Page 108 of Reckless: Corruption

We follow Ryker to the security hub, leaving wet footprints through the house. The monitors show what I already know in my gut—men in tactical gear surrounding the property. At least twenty of them, moving with military precision.

“Alexander,” I whisper, recognizing the figure directing the operation from a black SUV. Even at this distance, I can see his smile—that cold, calculated curve that never reaches his eyes.

“How did they find us?” Theo asks, eyes scanning the feeds.

A sick realization dawns on me. The vaccine. Mona said Sterling’s virus targets genetic markers. My father must have a way to track Sterling DNA—which means he could track me. Or Mona. Or both of us.

“Irrelevant,” Mona states, appearing in the doorway. Her wetsuit drips on the floor, but her eyes are razor-sharp.“Perimeter breached. Very serious situation. Much imminent danger. Approximately four minutes until building infiltration.”

Ryker begins issuing orders, every inch the tactical commander. “Jinx, weapons and essential gear. Theo, get Finn and head for the garage tunnels. Cayenne, secure the data and research.”

My fingers are already flying across the keyboard, initiating emergency data protocols. “And Mona?”

“I need to retrieve critical research components,” she says. “Very specialized. Much scientific importance.”

“What about Finn’s booster?” Theo asks, supporting Finn who’s looking worse by the minute, his breathing increasingly labored. The exertion of getting out of the pool has accelerated his decline.

Mona’s fingers tap against her thigh in rapid calculation. “Preparation incomplete. Requires approximately twelve more minutes of synthesis.”

“We don’t have twelve minutes,” Ryker points out.

“Then we adapt,” she says simply. “Very flexible. Much contingency planning.”

“Be quick,” Ryker orders. “Meet at extraction point alpha in seven minutes. Theo’s tunnels, eastern entrance.”

Mona nods once. “Known. Mapped extensively. Very efficient escape route.”

Theo raises an eyebrow. “You mapped my tunnels?”

“Obviously. First day here. Very thorough. Much preparation. Just in case.” She doesn’t look remotely apologetic.

The monitors suddenly switch to static, then flicker back to life showing Alexander’s face.

“Hello, sister.” His voice fills the room, cold as a grave. “Did I interrupt family time?”

“How dramatic,” Mona mutters. “Very cliché villain monologue.”

“What do you want?” Ryker demands.

“Just a family reunion. My sisters are being most uncooperative. Perhaps you’ll be more reasonable.”

“Which sister?” I ask, buying time as I continue the data transfer. “You’ve got two.”

“Oh, I already have Mona.” His smile widens.

My head whips toward Mona standing right beside me, equally confused.

“Fascinating,” she whispers to me. “Much deception. Very poor execution.”

Alexander’s expression falters for just a second. “Always playing games, Cayenne. But I know how to end them. You have five minutes to surrender before we burn your little sanctuary to the ground. With everyone inside it.”

The feed cuts off.

“He’s bluffing,” Jinx says, returning with an arsenal strapped to his body.

“Probability of bluffing approximately seven percent,” Mona calculates. “Alexander doesn’t make empty threats.”

“We need to move,” Ryker decides. “Now.”

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