Shadow Falling

by Rebecca Zanetti

  He lost the smile. “What a rational, scientific, reasonable approach to survival.”

  She gave him a look. “I do not appreciate the sarcasm.”

  He pressed into the vee of her legs. “You need to know how to get free and run if anybody grabs you in Thousand Oaks.”

  Her eyes wanted to roll back in her head from pure pleasure. “Somehow I don’t think they’ll jump on me like this.”

  “True.”

  “I’ll be fine.” She’d take a gun and a couple of knives. “One night of training isn’t going to do me any good.”

  “You’re wrong, and while I don’t agree with your going on this mission, I’m going to make sure you’re prepared. By the end of the night, you’ll know how to break several holds and cause major damage to an attacker. You have no choice.” He nipped her bottom lip.

  The bite held pain and warning. She blinked. “Raze?”

  “I like you. I like being right here,” he said quietly, his gaze intense. “Remember that during the next several hours.”

  What did that mean? “Um—”

  He rolled them both and stood, easily planting her on her feet. “If somebody grabs you, it’s going to be like this.” Twirling her around, he slid an arm beneath hers and grabbed her neck, yanking her back into his hard chest. “Get free.”

  She took a breath and kicked back. His weight shifted, he lifted, and started moving her toward the door.

  Panicking, she struggled against him, her shoulders feeling like they were bouncing off a boulder. She kicked and shook, slapping back, not slowing his stride at all.

  He paused at the doorway, set her down, and smacked her sharply on the ass.

  Pain rippled through her lower back, and she turned, her hand going to her smarting butt. “What the hell?”

  He cocked a head to the side, no give on his hard face. “Every time you let me get you to the doorway, you’re feeling my palm.”

  Her mouth gaped open. “You have got to be kidding me.”

  “Nope. You need motivation, and I’m happy to provide that.” He looked down several inches at her. “If you can get through the doorway by yourself at any point, then we’re finished training.”

  Oh, she was feeling more than a little motivation. Was there any way she could actually knock him out? She eyed the closed door. “Open the door, then.”

  He reached behind his hip and opened the door about six inches. “Get back across the room.”

  Yeah, she was so going to make him pay. Turning on a tennis shoe, she moved back to the middle of the mat and settled her knees.

  He moved for her, straight on, not even trying to hide his attack.

  She kicked out. He grabbed her arms and flipped her over his shoulder. The breath whooshed out of her lungs. Three long strides and they reached the doorway. This smack made her groan out loud and rushed her temper hard and fast to the surface. He put her down and she punched out.

  His hand enclosed her fist with a loud smack. “Middle of the mat. Now.”

  Jerking free, she stomped back to the middle.

  He crossed his arms. “Are you ready to learn a couple of moves now?”

  She glared at him. “Fine. But don’t be surprised when I knock you on your ass.”

  “Looking forward to it.” His chin lowered, and he moved toward her again.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  A sociopath’s behavior is often in opposition to his true thoughts.

  —Dr. Vinnie Wellington, Sociopaths

  Morning light shone through windows set in the far wall of the conference room. It was really a war room. Interesting. Maybe Jax called it the conference room just to keep everyone calm. Raze kicked back in his chair and kept his face blank.

  “That’s good. Look scary and thoughtful,” Jax said, not looking up from a stack of papers set on the opulent table.

  Raze rolled his eyes.

  “I saw that.” Jax shook his head.

  Raze drummed his fingers on the table. He and Jax sat on one side, waiting for the good reverend to show up. Everyone else had somehow gotten out of this stupid duty. “We have more important things to deal with today.”

  “Not really.” Jax set down a piece of paper and looked up. “We’re not supposed to meet Greyson Storm until midnight, so we might as well get some work finished today. How was training last night?”

  Shitty, and it had left him with a hard-on that had tortured him all night. After Vinnie had finally gotten past him, he’d sent her to bed, and he’d spent most of the night scouting Vanguard territory for threats. “The training went fine,” Raze said. “Vinnie can break a few holds and run if necessary, and today Tace is teaching her how to shoot to kill.” If Raze had been forced to spend one more minute smelling her sweet scent of calla lilies, he would’ve finished the training session with her naked. “I still think it’s a mistake to take her.”

