“It’s my job,” Jax said from behind her. “I’ll talk to him.”
Sami snuggled into Tace’s chest, allowing his strength to comfort her for the moment. She’d lost so many people, it was surprising it still hurt so much. Yet the mission continued on, and she had to think, damn it. She blew out warm air. “We’ll need to leave late afternoon or early evening.”
“Not we,” Tace countered, striding toward the fence and going through the opening. “You’re not coming to the Bunker.”
She looked up at his strong jawline. “Yes, I am.”
“You were shot a few hours ago,” he said, crossing the parking lot and heading inside Vanguard, where cooler air brushed her face. Somebody had replaced the glass door with one covered in unicorn stickers.
Sami stiffened, and pain lanced down her arm. “You were stabbed.”
“Not bad enough to need stitches,” he said, climbing the stairs.
“I’m the only one who has been to the Bunker,” Sami said, her eyelids closing for a moment. Man, her head hurt. What she wouldn’t give for an ordinary little aspirin. “I’m going on the mission, Tace.” From day one, she’d known deep down that she’d have to return at some point.
“You can give us the schematics tomorrow morning.” Tace strode down the hallway and shoved open her door with his shoulder. “I keep forgetting you need a lock.”
She shook her head, her stomach aching. “I’m a soldier in Vanguard, Tace.” It was the first time in her life she really fit in and had found a calling. “You either get that or you don’t.” Not once had she asked him to be anybody other than who he was. Or rather, who he was becoming. Now she had to save him.
“You need to heal that shoulder.”
“I’m the only one who can hack into the system and get the data we need,” she said. “If the computers are still functional with generators, and I think they are, then I’m needed.”
He paused and kicked the door shut. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
She leaned up and nuzzled beneath his jaw. “That’s ’cause you think I’m a badass soldier. You should see me hack into a secured computer system.”
He kicked off his boots, still holding her against his broad chest. “I’ve never considered computers sexy before right now.” Without missing a beat, he strode across the room and sat on the bed. “I’m fighting the dual sides of myself.”
She blinked. “That’s awfully self-aware.”
“I know, right?” He nuzzled along her ear.
She shivered. “Talk it out.”
“All right. Part of me wants to see you in your glory hacking, I really do. The other half wants to tie you to the bed where you’ll be safe until we get back.” He sounded more thoughtful than determined at this point. “Both avenues hold merit for me.”
“Ah.” His hard thighs heated her butt, and she shifted to get more comfortable. Desire warmed through her, but she had to concentrate. “Not for nothin’, but maybe you’re the one who should sit this out.” She braced for his temper.
“Yeah, I’ve thought about that.”
“Geez, you’re awfully reasonable all of a sudden,” she whispered.
“Eh.” He lifted a shoulder and nearly dislodged her. “I’m sure it’s temporary. I’m feeling a momentary relief from all the damn emotions that keep taking me over. Guess I should try to be reasonable as long as I can.”
There was the old Tace—or at least a semblance of him.
He cleared his throat. “With the people you studied—what was the progression of the illness?”
Her heart dropped. “It was quick, Tace. One day passing out, the next . . .”
“I figured.” He sighed and kissed her forehead. “Each attack has been more sudden and worse than the last. But you saw this enzyme or whatever it was work?”
“Yeah. It was like an EpiPen for somebody suffering an allergic reaction. Very quick.” She tried to reassure him. “We’ll get the cure, shoot it into your ass, and you’ll develop some sort of antibodies that’ll make you stop rejecting the vitamin B concoction. I mean, I think. I saw it work but don’t really know the science behind it.” She should’ve paid more attention.
“My ass?” he asked.
“Yep. That’s where they put it.” She reached up to cup his jaw. “It’ll be all right. I promise.”
