Page 33 of Aliens Love Curves

The walk back to the apartment is tense, each alien man flanking me like prison guards rather than protectors. Harlan's solicitous comments about my "condition" carry an undercurrent of suspicion that sets my nerves on edge.

At my door, Harlan catches my hand, pressing a kiss to it. "Sweet dreams, my dear. Do try to stay in bed this time."

As soon as he's gone, Stryker all but shoves me inside, closing the door with more force than necessary.

"What were you thinking?" he hisses, his tail lashing. "Going in there alone—"

"I saw them," I cut him off. "The missing pilots. They're alive, but Stryker..." My voice breaks. "What they've done to them..."

His anger melts into concern as I describe the pods, the mutations, Harlan's smooth lies about a virus. When I tell him about the genetic enhancement comments, his tail wraps around me protectively as he pulls me into his strong arms.

"He's planning to use you in his experiments," Stryker growls. "That's why he's been so focused on your physical differences."

"Not just use me," I realize, the truth clicking into place. "He wants to perfect whatever they're doing. The others were practice runs, but me... I'm supposed to be their masterpiece."

Stryker pulls me closer, his heart thundering against my cheek. "We need to get you out of here."

"We need to save them." I look up at him, pleading. "Those pilots are still alive. We can't just leave them."

"Casey—"

"Please." I cup his face in my hands. "We have to try."

He closes his eyes, leaning into my touch. "Why do I get the feeling this is going to be even more dangerous than your last plan?"

"Because you're learning," I attempt a smile. "Besides, now we know why my ID worked on that door. They've been planning this all along."

"Which means we're running out of time." His tail tightens around me. "Promise me you'll be more careful. No more midnight explorations without backup."

"Promise." I rise on tiptoes to kiss him softly. "Partners, remember?"

His response is to kiss me harder, pouring all his fear and frustration into it. When we break apart, his eyes are fierce with determination.

"Partners," he agrees. "Now tell me everything you saw in there. Every detail could be important."

As we spend the rest of the night planning, I can't shake the image of those twisted forms in the pods. Harlan's words echo in my mind: "With just a few small enhancements, you could be extraordinary."

The truth is twisted indeed – but not as twisted as the man behind it all.

And I'm done playing his game.

Chapter 16 – Stryker

The encrypted comm channel crackles with static as I wait for Chief Zara to respond. Every second feels like an eternity, knowing Casey is asleep in the next room, vulnerable to whatever Harlan has planned.

"Report, Enforcer Stryker." Zara's holographic form flickers into existence, her expression grave.

"We've confirmed genetic experimentation on missing pilots," I keep my voice low. "Multiple victims still alive but severely altered. They're using the racing program as cover for human trials."

Zara's eyes narrow. "Evidence?"

"Casey discovered their medical facility. Pods containing mutated pilots. Harlan's claiming it's treatment for a virus, but..." I send her the compiled data files. "The pattern goes back years. They're perfecting some kind of enhancement process."

"And Casey?"

My tail lashes at her name. "She's their next target. They've been planning it since she arrived – her ID already has access to restricted areas."

"Extract her." Zara's tone brooks no argument. "Immediately."