  “She wants to go, and I think she has a point. If she tells Greyson what he wants to know, then there’s no reason for him to continue hunting her. Also, if the meeting somehow does lead to an alliance, we’ll have the edge against the president and his forces.” Jax cut an irritated look at the empty doorway. “Bastard is late.”

  The burn scars on Raze’s arm ached like a storm was coming. “If Maureen is of value to Grey—and I think she is—then he’s not going to willingly trade her.”

  “Agreed.” Jax kept his gaze on the door. “Our goal is to get your sister, protect Vinnie, and figure out Grey. If we have to kill him to meet our first two goals, then so be it. But again, if there’s a chance we can form an alliance with the Mercs, we’d be crazy not to at least try to work things out.”

  Vinnie crossed into the room wearing a pretty yellow skirt with a silky blouse.

  Raze straightened, his body thrumming to life. “What are you doing here?”

  She ignored him and moved to the end of the table.

  “Jax?” Raze rumbled.

  “Leave your personal shit at the door. She’s a profiler, and we need her,” Jax said.

  Vinnie sat and hissed out a breath.

  Jax turned her way. “You okay?”

  “Fine,” she said through gritted teeth. “Just a little tender from training last night.”

  Jax nodded. “It’ll get better. Those are unused muscles, and the more you train, the tougher you’ll get. The key is to take those sore muscles and use them again.”

  Raze pressed his lips together to keep from smiling. It wasn’t her muscles that were smarting.

  Vinnie shot him a death glare.

  Reverend Lighton strode inside, all purpose. His hair was slicked back, and he’d donned a pair of designer glasses. The guy probably had perfect eyesight. “Thank you for meeting with me.” He didn’t offer to shake hands.

  “Take a seat,” Jax said, pointing to a chair on the opposite side of the table.

  Lighton pulled out a chair with his gloved hands. Nice, leather gloves.

  Jax blinked almost in slow motion. “Afraid of germs, are we?”

  Lighton nodded. “I’m sorry, but yes. Scorpius lives not only in humans but on surfaces just like any bacteria, right?”

  “Right.” A muscle ticked in Jax’s jaw.

  So the guy had kept gloves off last time in order to draw them in. Hadn’t worked, now had it?

  Lighton grimaced toward Raze. “I heard you had been infected, and I offer my condolences. You would’ve made a good member of my congregation.”

  “I’m still kicking,” Raze said, throwing threat into his voice.

  Lighton turned toward Vinnie. “Dr. Wellington. I’ve never asked, but I’ve assumed. You’re a carrier of Scorpius, correct?”

  “Enough. What do you want, Lighton?” Jax asked.

  Raze nodded. Leaving off the guy’s new title would put him on the defensive, and they needed him off-center a little bit.

  Lighton’s lip twisted. “The Pure would like an autonomous area in the southeast corner of Vanguard territory. In addition to the t
hree blocks of apartments, we’d like to claim the other two blocks, extending our territory to the far corner.”

  “You want to expand the fence?” Raze muttered.

  “Yes. Complete autonomy. Our soldiers would continue to patrol with yours, of course.” Lighton kept his gloved hands in his lap.

  Vinnie leaned forward, her gaze thoughtful. “Would your soldiers also patrol your proposed borders?”

  “Of course,” Lighton said.

  “What if somebody trespassed?” Vinnie asked.

  The reverend smiled, revealing smooth, white teeth. Very white. “We’ll figure out those kinds of details at a later date. Right now, we’re discussing autonomy.”

  Jax crossed his arms. “As I understand it, you’re asking me to share my resources, including protection, with a group of folks who want to close themselves off from the rest of us. Who want our food, our medicine, our guns . . . for what? What exactly are you giving back here, buddy?”

  The reverend nodded in what seemed like understanding. Intelligence and determination glowed in his eyes. “That’s a fair question. Like I said, our soldiers still work with you, and our scouts still go on missions.”

