Ah, shit. Tace pushed himself up in the bed, his arms feeling like he’d lifted weights for twenty hours straight. He was the only medic there. “Do you have vitamin B?”
The woman nodded and pointed toward a counter near Jax. “I had an injection yesterday.”
“If you’ve been infected, you need another one now.” Tace shifted his legs to the edge of the bed.
“I’ll get it.” Sami patted his shoulder and crossed the room to take out the B. She filled a syringe and paused when Marcus growled.
Tace stiffened, preparing to insert himself between Sami and the threat. There was no doubt Jax’s brother was all threat.
“It’s okay,” Sami said calmly, handing the syringe to the woman. “Penelope can inject herself.”
Marcus settled back down, his gaze scanning the room.
“Marcus?” Jax said, leaning forward like he was approaching a wild animal. Hope and fear sizzled in his eyes. “You remember me?”
Marcus looked him over, no expression on his hard face. “No.”
Ah, shit. Tace looked at Marcus. “Are you a Mercenary?” Had they somehow missed Marcus before?
“No,” Marcus said.
Jax shuffled in place as if unsure what to do next. Emotion swirled in his dark eyes.
Tace glanced at the small woman Marcus seemed to be protecting. “Marcus, are you a soldier here at the Bunker?”
Marcus stilled. Tension rolled from him in a swell of heat. “No.”
Penelope reached out to touch him and then stopped. “Marcus was held in the cells.” At her words, Marcus’s face went blank.
Sami shook her head. “We let everyone out two months ago. Where were you before that?”
Marcus kept his gaze on Penelope and didn’t answer.
“Marcus,” Penelope said gently.
He didn’t blink. “This wasn’t my first Bunker.”
“How many are there?” Jax asked.
“Dunno.” Marcus said. “You infected?” he asked Penelope.
She nodded, her lips turning down. “I’m sorry. I think so.”
“Told you to run. You promised,” Marcus said so softly Tace could barely make out the words.
“I also promised to get you out of there.” Penelope sagged against the wall.
Marcus stood and gently laid her down on the bed. “You’ll be okay.” Gun still in his hand, he sat on the edge between the woman and everyone else. “We’ll move after the fever. Tomorrow.”
Tace cut a look at Jax. If Marcus thought Jax would let his younger brother loose again, he really didn’t remember Jax at all.
Jax cleared his throat. “Slam? I’m your brother.” His voice shook.
Marcus studied Jax but didn’t speak. He had features similar to Jax’s, but his were broader and somehow more rugged. His eyes held more green than brown, but his muscles were just as well defined as his brother’s.
Tace exhaled. The strength returned to his legs, and his breathing smoothed out. He couldn’t just sit there. “I’ll go help Raze.” He shoved to his feet.
Sami grabbed his arm. “You need to stay here. We don’t even know if the injection worked.”
