That was true, yet Tace kept defending her. “Perhaps they just never crossed paths.”
“Or?” Jax asked.
Tace sighed. “Or one of them is lying.”
“If that’s the case, figure out which one.” Jax picked a bandage over his right arm that covered a recent bullet wound.
“Leave your injury alone,” Tace ordered.
Jax slapped the bandage back into place. “I know you and Sami are friends, but if she’s been lying to us, you need to tell me.” He moved toward the door. “After Raze’s lies, I’m having trouble accepting secrets from any of you.”
“I’ve been an open book, pard.” Well, except for the recent tremors and numbness attacking his limbs. But that was temporary and probably yet another side effect of the bacterial infection. “You can trust me.”
“I do.” Jax slapped him on the arm. “More than anybody.”
Man, if Tace really went dark, it would suck if Jax had to kill him. “I’m sure Winter is the one lying, if anybody is. There’s no reason Sami would lie to us, right?” Tace asked, his gut churning.
Jax walked with him through the room. “Hell if I know. But it’s now your job to find out.”
* * *
Sami finished drinking some type of broth-based soup from a cup and glanced around the mishmash of tables in the headquarters eating area, once a soup kitchen. Folks, mainly soldiers, were scattered throughout, drinking the unappetizing soup; it smelled like feet. She nodded at a couple, and they nodded back. Home. This odd, dangerous, frightening place was her home, and for the first time in her life, she felt whole. Needed . . . and part of the group.
She’d never been part of any group before. God, she had to hold on to that feeling.
Barbara Bradley tipped back some soup and headed across the room, stopping at her table. “Hey. Do you want to practice sparring later tonight? I’m having trouble with the grappling hold you taught us last week.”
Sami swallowed and quickly nodded. She’d liked Barbara from the beginning, but the thought of Tace’s mouth on hers the night before forced heat to climb into her cheeks. Even though he’d said it was casual, it still had happened, and Barbara deserved better than to be lied to by anybody. “Sure. You heading out now?”
“Yeah.” Barbara smiled, transforming her face into the perfect girl-next-door look. “We’re scouting on the east side for supplies. Found a bunch of kids’ toys the other day, and it was like Christmas inner territory.”
Sami grinned, catching the excitement. “That’s awesome. Jax didn’t get cranky, you guys spending time and resources to bring back toys?”
Barbara chortled. “He tried, but when he saw how happy the kids were, I swear, he actually smiled.”
“A real smile?” Sami lowered her voice to a hushed tone, fighting another grin.
Barbara nodded, her eyes sparkling. “I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it. Maybe I’ll try to bring back some board games for adults later.”
“Don’t push your luck,” Sami said.
“Good point. So, training?”
Sami sipped her soup. “Sounds good. I’ll meet up with you tonight.”
“Perfect.” Barbara turned and headed for the outer door. “You’re the best,” she called out, shoving the door open to the sunny day.
Yeah, right. The best. Sami shook her head. What had she been thinking to even daydream about Tace? Barbara was her friend, damn it.
Jax bellowed her name from the war rooms.
She rolled her eyes and pushed away from the round barrel serving as her table. “Coming,” she screamed back. Dropping her cup in the bucket on the counter, she strolled out of the soup kitchen and into the vestibule, where Jax, Tace, and Damon Winter waited.
“What the hell are you doing here?” she snapped at Winter. The Merc soldier was an enemy as far as she was concerned.
“Man, you can yell,” Damon said, slapping a hand against his ear.
“Sami,” Jax said. “Damon arrived an hour ago to request assistance. I’m sending Tace into Merc territory to help with the wounded from the attack yesterday, and I’d like you to provide backup.”
