Cats Meow (5 page)

Micah had known she was a special lady.
Becca’s response to this insanity proved it. He shifted their positions, turned
so he could see her expressive face. He wanted to give her answers, but he had
a few questions of his own. Important questions.

“We’ll talk about that later.”

His thoughts wandered to the night they’d
shared, as they often did. Becca sparked a strong emotional response in him.
She made him want things he’d run from in the past. He wanted to wake up
holding her every morning. For a man who never spent the entire night with any
woman that was a big step. He longed to know everything about her. What made
her happy or sad. Her dreams and ambitions. Her heart’s desires.

“Why did you walk out on me?”

He didn’t have to spell it out. Judging from
her body language, she knew what he was talking about. She flinched and lowered
her gaze to her hands, which she twisted in her lap. Her response reminded him
of how her confidence had faltered after she’d sucked his cock dry. At first,
blinded by pleasure, he hadn’t recognized the signs. Later, when he’d thought
back, he put the pieces together. She didn’t put much stock in her sex appeal
or prowess. This was the perfect opportunity to give her a boost.

“Becca.” With the tips of his fingers, he
tilted her chin up, forcing her to make eye contact. “When I woke up alone, I
was devastated. I’d thought we really connected, and I wanted more time with
you. More
of
you.”

“You did?”

Her voice was soft and uncertain. Micah felt
the deep primal compulsion to hunt down whatever asshole had shaken her
confidence and beat the living hell out of him.

“Damn, woman. You’re so hot, sexy and
passionate you nearly burned me alive. You’re all I’ve been able to think about
since that night. I can’t sleep, my concentration has been shot. When you
walked through that door, regardless of this fucked-up mess, I had an instant
hard-on.”

“Really?”

This time her voice was stronger, and her
pouty lips curved up in the stunning smile that had lingered in his mind while
they were apart.

“Mmm…if there were no cameras…” He sucked in a
hard breath. “Damn, baby. We’d be reenacting that night down to the last,
delicious detail. But I’m feeling very possessive. I don’t want anyone else to
see your gorgeous body. It’s mine!”

She snuggled against his side, rested her head
on his chest and held him close. “For now, all I need is for you to hold me.
Please hold me, Micah.”

I’ll never let you go!
He left that unsaid for the time being.

“I’ve got you.” There was a slight catch in
his voice as unfamiliar, tender feelings swamped him. While he wouldn’t wish
being trapped in the lab on his worst enemy, he was glad to have Becca there.
With her by his side, he had a reason to fight and a chance of actually making
it out alive.

“We’ll get through this together.” He didn’t
make the promise lightly. Regardless of what it took, he intended to make it
happen. And he wouldn’t let her slip through his fingers again. They’d walk
away from this side by side.

Chapter Five

Rebecca figured she spent close to two hours locked
up in the cell with Micah before the security guards, casting wary glances in
his direction, finally released her. She’d come to the decision that if she was
going to be of any help him, she had to gather information. This meant spending
at least a little time with Weltman, the crooked jerk. His total lack of morals
and ethics disgusted her.

She figured he’d left her in with Micah for a
baptism by fire. Let her get over the shock by seeing firsthand what they were
dealing with since messing with his DNA. There really was no way to prepare for
something no one has ever dealt with before.

“Rebecca…may I call you Rebecca?”

You already have.

She bit back the sarcastic reply and pasted on
a phony smile. “Certainly,
Gabe
.”

He patted her shoulder and directed her to a
steel door with a digital plaque bearing her name. Next to the door was a
handprint scanner. She placed her hand on the panel and a few seconds later the
door slid open to reveal an ultra-modern workspace.

She shivered, the coldness of the room having
a profound effect on her. Front and center sat a crescent-shaped, frosted glass
desk with steel legs. At the center of the desk was a thin flat-panel computer
monitor, stationed between a sleek phone and an adjustable gooseneck lamp.
Everything was shiny silver. The windowless walls and tile floor were pure
white. Stainless steel cabinets lined the back wall, several with frosted glass
doors. The only bit of color came from a silk bird of paradise placed atop one
of the cabinets.

Weltman edged around her to gauge her
reaction, anticipation brightening his features. “I hope you like it?”

“I’m stunned,” she answered honestly. “It’s
so…”

“Elegant,” he supplied. “I know. I picked it
out with you in mind. I think it suits you.”

Elegant was not the right description. Cold,
sterile—those fit. And he thought it would appeal to her? Not in a million
years. She preferred warm colors, living plants and natural wood.

“I…uh, thank you.”

She had to fight back a shudder of revulsion
as his hand came to rest at the small of her back and he guided her around the
desk. He didn’t remove his hand or give her any space when they stopped before
the computer screen. Instead he moved closer, breaching her personal
boundaries.

