Page 101 of Trigger Happy Ending

“Who else knows about this?”

“Just you at the moment. But I'll be transparent with you. I'm also showing this to Alex.”

Well, he won’t be a problem. Not that Carson knows that Alex is now fish food.

“You want a bidding war, huh?”

Carson's lips curl, but he doesn't answer me.

I glance back at the paused frame. The soldier stands over two bodies, his eyes dark, almost inhumane.

“What happens to them?” I ask, nodding towards the screen. “Are there any side effects?”

“That’s the beauty. It’s permanent. They become the change.”

A thought occurs to me, out of the blue. I'm no scientist, but if they become the change … “And if they procreate?”

Carson grins. “Now you’re catching on, son. Imagine the power from a purebred, second-generation.”

The yacht rocks gently in silence while I purposely let a few moments pass. I want Carson to see me process the information, the scale of it all. What this could mean to paramilitaries, militias … Hell, even black op programs. Un-killable soldiers? That shits priceless for the likes of certain organizations.

“If I source a buyer, how long will it take to arrange delivery?”

“Not much of a wait.”

“Where is it?”

“In New York. Safe and secure.” Carson stands and drifts to the window. “You’ve got seventy-two hours, Lukas. I’ll keep Alex at bay until then.”

“Appreciate it,” I reply, standing. I’m about to leave when I ask, “What about the Agency’s geneticist? Why didn’t they create more?”

I don't know why I ask it, but I figure the more information I can glean from Carson, the better.

“How the fuck should I know?” He claps once. “Alright, we’re done here. Talk to your people.”

“I will. Thanks.”

“Go have some fun this morning, Lukas. You like watersports?”

“Sure.”

“Why don’t you take your girl and hop on one of the jet skis?”

That’s actually a fine idea. We can talk confidentially without anyone lurking, eavesdropping on our conversations. Because Raine and I have a lot to talk about. The serum, the Agency’s involvement, and what we’re going to do when this is all over.

Plus, I get to see her in a swimsuit.

Chapter 44

Soren

Ithrottle back, cutting the jet ski engine. There’s nothing but silence, save for the soft lap of water against the hull of the jet ski. Golden Wave is a speck in the distance, a gleaming white blip on an endless stretch of ocean.

“That was actually fun!” Raine’s arms are wrapped around my waist, her chest flush to my back, chin resting on my shoulder. Her voice, normally low and sultry, is laced with excitement, like a giddy teenager. “Same sort of thrill you get from a bike, except, you know, wetter.”

“Funny that.”

She laughs, playfully slapping me on the shoulder.