Justice Ascending

by Rebecca Zanetti

  Did she just call him “buddy”? Jax flashed a smile as his temper stirred. “Baby, move your ass, or I’m gonna do it for you.”

  She sat back in her chair, and her telltale blue heart glowed through her white T-shirt. He wanted to take a little credit for the fact that she was more comfortable with the blue since they’d gotten together. Her heart had been changed when she’d been injected with a possible cure for Scorpius that hadn’t quite worked. Now she was a target for way too many bad guys, and he often lost sleep worrying about how to protect her. “You’re awfully bossy tonight. What has you tied up?” she asked.

  He blinked slowly. “I’m not here to chat.”

  “Why are you here?” She pushed back her soft blond hair and lowered her chin.

  Temper tickled the base of his neck. “To tell you to get some sleep. You keep going like this, and you’re gonna get sick.” They were out of most antibiotics, and the idea of her falling ill made his chest hurt. He might not be able to control much in this new world, but he could at the very least make sure his woman got some sleep. While he never would’ve thought God would give him a brilliant, spirited, kind woman like Lynne, He had, and Jax wasn’t going to lose her now. “Did you even eat dinner?”

  She squinted and leaned to the side to peer beyond him at the darkened back door. “What time is it?”

  That’s what he’d figured. He breathed in and out slowly like the doc had told him to do when he was about to explode.

  Lynne arched one light eyebrow. “Seriously? You’re using calming breathing techniques?”

  “Better than beating your ass,” he returned.

  She snorted. “What is wrong with you tonight?”

  “Why are you killing yourself with this research?” With the crappy lab, even if she figured out a cure for Scorpius, they didn’t have the resources to do anything but talk about possibilities.

  Her eyes darkened. “Time is ticking, Mercury. Not one live birth has occurred since Scorpius infected the world, and we have to change that.”

  He lifted a hand. “No live births from Scorpius survivors, you mean.” Any woman who hadn’t been infected could still have babies.

  She nodded. “Yeah, but we have more survivors than noninfected, and since the bacteria lives on surfaces and will probably always be around, someday perhaps everyone will have been infected. We have to do something, and preferably soon, since we have a pregnant teenager here. One who survived Scorpius.”

  “Jill Sanderson.” Jax wiped a hand across his eyes. “I can’t believe those kids.”

  “Right.” Lynne coughed. “Like we never forgot condoms.”

  Oh, he was well aware of his limits. “You didn’t get pregnant.”

  “No, but it was a possibility.” She frowned. “Even using condoms, it’s possible. They’re only 97 percent effective, and someday we’ll be out of stock.”

  The idea of a little girl with Lynne’s intelligent eyes both tempted and scared the shit out of him. The world wasn’t safe for anybody, and he was holding on as tight as he could as it was. He swallowed. “That’s a worry for another day. Tonight my concern is all on you.”

  “Fantastic although not quite true.” She twirled a pencil across the table. “You’re worrying about Tace and Sami.” She looked up. “As well as everyone else in Vanguard.”

  Yeah, he was. “Tace and Sami are well trained, and they have each other’s backs. Greyson gave his word that they’d be safe.”

  “Do you believe him? Or rather, did you believe Damon Winter?” Lynne asked.

  Jax moved toward her. “Yes, or I wouldn’t have sent two of my top lieutenants into his territory.” He hoped the risk had been worth it.

  She straightened in her chair. “Did you send drawings of Marcus with them?”

  Jax nodded. “Sami always has a drawing of my brother with her when scouting.” He was losing hope that his younger brother was still alive, even though an old enemy had hinted at that possibility before dying. “She’ll ask if anybody has seen him.” The chances were slim.

  “I think we’ll find him. I really do.” Lynne tilted her head and focused on the outside door again. “I hadn’t noticed but the rain has stopped completely. How long will we have water resources?”

  He shook his head. “I’m having that calculated right now. Soon we’ll have to head north for both food and fresh water. I’m not ready to leave Vanguard, but we may not have a choice.”

