“What the fuck is this?” I asked, my unease growing.
“Some product test, I guess,” Ben said, shrugging his shoulders.
I skimmed the report, much of which contained data from whatever device they implanted.
“Wait, look at that,” I said, pointing out a small hand-written notation at the bottom of the page. “No anesthesia given. Physician noted that 001 appeared to be in severe distress during the procedure but that implantation was still possible as 001 was fully strapped down. Anesthesia recommended in future trials unless otherwise specified.”
I felt Ben’s growing unease through the bond. He scrolled through a few more pages.
“Efficacy trial one,” he read out in a low voice. “Upon device activation, 001 showed 90 percent increased compliance within three minutes. Compliance lasted for approximately twenty-eight minutes before 001 regained awareness. Subject 001 was commanded to engage in pre-specified tasks as outlined in list 21.38 and completed 62 percent of tasks before regaining awareness, at which time 001 was severely distressed and attempted to physically harm a trial attendant. Once the testing team regained control, 001 was questioned about what she remembered during the activation period. 001 demonstrated significantly reduced memory during the twenty-eight-minute period. 001 expressed understanding that an unknown amount of time had passed but could not disclose specifics of what had occurred during that time.”
A sick feeling settled in my stomach, and my palms were slick with sweat.
I typed a note on my phone:Can you copy all the files and cover up the hack?
Ben gave me a curt nod.
We had already swept the security control room for bugs when we got here, assuming that a company so paranoid about security would also want to spy on us, but we couldn’t be too careful.
We quickly wrapped up our work, my heart pounding a mile a minute.
I didn’t know what the fuck those files meant, but this was way beyond the scope of a typical pharmaceutical company.
“I’ll work on the final report in the car,” I said gruffly. “Let’s go home to our girl.”
ChapterThirty-Seven
Josie
Theo gripped my hand tightly as he led me inside. The soft light from the entryway lamp cast a glow over the room. I breathed in the scents of all my alphas, pleased with how my sugary vanilla had become intertwined with theirs.
The softclickof the lock sliding into place sent a little jolt through me. I turned towards Theo, my hand squeezing his with anticipation.This is happening.Every nerve felt raw and alive as hishungry gaze swept down my body.
Theo pulled me in close, his hands skimming down my back.
“I need you,” he whispered, lips caressing my ear.
I shivered at the sensation, and a flood of slick drenched my underwear. Theo groaned, pressing his face into my neck, taking deep drags of my scent as his body shook with want.
My breath stuttered, and I struggled to find air as a wave of desire crashed over me.
“Need you,” I gasped, feeling brave.
“You’re so fucking perfect for me. I can’t wait to touch you and taste you,” he said, voice shaking.
My arms twined around his neck, pulling him in as close as I could. I needed to feel him against me—his heat, his hardness, hislove. Theo’s hands wandered down my back until they caressed my ass. He gripped me tightly and I whimpered.
The sound seemed to break his restraint, and he suddenly picked me up. I squealed at the sudden movement, wrapping myself around him with a giggle. He kissed me with a growl rolling through his chest. We barely came up for air as Theo carried me towards my room. I threaded one of my hands through his hair, loving the soft feel of his messy strands as I nipped his lower lip. I was lost in our kiss, lost in the feel of him, until we lurched.
“Fuck. No kissing and walking,” Theo said, huffing a laugh as he tightened his grip on my thighs.
I giggled and moved my kisses to his face and neck before licking the long column of his throat. He swore and stopped, pressing me against the wall in the stairwell.
“Are you trying to get me to fall down the stairs, little omega?” he growled, pressing his cock against me, sending little lightning bolts of pleasure through my stomach.
“Seems like you’re easily distracted,” I said, boldly sucking on his neck.
“Fuck,” he cursed, picking up his pace.
