction patterns. Finn already met Alexander at Sierra facility. Biological compatibility previously established.”

I remember then—Finn encountering Alexander during our infiltration weeks ago, the brief interaction that seemed insignificant at the time but might now be saving his life.

“I should go,” Alexander says, already angling toward the door. His posture shifts subtly, creating distance while maintaining dignity.

“Thank you,” I force out before he can move. The words feel foreign on my tongue. “For helping Finn. And for...” I struggle to name it, “...for stopping Roman.”

He inclines his head slightly, accepting the gratitude without comment.

“What will you do now?” I ask, unexpected curiosity slipping through my defenses.

“That depends on the authorities.” His expression reveals nothing, perfect Sterling control reasserting itself. “Witness protection seems most probable. New identity. Relocation.”

“Will you disappear completely?” The question carries more weight than I intended.

His gaze meets mine, searching. “Would it matter if I did?”

The honest answer surprises even me. “Yes. It would matter.”

Something shifts in his expression—the barest softening around eyes that mirror my own. “Then perhaps not completely.”

It’s not forgiveness. Not reconciliation. But it’s something—a door left deliberately ajar rather than locked and barred.

“We should go help Finn,” I say, the urgency of the situation reasserting itself. I feel the pull toward my pack upstairs growing stronger.

Alexander nods. “Tell him... tell him I hope it works.”

“I will.” I hesitate at the threshold, caught between worlds. “Alexander?”

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