"So your idea will work?"

"Without a doubt."

Jenna couldn't believe the look of glee on Roger's face. "That's why you did it. You wanted to prove to everyone your ideas were right? And you're going to use me to kill..." She couldn't finish her thought.

Roger pushed past Rick and got right in Jenna's face. "You're fucking right I am. I don't need to be second to you or anyone else anymore. I solved the puzzle. Me! And when this guy pays me what I'm worth, I'm going to find a nice little colony somewhere far from here and buy a nice-"

Jenna took a step back just as a loud hissing noise exploded around her. The smell of burning flesh hit her half a second before Roger slumped to the floor. Jenna gasped wide-eyed at Roger's lifeless body before looking at Rick.

"I don't know how you worked with him for all those years. I would have killed him ages ago," he said with a grin and walked out of the room.

121.

Chapter Fourteen.

Ben accepted the coffee from Matt as they stood outside the Perfect Match building waiting for Kyle to emerge. They'd come directly here from the dig site at his request so he could use his secured line to his boss. Ben didn't want to wait. He didn't give a shit about getting the proper authorities on board to stop Rick. All he needed was a laser pistol, a car and he'd look after the rest on his own.

Gods help them if anything happened to Jenna. Ben closed his eyes and enjoyed the sting against his hand as the hot coffee's heat seeped through the thin cup.

"He better get his ass out here in the next minute or I'm leaving," he grumbled and took a sip.

The sour expression on Matt's face deepened as he shot Ben a look.

"If you leave without the right backup, things could explode around you and you'll have no way of stopping it. You have more than yourself to think of here."

"I have Jenna. And right now, Rick's doing gods know what to her."

"Rick's not doing a thing. He wants you and you know it," Matt said and sipped his own drink.

Both men turned to see Kyle emerge from the building. Shoved into a shoulder holster that peeked out from beneath his leather jacket was a RX7 laser gun. At least they were well armed for their encounter.

"Well?" Ben tried to keep the impatience out of his voice, but it wasn't any good.

"They can't send anyone for backup," Kyle's jaw tightened as he spoke. "They don't feel the information is strong enough to risk it."

Ben threw the coffee cup to the ground and pushed past Matt to slide behind the wheel of the car. Matt hopped into the passenger seat.

"Where are you going?" Kyle asked, sounding more than a little pissed off as he hopped into the backseat.

"I don't give a shit about your boss's opinion. Rick has Jenna and I'm going to get her. Now."

"Well, the three of us can't just burst in there. We need a plan," Matt said quietly.

Ben threw the car into drive, barely noticing the traffic around him. "I never go anywhere without a plan. Kyle, where the hell is this place?"

"Lower east side. Trader district. He's got a place near the dome wall, which scares the crap out of me. How the government ever let that one get by, I'm not sure."

A tremor of recognition surged through Ben. Ten years ago, he'd helped Rick buy a little place on the east end. It hadn't been much, but it would have given him a foot in 122 the door. A means of buying and selling until he could acquire a larger spot.

"He's had a spot there for years. They would have grandfathered his place and monitored his building," Ben said as he slammed the car into top gear and pressed the accelerator to the floor.

"Take it easy now. Not your car, remember," Matt teased, but gripped the door handle tightly.

"I'll buy you a new one."

"So what's the plan?" Kyle leaned forward between the seats. "I'm assuming you're both armed."

Matt reached under his front seat and pulled out two older laser guns, ones Ben knew to be deadly accurate, and handed one to him. Not that he'd have much use for a weapon, but it was still good to know that his backup would be there for him.

"Matt, you and Kyle are going to get out about a block from Rick's place. Circle around and find a way in. I'm assuming he's got a small army on staff, so be careful. I'll signal you for a distraction once I have Jenna. They we'll get the hell out of there."

"Well, that's a fucking stupid plan," Kyle snorted and sat back in his seat. "What are you going to do, go through the front fucking door?"

"Pretty much."

One look at Matt and Ben knew he wasn't happy.

"You're walking into a trap. He'll kill you."

Ben slowed the car down to a stop at a red light. Of course he was walking into trap. That's what Rick wanted-his head on a stick. Sure, he'd be suspicious of why he'd arrived, but he wouldn't pass up the opportunity.

"He won't kill me right away. Not when he thinks he'll be able to get something out of me first. And he won't hesitate to use Jenna against me, so we'll have to move fast before he tries anything."

They drove the rest of the way in silence, with Kyle making the occasional comment about what they drove past. A block away from the address Kyle had provided, both he and Matt hopped out.

"We can do this another way. Take him by surprise," Matt said, though not looking very convinced.

"We don't have time and you know it. I'll drive around for five minutes to give you a chance to get close. Then I'll throw myself on his doorstep."

"Be careful." Matt slapped him on the shoulder.

"You too."

He waited until they disappeared into the shadows of the buildings. Midafternoon was a strange time to be engaging in shady deals with terrorists, but such was life. He'd improvise and turn things around to his favor, just as he always had.

He was about to pull the car out into traffic again when he suddenly felt as if a 123 lightning bolt had hit him. His skin seemed charged, the fabric of his clothing rubbing against it, sending jolts of pleasure through him.

"Fuck."

His eyes flew closed and when he sucked in a deep breath, all he could smell was Jenna. His cock recognized her and instantly sprang to life. What the hell was going on here? Ben tried to open his eyes, but they wouldn't cooperate. He could practically feel her body pressing up against his. Her ass rubbing against his shaft, teasing it through his clothing.

As suddenly as the feeling hit him, it was gone again. Ben was left shaking, his body on the edge of orgasm. All it would take would be a stroke or two to push him over the edge. It took him a few minutes to get his breathing under control and for his heart rate to slow down enough that he was sure he wouldn't have a heart attack.

