Tace’s lips peeled back at two of them.
Sami shoved him in the ribs.
He kept following Grey, his boots flicking up sand. “How many wounded in the attack yesterday?”
Grey didn’t turn. “Too many. I haven’t counted.”
Tace frowned and glanced at Sami, who shook her head.
“You’ve counted,” Sami said. “How many?”
“Ten serious and about twelve nonserious.” Grey turned back, and his eyes had changed to all green in the afternoon sun. “It was a bad hit.”
“How many did you lose?” Sami asked softly.
“Four.” Grey turned back around. His T-shirt covered the top of his arm, but a bandage peeked out.
Tace wanted a few minutes with the leader. “I’d like to check your stitches.” Grey had been shot twice the previous day, and Tace had sewn him up on-site without anesthesia. The Merc leader hadn’t even twitched, but he had kept a close eye on the needle. Trust didn’t come easy to any of them these days. Oh, they’d worked together against the president’s men in order to rescue Maureen Shadow and profiler Vinnie Wellington from the president, but it had been a temporary alliance. “After that fight a minute ago, you might’ve pulled stitches.”
“I’m fine.” Grey turned at the first house and led the way past the pool.
Tace glanced at the blown-up mansion next to it that had served as the Mercenary headquarters. The president’s explosives had been deadly and well delivered. Rubble and still-smoldering materials choked what had been a swimming pool. It was a miracle only four people had died.
Greyson continued into the adjacent house and through the cooler living room. “The makeshift hospital is right across the street.”
Tace paused at seeing several research books on the counter. “Sociopathsby Vinnie Wellington?” The doc, a former profiler, was a Vanguard member currently dating Raze Shadow.
Grey nodded. “Since the president of the United States was infected with Scorpius and has become a sociopathic Ripper, I’m trying to figure out the Rippers and how they think. Found this book in one of the mansions, and I’ve been reading it. That doc knows her stuff.” He turned. “And she kind of owes us one since we helped to rescue her yesterday, right?”
Tace winced. “She’s with Raze Shadow, and considering you kidnapped his sister and thus necessitated the rescue of both Vinnie and Maureen, I don’t think the doc will be visiting you anytime soon.” Hell. Raze would blow up the entire Santa Barbara area before he’d allow Vinnie within a mile of the Mercenaries.
“Pity. I would’ve liked to have talked to the shrink. Although I won’t get that pleasure, we need food, and so do you. After you’ve finished for the day, I’d like to speak with you about Maureen Shadow returning to her work at the facility,” Grey said, his face implacable.
Sami’s quiet snort behind Tace said it all.
Greyson continued through and led them past the fence to what appeared to be a former workout facility for the subdivision. They’d replaced the machines with beds. Men lay on them, some breathing poorly, some groaning.
The room smelled like blood and dirt.
Tace glanced around and appreciated the even layout of beds and neatly stocked countertops. “Give me the status.”
“We patched up everyone we could, but I wouldn’t mind you checking for problems. Two guys need bullets removed, while a few have contusions or bruises. I wanted somebody with medical expertise especially for the bullet removal so we didn’t cut out anything important.” Grey turned and faced them. “We have generators we can use for extra light in the next room, which we’ve cleansed as a surgical area.”
Tace slid his gun into the back of his jeans. “Drugs?”
“Raided the nearest hospital right when Scorpius got bad. We have anything you could possibly need.” Grey rubbed blood off his chin. “Not a lot of anything, but enough for now.”
Tace swallowed. “All right. Here’s the deal. I’ll work on your men, but I need Sami to assist.”
“Understood. Many of my men have been without a woman for too long, and I’d rather she stayed here with you.” Grey looked her over. “No offense. I saw you fight yesterday, and I’d prefer you didn’t knock a bunch of my men out this afternoon. I need them to focus.”
“Let’s get to work,” Tace said, not liking the appraising look or the compliment.
Grey leaned in. “It goes without saying . . .”
Tace held up a hand. “I’m here to help and not harm. I’ll do my best with your men.”
“Okay. The drugs are locked up. What do you need?” Grey asked.
