Lucius pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. “I’m going to regret this. I just know it. Fine, Jordan. He’s all yours.”

  Kelly held up a hand. “As much as I would love whatever opportunity Dr. Skye is proposing, I’m, uh, a little concerned about the risking my life part.” It was a valid concern, wasn’t it? “I may have heard most, if not all of your conversation.”

  Lucius narrowed his eyes at him. Perhaps his concern was not valid.

  “I don’t suppose I have a say in this?”

  Both men replied simultaneously. “No.”

  “Oh. Okay.” Kelly cleared his throat. “Just checking.”

  “Starting tomorrow, you’ll be working with Dr. Skye.” Lucius stepped up to Kelly and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Whatever happens, whatever you see, remember who you are.” He prodded Kelly’s chest over his heart. “Here. You’re strong. You can do this.” With a curt nod, he started to turn when something occurred to him. “Oh, and if you utter one word about what you saw in here, I will crush you.”

  “Right. Got it.” Kelly held a hand up in promise. “Not a word.” He might not be the shiniest beaker in the set, but he wasn’t a total dipstick.

  “He’s really just a big softie,” Jordan offered cheerfully as soon as Lucius was out of earshot. Whatever Jordan was selling, Kelly wasn’t buying it, especially when it concerned Lucius.

  “A crowbar to the face is technically softer than a space station landing on you,” Kelly muttered.

  Jordan chuckled. “Come on. I’ll explain everything.”

  Kelly’s gut told him he should politely decline Jordan’s offer and run for the hills, but his stubborn side was desperate to find out what had Jordan and Lucius at odds. What was so important they’d risk their lives? There was only one way to find out. Kelly motioned to the door.

  “Lead us to our doom, doctor.”

  Chapter Three

  So far, doom included sitting on a quaint little nanoglass bench on the Society’s landscaped roof terrace. Kelly had to admit it was an impressive view of the city, especially at this time of night. So much had changed over the last few decades. Cities were now an amalgamation of historic buildings and gleaming nanoglass skyscrapers illuminated by reusable energy. In the evening, the nanoparticles blanketing the heavens came to life and filled the skies with transmitted ads, news, and other information. It had caused many problems at first, such as a severe increase in traffic accidents, but much like the age of walking up the left side of the escalator and standing on the right, people eventually got the hang of it.

  Jordan sat in silence as he watched the ads in the sky. Maybe Kelly should break the ice.

  “Things were kind of heavy between you and Lucius back there.”

  Jordan’s face went red, and he laughed shyly, his gaze on his hands. “Lucius isn’t usually so forward with his affections. Not in public anyway. He’s much more adventurous at home.”

  Oh God, he did not need to hear about his mentor’s sex life. Jordan’s embarrassed expression almost made up for the horrific images planted in Kelly’s head. Almost.

  “Oh, you meant the, um, argument, not the, uh, kissing part. Of course you did. Apologies.”

  “No problem,” Kelly murmured. “Maybe we should get to the… thing.”

  “Yes, of course. I’ve been involved with Project Mars for over fifteen years now.” Jordan shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Some time ago, I began having… doubts. This project hasn’t turned out at all as I expected, and my concerns grow by the day.” Jordan’s voice became hushed as he leaned closer. “Over the course of the last six months, I’ve noticed irregularities in the program, certain inconsistencies and information pertaining to departments not on the original dossier. I’m sure you’ve noticed something similar in your findings?”

  “Yes!” Kelly almost jumped out of his seat, startling Jordan. “Sorry. I got a little excited there. I noticed, but Lucius wouldn’t allow me to investigate.”

  “He was trying to protect you,” Jordan assured him.

  “That’s what he told me.” He felt guilty now that he knew Lucius really had been doing it to protect him and not to stunt his career. Kelly just wished they’d tell him what they were trying to protect him from.

  “Kelly, we’ve been using cellular engineering to create the most advanced bionanotechnology in existence. The answer to expanding human life. I brought up these anomalies with the Society director, and he instructed I continue without question. As I was leaving his office, he received a visit from the director general. I suspect the government is at play here, and they’re purposefully keeping vital information from us.”

