Page 56 of Obsessed

The mention of Alice makes my chest tighten. "Didn't know you cared so much."

"She's the only organic who's ever bothered to learn my full designation. And she brings me interesting data to process." Another pause. "Where are we heading now? Alice's coordinates are in the opposite direction."

"We need to make one more stop first."

"Care to share with the class?"

I input the coordinates manually. "You'll see when we get there."

"Mysterious as ever. At least tell me it's not another criminal enterprise?"

"No." I smile. "Something much, much worse."

"What could be worse than-" Navi stops as the coordinates register. "Oh. You're right. That is way worse."

The landing struts settle onto Nova BioTech's landing pad with a gentle thud. Through the viewport, I spot Alice waiting, practically bouncing on her toes. My heart skips at the sight of her.

The hatch opens and she bursts in, her lab coat fluttering behind her. "I did it! They loved my research!"

I catch her as she launches herself into my arms. "Of course they did."

"They're putting me on the development team." She pulls back, her eyes bright. "And get this - I can work remotely from anywhere."

"Anywhere?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Anywhere with a decent data connection." She bites her lip, fidgeting with the sleeve of her coat. "Speaking of work... what did you end up doing with the, um..."

"He dumped it at the Alliance Bureau's doorstep," Navi chimes in. "Along with enough evidence to sink Freynal's entire operation. In other words, he made himself a very dangerous enemy."

Alice's eyes widen. "You turned him in?"

"It seemed like the right thing to do. It's the cops' problem now." I shrug, trying to play it casual. "Though Navi's right about the enemy part."

"Freynal controls half the black market trade routes in this sector," Alice says. "Won't he come after you?"

"Let him try." I pull her closer. "The Bureau's probably already frozen his accounts. He'll be too busy running to worry about revenge."

"You really did it." She reaches up, tracing my jaw with her fingers. "You gave up everything you built."

"Not everything." I catch her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. "I kept what matters."

"You're going to make my processors glitch," Navi groans. "Should I engage privacy protocols?"

Alice laughs, the sound warming me straight through. "Maybe in a minute." She looks up at me, her expression soft. "I'm proud of you, you know."

I pull Alice closer, capturing her lips with mine. The kiss deepens, and I savor every second, knowing each moment with her makes everything worth it.

"I have something else to show you." I reach into my pocket, pulling out the data chip. "Got this while I was out."

She takes it, examining the official Alliance seal. "What is it?"

"My new credentials. Registered courier license, complete background check, the works." I tap the chip. "All perfectly legal."

Her jaw drops. "You're serious? But how did you-"

"Called in some favors from people who owed me. Ones on the right side of the law." I shrug. "Figured if I'm going straight, might as well do it properly."

"This is incredible!" She clutches the chip to her chest. "But… will you be happy doing legitimate work? It's a lot of rules, you know."

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