  She winced. “Moving more than five hundred people? That’s going to be difficult.”

  “I know.” He leaned over her and pushed the microscope out of the way, his gaze catching on some of her neatly printed notes. “Any news on the Bunker?”

  She looked up into his face as her gaze dropped to his lips. A pretty pink blush bloomed across her high cheekbones. “Um, Tace and I sifted through more documents yesterday, and we think it’s on the coast somewhere. It exists, Jax. There are too many references to it.”

  Yeah, he believed the mysterious government facility existed as well. The government had to have had something in place in case of a plague, especially after the wakeup call of Ebola. The question was whether or not the Bunker scientists had found a cure for Scorpius. “We’ll find the Bunker.” He wasn’t placing much stock in a cure, though.

  “I know,” she said softly, stretching and knocking over an empty cup. Man, his woman was a klutz.

  He swooped down and lifted her against his chest, quickly straightening.

  She yelped. “What are you doing?”

  He nuzzled her neck, calming himself with her sweet scent. “I need you.” True words.

  She softened in his arms. “Are you just manipulating me to get me to sleep?”

  “Yep.” He turned and strode through the clinic and toward the other side of headquarters. “But if manipulation comes with a few orgasms, who can complain?”

  “A few?” She nipped at his chin.

  “I’ll see what I can do.” He held her easily. Had she lost more weight? Man, the woman needed a keeper. For now, at least he could focus on her and not on his absent lieutenants.

  He hoped he’d done the right thing sending them into Merc territory. If Greyson Storm harmed either one of them, Jax would wage war in an instant. Vanguard was big enough to take down the Mercs, God help them all.

  Chapter Six

  I only make mistakes that are catastrophic.

  —Sami Steel

  Exhaustion wore on Sami as she finished taking a very quick shower with rose-scented shampoo. All she had at Vanguard territory was dish soap, so she took a precious moment to appreciate the luxury. The shower was outside under a barrel of cold rainwater, but even so, it was heavenly. The smell of the world after Scorpius hadn’t returned to nature as of yet. It would, though.

  The water stopped pouring, so she figured her ration was up. Good thing she’d gotten rid of the suds. She glanced at the heavy tarps surrounding her and then poked her head out. “Towel?”

  Tace, his hair slicked back from his own shower, handed over a towel. He was basically keeping guard outside. Oh, she could fight naked as well as dressed, but she was happy nobody had interrupted her few moments of rose-smelling bliss. She toweled off her thick hair and then her body before wrapping the towel around herself.

  She stepped out and onto a small basketball court set next to the new Mercenary headquarters. Had the kids who’d lived there survived? Maybe they’d headed up north with their parents. Or maybe not. She tried not to think about them or of her many cousins who had perished. While she’d always considered herself fortunate to have a large family, now that they’d all passed on, she felt the void every day.

  Leaning down, she rummaged in her duffel bag for clothes and quickly stepped back inside the tarps to throw on yoga pants and a clean shirt.

  Stepping out again, she finger-combed her hair. She and Tace had finished dealing with the wounded long after the sun had deserted the sky, and after a quick meal, they’d both showered with the other one gua
rding the door. It was the first time they’d had privacy all day. “Grey wouldn’t let me follow him to the medicine stockpile.”

  Tace sighed. “He’s crafty.” Then the medic straightened.

  Greyson Storm was moving their way from the beach.

  “Thanks for the shampoo,” Sami said.

  He nodded. “Figured you’d like the girly stuff more than Tace. How are my men?”

  Tace rubbed his eyes. “Everyone will live. The last guy had a bullet a little close to the spine, but I think he’ll be okay. When he awakens, we’ll need to make sure he can move his legs. I did my best.”

  “I appreciate it.” Grey eyed the rolling ocean beneath the full moon. “I wanted to thank you both. The men in the infirmary are singing your praises, Sami.”

  She shrugged and heat climbed into her face. “I just talked to them.”

  “And told poems, jokes, and sang songs,” Greyson said with a smile. “You went above and beyond, and the soft touch made a difference. I’m in your debt.”