  “You’re telling me Project Mars was commissioned by the government?” The implications of what Jordan was telling him were staggering. “Jesus, no wonder Lucius is pissed off. If this project belongs to the government and you’re poking around where you shouldn’t…” This was bad. Very bad. He had a feeling it was about to get a whole lot worse. “Where do I come in on all this?” He probably shouldn’t have asked.

  “I will get to the truth of the matter, but I need your help to do it.”

  Yep, he definitely wished he hadn’t asked.

  “This is crazy. You’re asking me to help you destroy my career or possibly get me killed,” Kelly whispered hoarsely. He shouldn’t even be sitting here. Blood, sweat, and tears had gotten him this internship, and now Jordan was asking him to throw it all away. For what? A hunch? The need to expose a possible government conspiracy? Kelly wasn’t so naïve as to believe the higher-ups did nothing but sit around in their cushy chairs behind their desks drinking cognac and sharing hunting stories. Interning for scientific institutes often resulted in him overhearing things he wished he hadn’t. Despite the advancement in technology, the world was hardly a fluffy, handholding, marshmallow-roasting place. Was Jordan out of his mind? “Whatever it is, I can’t—”

  “Please, don’t make any decisions until you’ve seen Project Mars for yourself.”

  This was insane. Kelly let out a sigh. “Dr. Skye—”

  “Call me Jordan.” Jordan placed his hand over Kelly’s. Not awkward at all.

  How could he even consider it? Then again, all Jordan was asking him to do was look at the project. That’s all. He could do that much for Jordan. And then say no.

  “Okay.”

  “Great. Let’s go.” Jordan stood and sprinted for the door. The guy was kind of scary when he was on a mission.

  “Wait. Now?” Kelly looked at his watch. “It’s almost midnight.” Not that anyone would question him being at the Society at this hour, especially if he was in Jordan’s company. A good many of the scientists stayed until the wee hours of the morning, some even spending the night. Receiving no response, Kelly briskly followed Jordan downstairs.

  Nearing the Biotech wing, Kelly did his best to calm his nerves. He had no idea what he’d find on the other side of the expansive steel door. Most of the building was made of glass, except for the biotech wing. What were they keeping in there that had to be hidden behind reinforced nanograde steel?

  Jordan placed his fingerprints on the nanogel screen, and the door swished open to reveal a small corridor and yet another steel door. Really?

  Kelly gave a snort. “Who are they trying to keep out?”

  “Actually, it’s who they’re trying to keep in.”

  Kelly was opening his mouth to speak when the door opened, revealing what appeared to be living quarters. If Jordan was lead scientist on this, it would make sense he spent most of his time at the lab, though his mention of Lucius’s behavior at home had given Kelly the impression the two lived together outside the lab.

  A tall, muscular, broad-shouldered man dressed in a charcoal-gray three-piece suit and matching tie entered the room. His hair was black and cropped, his jaw chiseled, and his eyes a strange bright amber.

  “What the…?”

  Who the hell was this guy? Kelly had never seen him before. He definitely would have remembered. Whoever he was, he looked annoyed. He stood in the center of the room scowling at them.

  “You’re late,” the man said to Jordan, his voice a deep growl.

  “My apologies. I’m here now.”

  Jordan motioned to another unmarked steel door. Was he not going to introduce Kelly to their suited friend? Was he security? He didn’t look like a scientist. More like some sleek Fortune 500 executive who spent one too many nights at the gym to impress his clients. He was handsome, and he carried himself tall and exuded confidence. Or was that arrogance? Either way, Kelly was about to ask when the steel door opened, revealing some sort of training facility.

  Wait, were they in the Project Mars wing, or had Kelly stumbled onto the Society’s secret spa? Jordan removed his jacket and hung it neatly on one of the metal hooks to the right of the entrance. He rolled up his sleeves and removed his shoes. To Kelly’s befuddlement, Suit-guy did the same. Several black mats were spread across the floor, along with all kinds of isometric and biometric endurance equipment. Various moving holographic rods hung from the ceiling, a number of them lighting up when Jordan and Suit-guy stepped onto one of the mats to face each other.

