Chapter 17: New Fault Lines Found

Aftershocks

We lay tangled on the bed, breath finally slowing. Carla’s head rested on my chest, one leg draped over mine, her hair damp against my skin.

Neither of us spoke for a long time.

When she finally did, her voice was small. “How?”

“How what?” I whispered.

“How do you keep wanting me? Over and over.”

I ran my fingers along her spine. “Because I do. It’s not complicated.”

She squeezed her eyes shut. “It feels complicated.”

“It’s not.” I kissed her hair. “You don’t scare me.”

“Then you’re the only one.”

Cracks Appear

Later, while she slept curled into my side, I sat up and stared at my laptop’s monitor.

The files from my project were clean on the surface—but strange.

A medical research automation tool, officially. AI control layers. Smart treatment modeling.

But the deeper I dug, the more it smelled wrong.

Too many encrypted delivery models.

Target profiles that weren’t diseases. Organs. Systems.

One file listed blood vessel degradation parameters tied to genetic markers. Like a medical kill switch.

I rubbed my temples.

Was this even medicine?

Or something else?

A Familiar Voice

I stepped outside and called my mother.

“Hey, sweetheart,” Leah answered quickly. “Is my son still alive over there?”

“Barely.”

“You sound tired.”

“It’s been a long couple of weeks.”

She paused. “I know that tone, Eli. You’re overthinking again.”

I smiled faintly. “Comes with the job.”

Her voice softened. “I’m not going to pry about your client work. But you know my gut never retired with me.”

“I know, Mom.”

She exhaled. “Your father always said you inherited my instincts. He just wished you used them sooner.”

I chuckled. “Dad said a lot of things.”

Her voice warmed. “He used to tease you about Carla. Said someday you’d realize what was already in front of you.”

“Yeah. He wasn’t wrong.”

“I’m glad you two finally found each other. I always trusted her ... and her mother.”

“She still drives me crazy sometimes,” I admitted.

“Of course she does. That’s why you love her.” Leah’s voice twinkled. “And Mama Caceres—my partner-in-crime when I needed a second set of eyes on you two growing up.”

I laughed. “She never really stopped.”

“I figured.” Leah’s voice softened again. “And Yenni?”

I hesitated.

“She was always your little shadow when you three were younger. That kind of closeness can get complicated.”

“I know. I’m careful.”

Her voice lowered. “Don’t carry guilt you don’t need to carry, Eli. You’re allowed to be happy.”

“I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“You’d better.”

Tremor

I was still standing by the kitchen door when the camera alert pinged.

Movement near the back fence.

I pulled up the feed—grainy black and white.

A figure, trying to move quietly.

By the time I reached for my phone, Carla was already there. She slipped past me, gun drawn, barefoot but steady.

“Call the police,” she said softly.

She moved like she’d done this before. Calm. Efficient.

The figure bolted. Carla didn’t chase—just stood guard until the flashing lights arrived.

Mama’s View

Across the street, Mama Caceres sat frozen at her monitor.

The entire incident unfolded in front of her—through the cameras she still hadn’t told Carla about.

She’d watched them make love. Had seen the tenderness and the ache.

And now she watched her daughter become something else entirely—protective, fierce, armed.

Her own fingers had drifted down again while watching them earlier.

But now her hand rested on her chest.

Not arousal this time.

Fear.

And something else.

Something she couldn’t name.

Across Town

Yenni sat in her apartment, staring at her dark television.

She’d driven by earlier. Seen Carla’s car. Seen Eli’s front porch light.

She told herself it didn’t matter.

That she was being foolish.

But she felt the cracks forming inside her.

And she didn’t know how much longer she could pretend not to care.