  “She’s a sucker for a wounded animal,” Tace said, his gaze inscrutable. “Apparently, wounded soldiers as well.”

  Grey nodded. “You guys must need sleep. I’ll show you to your quarters while we’re here.”

  Sami’s eyes were gritty, and the idea of a few hours’ relaxation was too appealing to resist. She fell into step after him as he led the way back into headquarters and through the east wing of the house, using an industrial-sized flashlight to show the way.

  “One room or two?” Grey asked.

  “Two,” Sami said just as Tace answered, “One.”

  Grey sighed, and he turned by a large white door. “All right. I’m in the master bedroom, which is the farthest doorway at the end. Damon is in the one we just passed. There’s an empty bedroom here for one of you that is decorated in butterflies and tiaras.” He turned and pointed down the hallway and toward his bedroom. “There’s another one there that has green carpet and NASCAR decorations. The house is patrolled by armed guards, and I have sentries at each entryway.”

  Tace leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. “One room. Butterflies or cars?”

  “Not a chance,” Sami snapped.

  Greyson rolled his eyes. “This is a Vanguard fight, and I’m too tired to give a shit. Sami, if you kill him, toss his ass outside and one of the guards will dispose of the body.” Greyson handed the flashlight to Tace, and without another word, he strode down the hallway and shut a door none too gently.

  She was exhausted, her defenses were down, and she couldn’t go a round with the Texan hottie. “I’m tired, Tace. Let’s get some sleep and figure things out tomorrow.”

  “We can sleep all you want, but we’re bunking in the same room.” He glanced down the hallway of the quiet house. “You want to be treated like one of the soldiers, and that’s fine, but if Jax was here, we’d bunk together. We’re in hostile territory, and one room is better defended than two.”

  She lifted her chin. “You and Jax would not share a room.” Yet would they? It did seem a lot safer just in case.

  “Sure we would. So the question is why you wouldn’t want to share with me? You’ll sleep better.”

  That was probably true. Or maybe not. Things had been off between them since the other night, and she didn’t like being confused. She had to remain apart to protect herself. “I don’t know.”

  “Why, darlin’?” The Texas twang drawled out in full force. “You don’t trust yourself?”

  That stupid accent spread warmth through her entire abdomen. She never could resist a challenge. “Fine. We’re taking butterflies.” She stole the flashlight from him and shoved open the door, only to stop cold. The bed was in the center, all white with flimsy netting wrapped around it. Pink and blue butterfly pillows decorated it and matched the huge butterfly rug on the floor. The walls were a soft yellow with a pink border full of tiaras.

  “Sami?” Tace’s warmth heated her back.

  “My sister had a girly room like this years ago. I’d forgotten,” she whispered, tears instantly filling her eyes. Jackie hadn’t survived Scorpius. The pain struck so suddenly, Sami sucked in air and tried not to fall.

  His breath brushed her hair, and he wrapped an arm around her waist from behind. “Take a moment, baby.”

  She nodded and let the feelings soar through her, remembering Jackie, grieving as a good sister should. “I’m okay.”

  He gave her several moments, heating her from behind, just supporting her weight. She could feel his heart beating against her shoulder, and she allowed herself one moment of weakness to sink into his strength. “Jackie was so girly.” Sami breathed out, her body settling.

  Tace held her tighter, his forearm comforting across her abdomen. “What was your room like?” His breath brushed her ear.

  She blinked. “Um, blue and yellow with pictures of fighters.” She shrugged. While she could’ve gone with butterflies, she had liked her room. “I was a tomboy.” It hurt to look at the pretty things. “My sister was all girl. God, I loved her. She was one year younger than me, but we were best friends. When she made cheerleader, I created a huge collage for her room that she had until the day she died.” The last word ended on a sob.

  Tace tugged her backward and leaned around her to shut the door. “Let’s sleep with cars.” Gently taking her hand, he led her down the hallway.

  She held on to him, allowing him to lead, feeling not so alone. Oh, she couldn’t be vulnerable like this, and yet, she couldn’t stop.

