Hale

Chapter Nine

Simon Dunn stared at the pictures of Paige Masters and Hale Rogers on his desk.

Paige looked as pretty in her photograph as she'd been five years ago when they'd dated. Rogers looked like a wild beast, his eyes glowing, his body inhumanly large and brutally strong. Elliot had hoped to breed the two. Something about Rogers's background appealed to Elliot, but damned if Simon could make heads or tails of his notes.

Punching several numbers into his phone, he called for Dr. Eckles. While waiting, he glanced from Paige's photo to the rest of his spacious office. So far, so good. His plan to climb the ranks in Pearson Labs had finally paid off. With Torrence gone, Pearl dead, and McKinley now missing, he had only two more major hurdles before he could take control of Pearson Labs: Kuntz and Kohl.

Senator Richard Kuntz wouldn't be a problem. The pussy loved the thought of being in charge, but he didn't have the stomach to do what needed to be done. Killing mutants and indoctrinating new Circs took a special hand. Simon considered himself perfect for the job. Though he had a less than stellar track record, he'd still done more to advance Pearl's agenda than any other PPA operative had.

Because of Simon, they'd captured Kelly Malloy. Through his efforts, they'd learned that Sabrina Torrence wasn't who she'd said she was. The bitch had actually sabotaged the initial Project Dawn. Incredible. And this latest piece of news, that McKinley wasn't a star performer, but one of Elliot's pet projects and a traitor at that, had made Simon a star.

General Kohl, his toughest obstacle, now treated him like a favored son. Though Harold didn't trust anyone, he called on Simon for more and more help. Playing it cool, Simon did whatever Kohl demanded with a keen attention to detail, which the general appreciated. Simon also took the initiative to further his own agenda.

In order to successfully run Pearson Labs once he eliminated Kohl and Kuntz, Simon needed a top science department in his pocket, as well as rogue Circs in his control. The strongest team, led by Hawkins and Hayashi, promised success. Especially since they knew they owed Simon for saving their asses after they'd lost McKinley.

Simon burned at thoughts of that freak on the loose. Though he didn't believe McKinley to be in league with Doc and his men, something about McKinley didn't fit.

More than his abnormal Circ appearance and attributes, McKinley had an ability to look through a person and instill fear that Simon envied. Still, admiration for the male didn't mean McKinley wasn't disposable. If anything, his strength and apparent loyalty to Kuntz would have been a problem, had McKinley still been in the labs. Grateful that Kohl had taken care of that problem, at least, Simon set into motion the next part of his plan.

Dr. Eckles knocked at his open door.

“Come in, come in.” Simon gestured for the man to enter.

Eckles did so, closing and locking the door behind him. He carried a small bag filled with Simon's weekly injection.

Simon tilted his head to the side and waited, pleased at the fear he could now smell wafting from Eckles like a cologne. The serum Eckles had perfected worked nearly as well as Elliot's. Too bad Elliot hadn't approved of Simon taking it without his permission. As if Elliot had any right to caution a willing test subject on the dangers of experimental gene therapy.

Simon waited for the ungodly pain to hit.

Eckles pushed the plunger into his neck, then quickly withdrew it. He leaped back from Simon, cautious after that last belt in the face.

Simon swallowed his pain but couldn't help the tremors that shook him. He wiped the red tears from his eyes and the inevitable nosebleed. For a moment, his vision swam with darkness. And then it vanished, and he felt ten times stronger.

“May I take a few notes?” Eckles asked meekly.

Simon nodded. “Go ahead. And while you're at it, tell me if you've heard anything more about Subject 31.”

Eckles took Simon's temperature, blood pressure, and asked several questions about Simon's state of health. After jotting down his notes, Eckles tucked away his notebook and sat across from Simon's desk. “Subject 31 is still nowhere to be found.

Our mutants haven't traced her scent, nor have our PPA and rogue Circs seen her.

There's been little movement at the compound, but we can't be sure about Circe's Recruits' involvement. From what I've gathered from Elliot's notes, however, I doubt Subject 31 would go there.”

“Why is that?” Simon still got hard remembering Paige's loveliness. He'd been more than willing to have sex with her all those years ago. Elliot had thought she might finally change if introduced to enough stress, while Simon had prayed she wouldn't. The thought of fucking not only a beautiful woman, but Elliot's precious daughter, had been too much of a temptation to resist. Elliot had been overjoyed when Paige displayed Circ tendencies. So much so that he'd overlooked Paige's accusations of attempted rape.

Simon had countered that she'd been in heat, and that she'd aggressively tried to challenge him. Elliot had bought the explanation, that or he hadn't wanted to acknowledge how cold he was to offer his daughter to a bastard like Simon.

