Page 65 of Cruel Salvation

“Soldiers.”

Damon shook his head not understanding. “What?”

“Andrea wants to make a team of female super soldiers and she wants Lotus as the prototype.”

Motherfucker.

Shoving Simon away, he turned to Duchess and saw the worry flit across her face before she could bury it.

“Get the team ready.”

It took less than ten minutes for Shadow to move into action and they stood, taking their orders off Bás, each member focused and driven on getting Naz back. The air was tinged with simmering anger, fear, and death. He knew that people would die today, and he knew it would be the people who stood between them and Naz.

“I’m coming too.”

“So am I.”

Damon glanced at Gideon, who was glaring at Bás as if to dare him to say no.

“Neither of you are operatives.”

“She’s mine, Bás. I have to be there.”

“Fine. But, Gideon, you stay here.”

“Not a fucking chance. I’m going with my brother so if you want to stop me, you better shoot me.”

“He should come.”

Damon watched the silent interaction between Bás and Duchess, and a poisonous bile swirled in his belly.

“Fine, but do as you’re told. Reaper, get him a vest.”

As he waited, his fingers itching to rush out of the building and run to her no matter the consequences to himself, he saw Duchess pull Gideon aside. He moved closer, torn between wanting to hear and not as she began to speak.

“Gideon, you need to keep a close eye on your brother because there’s a very good chance Lotus is dead.”

“What?”

“Andrea isn’t a scientist like her dad was, and the dosage for that drug needs to be perfect. Just a few mills over and it will kill her.”

“Fuck, this will crush him.”

“I know, so stay close to him.”

Damon had to step away, the words like hot brands on his skin as anguish he could hardly stand tried to crush his chest. She couldn’t be dead, he would know. A love like that didn’t just die, he’d feel it. He had to believe she was alive or he’d go berserk and lose his mind.