As a result, Earth Government had stripped them of their authority over the colonists. But they had not completely removed them, and they still had a strong presence on Mars. And probably more importantly as far as Martin was concerned, they had extremely deep pockets.
However she had no intention of getting involved with an organization that valued profit over human life.
“I’m not interested.”
His smile widened, thin and unpleasant.
“You should reconsider.”
She said nothing.
His face darkened, and for a second, something malevolent flashed in his eyes. It vanished so quickly she might have imagined it, but she still pushed her chair back, increasing the distance between them.
“Alina,” he said, his voice patronizing, “I don’t think you understand. Mr. Bentley is extremely interested in your research. This could have… substantial benefits for you.”
Her stomach tightened.
“How is he aware of my research? None of my results have been published yet.”
Another break in his composure. It wasn’t guilt—he was too self-centered to consider anything he did wrong—but annoyance that she’d raised the question.
“We’re all on the same side, aren’t we?” he said smoothly. “We all want to ensure the successful colonization of Mars. A little cooperation benefits everyone.”
“Really?” she asked, her tone sharpening. “What information is GenCon willing to share with us?”
He waved his hand again.
“Then this is the perfect opportunity for you to gain their cooperation.”
She shook her head and gave him a disgusted look.
“I have absolutely no intention of cooperating with GenCon, now or in the future,” she said firmly. “And if I find out that any of my confidential research has been provided to them, I won’t hesitate to report it.”
“Of course,” he agreed, but his dismissive tone couldn’t completely mask the flash of guilt.
“I must get back to work,” she added, already turning back to her computer.
For a moment she thought he would continue arguing, but thankfully he finally took a step back, his eyes drifting down over her body again.
“You’re quite right. Better to discuss personal matters outside the lab.”
“There are no personal matters between us, Dr. Reece.”
Her rejection couldn’t have been clearer, but as usual, he completely ignored it.
“Your modesty is admirable. But don’t worry. I have no intention of giving up. I do enjoy a woman who plays hard to get.”
Her jaw tightened, but before she could overcome her anger enough to respond, he turned and left the lab.
What the hell is wrong with him?
He certainly wasn’t the first man who’d been interested in her. She was short and curvy rather than tall and elegant likeCass, but she wasn’t without her admirers. However, she had no interest in relationships, especially when she was involved in such critical research. She’d made that mistake once before, losing herself in a relationship that had almost cost her her degree and her self-respect. She wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice. Not in a place like this, where the community was small and mistakes lingered. Not when her work mattered more.
She had politely but decisively turned down anyone who approached her. A few of them had tried twice, perhaps even three times, but eventually they had stopped asking. Unlike Martin. She’d been rejecting him for well over a year, but he just didn’t seem to get the message.
She sighed and turned back to her monitor, then hesitated. Unwilling to be caught unaware again she went and locked the door to the lab before powering on the screen.
The signal was still there, still impossible, coming from within the mountains surrounding the valley where Border Town was located. Disturbed by the implication that GenCon was aware of her research, she turned on an encryption algorithm that would mask the data she was processing, then considered her options.
