FEARLESS: Alien Sci fi Romance (Invasive Species Control Unit Book 2) Read online

  ‘I think it would be better if I stayed with Carson.’

  Chief Melman shook his head. ‘I’ve given you an order, now follow it.’

  Helen placed her medical bag on the sideboard and pretended to ignore their conversation. She took out a pair of surgical gloves and put them on, snapping the plastic against her skin.

  ‘Don’t think I didn’t notice the muddy handprints on your neck,’ Chief Melman added, his voice dropping to barely a whisper. ‘I’m old, not blind, and I’ll deal with your lack of integrity later. Now get out of here.’

  Blake hesitated for a few seconds, but eventually he turned and walked out without a second glance at the dead body on the floor. He slammed the back door so hard that the entire house seemed to shake from the force.

  ‘I’m sorry about that,’ Chief Melman said to Helen, as she took up a crouched position beside Doctor Malone. She once again took in his battered face, already surmising that after his clothes were removed there would be similar bruises there too. She inspected his hands for defensive wounds and found them lacking, then examined the stitching behind his ear, which was jagged and clumsy.

  ‘He did this to himself,’ she said.

  ‘Are you positive?’

  ‘The angles of the sutures are consistent with someone reaching behind their head.’

  She pressed against the stitching and felt something hard beneath the surface of the skin.

  ‘Any idea what I’m going to find when I open these up?’

  ‘No,’ Chief Melman replied, a little too quickly for her liking which suggested the complete opposite.

  ‘Maybe we should wait until we get him back to the morgue, so I can take greater precautions. It could be organic or hazardous matter beneath his skin.’

  ‘You’re perfectly safe. Just extract whatever is beneath his skin please.’

  Helen took a small, sharp pair of scissors and a pair of pointed tweezers from her bag. She lifted each suture and snipped the cotton. As Malone was already dead, there was no pulsating blood to worry about as she rummaged beneath the skin with her tweezers. She eventually removed a golden square and held it up to the light.

  ‘It looks like a computer chip,’ she said. ‘Why would Doctor Malone stitch this beneath his skin?’

  ‘It’s a GPS tracker - nothing for you to worry about.’

  Helen stood up and rummaged inside her bag for something suitable to hold the microchip. She found several small, empty pill boxes and placed it carefully inside one of them. She put her stethoscope around her neck and closed her bag.

  ‘Does everyone in the ISCU have a tracker beneath their skin?’ she asked.

  ‘Of course not.’

  She heard the siren of an approaching ambulance and looked once more at Doctor Malone’s battered body.

  ‘Don’t you find it strange that he was beaten to death by an intruder who didn’t hurt Carson or take any of her stuff?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Really? Carson doesn’t strike me as the type to stand back and allow someone else to take a battering on her behalf.’

  Chief Melman put his hands on his hips.

  ‘If you have something to say, Doctor Peters - just say it.’

  There was a clear warning tone to his voice, but Helen was fed up with only getting half a story from him.

  ‘I have questions, lots of questions about the team.’

  ‘Such as?’

  ‘What do you really study in your laboratory? What plants or organic matter are able to cause the scars I’ve seen on Carson’s body? And why were your doctor and security guard killed within twenty four hours of each other?’

  Chief Melman inclined his head as he studied her. ‘Maybe the answers to those questions are above your pay-grade.’

  Helen slammed the pill bottle onto the kitchen counter and he didn’t hesitate to snatch it up.

  ‘And maybe you just don’t want to tell me.’

  ‘If my superiors decide you’re a suitable replacement for Doctor Malone, I’ll consider reviewing your clearance level, but until then it’s a need to know basis, and you don’t need to know.’

  4

  Viktor took in the scene before him with barely controlled rage. Carson’s house was surrounded with humans, armed humans in dark clothing, which forced him to rethink his strike. He sniffed the air and another bout of fury ricocheted through his body. Blake’s scent was fading fast, which meant the traitor had already left. Carson was still inside, but to get to her he had to endure the nauseating aroma of desquamater mixed with the overbearing scent of human sweat. If he couldn’t capture Blake and make him answer for his crimes, then he’d steal his mate and interrogate her instead.

