Page 113 of Reckless: Corruption

“You’re both insane,” Alexander growls.

“No,” I counter. “We’re both survivors. Of Roman Sterling’s particular brand of parenting.”

I take one more step, carefully calculating distance, mentally mapping everyone’s position like Ryker taught me. “Thedifference is, we chose to fight him. While you chose to become him.”

The words land like precision strikes. Alexander’s control slips—just enough.

“I am nothing like him!” he snarls, attention fully on me.

That’s when Mona makes her move.

It happens fast—her body going limp, throwing off his balance just enough. Her hand snakes up between them, something small and metallic flashing between her fingers. Then Alexander is screaming, staggering backward as electricity courses through him.

“Pocket taser,” Mona explains cheerfully, blood still streaming down her arm. “Very compact. Much voltage.”

The tactical team surges forward, but adrenaline hits my system like rocket fuel. Jinx’s lessons flow through my muscles—use momentum, create chaos, target weak points. I slide beneath the first guard’s reach, using his own weight to topple him into his companion. My body remembers even if my mind can’t process the blur of motion.

Mona deploys something that fills the corridor with acrid smoke, buying us precious seconds of confusion. The smell burns my nose and eyes, but I push through it, finding her in the chaos.

When the tactical team reorganizes, they find us standing back-to-back in the center of the room, Alexander’s gun in my hand, Mona’s bizarre collection of chemical weapons ready in hers.

“Stand down,” I order, channeling Ryker’s command presence though my insides are liquid with terror.

“Fascinating combat integration,” Mona observes. “Very complementary styles. Much Sterling-Locke synthesis.”

Alexander struggles to his feet, rage transforming his handsome features into something feral. “This changes nothing. You’re still outnumbered, outgunned, and out of options.”

“Are we though?” I ask, feeling oddly calm despite everything. “Because it seems to me we’ve got enough bargaining power to have a conversation.”

“What could you possibly offer?”

I nod toward the case I set down. “The one thing Roman wants more than anything. The key to his designation research.”

Alexander’s eyes narrow. “What do you know about that?”

“Enough to understand what he’s really planning.” I keep the gun trained on him while Mona edges toward the case. “It’s not about eliminating betas, is it? It’s about controlling who gets to be what designation.”

A flicker of surprise crosses his face before he schools his expression. “You’ve put together some interesting theories.”

“Not theories,” Mona interjects, flipping open the case to reveal vials of iridescent liquid. “Facts. Daddy’s ultimate goal was never elimination. Very wasteful approach. Much inefficiency.”

“It’s about redesigning the designation hierarchy,” I continue, the terrible truth crystallizing as I speak it. “Creating a world where he controls who gets to be alpha, who remains beta, who becomes omega.”

Alexander’s laugh holds no humor. “You’re even smarter than he gave you credit for.”

“What I don’t understand is why?” I press, needing answers while maintaining our temporary advantage. My hand trembles slightly on the gun, but I steady it with sheer force of will. “Why rewrite biology itself?”

“Control,” Alexander states simply. “The ultimate form of control. Imagine it—governments paying billions for alpha soldiers, for omega diplomats, for specialized beta workers. Aworld where designation is a commodity to be purchased, not a biological lottery.”

My stomach turns at the clinical detachment in his voice. “And the beta virus?” I demand. “The deaths?”

“A necessary phase. Test subjects to perfect the formula.” His clinical detachment chills me to the bone. “Besides, the new version is far more efficient.”

“New version?” Mona’s head snaps up, genuine alarm replacing her usual calculated chaos.

Alexander’s smile turns predatory. “Father brought in Whitmore. Fixed your little sabotage problem. The improved virus is already being deployed in select cities.”

“Impossible,” Mona whispers, genuine fear breaking through her facade for the first time. “The enzymatic inhibitors?—”

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