  “Not enough,” Jax drawled.

  The reverend breathed out slowly. “Listen, I know it doesn’t seem fair, but what about the bigger picture? Don’t you understand the responsibility we have to humanity as a whole? We might differ on the reason God wiped the earth clean, but we have to agree that preserving human life is paramount.” Lighton’s voice deepened.

  The guy showed a charisma that probably motivated his little flock from the pulpit.

  “What do you mean?” Jax asked.

  “Babies,” Lighton said. “God has made it clear that Scorpius results in death, either now or in a few decades. Infected women can’t carry babies to term. Only the pure, only the uninfected, shall be here in a hundred years.”

  Vinnie paled but didn’t speak.

  Raze had a very clear image of himself reaching across the table and choking Lighton out with one hand. He smiled.

  Lighton leaned back in his chair, his eyes widening.

  Jax shook his head. “That’s a rumor, and it’s too early to know if it’s true. I’m sure there are plenty of pregnant Scorpius survivors out there.”

  “They won’t make it to term,” Lighton said, his conciliatory tone at odds with the triumphant gleam in his eye. “You know it as well as I do.”

  “Is that why you’ve become a reverend?” Vinnie asked.

  “God called me,” Lighton said simply. “I have a duty to my people.”

  Vinnie smiled. “It must be nice to have a calling in this world.”

  He nodded. “It is. With a calling comes great responsibility.”

  “About that.” Jax cocked his head to the side. “What are the rules of the Pure? I mean, all churches, all organizations, have structure, right?”

  Lighton focused solely on Jax, his face losing its charm. “I’m afraid that’s private, Master Sergeant Mercury.”

  Interesting that Lighton had used Jax’s military designation. Raze glanced at Vinnie to catch her reaction, but her expression remained calm and vaguely interested. She probably made a hell of a shrink.

  Jax lost his patience. “Listen, Lighton. Every single person in this territory is a member of Vanguard, and I rule this territory, all of it.”

  So much for negotiating. Raze went on alert.

  Lighton shook his head. “Not anymore.”

  Jax lifted an eyebrow—slow and sure. “Meaning?”

  “Meaning, if you don’t agree to our terms, we’re leaving.” Lighton held up a hand to halt Jax’s response. “I mean no disrespect, but I have to protect the uninfected.”

  Jax nodded. “I’m fine with you leaving with your group.”

  Vinnie leaned forward to speak and then stopped at whatever she saw on Jax’s face.

  “However, I want to speak with each and every member of your organization before they walk through the fence. Without you present.” Jax crossed his arms. “If I get even a hint that you’re forcing people to belong to your church and leave the safety of Vanguard, you end up three feet under. Make that six.”

  Death threats? Raze made sure his gaze conveyed support for the Vanguard leader, keeping it focused on Lighton, who’d flushed an interesting shade of red.

  Jax shoved his chair back from the table. “Get me a complete list of your members and who’s planning to leave Vanguard with you. Vinnie will schedule exit interviews.”

  Raze stood, showing muscle and agreement.

  Lighton pushed back from the table, and Vinnie held up a hand. “Do you mind remaining and speaking with me, Reverend? Perhaps I can ease the way here. I have a few questions.” Her voice remained low and soothing.

  Jax turned to Raze.

  Raze didn’t like it. Not one bit. But Vinnie could probably get Lighton off the defensive and gain some information. He nodded. “I’ll be right outside.” The last was said for the reverend’s benefit.

  Jax led the way out the door and shut it. After moving across the outer room, he leaned against the wall. “Well? What do you think?”

  “I’m not a shrink, but if I were, I’d call that guy a narcissistic asshole,” Raze said.

  Jax nodded, eyeing the closed door. “The question remains whether he’s dangerous or not.” He paced toward a weapons locker and then back. “He seems to believe his nonsense, which might make him unstable.”

  “Has April Snyder infiltrated the group yet?” Raze asked.