  Tace pushed open the door. “Ah, shit.”

  A chuckle bubbled through her and sounded like a sob as she swung the light. “Neither one of us will fit in that.” The car-shaped bed would probably fit a toddler. Even the furniture was pint-sized and shaped like cars. “It’s okay.” She swallowed and turned back toward the girly bedroom. “Sometimes it just hits you out of the blue, you know? I can handle the butterflies now.”

  He glanced around. “We could sleep on the floor.”

  “No. We’re tired. The bed was a queen-size and will fit us both.” Plus, now that the shock had ebbed, it’d be nice to be surrounded by butterflies and tiaras for a night. When was the last time she’d been close to the innocence of the pre-Scorpius days? “Come on.” She kept his hand and pulled him along, entering the room.

  Her breath quickened. She was leading Tace Justice into a bedroom, for goodness’ sake. Friends. They were just friends. Although, if she truly felt that way, would she be lying to him like this?

  Tace entered and then engaged the lock. After a quick look around, he shoved the creamy white dresser in front of the door. “Just in case we really drop off.” He moved toward the window and made sure it was locked. The man looked as out of place in the sweet room as a wild lion.

  Sami faltered by the bed. “Um, what side do you want?” Okay, this was getting weird.

  “Right side.” He moved toward the side by the window.

  She nodded and slid into the other side, turning off the flashlight. The room was plunged into darkness. Soft sheets caressed her skin. “Tace?” she whispered.

  “Yeah?”

  “Do you really sleep on the right?”

  He rolled to his side to face her. With her eyes adjusting, she could barely make out his strong features. “I wanted to be closer to the window in case it was breached,” he murmured.

  That’s what she’d figured. “You know, it occurs to me that you’ve always done stuff like that, and I’m just questioning why now.” She moved onto her side.

  “You’re a girl.”

  She opened her mouth to snap at him, but he tapped a finger against her lips. Shock and the electric heat suddenly sparking through her kept her silent.

  “I know you’re a dangerous and well-trained soldier, and I respect that. But I’m still a guy who was raised with a strong mama and two little sisters, and I’m always gonna try to shield you. It’s who I am. I like you, Sami. Even if I didn’t, I’d still try to protect you as much as I
could. But I do like you.”

  He sounded almost confused about the last.

  “What’s wrong with liking me?” she whispered, her toes freezing. Maybe if she moved them just a little toward him, they’d get warm. The guy was like a heater.

  “I only seem to like you.” He rubbed his face. “I mean, I think I like the other Vanguard soldiers, but I really like you, and that’s not good right now. I’m not the guy I was—though that guy would’ve tried to charm you.”

  She chuckled. “You come from Texas guys who wore white cowboy hats, don’t you?”

  He shifted in the bed. “Yeah. The men in my family were all Texas Rangers, and before that, sheriffs. I always thought I’d finish in the service and go back and be a lawman. With our last name, there was never much of a choice.” He breathed out. “I’ve let them down.”

  She paused. “How?”

  “By losing myself to Scorpius,” he whispered, emotion clouding his eyes. “The darkness was always there inside me, so it’s my fault it even exists for Scorpius to let free. I know that deep down.”

  She shook her head. “That’s crazy. Plus, truth be told, I think anybody who ever settled Texas probably had a dark side. It was necessary.” How could he not see that he was every bit the hero he’d always been . . . just with a darker edge?

  “That’s sweet.” He ran his knuckles across her cheek.

  She blinked and tried to remain perfectly still. “Tace.”

  He nodded. “I know.”

  Her throat clogged, and her body rioted. Okay. She had to get control. “Um . . .”

  Tension spiraled from him, surrounding her in a hungry heat. His lips started to move, and she had to force herself to concentrate on what he was saying. “I want to proposition you, just for the night, even though it’d be a colossal mistake. But we’re in bed together, and . . .”

  Man, when Tace opened up, he sure did it with a vengeance. “We’re friends.” She scrambled to find a reason why they couldn’t.