  Viktor slipped into the throng of people that were gathered in the street. They rushed about like beetles, snapping photos on their phone. Beetles he would love to squash beneath his boots, given a chance. He hadn’t been close to this many humans before and he battled to control the compulsion to shift into his natural form and run away.

  ‘What’s the plan?’ Brandon asked.

  ‘I want you to head back to the estate and check on Erik.’

  ‘What about you?’

  ‘I’ll follow shortly.’

  From the scowl on his face, it was clear Brandon wasn’t happy with the order, but he knew better than to argue. There was a brief standoff, but eventually he nodded and disappeared into the crowd. Viktor’s bodyguards didn’t like it when he tried to do things on his own, but they always obeyed his commands.

  Viktor wanted to make one final sweep of the perimeter before he left, so he stepped from the pavement into the street, but was forced back again when an ambulance came to a halt across the driveway. The flashing blue lights cast a neon glow across the house as the siren assaulted his sensitive hearing.

  Viktor found himself automatically standing to attention when the front door opened and a woman stepped out. Her scent carried on the breeze: it was a human odour, but not repugnant like all the others. It was sweeter, like jasmine. She carried a briefcase and wore a thigh-length white coat over dark trousers and green top. Her bright red hair was piled on top of her head in some intricate twist and a stethoscope hung around her slim neck. She exchanged a few words with one of the ambulance crew and he watched her throat work as she spoke.

  Even with the distance between them, Viktor’s inner-beast was drawn to the curve of her neck. He could sense the blood pumping through her jugular in a tantalising tempo. Her skin was porcelain white and she had the palest blue eyes he had ever seen. The fact he’d noticed all those things about her in a few seconds, surprised him. He’d never found humans particularly interesting, even after reading their history books and studying political affairs. The fact the woman was now holding his stare with those penetrating blue eyes as she strode towards him, surprised him more so.

  Viktor knew he should walk away for fear of detection or capture, but found himself rooted to the spot. He’d wanted to interrogate a woman and now one had fallen into his lap, so to speak.

  ‘Hello,’ the woman said, as she stopped in front of him. ‘Are you one of Carson’s neighbours?’

  Viktor swallowed down the growl that he knew would come out if he spoke. This night was determined to test his temperament and he clenched and unclenched his hands as he willed himself to ignore the pull of the moon.

  ‘Are you ok?’ she asked, raising one perfectly arched red eyebrow at him and Victor nodded. He felt his body reacting to her closeness; his inner-beast was just as interested in the prey that had presented itself. She reached out and lightly touched his arm, but it felt as if she’d scolded him with hot water and he jerked away.

  ‘Do you need medical attention?’ she coaxed.

  Viktor managed to shake his head, as he exhaled deeply.

  ‘I’m ok. I’m just a little shocked to see an ambulance here. What happened?’

  His voice was gruff, but thankfully he’d won the battle for control. He met her stare and once again felt
a tightening in his chest at the intensity in her pale-blue eyes.

  ‘Should I be worried, doc?’ he asked and she paused, as if deciding how to answer, so he added, ‘I’m only asking for the safety of my children.’

  Her face instantly softened at the mention of children.

  ‘You look as if you can take care of yourself,’ she replied, as her gaze lingered appreciatively over his body. She seemed to like his outward appearance, even though he towered over her smaller frame and could easily crack her skull with one hand. To him, this human form was unnatural. He needed to shift soon, before his blood boiled and he was forced to release his pent up energy in some other way.

  Viktor pushed his hand through his long, dark hair and her eyes followed his movements.

  ‘Is there anything else you can tell me?’ he asked.

  ‘There was a break-in, but the suspect has been apprehended. Your wife and children will be safe in their beds.’

