Another man strode out of the apartment building. “Joe? Is there a problem?”
“No.” Bentley waved the guy back. “I’m just speaking with Vanguard soldiers.”
The guy tipped his head, and highlights in his brown hair shone beneath the moon. Light eyes, probably green, studied them. “One of them is a woman.”
Sami lowered her chin. “Good guess, buddy. Want to come closer?”
“Sure.” He put his hands in his jeans pockets and walked over the uneven ground. The new guy was about six foot two and maybe thirty years old. He nodded. “Pastor Zachary King.”
“Pastor?” Sami studied him. “I thought you were in charge, Bentley.”
Bentley cleared his throat. “Ah, no. I’m in charge of the clerical work, but the pastor gives sermons. I’m more of an organizational leader, and he leads the church.”
Yeah, she could see that. Bentley lacked charisma, and Zachary had it in spades. He smiled and she almost smiled back.
What sounded like a growl came from Tace, and she stiffened. It was probably her job to diffuse the situation because Tace had something mental going on and Jax was just pissed off, but her chest hurt, her head hurt, and parts of her tingled from Tace’s being near. “What are the guard’s orders if we approach the building?” Might as well get the facts.
Zachary rocked back on his heels. “His orders are to keep anybody from entering the building.”
“Even by using lethal force?” Sami asked quietly. Just talking was beginning to create pain.
Bentley shook his head. “No.”
“Yes,” Zachary countered with a smile.
Jax’s chin lowered.
Zachary held up a hand. “We’re happy to negotiate the entire situation.”
“‘Negotiate’ is the wrong word,” Jax said softly.
Sami winced. When Jax got really quiet, things were about to blow up. “How’s the scheduling for interviews going?” Maybe she could turn the topic. Vinnie was supposed to interview and thus profile all the Pure members to make sure they were living together voluntarily.
“Still working on it,” Zachary said. “Many of our members think it’s unfair for them to have to explain their actions or plans to anybody. We still live in a free society.”
“You live in my society,” Jax said.
Tace stepped closer to Sami, somehow taking over. “We just want to make sure everyone is on board with your plans. From what we’ve seen, we have doubts people are acting out of free will instead of coercion.” He tapped the knife at his belt three times. “You also have children who aren’t yours in your little flock.”
“It isn’t safe for us in Vanguard,” Bentley said.
“I’m fine with you all leaving, after I speak with each member,” Jax returned. “Yet I gotta tell you, you definitely won’t be safe outside these walls.”
Zachary chuckled. “God spared us from being infected by the most deadly pathogen ever to infect humans. I think He will make sure we’re all right once we move on.”
“You were spared through dumb sheer luck,” Tace returned, his body vibrating.
“He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shield and buckler,” Zachary said.
Jax breathed out. “You’re quoting Psalms to me while posting an armed guard at your door? I don’t think so.”
Next to Sami, Tace stilled in a way that made her stiffen. She focused on him through her peripheral vision. Moonlight caressed his suddenly pale features. Instinctively, she angled her body closer to his. “I’ll check with Vinnie to see how the scheduling is going. Once everyone is interviewed, and Vinnie is assured that nobody is being forced to join the church or leave Vanguard, you’re free to go wherever you wish, Pastor.” Tace moved next to her.
She couldn’t let Jax see Tace lose control. Yeah, she’d wonder why later.
Jax was already staring at his lieutenant. “Tace?”
Tace dropped to one knee.