The sheer genius of Simon's plan sat in his mind, his alone to savor. Oddly enough, Simon found himself missing his old partner and friend, Vincent Hoff, who'd died six months ago. Vincent had had the same appetites as Simon. Unfortunately, he'd been torn apart by a rogue Circ. Ah, well, at least he'd gone out swinging.

“Mr. Dunn?”

“Sorry, Eckles, my mind wanders a bit after the drug. Must be McKinley's rebellious blood at work.” He smiled, pleased at the irony of the situation. The control drug that turned Circs into mutants turned humans into supermen. If Kohl and Kuntz weren't such pussies, they'd have realized the applications and tried the control drug themselves.

“As I was saying, I don't think Subject 31 will attempt to see Dr. Evan Dennis.

While undergoing treatment here, Elliot often spoke of his half brother. He seemed to like the man, and if you consider how much Paige Masters loathed her father, it would only be natural that she hated anyone he particularly liked. To her, Dr. Dennis probably seems like an extension of Elliot.”

“Hmm, good point. But we can't be too sure of anything.” Dreamily, Simon imagined capturing the Circ females he'd once lost. Caitlyn Chase, Sabrina Torrence, and Paige Masters. He envisioned them chained in one of the subbasement cells, waiting on their knees to serve him. God, the things he would do…

Eckles gasped. “Tilt your head back.”

Something pressed to Simon's face. “Hmm?”

“The nosebleed is back, and it's heavy. Nothing to worry about, but it wouldn't be a bad idea for me to take a few samples for tests.”

“Whatever.” Simon struggled to regain his wits. He had a meeting with Rojo, a liaison to several stateside and South American drug cartels in need of better security.

Simon would deal with this man the way he'd dealt with several others, in secret and for a ton of cash. Untraceable dollars to increase his growing base of power. Already one team of rogues he'd farmed out had made him a hundred thousand, and they'd only lost one Circ in the process. They'd recovered police-confiscated drugs worth millions.

Kohl and Kuntz had no idea how to use Project Dawn. As military alternatives?

Government-contracted business? To barter with other nations on a scientific playing field? Fuck that.

“Sir, I'm going to return to my lab. I'll let you know about the results.” Eckles sounded shaky.

“Fine. But buck up, man. Don't be such a spineless asshole if you can help it.” Simon snickered. Pearl had been a dick, but he'd had balls. Doc hadn't been easy to work around, but during Simon's time with the first Project Dawn, he'd recognized the misguided integrity in the man. Simon could tolerate assholes as long as they had conviction.

“Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.” Eckles unlocked the door and practically ran from the room.

Sighing, Simon closed the folder before him and locked it away. He took a few phone calls, then walked down the stairs to clear his head. Glad that Kohl and Kuntz didn't need him again until tomorrow, he sought out Hawkins and found him in the lower levels.

Hawkins watched a new set of mutants battling each other in a contained subbasement cell. The ink black monsters barely looked human. One male had two legs as long as his torso, with arms that compensated for his odd height. He walked about on all fours, like a mutant gorilla. His eyes were red, his teeth huge and splitting his lips with every roar of challenge he issued to the other in his cell.

The other mutant stood as large as Hawkins. He looked like any other rogue Circ, except for his black skin and red eyes.

“That's Jenkins.” Hawkins didn't turn around. “He just turned this morning.”

“Too bad.” Simon didn't give a shit. He watched as what used to be Jenkins succumbed to the other thing biting and drooling over him. In seconds the fight turned carnal, and Simon stared, captivated by the bloody sex making a mess all over the floor.

“Quite an appetite, hmm?”

Hawkins turned to him, and Simon started at the anger seething in the rogue's gaze. Inhuman rage burned and then was suddenly banked. Simon blinked, wondering what he'd seen. The injection Eckles gave him sometimes muddied his perceptions.

“Mr. Dunn?”

“Oh, right. Grab Hayashi and Tersch and meet me in the garage. We have a meeting on the outside. Keep it quiet.”

“Yes, sir.”

Simon loved these Navy freaks. He himself had tried to enlist the minute he'd turned eighteen. Unfortunately, his asshole father had talked to someone in all four of the recruiting offices he'd visited. And Simon had been turned away. The dickhead had even managed to infect the local and federal police departments before succumbing to a most unfortunate accident, leaving poor Simon Dunn Owen Jr. all alone in the world.

Colonel Simon Dunn Owen's way of trying to control his son from beyond the grave.

No federal department would hire him, not until he'd joined Elliot Pearl in Project Dawn.

Suddenly enraged at his father's duplicity, Simon's hungers surged. He snapped at one of the techs in a white coat. The male knew what he wanted. Simon was a regular down here. After turning off the camera in a particular cell, the technician directed Simon to his favorite room. The female rogue beyond the glassed wall of her cell ripped at her restraints and cried out, but Simon could only see her mouth moving. He couldn't hear her beyond the soundproof glass.

