Designer Genes - The Boyfriend Cut (32 page)

"Doug can't do anything until the ninety days expire, and then only if Jordan chooses not to, or something else happens." I opened my mouth to object, but he caught himself. "I'm not implying anything, just stating facts. But that's why you received Doug's request. He's the next likely choice."

"After Jesse."

Chuck heaved a loud sigh. "Yes,
after
Jesse, but…"

"I know. Just doing the math."

My mind instantly recalled the envelope still sitting on the credenza in the entry. "Chuck, are there other boys compatible with me? I received another red envelope."

"Did you open it?"

"No, I'm sending it back."
I didn't want to open the last one.

He opened another screen and his boisterous laugh startled me. "My, girl, you are popular! I show
ten
. No wonder Jordan Mason panicked."

Oops. Major slip.

"Jordan knows this? I thought it's confidential. Did he also know about Doug?"

Chuck's face twisted, his lips pressed flat. A heavy breath blew from his flared nostrils.

"There's a reason Jordan and Douglas' bands contain an extra diamond, however, this information is for 'your ears only.' The fifth diamond represents power. While I can't divulge details, Jordan comes from a very influential family and being involved with the government through his research, I'm sure he has access to someone who cheats for him…like I do for you."

Wizard
.

"Jordan and Jesse won't talk about their dad. I have no idea who he is, but I met Doug's family when I was in Alaska. They seemed normal
.
Rich—but normal."

Other than the creepy feeling attached to the memory of Mr. Peterson in his private study.

Chuck winced. "I'm not sure Doug is aware of how powerful his family is. Jordan does and yes, there's a very good reason he hasn't told you." My mouth opened to ask, but he silenced me before the words formed. "
No,
I can't tell you, in either case."

"The fifth diamond I'm missing is because I don't come from a wealthy family?"

"I suspect your middle class standing may have factored in, but it isn't applicable where you're concerned." He took my hands, spiking my anxiety. "Marli, you saw the numbers. Jordan was almost seventeen before someone entered the system with a genetic code even close to his.
You.
Your other markers cemented the selection."

I pulled my knees to my chest. "I'm so confused I don't know what to think."

"There isn't anything to think about." Chuck steepled his fingers under his chin. "Can you handle one last shock?"

"Probably not, but tell me anyway."

"I told you each candidate has a specific purpose assigned and their numbers helped decide their assignment. Well,
you
are one of the few chosen exclusively for reproduction."

"Reproduction! I'm commissioned to be a
breeder?
" I leapt to my feet and pressed against the wall, away from the screen showing more about me than I knew. "I know kids are expected at some point, but to make that my sole assignment? It's not fair." The world bubbled under water filling my eyes. My voice quieted, the words feeling small against the vast room.

"I want out."

The chair whirled without Chuck's body holding it still. He clamped my shoulders. "You can't mean that, Marli. Too much is at stake. And what about Jordan? He'll be assigned someone else if you leave. He won't sever his ties with The Program." Chuck backed away. "But you already know that, don't you?" His accusation stung.

"Maybe."

His voice turned concrete hard. "There's no 'maybe.' Jordan
will
stay. Now do you want move ahead, or should I start the process for withdrawal."

Robotically, I returned to my chair. "For the record, I want to be something besides a baby machine."

"Duly noted." A dim smile returned on his lips.

"Does Jordan know
this
too? It would explain his sudden 'ice man' routine when things heat up between us. Reproduction? Crap!"

"All right, maybe the term is too clinical." Chuck gave a guilty sigh, "Yes, I suspect Jordan knows, especially given his cloning research."

"Why? I don't understand."

"Your gene code and high markers if paired with Jordan's
or
possibly Doug's," he held his finger up to silence me, "
not
Jesse's, has the potential to create a child with a perfect '5.0' genetic code—something that's never happened, but everyone is hoping you'll change."

"Who's
everyone
? Jordan? At least he gets to keep living his life. I'll spend life as a test rat."

"Marli, you know that's not true."

"Do I? I find it hard to believe Jordan and I are the only ones with high scores."

Chuck leaned back in his chair, his silhouette black against the screen. "The nation is divided into East and West sectors under The Program. You and Jordan are the only ones in this sector, and as far as I know, fractionally higher than any other matches. Marli, you have no idea how valuable you are, but if things stay on track, you will
.
"

The room spun for a fracture of a moment.
On track—for what?
Did I really want to know? At least I knew I'd get to have sex. Chuck laughed when I said it, but went ballistic when I pushed the joke further.

"Maybe I should rethink the 'Jesse option' this weekend and end this craziness. Life on the outside may be better
.
"

"
WHAT
?" The alarm in Chuck's tone resounded off all four walls. "I thought we decided Jesse Mason was not an option."

"Before you go 'psycho' on me, I already decided to tell him I can't see him anymore. But I'm going to his band concert."

"Rick agreed to this? What does Jordan think?"

"Dad's allowing it because it's my birthday. Jordan? He's not thrilled, but he understands. It's Doug's proposal I'm worried about."

Chuck pinched his nose and groaned. "I know I'm going to regret this, but what proposal has Mr. Peterson presented?"

I gave him the rundown on Doug's invitation to go to Italy for two weeks, followed by a threat to take me against my will by formally making the request through The Program. Pulling my knees to my chest to form my usual body shield, I added that Jordan had asked me to come to their family beach house for the summer, even clearing it through Rick. When I told Chuck I hadn't given either of them an answer, he wanted to know why not.

