Somewhere around them, far too close for her liking, Indigo heard gunshots. More of Dr. Gardner’s guards were fighting against Voodoo’s teammates.
What if something happened to one of them? Voodoo should be there with them, helping them, not worrying about getting her to safety. There was no one to care if she lived or died, but he had at least five men who would grieve his loss.
“Put me down,” she mumbled, trying to lift her head from his shoulder and finding it much harder than it should be.
“No.” Voodoo didn't elaborate, just offered that one word, said with a finality that indicated arguing was pointless.
But it wasn't pointless if it meant this man got to live.
Honestly, Indigo didn't really care if she died. She’d fight. That was ingrained in her from birth, but fighting was exhausting, especially when you were doing it all alone. It would be nice not to have to fight all the time, for everything, even if that meant the only way she found peace was in death.
“Leave me behind,” she insisted. “Not too late for you to go back and join your team.”
“What part of no don’t you get?” he asked as he continued to run with her in his arms like she weighed nothing. He wasn't even winded, and she had no idea how long it had been since she passed out in the lab.
“Not worth risking your life to save mine,” she whispered, being completely honest. As she tilted her head a little, she could make out Voodoo’s profile in the thin light of the moon. Even with the night vision goggles making it a little disjointed, it was a nice profile with a chiseled jaw and high cheekbones, he was handsome. She liked his lips, too. They looked like they’d be nice to kiss.
The thought caught her by surprise. She usually didn't waste time thinking about kissing men. After all, what man would want to kiss her? Even her own husband used to tell her often how lucky she was that with everything she’d been through as a child, a man like him was still willing to marry her.
Damaged. That’s what he always called her. Damaged goods.
People who were damaged goods didn't deserve affection, tenderness, or love.
“Going to pretend you didn't say that, but we’ll address that thinking when we get home,” he informed her as more gunshots peppered through the night.
Would it be worth reminding him that she didn't have a home? Hadn't ever really, given that the one she thought she was building with her ex turned out to be a sham.
“They’re shooting at your friends,” she reminded him. It was getting increasingly harder to keep her eyes open, but she knew she needed to convince Voodoo that leaving her and going with his team was the better option for him.
She didn't want his death on her conscience.
Would sacrifice herself in a heartbeat, without a second thought, to save him.
“They won't beat them,” Voodoo said with such confidence in his voice that for a moment she almost believed him.
But what if he was wrong?
Even with their enhanced skills, Voodoo’s team could still beoutnumbered. It didn't matter that she’d only just met these men, wasn't even sure she could put names to faces for all of them, they were like her and that made them allies.
“Don’t want anyone to die because of me,” she said, pleading with him to understand that she held no value, no significance, she wasn't worth risking everything for. “What if … what if you killed me?”
Abruptly, they halted. The sudden lack of motion was so unexpected that her stomach lurched, and that sickening nausea washed over her like a wave, making her groan.
“What the hell did you just say?” Voodoo demanded, making her tremble.
Not really from fear, more just because he was an intense guy, and when he was focusing all of that intensity on her it was a lot.
“Umm … if I was dead, then you could go back to your team and not feel like you were leaving one of you behind,” she said in a rush because while she absolutely believed that what she was saying was the right move, she was pretty sure Voodoo disagreed.
Vehemently.
Although she didn't really understand why. There was only so far the fact that they had both fallen victim to Dr. Gardner’s machinations could carry her.
“Going to pretend you didn't say that as well,” he said through clenched teeth. Balancing her with one arm, he tipped back the night vision goggles. While the dark meant she couldn’t really see his eyes properly, she felt their penetrating gaze.
“Being honest,” she said, forcing her teeth not to chatter. “I won't go back to that place. I'd rather die. And I don’t want you to die. And I don’t want any of your team to die. Killing me seems like the solution to all of those problems.”
Instead of answering her, he glared.