The passenger side door was suddenly jerked open and a tall, bald man fell into the chair. Tattoos crawled out from the collar of his shirt and covered most of his neck. He grinned as someone else yanked open the driver's side door.

"Well, I think you've just earned me a bonus, Mr. Hawthorn," he said, the smell of stale booze filled the room.

"So happy to help."

That was all he managed to say before the tattooed man rammed his fist into Ben's face, knocking him out.

Jenna was happy to be back in her makeshift prison. She could still smell Rick's scent all around her like a brand. Gods, she'd sworn she'd been with Ben. The idea that Rick had turned her on at all made her sick.

A chorus of voices echoed in the hall outside her locked door. The sound made her heart ache. She'd had a happy life for the most part. So what if she didn't see much of her parents these days? She had Rhonda and the girls to keep her company.

Ben's face popped into her head and she couldn't help but sigh. She was lonely, and as infuriating as Ben had been over the past few weeks, she'd grown quite used to him being there for her. She'd even grown used to his interfering ways. No, it wasn't interfering, but his attempt to help.

Gods, she missed him.

Jenna curled up in the chair, tucking her knees under her chin, and closed her eyes.

She'd been running on adrenaline for hours now and it was starting to take its toll on her.

She must have drifted off, because she jumped when she heard the slamming of the door down the hall from where they kept her. Thunderous footsteps marched down the hall until they came to a stop in front of her cell. She straightened and stood ready to face whatever Rick was going to throw at her. But she was shocked when they threw a 124 beaten and bleeding man at her feet. It took her a second to recognize him.

"Ben!"

"Yes, your boyfriend was driving in the wrong part of town."

Rick was standing in the doorway, a cocky grin on his face.

"What the hell did you do to him?" She tried to wipe the blood from his cheek, but he fought her.

"Jen, I'm fine." His voice cracked as he spoke, but he looked at her with very determined eyes. "Are you okay?"

She wanted to laugh. Here he was beat to a pulp and he wanted to know how she was. Instead, she leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead.

"I'm fine, sweetheart. Roger's dead."

It still hurt to think of it. He may have been misguided, but she'd always believed Roger had meant well-fool that she was. Her throat tightened and she had to fight to stop the tears. There'd be plenty of time for that later.

Ben frowned, the motion causing the cut on the side of his mouth to split again.

"I'm sorry. I know how close you were."

"This is all very touching, but we don't have time for a lengthy reunion. I have a job for you, Dr. Robins."

Ben stiffened as Rick spoke and Jenna could see the barely restrained hate flash in his eyes.

"She's not doing anything for you."

"I don't think you're in much of a position to stop me, Mr. Hawthorn," Rick practically hissed and kicked Ben in the stomach.

"Stop it! I'll do what you want, but you have to promise to leave Ben alone."

"Jen, no, the device is dangerous." Ben grabbed her arm. "Gareth said it was going to explode."

"Of course it's going to explode. You never were very bright, were you, Ben? Dr.

Robins is going to be the one who blows it up. We discovered she's a supercharged reactor."

Jenna looked up and really looked at Rick and what she saw made her shiver. The smile on his face didn't make it to his eyes. His teeth gleamed in the dim light and she had the distinct feeling he would eat her alive if he could. If he didn't need her to blow up the device, she'd probably be dead already. She was dead either way, it seemed.

"I don't see a lot of options here," she said quietly to Ben, making sure to smile at him with as much love as she could muster.

Her heart broke. She'd just figured out how much she loved him and now they were both going to die. Stupid, shitty luck.

Ben reached up and caressed her cheek. Instead of dismay, he looked more determined than ever. "Don't give up on me yet," he said and winked.

125.

She tried not to react and only nodded. Matt! She hadn't thought of him until that second. There's no way he'd let Ben come in here without some plan to get him out. To get them both out. She knew it was going to be rough, but they'd make it.

"I wouldn't dream of it." And she leaned in to kiss him.

Ben winced as she brushed the corner of his mouth that was hurt, but he didn't pull away. He wrapped his fingers around her wrist, squeezing gently and he returned her kiss. She could tell something had changed with him. The way he touched her made her feel protected and loved. He'd be willing to rip Rick apart right now if he thought it would save her. His lips were hungry, demanding, but loving.

Jenna pulled back and looked into his eyes. He would never be able to say it here, but she needed to see it. See if he really did love her.

"Enough of that shit." Rick grabbed Jenna by the shoulder and yanked her to a standing position. He pulled her tight against his chest and Jenna had to fight the impulse to pull away. "Here's how this is going to work, Dr. Robins. You're going to finish what your friend started and build me a bomb big enough to blow the environment shield back to Earth. If you can find a way to blow it without strapping yourself to the device, then I'll let you go. If you move too slowly, I'll take our friend Ben here apart bit by bit and I'll strap you to the device myself, turn it on and walk away."

"Jenna, don't worry about me," Ben said quietly from the floor.

She could almost hear his silent I'm dead either way.

"He's not going to pass up the opportunity to torture me. Are you, Rick?"

Rick shrugged, never breaking eye contact with Jenna. "True. But I'll promise to make it a painless death if you cooperate, Dr. Robins. Otherwise, I'll take my time.

Days. Weeks maybe. And then I'll blow you up."

Jenna felt her stomach sicken from fear. Ben better damn well have a plan or they were both dead sooner rather than later.

"I'll do it. But only if you promise not to hurt him."

Rick regarded her carefully for a second before he smiled. "Of course. Now let's get you to your lab, Doctor."

"Wait, I'll need Ben to come too." Her heart was pounding, scared of what Rick would do to her. But she knew if she didn't keep Ben with her, he was dead. "I'll need help and he knows the device almost as well as I do."