“The subject’s medical files have been
uploaded onto your computer. My office, cell and home numbers are programmed
into the phone.” He handed her a business card with numbers written on the
back. “My numbers are on here. You can call me anytime, Rebecca.” His voice
dropped to a whispery, intimate tone. “Anything you need…or want…I’m here for
you. Day or night. I will provide everything you could possibly desire.”

Ewww, he’s coming on to me.

If she judged correctly by his gray hair and
wrinkles the man was old enough to be her father. At least the files being on
the computer limited how long she’d have to suffer through his creepy presence.

Desperate to put some distance between them
without insulting her new boss, she pulled out the chair and plopped down. She
had to tread carefully. She didn’t want to piss him off and get fired. Then
she’d be separated from Micah, having no idea what was happening to him. That
was unacceptable.

“Thank you, Mr. Weltman.” Still, she used his
last name as a barrier to make the interaction less intimate and bring the
conversation back to work.

“I’ll require keys to the holding cell.” She
had to get Micah out of here, and a plan began to take shape. She’d prove the
laboratory setting would impede any potential for progress. During her time off
she’d find someplace safe to take him. It didn’t have to be far away, only
private. Not her leased house though. It had to be a place her employer didn’t
know about.

This delicate balancing act would have to be
handled with extreme care. She took a deep breath and plunged ahead, praying it
would work. It had to work, for both their sakes. “The files will be helpful,
but I’ll have to work with the subject one-on-one.”

Weltman’s face hardened. “The subject is
unpredictable and dangerous. Security must remain tight.”

She held up a hand, cutting him off. “You
hired me because of my expertise with Felidae. Fortunately for Nanotech, I also
have a good grasp of human behavior.”

In for a penny…

“It is my professional opinion that what you
hope to accomplish is not achievable with him under duress.” She took a
calculated risk, introducing the idea of letting him out of the cell. “For
Micah to gain control over the animal, he has to feel comfortable, relaxed.
That won’t happen with armed guards standing watch. And for the lion to comply,
his ingrained need for open spaces must be met.”

The color drained from Weltman’s face. “You
can’t be suggesting taking him outside the facility…by yourself.”

Rebecca squared her shoulders and lifted her
chin. “He will not harm me. I am more than capable of managing both the man and
the lion. The security officers gave me a supply of tranquilizers and a Taser
should they become necessary, which is doubtful.” She held up the business
card. “I can also call you at any time I need assistance.”

“Yes, the subject seemed very protective
toward you, but—”

She held up her hand again. “This is
non-negotiable. If you want me to work with him, assist him in adapting, then
it’s on my terms. Otherwise the whole thing will be a wasted effort.”

Weltman rubbed his chin and stared into her eyes,
considering what she’d said. Rebecca had to remind herself to breathe. Her
heart skipped a beat as she awaited his answer.

“Fine, go into the cell alone. Not outside
though. For your own safety, I must insist a minimum of two guards accompany
you outside. They will maintain a bit of distance and not intrude unless
necessary, but you will stay within sight at all times. I’m not willing to put
you at such risk without backup. I’ll talk to the techs and have a shock collar
put on him for everyone’s safety.”

She nodded, satisfied with the conditions. She
would have agreed to a lot more to get Micah out of the horrible cell. “Thank
you.”

Weltman raked a hand through his hair and blew
out a hard breath. She knew he was readjusting his perception of her. She took
a chance by allowing him a glimpse of the iron-clad determination she’d
disguised up until that point.

“I’ll want written progress reports twice a
week.”

She bit the inside of her cheek to suppress a
triumphant grin. “Agreed.”

He watched her for another long moment before
moving to the door. “I’ll have the security captain bring a set of keys. Let me
know when you want to take the subject outside so he can be prepared.”

She understood his intention and addressed the
situation before it could happen. “I don’t want him sedated. Doing so would
defeat the purpose.”

Weltman stiffened. “Then he doesn’t leave the
cell.” His tone was inexorable.

She opened her mouth to protest but he
continued speaking.

“Lasiter has not been outside since the
injection and we don’t know how he will react or if he’ll be able to control
the lion. I will not risk the safety of my staff should he be unable to contain
the urge to hunt. He won’t be knocked out, but he will be given a mild sedative
for the first attempt.”

She realized he would not budge and conceded
the point. “Fine.”

In an attempt to soothe his ruffled feathers,
Rebecca turned on the charm. She flashed what she hoped was a flirty smile.
“Thank you, Gabe. I’m looking forward to working with you on this project.”

His smile returned and some of the tension
surrounding them eased. “Perhaps you’ll join me for dinner one evening?”

Oh, ick!

Her quick nod seemed to seal the deal for him
and Weltman hummed as he finally left the office. She hadn’t agreed, not
really. And Rebecca had no intention of going out with him.

