He took the page. “I’ll have all my men sign up today and bring the paper back later tonight.”
Vinnie faltered. “That’s a great start. Women and children sign up tomorrow?”
Sami’s body tensed.
Zachary neatly folded the paper in two. “I’m sorry if I wasn’t clear. Our women and children must be protected from Scorpius. Few of them are willing to leave the safety of our compound.”
“They’re the ones we’re worried about, Zach,” Sami said evenly.
“Pastor King or Zachary, please.” He finally turned to face her directly. “As I hear it, you’re no longer in the inner circle, so please mind your own business.” He angled his head toward the door. “Your psychotic bodyguard isn’t here to defend your honor this time.”
She pushed to the edge of her chair, her chest heating. “Oh, Zach. If you think I need Tace around to kick your ass three ways to Sunday, you’re sorely mistaken. I can make what Tace did to you look like a first date.”
Vinnie pressed her lips together, and her eyes twinkled. She cleared her throat. “Pastor King, we need to interview every single member of the Pure. How can you make that happen?”
“I can’t,” he said.
“What are you afraid they’ll tell us?” Sami asked, naturally countering Vinnie’s respectful tone. Who said she couldn’t be LAPD? Here she was already mastering good cop–bad cop. “You seem more scared of the truth than of Scorpius.”
Vinnie leaned forward. “We can make provisions for their safety, and you know it.”
His chin lowered, and he barely touched the shiny bruise beneath his eye. “Can you?”
“Yes, and you’re the only one who can make these meetings happen, so please do so. Jax Mercury won’t let kids or other vulnerable citizens leave without an interview, and as impressive as your forces may be, you won’t win in a battle with him or the Vanguard soldiers. Especially since the Mercs are now our allies,” Vinnie said gently. “Work with me, Pastor.”
Sami kicked back. “You don’t have a choice.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
I think I’ve had worse ideas . . . maybe?
—Tace Justice
When he strode into the war rooms close to midnight, Tace was pleased to see Sami still included with the Vanguard soldiers as they sat around the conference table, all looking at a drawing of the Bunker.
Jax waited until he’d sat. “Before we get started, anybody want to hit Sami for lying?”
Tace stiffened.
Nobody moved. “All right. It’s over, we’ve moved on, and Sami is forgiven. If there is any personal crap between any of you and Sami, get it taken care of within twenty-four hours, or I’m slicing you open like a trout.” Jax fingered a bandage covering his upper arm.
Lynne opened a notebook. “I would like more information on Scorpius survivors’ rejection of vitamin B.”
Sami shook her head, lines fanning out from her eyes. “All I know is that some enzyme or medicine took care of it. The information is at the Bunker, as is the enzyme.” She kept her gaze on Lynne, looking exhausted. Tace should’ve made sure she’d gotten some sleep the night before.
Lynne bit her lip. “How bad can it get?”
“The condition leads to death if not treated, which is why I’ve come forward,” Sami said, her voice catching.
Tace’s heart thumped twice. She’d exposed herself to save him. “I appreciate it.”
She turned even paler. “I wish I knew more about the actual science, but that wasn’t my job, and I didn’t pay any attention. I’m sorry.”
He wanted to reach for her hand, to touch her somehow, but she was all the way across the table. Next time he’d arrive early and sit closer to her.
“Moving on for now.” Jax looked around. “Who’s next?”
Vinnie leaned forward. “After meeting with Pastor Zachary, Sami and I have interviewed twenty of the Pure men, and they all fanatically want to stay with the Pure and follow Zach.”
