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kitchen and out the same door through which they d entered. To the casual observer, this complex appears to be a family farm. We have pigs and a few head of cattle, nothing noteworthy. We grow a variety of grains, vegetables, and observe all the irrigation restrictions, so we don t attract attention from local authorities. She wasn t sure why the facts were important, but his tone warned her to pay attention. The barn was dark and dusty, like every other barn she d ever been in, but this one had a wide service elevator that took them to a nondescript corridor. All right, this was odd. Why would a farm have underground corridors wending their way from one building to another? Milo led her to the first subterranean station and she had her answer. A massive, largely mechanized laboratory operated beneath the cornfield. With a state of the art recirculation system and various forms of alternate energy, we are completely off the grid and self-contained. The pigs provide all the methane we care to harvest, and all the fertilizer we could ever need. The grains feed the animals and the animals feed us, Milo explained. That s the true circle of life. She was mesmerized by the high-tech scene before her, so incongruous with the rustic panorama above ground. Beneath his practiced justification, the explanation didn t quite ring true. She dragged her gaze away from the lab and faced Milo. Are you being a good steward of your recourses, or is the farm s primary purpose to conceal your true mission from outsiders? He smiled at Kage. Smart girl. Then he turned back to her and replied, To some degree, it s both. Self-sufficiency equates to safety in a world as corrupt as ours. The power players know where we re located. That s not the primary purpose for the façade. The farm discourages vandalism and adds a layer of security between us and the general public. We operate the only medical research facility that is completely unaffiliated with any outside organization or government. We do not take donations, nor do we accept corporate sponsorship. We offer completely unbiased certifications, much to the chagrin of those who would manipulate our findings. Aubrey Ross Alpha Colony: Unwanted Desire 47 And that s where DOMA comes into the picture? She glanced at Kage, pleased by the approval in his eyes. Milo nodded. Pharmaceutical companies from around the world come to us when they re ready for clinical trials. Because of our uncompromising standards, our endorsements actually mean something. We have helped in the development of everything from preventative vaccines to complex medical imaging. Very impressive. Thank you. Deep dimples framed his mouth when he smiled, giving him a boyish charm. When and why did you cross paths with DOMA? She needed to understand how Alpha Colony was connected with Milo s farm. DOMA has submitted applications on four occasions and all four times their claims proved false. They coaxed and coerced, bribed and begged, and finally threatened to have us shut down. Understanding unfurled within her, and she moved away from the observation window, more intrigued by their host than his fancy toys. Have you been helping Director Darman? Did you leak the recording of Sasha s transformation to the media? I didn t, but I employ the person who did. She s the head of my investigation s team. He flashed his charming smile and added drama to his tone as he asked, Would you like to meet her? She s the reason we re here, Kage reminded with a patient smile. Milo led them past a smaller laboratory where the two workers wore elaborate, enclosed suits. Jizette felt her steps falter again. What are they testing in there? Bio-hazards. I m not sure what s on the menu today. Milo s dismissive tone told her to keep walking. The access corridors branched off in three directions. Milo followed the tunnel on the left. Jizette felt edgy, restless, as if something wasn t quite right. She clenched and unclenched her hands, unable to identify the source of her anxiety. Kage slipped his arm around her waist and gave her a little squeeze. You okay? Aubrey Ross Alpha Colony: Unwanted Desire 48 She looked up at him and smiled, but a now familiar ache erupted between her thighs, making her breath hitch. This is just a little overwhelming. He immediately stopped walking and turned her to face him. If you need a break, I can take you to our room and you can meet Tayla in the morning. I m not sure what I need, she whispered. I feel really odd. Pulling her to his chest, he wrapped his arms around her and pressed her face against the curve of his throat. Breathe, sweetheart. My scent will soothe you. She inhaled deeply and let his warm, woodsy smell fill her nose and spread across her senses. His arms felt wonderful, so strong, yet careful. This would be so much better if they were pressed together skin to skin. Change of plans, Milo. We need to see one of your doctors. Is she ill? His concern sounded genuine, but his voice grated now. All she wanted was Kage, only Kage. Not ill per se -- his hand stroked the back of her hair and his arm kept her anchored against him -- but we re concerned about some elements of our condition. You are affected by this too? An impatient growl rumbled deep in Kage s chest. Suffice it to say, there would be no concern if she were a wolf. I see. They started moving again and the world swam sickeningly. Kage pulled her firmly against his side, supporting and guiding. Dr. Hillard has worked extensively with hybrids and morphs. She should be able to figure out what s going on. It seemed like they walked forever. Each step sent intoxicating sensations ricocheting through her body. Her breasts swelled and the T-shirt irritated her nipples. The urge to rip off her clothes was almost unbearable. Kage s fingers dug into her side and need throbbed from him in searing pulses, intensifying her desire. Aubrey Ross Alpha Colony: Unwanted Desire 49 Let s just& I can t& Her legs buckled, and he swept her up in his arms. She curled into his body, needing more of him. Harsh light stabbed into her eyes as they entered the clinic. She moaned and closed her eyes. Greetings were exchanged and explanations given, but it all meant little to Jizette. A bone-deep ache had settled over her body. She was ravenous, beyond modesty or logic. Kage set her down on the end of an exam table and ordered the others from the [ Pobierz caÅ‚ość w formacie PDF ] |