Page 90 of Reckless: Corruption

“They’ve got us,” I report, implementing our escape protocols. “Multiple teams converging on our location.”

“Not if I can help it.” Cayenne’s focus sharpens, her posture shifting—something almost predatory. “Hand me that signal scrambler with the quantum randomization algorithm.”

I comply, and she begins executing commands I don’t recognize—elegant, ruthless. Her code flows across the screen like deadly poetry, systematically dismantling security while generating false trails.

“Where did you learn that?” I ask.

“Alexander,” she admits. “His combat training wasn’t just physical. He showed me how Sterling security thinks. He just didn’t know he was doing it.”

The implications turn my stomach—she endured Sterling’s training and turned it into a weapon. Pride and horror twist in my chest as I watch her.

“They’re closing in,” I warn. “Eastern hub’s almost locked onto our signal.”

“Not for long.” Her smile sharpens as she initiates a sequence I’ve never seen. “Sterling likes backdoors—but so do I.”

Her code creates a system-wide authentication failure. Alarms trigger across Sterling’s network, teams scrambling to chase fabricated breaches.

“What did you just do?”

“Turned their paranoia against them.” She continues downloading crucial files. “Every security team now thinks they’re facing a different breach. By the time they sort it out, we’ll be long gone.”

The elegance of it steals my breath—not just technical, but psychological. She’s weaponized Sterling’s obsession against him.

This isn’t emotion—it’s math. I calculate the variables, analyze the evidence, and reach the only logical conclusion: I love this woman.

“That was brilliant,” I say.

“I know,” she replies, grinning. “Now let’s get out of here.”

We initiate our exit strategy, carefully erasing our presence while leaving Sterling’s systems in chaos. Just as we’re about to disconnect, a new directory catches my eye—Implementation Phase II: Aurora Facility.

“Wait,” I stop her. “What’s this?”

Together, we open it, finding plans for a facility in the northern mountains. Unlike the outpost we raided, this is a full-scale production center—for manufacturing the virus on an industrial scale.

“This is their endgame,” I realize. “Mass production. Global deployment.”

“We have to take it out,” Cayenne says immediately, fury hardening her voice.

“Not without proper recon. Security’s unlike anything we’ve seen.”

“But—”

“We’ll move on it,” I assure her, squeezing her hand with trembling fingers. “But we do it right. One shot. Clean execution.”

She hesitates, then nods. “Fine. But we don’t wait too long.”

“Agreed.”

We sever the link just as Sterling’s teams regroup. The screen returns to our secure desktop.

For a moment, we sit in silence, absorbing what we’ve discovered.

“We did it,” Cayenne says, tension draining from her. “Got in, got the data, got out. Clean operation.”

“Thanks to you.” I mean it.

“Teamwork makes the dream work,” she quips, but sincerity shines through. “We’re better together than apart. Always have been.”

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