“Make sure I'm not disturbed for the next ten minutes.”

“Yes, Mr. Dunn.” The tech nodded and stepped away, dimming the interior lights.

At the sight, the female opened and closed her mouth, tearing violently at the bands around her wrists. A new Circ, she hadn't quite gotten the hang of changing, much to Simon's delight.

He entered her cell and unbuttoned his trousers, more than ready to satisfy his needs. Hawkins and the others could wait. This wouldn't take long. He stared at the blood staining the leather restraints and smelled the tang of copper in the air.

No. This wouldn't take long at all.

Hale had timed his entry well. His squad joked and annoyed one another in the family room, waiting for the women to prepare dinner. Since Diego, their cook and Doc's traitorous lover, had left them three months ago, the women had taken to fixing the meals. Doc helped every now and again, but Kelly liked to dominate in the kitchen.

Probably dominated in the bedroom too, if that satisfied look on her mates' faces was anything to go by.

“Come on, playboy. Stop stalling,” McKinley rasped in his ear.

Shaking off the uncomfortable desire that swept over him again, Hale prayed his discomfort didn't show. His ass felt like hell, taking forever to heal. The damned monster behind him had fucked him raw, and he hated the fact that he not only deserved the pain, but that he had accepted and even gotten off on it. Shit. No wonder McKinley refused to have sex with Paige. In her human form, she'd break over that thick cock.

And speaking of Paige… She looked right at home smiling and laughing with the women in the kitchen. So goddamn gorgeous, so generous. If Hale didn't know better, he'd swear he was falling in love with her.

“Paige,” McKinley whispered, longing in his voice. “She looks good.” His hand grazed Hale's as they walked out of the hallway.

The connection settled Hale. Having Paige and McKinley together eased his worries, and he breathed a sigh of relief to feel his inner beast settling back into his skin.

To have gone even a second without his beast there guiding him had felt like being blind. He'd lost a crucial part of himself, and while knowing he'd owed McKinley, he hadn't liked being without the wildness that was a part of him.

Roane was the first to spot McKinley, who strangely enough projected no scent of his own. He smelled instead like Hale.

“Shit. I knew it.” Roane stood, and the others stood with him as well.

Ace and Zack vaulted over the kitchen counters to protect Kelly. Sabrina swore and took a step back. Caitlyn simply stared, her mouth open.

“Robbie!” Paige cried and flew at him. Hale stepped in front of McKinley to hold his friends back while McKinley accepted Paige in his arms. When no one made a move to interfere, he stepped back to keep an eye on McKinley.

“Robbie?” Derrick looked at Hale. “That asshole has a first name?” Sabrina answered from the kitchen. “Who knew?”

“Easy, everyone. This is McKinley.” Hale cleared his throat when everyone stared at him. “He comes in peace, to serve man,” he joked, referencing the monstrous robot from War of the Worlds. Unfortunately, no one laughed with him.

“You don't have to protect me, playboy,” McKinley growled. He caged Paige protectively in his arms, but he glared at Roane, as if in challenge.

Terrific. Just what we don’t need. A territorial battle.

Hale snarled at McKinley in a low voice, “Would you tone it the fuck down?

We're here for a discussion, not a damned no-holds-barred match.” At that moment, Doc entered through the back door into the kitchen. “Paige?” he called out. “I found a few more photos…” His voice trailed off as he took in the situation.

Hale sighed. “Would you all please settle down? McKinley isn't going to eat anyone, I promise. And Paige? Maybe you and he could sit together over there.” He pointed to an overlarge sitting chair in the living room. When no one moved, he tried again. “Look, I'll vouch for him. The rest of you, continue with dinner.” Sabrina narrowed her eyes. “Kind of bossy, aren't you? Anytime you want to peel potatoes, you let me know.”

Kelly smirked, totally ignoring McKinley's threatening presence. “Good one.” The men continued to stand, their claws bared, waiting to fight.

“Sit down,” Hale yelled, pleased when they shifted their shocked gazes from McKinley to him.

“Easy, playboy.” Roane was the first to back down. “We're just a little startled. We didn't realize we had two of Pearson Labs' finest.”

“Dick,” McKinley snarled, understanding the insult even though Paige didn't seem to. Unfortunately, everyone else did.

Hale's rage bubbled perilously out of control. When he would have advanced on Roane, Caitlyn hurried to step in the middle. At the same time, McKinley stepped forward and put Paige behind him. But as soon as he locked eyes on Caitlyn, he blinked hard and fell to his knees.

“Robbie?” Paige was by him in an instant, as was Hale.

“Dammit,” Hale swore, pulling McKinley to the chair he'd tried to get the male into earlier. “What's wrong?”

