Sami nodded. “Yes. I filled a syringe and injected him, and he got better for a little while. Then he started having attacks again.”
Lynne leaned back, biting her lip. “It’s an enzyme that works like a counteragent for an allergy.” Her eyes widened. “Oh God. I know what to do. We have to get back to the Bunker and get the enzyme.”
Sami sucked in air. Hope tried to take hold. She yanked a vial out of her pocket. “He said not to bring it, but I did anyway.”
Lynne grabbed the vial and looked at the yellow liquid. She stood and ran to the counter, frantically removing syringes. “Where’s the B? Damn it. Where’s the B in here?” She fumbled through the cabinets and tugged out a vial of the vitamin B concoction. Her shoulders straightened, and she quickly filled two syringes.
“What are you doing?” Raze asked, stopping his compressions.
Lynne squirted a little liquid from one of the vials. “The enzyme needs the harmful agent, in this case the vitamin B, in order to bind. He needs both injections.” She paused. “Probably.”
Sami stood and grabbed Tace’s hand. “He’s still not breathing. We have to try.”
Lynne swallowed. “If I’m wrong, then injecting him again with the vitamin B concoction will kill him.”
Sami clutched her stomach and almost bent over from the pain and fear.
“There’s no other choice,” Jax said from the doorway, his expression harsh.
“Sami?” Lynne asked.
Sami sucked deep, saying a quick prayer to all those old Texas Rangers hopefully watching over him. “It’s his only chance. Turn him over.”
Raze half lifted Tace, and Sami yanked down part of his jeans. Lynne quickly injected him, emptying both syringes.
They all leaned back and held their breath.
Nothing.
Tace didn’t move.
“Damn it.” Raze settled his hands over Tace’s chest again and continued performing CPR.
Sami slapped her hand against her mouth to keep from crying out. “It didn’t work.”
Vinnie tipped back his head, waited, and then breathed to fill his lungs. Raze continued the chest compressions.
Sami stumbled back and into the chair, holding Tace’s hand. “Wake up, please.” She lowered her head to his knuckles. The man had jumped into a damn helicopter to save her. He couldn’t leave her now.
Tension rolled through the room on the heels of desperation as Raze and Vinnie continued to work together, not even pausing once. Nobody was willing to let him go.
Sami started to cry in earnest, clutching his hand, praying to every god that ever existed.
Lynne sat beside her and slid an arm over her shoulders while Jax covered the doorway, unable to leave.
Tace meant so much to every member of Vanguard, but especially to this small group that had become family.
Sami had no idea how long they sat there, but her heart hurt so badly she wondered if she’d survive. This just couldn’t happen. She lunged forward and shot her face beneath his neck, her mouth at his ear. “Please wake up, Tace. I—need you. So much. Don’t leave me.” Her voice broke at the end. Then she dissolved into sobs so hard that Lynne had to help her back into the chair.
Raze slowed the compressions. “Damn it, Justice. Wake the fuck up.” He smacked Tace’s chest.
Sami stood. “Yeah. Wake up. I love you.” If she yelled, maybe he’d come back. She grabbed his shoulders and started to shake him as violently as she could.
Lynne grabbed her arms and tried to pull her back, but Sami fought fiercely.
Tace partially sat up with a hard wheeze. “What the hell?”
Sami burst toward him, cupping his jaw. “Tace?”