"Because I'm afraid I might give them the impression that I want more from them. Chuck, I'm not even eighteen. I'm not ready to be somebody's life partner, let alone have a kid."

"You may only be seventeen, Marli, but you're wiser than most your age. I agree, though, far too young for the whole family package."

Chuck closed down the viewing screen and expanded the desk monitor, touching colorful circles and opening screen over screen. He shook his head, his lips tightening in a worrisome knot. My stomach dipped and I swiped a shaky hand over my forehead.

"Unfortunately, under the terms of the ninety-day hold, you don't have a choice. You're required to give Douglas Peterson equal time with you."

"No!" I cried. "I don't want to go! Jordan will flip out. What if I lose him over this?"

Chuck held my trembling hands, allowing me a minute to regain composure. "Marli, you're not going to lose Jordan."

"Why, because we're assigned to each other?"

"No, because you care for each other. Trust me, if your heart is set on Jordan, there isn't anything Douglas Peterson can do to sway you, here or in Italy."

He walked me toward the door, gave my shoulders a reassuring squeeze and reassured me everything would work out.
Easy for him to say
. Chuck offered to have Rick call if he had reservations regarding my trip to Italy. I stopped moving and Chuck leaned around my shoulder.

"Something tells me he knows nothing about Italy?"

"Or the ninety-day hold, but he will soon enough." I held up my cell receptor showing an anxious Rick calling.

18

NO CHOICE

N
othing short of a tranquilizer dart could calm Rick by the time I finished explaining the "ninety-day hold" and my unexpected trip to Italy. Luckily, he remained trapped in California, but he responded exactly as I suspected, which frightened me. Jordan's reaction would be equally, if not more so, intense
.

Mentally, I'd played out worst-case scenarios all day, my muscles twitched to the point of pain, nerves raw and senses on overload. When my cell rang at precisely ten o’clock, I feared my heart exploded. We set the time, knowing our day would finally be over and we could concentrate on each other before going to sleep. I took a measured breath before answering, my chest still pounding with fear.

"Hi."

"What's wrong?"

All my self-confidence slithered away. "Why?"

"Because you're munching your thumbnail, which means your bottom lip is already raw."

Damn! I forgot to turn the video feed off before answering.

"So what's going on? You look worried, which scares me."

"What? Do you have a 'mega screen' receptor?"

"At the moment I'm linked to my viewing screen, so basically,
yes
. You're transmitting on sixty inches of digital quality, wearing my favorite blue plaid boxers."

"I'll make sure these boxers are in my suitcase so I can wear them on the island." I decided to start with good news in hopes of diverting any natural disasters when I released one
,
of many bombs.

"You're coming? Awesome! I shut the video feed off and Jordan freaked. "What happened to your transmission?"

"Relax, I'm still here. Promise to hold onto your good mood? Think of me on the beach alone with you in a skimpy bikini as I tell you I have to take a trip before I can come to the island, and...I have to leave my cell receptor behind."

I swear he sucked air through
my
cell.

"Oh? Where, and do I want to know with
whom?
" His sixth sense proved my greatest enemy.

"Are you picturing me in an itty-bitty bikini?" Maybe I should have chosen naked.

"Damn. I'm not going to like this, am I?"

"Pretty sure you're not
.
I'm going to Italy with Doug Peterson."

Silence—the deafening kind after a blinding bolt of lightning leaves the air white hot, milliseconds before the shattering crack of thunder. I heard his labored breathing building.

"
I-t-a-l-y?
With. Douglas. Peterson," each word pronounced with the precision sharpness of a straight edged razor. "You and Peterson alone in Italy?" The last calm phrase spoken. Rick's reaction paled miserably.

"No way! I won't allow it!"

"Excuse me? What do you mean 'you won't allow it?' You don't own me."

"I do..." he stopped short. A smart move. His breaths deepened and the volume turned considerably lower.

"I'll go insane thinking about you there with him
.
How did this happen?"

"Apparently, I don't have a choice. Because of this stupid ninety-day hold, I'm required to give Doug equal time. I
have
to go." Tears trickled over my cheeks. "Don't be mad at me. I'm only following the rules."

Jordan's voice quieted. "Don't cry. I'm sorry. This isn't your fault, it's mine
.
If I'd left things alone, you wouldn't be in this mess."

"But if you hadn't, I could be planning something more permanent with Doug than a two week trip to Italy."

"
Two weeks?
Shit!
"

The breaking point.

"Stop!" I shouted. "I can't take being micro-managed by everyone. The constant monitoring is draining and I'm too young for what's expected of me. I want something more from life than to breed perfect little babies!

"Babies? Where the hell is
this
coming from?"

There went my unfiltered "brainwave to mouth." I couldn't let Jordan know what Chuck told me. Getting him in trouble and me transferred to another counselor wasn't an option.

I answered flatly, trying to cover-up my emotional breakdown. "It's nothing."

"
Babies
aren't exactly nothing. Don't tell me Peterson is pressuring you about sex."

"No more than anyone else."

"That's not fair. I've never pressured you."

"I know. Sorry." I took a big breath, about to open a door I'd hoped would remain closed and locked. "Jordan, do you want kids?"

"Someday, sure. Marli, if we're having this discussion, turn on your video feed. I need to see you."

"Warning, you're entering a disaster zone."

"I told before, I like disasters, especially cute ones...please?"

I pressed the button. A blood-curdling scream, followed by wicked laughter vibrated over the tiny speaker.

"Oh, you're
so
not funny Mason and in serious trouble!"

"I live to be in trouble with you." His brow furrowed and he pressed his finger to the screen. "I wish I was holding you."