Once alone, she opened the files and began
skimming through the ingredients of the DNA cocktail that had been injected
into Micah’s blood and bone marrow. The advancements Nanotech’s scientists had
made with the Predator Project were truly amazing. Shame they were done without
ethics or morals.

By circumventing standard protocols and
restrictions for genetic research they had zoomed far ahead of the competition.
Through discoveries made in the quest to find a cure for cancer they had
stumbled upon a particular combination of synthetic and animal DNA, along with
a reliable method of insertion. The procedure they developed resulted in a
binding of the new recombinant DNA in a human subject, successfully modifying
genes that would normally reject such an incompatible pairing.

Her hand shook as she clicked the mouse,
paging through the information. Her field was not genetics but she felt fairly
certain Nanotech had been close to reaching their initial goal—a cure for
cancer. That was before Weltman had narrowed the focus to one particular
element, which had resulted in going off on a wild tangent. Weltman’s notes on
his vision of creating a stronger breed of human soldiers had every fine hair
on her body standing on end.

To know a man of Weltman’s vast resources and
greed possessed not only the means but also the key to altering the human race
terrified her. The man was certifiable.

Anxious to see Micah, she had a difficult time
concentrating. Rebecca shut down the computer and headed for the security
office to get the keys. She had to force herself to take it slow and not run
down the hallway. Even though she could view the camera aimed at his cell each
moment away from him, she worried about how he was being treated.

The outer door of the security room opened
with a muted
swish
and her eyes immediately sought out the monitors.
Agitated, Micah paced back and forth before the cell bars, looking every inch
the restless, caged predator.

“Better get a tranq gun ready if you’re going
in. Looks like Freak Show’s gonna have to be knocked out again.”

She couldn’t remember the idiot guard’s name.
He didn’t even bother turn around, obviously assuming a coworker had entered
the small room.

“That won’t be necessary.” She spoke in a
commanding tone, standing firm and sure, mimicking her father when addressing
his troops. “However, it is critical to your future employment that you adjust
your attitude, and do it fast!”

“Dr. Southerby.” The
guard scrambled from the chair and stood at attention. “Ma’am, I didn’t see you
there.”

Micah had told her most of the guards were
ex-military. From his attitude and stance there was no doubt this man had
served. His military training would prompt his submission to her authority. At
least that worked in her favor. “What’s your name?”

“Anderson. Tom Anderson.”

“I’m going to be watching you, Anderson. If
I find even one scratch on Micah Lasiter, you’ll be answering to me.” She gave
him her hardest, most intimidating glare. “Is that clear?”

“Ma’am. Yes ma’am.”

“Good.” She’d almost expected him to snap
off a salute. “Now, my keys?”

He placed a plain metal ring bearing two
keys into her open palm.

“Thank you.” She glanced around, taking in
the state-of-the-art monitoring equipment, somewhat surprised to realize there
was no sound. “I take it the cells are not wired for audio surveillance?”

“No, ma’am. We only ever used the cells to
secure the unstable subjects before termination.” He shivered. “None of us
wanted to hear those horrible cries any more than necessary. There wasn’t any
reason to have sound, but if you think—”

She raised a hand, silencing him. “No,
that’s fine. I prefer to keep written notes of my work with the subject instead
of recordings.” Referring to Micah as “the subject” rankled but it was necessary
to follow Weltman’s example when dealing with his men.

“What about the procedure rooms? Are there
disks from the subject’s treatments available that I can watch?”

“That depends. The procedure rooms are set
up with recording equipment but it does not run continually. There will only be
documentation if someone activated the equipment. Any footage on Lasiter will
be accessible through his electronic records.”

“Thanks for all your help, Anderson. I’ll
be counting on you to make sure nothing happens to the subject. He’s very
important to the project. No more tranquilizers unless I give the okay. And no
procedures without my expressed approval. Everything concerning the subject now
goes through me. Clear?”

“Yes ma’am.”

As she left the office and made her way to
the cell, Rebecca said a silent thank you to her father. Her mother had died
when she was a toddler. She’d grown up surrounded by military men. The general
had not only taught her how to hold her own with powerful men, but how to
command their respect. The lessons in fighting and tactics that had seemed
frivolous were now coming in handy.

Micah stilled when she approached the cell
and remained silent as she unlocked the door. The loud clang as it closed
behind her echoed around them. She quickly filled him in on what she’d learned
so far.

“The security equipment is top-notch.
Palm-print readers control most of the doors. From what I saw in the security
room the only places not actively monitored are within individual offices.
Every hallway, door and window is wired and carefully watched. The other
subjects are housed along the same corridor in dormitory-type rooms instead of
cells.”

“At first, so was I. They moved me here
after I shifted the first time.”

She nodded. “They do not have the cell
wired for sound, so unless a guard is in the immediate area, we’re free to
talk.”

“Good,” Micah sighed.