“Let me through,” Doc ordered. He pushed his way past the Circs hovering close and would have put his hands on McKinley, but Hale intervened.

“Ah, go easy, Doc. He's not always rational. I don't want him to hurt you.”

“Playboy, screw you,” McKinley breathed. “Not…gonna hurt…Paige's uncle.

Diego's friend.”

Everyone froze at mention of Diego, and then the noise grew deafening as they all insisted McKinley explain himself.

“Quiet,” Doc yelled, getting instant results. “Now, McKinley, open your eyes.” He did, and Hale was relieved to see them still that pale yellow. His new lover took a deep breath but kept himself from looking at anyone but Doc, Hale, or Paige.

“What happened?”

McKinley growled, but Paige cupped his cheek so tenderly it made Hale want to purr. Right. Mates together. Good.

“He has attacks sometimes,” Paige answered quietly. “He doesn't think I know, but I do.”

“Paige,” McKinley rumbled. “Shut up.”

“Don't tell her to shut up,” Caitlyn said.

McKinley groaned again and leaned his head back over the edge of the chair. “Can someone get that female out of the room?”

“That's a good idea,” Roane agreed. “I think all the women should leave.”

“Hell no,” Sabrina argued. “I'm not about to let that man around my mate. No way.”

“Still got your claws, eh, Torrence?” McKinley drawled.

“Hell. Caitlyn, would you please take Kelly to our room for a bit?” Roane asked. “I promise, we'll get you both right back out here. But Ace and Zack are practically foaming at the mouth with the need to protect their mate.”

“Then maybe they should take Kelly away,” Caitlyn snapped.

To Hale's surprise, McKinley formed the semblance of a grin.

“Hellcat, baby, please?” Roane asked again through gritted teeth.

Hale knew he was going easy on her because of the new baby. “Roane, did you happen to mention—”

“Shut the fuck up, Hale,” Roane warned, which had McKinley and Paige growling right back at him.

“As entertaining as all of this is,” Doc said with a surprising smile, “I think Caitlyn and Kelly should leave for a time. I'll come to retrieve you myself, ladies. Please. We need some answers, answers we're not going to get with you two here. And I dearly want to hear what Mr. McKinley has to say about Diego.” Caitlyn looked like she wanted to argue, but she took a hard look at Doc and nodded. “Come on, Kelly. Let's go.”

Kelly muttered under her breath, glared at her mates to behave, then left with Caitlyn.

The minute they disappeared, McKinley raised his head and stared at everyone.

He gripped Hale's elbow with one hand and eased Paige over his lap with his other.

When Hale moved to rise, the Circ forced him to sit on the arm of the chair, and Hale surprised himself by not arguing.

Roane raised a brow but said nothing about the seating arrangement. “Guys, in here. Now.” He waited until Zack and Ace joined Derrick, Sabrina, and him on the sectional sofa. Doc sat with them as well, and everyone waited for McKinley to speak.

Paige's hand rested on Hale's thigh, and he subtly moved closer, pleased to feel her body heat and McKinley's so close to him.

“Where do you want me to start?” McKinley muttered.

“Tell me about Diego.” Doc hadn't been lying. He really did want to know about his lover.

McKinley sighed. “Diego misses you like you can't believe.” Doc started. “What?”

“He was assigned to watch over you at the beginning of the initial project. But he was never required to fu—” He paused to look at Paige and cleared his throat. “He wasn't supposed to get involved with you. He's in some serious trouble right now because of it.”

“Trouble with who?” Derrick asked.

Hale wanted to know that too.

“Right now, you have more pressing problems. General Kohl and Senator Kuntz are running Pearson Labs. Simon Dunn is on a one-way trip to hell, because he's doping with something that Eckles is giving him. They've successfully started the new breeding project, and I'd venture to say that as soon as Malloy gives birth, the labs are coming after you, here, at the compound.”

“My God,” Doc breathed.

Zack and Ace started swearing, Derrick growled, Sabrina gasped, and Roane glared at McKinley with murderous rage. Hale stared at McKinley, wondering at the even tone that delivered such earth-shattering news.

“Oh, and the new control drug they've manufactured is what's turning Circs into mutants. It's a compound based on my DNA,” he said over their voices to Doc.

“Robbie,” Paige whispered. “What are we going to do?”

“Yeah, what the hell are you going to do?” Hale asked, angry that his mate— this male, he corrected his beast—didn't seem the least bit affected by anything he'd just mentioned. To his surprise, the fury in McKinley's eyes took him aback.

“What am I going to do? Easy. I'm going to destroy Pearson Labs with Diego, my contact, and with General Mike Shields, who's been investigating Pearl, Kuntz, and Pearson Labs since it reopened. This time, the devil's going to get his due.”