  Hold up. Were these two going to fight? One rod flickered to life, projecting information rapidly until it blinked once and stopped on Jordan’s profile. It listed everything from his height to his current heart rate. Kelly turned to the second holographic display and froze.

  MARS.

  As in… Project Mars?

  Was this guy somehow involved in the project? Maybe he was the one in charge or the brains behind the whole thing. Before Kelly could give it another thought, Suit-guy attacked Jordan. A gasp caught in Kelly’s throat. He was about to run to Jordan’s aid when the doctor retaliated.

  Holy shit. The doctor could fight. Not just fight, he was holding his own against Suit-guy’s assault. Jordan ducked and parried. He rolled under one of Suit-guy’s fists before breaking into a run toward one of the walls. He hit it with his fist, and something clicked. Two panels opened, revealing shelving with more weapons than Kelly had ever seen in his life, and considering how many action movies he’d watched in his lifetime, that said something.

  Jordan swiped up a knife and came at Suit-guy, who deflected each of Jordan’s intended blows. The two continued their close-quarter combat until Suit-guy slammed his hand into Jordan’s chest, knocking him off his feet. Kelly flinched when Jordan landed harshly on his back. To his horror, Suit-guy snatched up the knife and lunged at Jordan.

  “No!”

  Kelly was darting forward when Jordan threw a hand out, his sharp order resonating through the room.

  “Kelly!”

  Both Kelly and Suit-guy stopped in their tracks. Without hesitation, Suit-guy dropped the knife and stood at attention. Kelly froze to the spot, his heart about to beat out of him. He stared at Suit-guy standing ramrod straight, his gaze forward at nothing in particular, his expression unreadable.

  “Oh God.” Kelly’s head shot up, and he stared at the projected information. “Tell me I’m wrong. Tell me that’s—” Kelly thrust a hand out at Suit-guy, his attention now on Jordan. “Tell me that’s not Project Mars. And what the hell was all that? Since when can you fight?”

  Jordan wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. “Since I joined Her Majesty’s Territorial Army. It was some time ago.” He walked up to Kelly and smiled. “Allow me to make the proper introductions. Dr. Kelly Sutton, this is Mars. Mars, this is Dr. Sutton.”

  This was so much worse than he thought.

  Project Mars was… human. A bioengineered human being. Shit.

  Chapter Four

  Mars—who hadn’t broken a sweat during his sparring—turned and bowed gracefully in front of Kelly. As if this whole encounter hadn’t been strange enough, Mars reached out and took hold of Kelly’s hand. He placed it to his lips for a kiss.

  “What… what are you doing? What is he doing?” Kelly asked dumbly.

  Jordan scratched his head, his expression apologetic. “He, um, likes old movies.”

  “I don’t follow.” What did old movies have to do with a scientific project kissing his hand?

  “You know, in those old Hollywood movies the handsome hero kisses the pretty girl’s hand in greeting.” Was that amusement in Jordan’s eyes?

  “So now I’m a pretty girl?” Kelly’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline. That was news to him.

  “Never mind. You’ll understand soon enough.”

  “Sure.” Thankfully, Mars released him. “Why did he stop when you said my name?”

  “Actually, the Kelly is for Gene Kelly. Singin’ in the Rain is Mars’s favorite movie.”

  “Of course it is.” Was Jordan messing with him? Maybe this was a joke. Prank the intern day. He half expected Lucius to pop out from behind the grenade launcher shouting, “Gotcha!”

  Jordan turned to Mars and smiled warmly. “Why don’t you go shower and get ready for bed. I’ll be along shortly.”

  Mars nodded before he gave Kelly a bow. “Excuse me.” Then he walked off as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

  What was going on? Kelly gasped. “Am I in a medically induced stasis? Did biotech blow up in my face? Was there a contamination? A breakout?” Kelly’s legs felt shaky. “There was a breakout, wasn’t there? I’m in stasis imagining Project Mars is some hot guy in a suit who watches old musicals and kisses the hands of pretty girls.”

