Page 123 of Crimson Moon Falling

How did he know about my exact symptoms? The bedroom suddenly felt too small, like the walls were closing in. “Tell me how to help them, or I’m hanging up.”

His voice dropped to an intimate whisper. “You aren’t a victim, Riley. With your abilities and my vision, we’d be unstoppable.”

I disconnected and let the silence rush in, thick and heavy. My phone buzzed, and Marlowe’s name flashed on the screen. I stared at it, my thumb hovering over the decline button as my implant ran a rapid calculation.

Probability of useful information: moderate. Risk of psychological harm: high. Recommend terminating all contact.

I answered.

“That was childish.”

“You know what my terms are. I want information about the operatives. If you’re not going to give me anything, we’re done.”

He let out a sigh like he was indulging a child. “You’re remarkably stubborn. Fine. Here’s a tidbit for you. The conditioning is not always irreversible. The chip creates a feedback loop, but it’s not perfect… yet.”

“How can we break through?” I held my breath, hoping he’d keep talking.

“You probably can’t. But if the operatives experience sustained positive emotional states, the chip’s hold can weaken.”

“So love and positive human interaction can break the programming.” It was similar to what Dr. Wharton had prescribed.

“Maybe. In some cases, the human brain appears to be more resilient than conditioning and technology. For now.” The qualifier didn’t escape me.

“Thank you,” I murmured, because he’d likely given me useful information.

“You’re welcome.” The smile was back in his voice. “I’ll see you soon, sweetheart.” I shuddered at the nickname. If we ever talked again, I would demand he never call me that again.

Early the next morning, a hard, familiar body slid into bed. Conall’s masculine scent mixed with desert rain wrapped around me, and I hummed when he softly kissed my neck.

“Good morning, a stór. God, I missed you.” My leg curled around his hip, and I pulled him into me.

“You’re back,” I whispered.

“So are you,” he teased, rolling me onto my back and fitting himself between my thighs. Then he smoothed my wild hair back from my face and kissed me as I slowly dragged my fingernails up his back, then across his lats, appreciating his hard muscles and smooth skin. Groaning, he nipped my bottom lip, then deepened the kiss.

When we broke apart for air, he pulled my tank top and sleep shorts off, then slowly sucked and licked his way down my neck, to my chest, and then to my center. I arched into his delicious, talented mouth.

His soft touches and our quiet laughter healed something inside me that had been scraped raw by my conversation with Marlowe. I came on his tongue as I cried out his name.

Rolling him onto his back, I kissed and licked my way down his chest, and eventually took him into my mouth, repeating what he’d done to me.

A few hours later, Sahara knocked loudly on the bedroom door. “I have food. You need to eat something besides each other,” she called out. I lay sprawled across Conall’s chest, boneless and half-asleep, but I blushed immediately.

“Leave it outside the door,” Conall called back as he stroked my back.

“I made scrambled eggs and toast. Drew’s fielded fourteen calls from different reporters, and Parker wants you to call him when you come up for air. ‘Kay, I’m leaving now. Bye!”

Propping myself up on his chest, I put my chin in my hand. “Life is intruding.”

He brushed my hair back and fingered my white streak. “You called Adrian Marlowe last night, didn’t you?” I wasn’t surprised he knew. After the news conference, Drew and his people were probably monitoring my phone as a safety precaution.

“Yes. Then I took a long, hot shower to scrub off a layer of skin and fell into bed hugging your pillow. I want to figure out how to help Apex’s victims,” I admitted. “I talked to him in return for information.”

“You aren’t responsible for saving everyone, love. Let my Betas and me have this one.”

I nodded, relief sliding through me. “Okay. I’m not too proud to admit he scares me.” He leaned in to kiss along my jaw as I told him about the conversation.

“We discussed this in our Pack Council meetings, and it was one of the few things we all agreed on. Parker blew up the facility yesterday, didn’t he?”