They weren’t completely stupid—they knew Reaper had changed, just like his men had changed.
“The reason we allowed you to gather together today is because it’s time for phase two of the experiment to begin.”
Reaper caught the questioning glances of the rest of his men and asked, “Phase two?”
He hadn’t been aware there was a phase one—just a constant cycle of injections and unanswered questions.
Dr. Winters’s thin lips lifted into a faint smile. “Of course, all experiments have more than one phase.”
He couldn’t help but dislike Winters. From the very beginning, she’d talked to him like a thing, not a human being, but maybe that’s why his mentor had chosen her for the role of head research facilitator. A person with no emotions would bring no outside influence that could possibly taint the data.
Reaper kept his hand curled around the fork so the doctor couldn’t see what he’d done. He’d been careful to keep all of his reactions under control, hiding all of his heightened senses as much as possible, although he hadn’t been successful one hundred percent of the time. For some reason he didn’t want these people to know the full extent of his enhanced power.
“Now that we’ve been able to determine each of your personal strengths and exactly how the synthesized protein has altered your DNA, we’re ready to begin group testing.”
He snatched up every bit of information like a starving child, yet he didn’t move a muscle or flinch as he processed the intel. Reaper wasn’t a genius, but he was smart enough to know fucking with someone’s DNA was some deep-level shit. The serum Winters had injected was to boost their muscle mass, amp up their reaction speeds, but this? “What exactly do you mean our DNA has been altered?”
Winter’s smile disappeared. “You and each one of your men signed up for this testing, you agreed to turn yourself fully over for experimentation.”
“No one said anything about altering our DNA.”
She didn’t even look nervous or worried. Just curious, her piercing gaze assessing every single move he made. “It isn’t any of your business. You gave us full control.”
Reaper slammed his fist into the table, crumbling his fork into a tiny ball. He let it clatter to the table and rose to his feet, towering over the doctor. “Where the fuck is Jack Mankel?”
Mankel was his mentor, almost like a father to him.Hewas the reason Reaper had agreed to this experiment—and ever since it had begun, he had neither seen nor heard from him.
“Come with me, Captain,” she said, her voice brooking no refusal. “We’ll have a little . . . chat. The guards will take the men into the special room we’ve set up to test your strengths as a unit.” She waved toward the door, and the guards immediately stood at attention. His team’s gaze shifted to him as one. He felt the weight of his responsibility for them on every square inch of his body. One nod, and they fell in, following the guards out of the room.
“Now tell me what the fuck you’re using on us.”
“It’s my own creation,” she said with pride. “I created a bonding agent around your DNA protecting the cells from the breakdown that occurs daily and enhancing them. I can see on your face that you want out, but let me tell you this, Captain. If you don't continue to receive your injections, the very thing protecting your DNA will disintegrate and destroy you.”
Fury blasted through his chest and he slammed a fist into the glass, cracking his knuckles. Blood splattered across the surface. “That’s not what we signed up for.”
“You don’t want to sacrifice yourselves in the name of research that will help future generations of soldiers? Regardless, you don't have to give up your lives. Not if we continue to receive funding.”
“Will we ever be able to live without the serum?”
A shadow of uncertainty flashed across her face. “Of course, as soon as I figure out how to make the changes permanent instead of temporary.”
Reaper threw back his head and let out a ragged, almost insane, laugh. “You have no idea what you’re doing, do you? I volunteered my men to be your guinea pigs and you know as much as a fucking monkey doing sign language.”
“I know everything. I created you. I made you who you are,” she said through clenched teeth. Her porcelain complexion flushed pink in one of the only outward shows of emotion he’d ever witness her express.
“And Quantum? Dawson? You have no idea what’s happening to them, do you?”
Winters paused, standing on the other side of the glass like a statue. She didn’t talk for so long Reaper punched the glass again, regardless of the pain that it caused. “You deserve to die.”
Finally, she responded. “I know exactly what caused their reactions. I know everything, Captain, you would do well to remember that and the fact I hold your life in my hands.”
Reaper scrubbed a calloused hand over his head, his frustration palpable. He wanted to strangle her, to shake some shred of decency into her. But he couldn’t.
Not yet.
He needed her. “What do you need from me?”
“The men controlling the purse strings are demanding results. They’re coming in six weeks to observe our progress. From here forward, you and your men will train as a team to prepare for their arrival. If you show no significant progress, they’ll pull the plug.”