  ‘My wife is dead,’ he said flatly. ‘You don’t usually see an ambulance for a burglary.’

  He wasn’t sure why he said the part about having a dead wife, but the woman brought her hand to her mouth as a genuine stab of remorse crossed her face.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ she said and Viktor inclined his head as he studied her, thinking what a curious creature she was to show that amount of compassion for a stranger.

  ‘Are you a real doctor?’ he asked. The question was lame but for some reason, he wanted to prolong their conversation.

  ‘I am,’ she replied. ‘What gave me away? The briefcase? The white coat?’

  ‘The stethoscope actually.’

  She laughed and Viktor found it to be a pleasant sound.

  ‘Do you think you could give my kids the once over?’ he asked. ‘Just to be on the safe side.’

  She hesitated and looked over her shoulder at Carson’s house.

  ‘I don’t think that’s a good idea, they may still need me here.’

  ‘Hey, that’s ok, don’t worry. I was just thinking how this might affect them. My little girl thought she saw someone lurking in our back garden earlier and was reluctant to go to sleep.’

  ‘Did you notify the police?’

  ‘Not yet. Can’t seem to locate anyone in uniform, which is mighty strange. There are lots of men-in-black types, but no policemen, which is stranger considering there was a break-in. Maybe you can take her statement.’

  ‘I’m not qualified to do that.’

  ‘What if you just spoke to her?’ he cajoled. ‘I’d really appreciate your medical opinion.’

  ‘I suppose I could…’

  Her voice trailed off and Viktor could practically feel her indecision. She was concerned about his fictional children, but apprehensive about abandoning her post. Admirable qualities, especially for a human.

  ‘My house is just across the street. See the one that runs parallel to the trees over there,’ Viktor said, as he gave her what he considered to be a charming smile, which she thankfully returned.

  ‘Ok, I guess I can spare five minutes. For your children’s sake, of course.’

  5

  ‘Where’s Blake?’ Carson asked, as she entered the kitchen and found Tom leaning against the wall with his eyes closed. He opened them as she approached, and she felt a ball of tension settle inside her stomach at the disappointment on his face.

  Shit - he knew about them.

  ‘I sent him ahead of us,’ Tom answered curtly.

  ‘Why?’

  ‘I wanted him to double-check it was safe for you to stay there tonight.’

  ‘Is that the only reason?’

  Tom slid his hands inside the pockets of his trousers. His shoulders were slumped and his dark moustache was downturned, leaving deep lines in his cheeks.

  ‘It’s not the only reason,’ he replied. ‘But I’d rather not have this conversation tonight.’

  ‘I’d rather not have it at all,’ she muttered. She was furious the aliens had invaded her personal space – her home – and she didn’t need a lecture from Tom, but her sullen response sufficed in riling him and he slammed his palm against the kitchen worktop.

  ‘You said you weren’t sleeping with him, damn it.’

  ‘I wasn’t sleeping with him.’

  ‘Don’t lie to me. That was one of our rules, Carson. When you came to live with me, I told you I wouldn’t put up with it.’

  ‘I think you’re forgetting that I don’t live with you anymore. When you asked about Blake a few days ago, our relationship was non-physical, but things changed. I care about him. He cares about me too.’

  Tom’s anger seemed to leave as quickly as it arrived.

  ‘It’s in his nature to care about you, which is why I assigned him as your partner. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.’

  ‘You’ve never wrapped me up in cotton wool before.’

  ‘This is different.’

  ‘I think I love him,’ Carson replied softly, and she realised admitting her feelings wasn’t any easier without Blake in the room. ‘I haven’t loved many people in my life, love leaves you vulnerable, but I want to take a chance on Blake. I thought you’d understand.’

  Tom sighed. ‘I do understand, but he doesn’t deserve you.’

  ‘He’s a good man.’

  ‘You don’t know him, not entirely.’

  ‘I’m no saint, Tom.’

  He looked as if he wanted to say something else, but changed his mind at the last second.