  “You’re not in stasis. I needed you to see for yourself. Mars was created to help us extend and advance human life. As it turns out, he’s so much more.”

  Kelly frowned. That didn’t make any sense. “Then why is he trained for combat?” Should he bring up his concern regarding Jordan referring to Mars as a he?

  “Tell me something, Kelly.” Jordan ushered him out of the facility and into what looked like a rather sparsely decorated living room. Against one white wall was a gray L-shaped couch with fluffy white throw pillows, in the center of the room a white accent rug, and on the far wall a huge glass panel screen. “What’s the first word that comes to mind when you think of what you just saw in there?”

  That was easy. “Military.”

  Jordan’s smile frightened Kelly. “Fantastic. We’re on the same page. When I questioned the Society director, I was told the training was merely to test the extent of Mars’s endurance and physical capabilities.”

  That made sense. Kind of. Not really. Someone was definitely covering something up.

  Jordan took a seat on the couch and patted the cushion beside him. Kelly hesitantly obliged. He shouldn’t be here, and he sure as hell shouldn’t get involved in whatever downward spiral Jordan had gotten himself caught up in. Kelly liked Jordan—he really did—but the man was wading into the deep end with an anchor tied to his waist, and he was going to drag Kelly down with him.

  “Mars was never supposed to have become sentient.”

  “I hate to break it to you, Jordan, but insentient beings don’t care much for Gene Kelly. Or anything else for that matter.”

  “Originally, the Project Mars directive was to create an advanced being for study. All that was required was the biological aspect, not the neurological one. There were side effects, and Mars developed into a sentient human being, yet no one involved will acknowledge this. As if they’ve been sworn to silence.”

  Or are scared shitless. Kelly understood why no one was going against protocol. He braced himself.

  “I need you to stay here with Mars and look after him.”

  And there it was.

  “Jordan, I—”

  “Just listen. Please. Every day tests need to be run and the results documented, or security will know something is wrong. It’s a tap of the screen. Mars knows his schedule, but he needs to be supervised. I’ve taught him as much as I could over the years without the others suspecting it was my doing. The rest he’s learned on his own when he’s been permitted to connect to the network.”

  There was something Jordan wasn’t telling him. “If it’s that simple, why can’t someone else babysit the multibillion-credit supersoldier?”

  “Mars has come to resent the others due to how they treat him. They poke and prod him as if he can’t feel. They talk about him as if he can’t hear them, writing off his behavior as simply corrupted programming. Mars won’t allow anyone near him unless I’m present.”

  “Why would he let me near him if you’re not here? We’ve only just met.” Jordan’s cringe didn’t bode well. Oh, this was just getting better and better. “What did you do?”

  “I may have allowed him to observe you.”

  “Observe me? What does that mean?”

  “While he was watching Singin’ in the Rain for the umpteenth time, I mentioned I knew someone also named Kelly. Mars was very curious. I may have tapped into the security feed and allowed him to watch you go about your day. After a few minutes, he refused to disconnect. He was… engrossed. Watching you made him smile. That had never happened before. Last week he asked if he could meet you.”

  “I don’t even know where to begin with everything that’s wrong with what you said. How long did he watch me?”

  “Eight months.”

  “Eight months?” Kelly rubbed his hands over his face. Leave. He could walk out the door and pretend none of this ever happened. Then you’d be just like the rest of them. Damn his conscience. “You let him watch me for eight months? That’s wrong, Jordan. So very wrong.” A thought occurred to him, and he felt his face flush. “When exactly did he watch me?”

  Jordan shrugged. “In the mornings while you had breakfast and caught the tube to work. Around the lab. In the evenings while you ordered takeout and watched TV.”

  Wow, his life was riveting.

  “Nothing private,” Jordan added, attempting to soften the blow. It didn’t.

  “It’s all private!” Kelly tried to calm himself. Okay, maybe his life wasn’t so private at work, but the rest was. He’d been watched for eight months? Granted, there were cameras all over the city of New London, but that was for security, and like most people, Kelly tended to forget the cameras were there. It was different. Jordan had purposefully allowed some nanoengineered supersoldier to watch him.