  “Tomorrow.” Jax ran a hand through his hair. “She worked with Violet last night in the mess hall and told her how lost she is, how lonely, which is probably the fuckin’ truth.”

  “Yeah. Violet bit?”

  “Violet invited April to a meeting tomorrow morning. Our spy is on the way in.”

  Raze shook his head. “Our newest spy is a young, grieving widow, and our biggest benefit in the next mission is a slightly crazy shrink who’s willing to sacrifice herself for the greater good. Your soldiers, the top three, are Tace, who’s going dark, Sami, who’s hiding more secrets than I was, and me, a guy you don’t trust.”

  Jax nodded. “Yeah. I get it. I’m fucked.”

  Vinnie glanced toward the coffeepot in the corner. “Would you like some coffee, Reverend?”

  Lighton smiled and smoothed down his black pants. “No, thank you.”

  She’d known he’d avoid the germs, but the polite language provided clues. “Do you mind telling me about your congregation?”

  He eyed her, once more in control now that the Vanguard soldiers had left. “We’re just a group who believes there’s a reason we were spared the Scorpius infection. God has a plan for us.”

  “That must be nice.” She clasped her hands together on the smooth wood.

  “It is, but it’s also frightening,” Lighton said. He leaned forward, and this close, freckles showed on his smooth skin. “We’ve been given the tools to survive, but it’s up to us to use them, you know? It’s up to me to lead and keep my people safe.”

  “Why you?” Vinnie asked, settling right back into profiling as if she’d returned home. Her focus sharpened, and her shoulders finally relaxed.

  He tugged on his leather gloves, straightening the fingers. “I don’t know. One day, I just knew I had to do something. That night I dreamed God talked to me.” He laughed, the sound deep and self-effacing. “You’re a shrink, so you have to believe that’s crazy. But what if?”

  She lowered her chin, as if contemplating his claims.

  “Do you believe in God? Many scientists don’t,” he said.

  “I do believe,” she murmured. “I don’t see how anybody can look at either the human body or the cosmos and believe for a second that it all happened by chance.”

  He nodded. “Exactly. If there’s a God, then why wouldn’t he talk to some people? Some special people?”

  “You’re special?” she asked.

  He grinned again
. “Well, God talked to me, so I’m thinking that yes, I am.”

  Man, he could be charming. She smiled back, encouraging him. “The foundation of your church is your mission to protect the uninfected so humanity can continue?” she asked.

  “Yes.”

  “What if there’s an uninfected person who doesn’t want to join your church?” Vinnie asked.

  “Then they don’t join,” he said simply. “I’m not forcing men to do anything.”

  Intriguing phrasing. “What about women?”

  He stiffened. “Women either, but I think they need to be protected more than ever these days. Too many have been victimized as the strong have overcome the weak.”

  How paternalistic. “Even here inside Vanguard? You think women need to be protected here?” she asked.

  He clucked his tongue. “Asks the woman who has a guard dog waiting right outside to make sure she’s safe.”

  Her breath heated. “I work for Vanguard at headquarters. That comes with protection regardless of sex.” Although, that wasn’t why Raze waited outside.

  Lighton lifted his chin, and his upper lip curled. “Do you think you could leave? If we asked you to accompany the Pure, do you honestly believe Mercury would let you, the president’s profiler, leave Vanguard?”

  She blinked. “I’m free to leave.” The words rang hollow.

  “No. You’re not, and you know it.” Lighton pushed back from the table and stood. “You’re every bit as much of a prisoner here as is Lynne Harmony, whether either one of you likes it or not.”

  “That’s not true.” Vinnie stood, her breath catching.

  Lighton sneered. “You’re telling me that Blue Heart is free to up and go? That Mercury will open the fence for her? You’re delusional. While I believe the survivors of Scorpius are ultimately doomed, many people out there think she has a possible cure for the disease in her blue blood. Or at least she has the knowledge to create permanent B for survivors . . . if she finds a lab.”

  “We’re rebuilding civilization slowly,” Vinnie countered. “We believe in the freedom of the individual to make his or her own choices. Are you, or are you not, forcing women to belong to the Pure?”