“I am.” A satisfied smile lit the woman’s flawless face.
“Why use such knowledge to harm young boys?” Something in her needed to understand. How could monsters truly live among them?
“Harm?” Madison frowned. “No, we didn’t harm them. We enhanced them. We made them the ultimate males, the ultimate fighters.” Her eyes sparked. “I made them incredible.”
Anger tightened Josie’s jaw. “You experimented on them. Like lab rats.”
Madison shrugged. “Of course I experimented. We gave them the best genetics possible and then enhanced those. Before using behavioral techniques to train them as they grew.”
“Aren’t you concerned?” Josie frowned, truly trying to get into the crazy doctor’s head.
“Concerned? That they’ll come after me, not understanding?” Madison shook her head.
“No. Concerned that God will be pissed you’re trying to be Him.” Growing up in foster care had given her a fundamental view of God and death, but it was one she believed in. “As a scientist, you have to be open to possibilities, to what-ifs. What if God exists and is seriously pissed at you, Dr. Madison?”
Madison lifted her chin. “If God exists, He can share space with me.”
Okay, the chick was crazy. No chance of reasoning with her. Time for action. Josie lunged forward, tackling the doctor around her midsection.
Madison pivoted, almost casually slamming her elbow down on Josie’s spine. Pain racked Josie, and she dropped to one knee. Her mind buzzed. Her central nervous system fired.
The door opened. “What the hell?” A hulking soldier stalked inside and grabbed Josie’s arms to toss her back into the recliner. She bounced against the hard leather before settling into place, her ears ringing.
Madison giggled like a little girl. “I’ve lived with soldiers for the last thirty years, dear. I can fight.”
The man stepped back, his gaze calculating. “This is Shane’s woman?”
“Yes.”
His gaze ran down her form, and Josie fought a shiver. Silver hair blended with brown in his razor-sharp crew cut. He stood at about six foot two and was packed hard, his muscles clearly visible through the soldier uniform.
Josie took a deep breath. “I assume you’re the commander?”
He lifted a graying eyebrow over nearly black eyes. “You’ve heard of me.”
“My husband plans to kill you.” Nothing existed behind those too dark eyes. No emotion, no spark. Pure evil.
“I would certainly like to see him try.” The commander stood at attention, his gaze dropping to her breasts and back up. “Do you think Shane mellowed out, or do you think that pretty face hides a wildcat in bed?”
Madison giggled. “I think Shane decided to slum it for a while. Though she might be worth some fun for you.” She cut him a sly grin. “So long as I get to watch.”
Bile swirled in Josie’s stomach. “You make me sick.”
Madison slid her hand down the commander’s arm and ignored Josie’s statement. “We should videotape her time here to give to Shane. I always figured there’d be a way to break him.”
The commander nodded. “That’s a good idea.” He glanced at his watch. “We need to capture him first.” Stepping forward, the commander grabbed Josie’s jaw and tilted her head up with calloused fingers. “Who’s with Shane?”
She yanked her head back, pain cascading through her jaw as he held tight. “Fuck you.”
His grip tightened. Agony exploded behind her eyeballs. But she held his gaze.
He smiled, a slow anticipation of a grin. “Breaking you might be as fun as breaking Shane.” With one final squeeze that had her seeing stars, he released her. A knock sounded on the door.
The commander opened the heavy metal door and allowed Tom entry. “Put her somewhere safe and meet me in the control room to call Shane.” He left without a backward glance.
Tom settled his stance. He’d changed into tan silk pants, Italian loafers, and a dark Armani shirt—and he’d slicked his hair back. He glanced at Dr. Madison, his eyes warming. “Do I get her or not?”
Madison shrugged. “Sure. I haven’t had any more luck using your genetic material than I have with the Gray brothers, but what the hell. Let’s give it a shot.” She grabbed her file and flounced to open the door. “Get her settled in and meet me in the commander’s office in fifteen minutes.” She smiled at Josie. “We need to call your husband.” The door swished shut.
Josie glared up at Tom. “Who the hell are you?”
He shrugged. “Part of the Brown family. Brown-eyed brothers.”
So they used the eye color as genetic markers. “Why didn’t Shane know you?”
“A few of us were selected to train elsewhere. But Shane knows my brother, Emery.” Tom grinned. “In fact, I believe Emery would like a chance with you after I’m finished.”
How could she have missed the evil living in Tom? He’d fooled her so well. “And Daniel?”
“My little brother. Well, half brother.”