  ‘It’s your decision, but that doesn’t mean I have to support it. If it starts to affect your job, I’ll fire you both. If he hurts you, I’ll kill him.’

  ‘I have no doubt.’

  She kissed him lightly on the cheek.

  ‘I love you too, Tom. You know that, right? I’m grateful for what you did for me. You took me in when no one else wanted me. I owe you.’

  Tom’s eyes watered slightly before he rubbed them.

  ‘You don’t owe me anything. I love you like my daughter, which is why the thought of you falling for a man, especially one like Blake, makes me want to punch him repeatedly in the face until he bleeds.’

  Carson smiled. ‘Don’t do that. I’m rather fond of his face.’

  ‘Your mother would’ve liked him,’ he said begrudgingly. ‘But then again, she did have poor taste in men.’

  He’d said that to make her smile and it worked. Not for the first time, Carson wondered why her mother chose to stay with a man who drank too much and didn’t provide for his family, rather than pursuing a relationship with Tom.

  ‘You said I’m like her, but I can’t remember much about my early childhood. It’s almost as if I’ve blocked those painful memories out. I’m scared I’ll forget her.’

  ‘You can never forget her, Carson. She’s staring back at you every time you look in the mirror. I’m just sorry she’s not here with you instead of me.’

  ‘You’re doing your best.’

  ‘What if my best isn’t good enough? She left strict instructions regarding your future and I’ve managed to fuck them all up.’

  Carson inclined her head. ‘Why did she leave instructions? Did she know she was going to die?’

  ‘No, no, nothing like that. We just used to talk about what she wanted for you, and fighting aliens was not on the list.’

  ‘I don’t remember her getting sick. Only that she was just there one day and dead the next.’

  Tom looked uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation and he looked towards the hallway, as if hoping one of the team would suddenly materialise.

  ‘Can we talk about this later?’ he finally said, when it became apparent no one was coming to his rescue.

  ‘If you want,’ Carson replied. ‘What did Doctor Peters remove from beneath Malone’s skin?’

  ‘A microchip.’

  ‘Did she ask what it was doing there?’

  He nodded. ‘I told her it was a GPS tracker.’

  ‘Didn’t that make her more suspicious?’
/>   ‘Probably, but she doesn’t have the clearance level for me to tell her the truth.’

  ‘Whatever data we find on that chip, Malone did his best to hide from the aliens. Where is it now?’

  Tom reached into his trouser pocket and removed a small pill bottle. It looked like the plastic type that stored aspirin or paracetamol.

  ‘Do you have a headache?’

  ‘No. Doctor Peters put the microchip in here for safe keeping.’

  He shook the bottle and then frowned.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ she asked.

  He twisted the lid, which made it click. He repeated the movement over and over, growing more frustrated with each failure.

  ‘Damn child lock,’ he growled. ‘Open this.’

  Carson took the bottle and pushed down on the lid until it clicked. She twisted and removed the lid, and then shook the bottle, expecting the microchip to fall into her palm.

  ‘It’s empty,’ she said, and Tom’s eyes widened in surprise before a grim expression of realisation set in.

  ‘That damn woman. She switched the bottle. Find her.’

  6

  ‘I can’t believe you lied to me, you bastard.’

  Helen twisted and turned, as she tried to loosen the bonds at her hands and feet. The sack over her head was stifling and caused beads of sweat to roll down her forehead.

  ‘Let me go,’ she yelled. ‘Let me go.’

  She kicked out blindly and heard a satisfying grunt as her toe connected with a part of her kidnapper’s body. She took the opportunity to roll away, but being in complete darkness left her with no perception of an escape route. She’d already lost her bag and stethoscope, but her phone was still in her pocket.

  If only she could reach it.

  ‘Not so fast, doc.’

  Two steel-like arms grabbed her and lifted her from the ground. She was thrown over what she assumed was a shoulder and let out a grunt of pain. Her head dangled downwards and gravity caused the sack to slip slightly, which gave her a much needed breath of fresh air.