Page 40 of Hunter's Game
“We were selected for our particular aptitudes and genetic markers,” Katherine finished. “To prevent people like Romano from exploiting advanced technology for personal gain.”
As they continued their analysis, the tablets’ indicators showed increased activity. Eden noticed how the sophisticated interface seemed to respondto their coordinated efforts, the monitoring equipment registering their combined expertise.
“Careful.” Hunter’s hand tightened on her waist as energy crackled visibly between the women. “Whatever these things are doing to you...”
“They’re not doing anything unusual to us,” Eden explained. “They’re responding to specific biometric markers that we carry. The technology was calibrated to recognize certain genetic patterns.”
His smile was confident as he traced her jaw. “And what exactly made you women such perfect candidates?”
Instead of answering, Eden kissed him. The contact created an unexpected connection between them—not just physical attraction, but a deeper understanding. Their combined expertise seemed to enhance the system’s response, as though the technology recognized complementary skill sets.
“Well.” Katherine’s amusement carried clearly. “That explains a few things about why the Blind Jacks are so interested in our technical backgrounds.”
Eden pulled back enough to meet Hunter’s eyes, seeing the same recognition there. “Your people have encountered this technology before.”
“We’ve done more than encounter it.” His voice was rough as he kept her close. “We’ve been protecting certain families for years. Helping themstay hidden from people who want to exploit their specialized knowledge.”
“Like Romano,” Katherine’s voice hardened. “Who’s been trying to identify people with specific aptitudes, study their particular skills...”
“While never understanding the true purpose of this technology.” Eden felt her confidence grow as Hunter’s hands settled on her hips. “The balance that needs to be maintained.”
“Speaking of balance.” Katherine’s voice carried warning. “These biometric readings are intensifying. Whatever genetic compatibility you two have, it’s affecting the interface systems.”
Eden observed the monitoring equipment as the readings spiked. Hunter’s proximity was creating enhanced response patterns in the neural interface, making the tablets’ quantum indicators intensify with each point of contact between them.”
“That’s not supposed to happen.” Katherine studied her instruments with growing concern. “The interface should only respond to specific genetic markers, not...”
“Not someone whose own DNA carries compatible sequences?” Hunter’s smile was dangerous. “Guess Romano’s not the only one researching genetic compatibility.”
Understanding hit Eden like a physical blow. “The Blind Jacks don’t just protect families with specific genetic traits. You’re one of them. Alineage selected for compatibility with these systems.”
“Which is why we’ve been tracking these technologies longer than anyone realizes.” His hands tightened possessively. “Why certain artifacts respond to our genetic markers almost as strongly as they do to your DNA.”
The tablets’ UV-reactive surfaces intensified their glow as she and Katherine approached, responding to something in their genetic makeup that her grandfather had carefully calibrated his technology to detect.
As they worked together, Eden noticed patterns emerging, each development following predictable trajectories that seemed too perfect to be random.
“Okay, that’s definitely not supposed to happen.” Katherine moved to adjust equipment as energy levels spiked. “Whatever you two are doing, it’s affecting more than I would expect. Creating effects these artifacts weren’t designed for.”
“Or maybe this is exactly how they were meant to function.” Eden felt a surge of insight as Hunter pulled her closer. “Different biometric signatures interacting with the technology in ways her grandfather hadn’t anticipated, producing results he couldn’t predict or control.”
“Dangerous ways.” But Hunter’s smile was fierce as they discussed the implications. “Considering what Romano might do with knowledge of compatible bloodlines...”
“Which is why he can never know.” Katherine’s voice carried deadly certainty. “About any of this. About what happens when women like us, like Eden, partner with others who carry inherited power.”
Understanding passed between them as they came to agreement on next steps. Eden appreciated how Hunter’s protective instincts complemented her strategic thinking, his tactical expertise working seamlessly with the Mitchell family’s analytical approach.
“Well.” His laugh rumbled through her where they touched. “That definitely complicates things.”
“Everything about this is complicated.” Eden traced the tattoo visible above his collar, feeling power spark at the contact. The simple touch carried layers of meaning—professional partnership evolving into personal connection, initial attraction deepening into something neither had anticipated when this operation began. Despite every reason for caution, every professional protocol warning against emotional entanglement during missions, Eden found herself unwilling to pull away.
“A federal agent and an outlaw biker,” she continued, allowing vulnerability to show that she normally kept carefully hidden, “both with unique skills that somehow work perfectly together...”
Hunter caught her hand, turning it to press his lips against her palm in a gesture that combined tenderness with unmistakable possession. Theunexpected gentleness from a man capable of such calculated violence made something twist in Eden’s chest—a recognition that she’d found someone who understood both the warrior and the woman beneath her carefully constructed masks.
“When this is over,” he said quietly, his voice rough with emotion he usually kept controlled, “when Romano’s operation is dismantled and these artifacts are secured...we’re going to have a conversation about what this means. About possibilities neither of us expected.”
The promise in those words—that he was thinking beyond the mission, beyond survival, toward a future that included both of them—created a dangerous hope Eden hadn’t allowed herself to consider since finding her mother’s body. That someone might choose to stay rather than betray, might see her fully and still want connection rather than advantage.
