Read Online Project Genesis by Michelle Howard - Free Book Online

foot and kicked Bransen’s calf. Hard. While trying not to jar the
precious bundle on his lap. Sen feigned a wince and snatched his legs back.
    “Where have you
been hiding her?” Curtis appeared honestly intrigued. His face still pale from
the energy he’d expended. Down but not out. That was his friend.
    Vin didn’t know
how to answer. He and Helen technically weren’t together anymore. Seeing her
brought out all the feelings he thought he’d tamped down. Not that it mattered,
he was no longer the same man from their time together, which left him back at
square one. The new mission objective involved getting Helen settled safely and
then fading back into the woodwork. Vin sure as hell wasn’t telling this group
those details.
    Instead, he
settled for part of the truth. A part he knew would drive them crazy. “She
asked me out. Pretty determined about it.” He added a smirk for good measure.
    The expressions on
their faces were well worth it. Vin opened the door as the questions and
ribbing started. He ignored each one as he hefted Helen in his arms and carried
her from the vehicle. Her body cuddled close to his and a soft sigh puffed from
her parted lips. Helen always slept like the dead and the memory made him
smile. Vin made tracks across the yard and up the sidewalk while the guys
yelled out seeking attention.
    Harkum beat him to
the door of their dormitory and opened it with an elaborate hand gesture. His
best friend’s grin spoke volumes as Vin entered and headed down the hall to his
rooms. More shouting and laughter ensued as Bravo Squad met them coming from
the opposite direction.
    From the look of
it, the boys of Bravo had also recently arrived at base. They still wore their
gray flight suits and carried under their arms the specialized black helmets
geared to transmit the data from their enhanced vision to their brains at rapid
speed. The six man crew hailed as the best pilots the US had to offer. They’d
also been responsible for warning Vin and his men of the Rekabians presence
street side after shooting the alien craft out of the sky.
    Curtis trudged
toward his room, refusing the twins’ offer to watch a marathon session of
reality TV involving women in bikinis. Vin made a note to give the doctors a
heads up on his condition. They’d all need time to recoup because Vin sensed
the situation with the Rekabians would demand their every free moment.
     Sen whooped
loudly and raced to the theater room, Bravo Squad on his boots. Using his
shoulder, Vin pushed open the door to his private rooms and adjusted his hold
on Helen who barely stirred at the noise. Harkum followed him in and Vin didn’t
waste his breath protesting. His suite consisted of a living area with the
basics, a flat screen, sofa and a coffee table where he kept his phone charger
and candy. A nice size bedroom took up the room in the back where he only had a
bed. Then there was a token kitchenette with a sink, a small fridge and a
microwave.
    Vin laid Helen
carefully on the top of his navy comforter. She immediately turned to the side,
almost rolling off the bed to the floor in the process. Only his quick reflexes
saved her from a knot to the skull. Her hands folded under her chin and she
curled her knees in a fetal position. She looked like she belonged, which was
what he was afraid of. Now his bedding would smell like Helen and remind him
every time he buried his head in his pillows. Sleepless nights were once more
in his future.
    When Vin returned
to the living area, Harkum held two beers in hand. He drunk from the open one
and tossed the other at Vin. Catching it and sitting it untouched on the coffee
table, Vin dropped himself onto the sofa. “No thanks.”
    Harkum chose to
remain standing but leaned his weight against the wall, legs crossed at the
ankle. “Who is she really, Vin?”
    Leave it to his
buddy to drill down to the bottom line. Vin reached for the yellow box on the
table and shook out a handful of the lemon candy. After