Run To Me (Lazarus Rising #4)(65)

He shoved West.

West didn’t shove back. “You’re freaking hurt!” West yelled at him. “Are you trying to tear your stitches open? Are you trying—”

“I love her!” Jay roared at him. “Everything is tearing open right now! I’m losing my freaking mind. Willow is out there somewhere, with the piece of shit who killed her before. And you’re telling me to get in bed? To sleep this crap off? No. No.” He shook his head. “I’m finding Willow. Even if I have to rip apart this world to do it.”

A knock sounded at the door. A second later, the door was swinging open. Sawyer coughed into his hand. “I, um, think you should hear a few things. Before you go ripping apart worlds and what not.”

Did he look like he was in the mood for more bullshit?

“Wyman,” Sawyer added. “He wants to talk to you.” Without another word, Sawyer left the room.

Jay surged forward. Once more, West got in his path.

“I know, okay?” West snapped. “I know you love her. But I love your sorry ass. You’re my family, and I’m not going to lose you. That bastard nearly took out a whole block with his explosives. He doesn’t care about innocent casualties. I lost two men. Two men. He killed them, and I had to be the one to explain to their wives that they wouldn’t ever be coming home.” His jaw hardened. “I’m not going to step aside while you walk into a showdown with him. He took out a freaking super soldier. Tossed Flynn like it was nothing. You love her, and that’s great. But I’ll be damned if I let you die for her.”

“West…”

“She can come back from the grave. You can’t.”

He felt like he was already in the grave. Knowing that Willow was out there with Lucas, that he could be hurting her was his living hell. “I said I’d keep her safe.” His voice was rougher as his shoulders sagged. “I promised her that. She’d been hurt so much. I just—why couldn’t I keep my promise to her?”

“Because we didn’t know who we were up against.” West nodded. “Time for Wyman to tell us everything. Then we’ll figure this out. You always figure things out, man. Ever since we were kids. We can do this. But you’re not doing it alone.”

He wasn’t alone. He’d never been alone, not since he’d gone into that foster home and seen a boy his age waiting for him. A boy in too-big clothes, a boy with rage in his eyes, and a boy who’d been his brother from then on.

Jay’s hand locked around West’s shoulder.

“Are you calm now?” West demanded.

“No.” He wouldn’t lie to West.

“Didn’t think so.” West measured him. “But you’re not running out like a drunk cowboy.”

“Not until we talk to Wyman.” Then there would be no promises.

Wyman will know his weakness. Wyman always knows weaknesses.

And once Jay learned what would take down that bastard Lucas…game the fuck on.

***

“Deep inside, you must have known that Jay was a threat to you.” Lucas was still in front of her. Her knees were weak, and his grip was the only thing that kept her upright. “I bet you had flashes, didn’t you? I’ve heard the Lazarus subjects can sometimes see the danger coming. Did you see him attacking you? Lying to you? Did you see the threat coming?”

“I saw…” Keep Lucas talking. Figure this out. “I had a dream…where I killed him.”

His shoulders relaxed. “Because you knew he was a threat.”

Because she’d been the threat.

“You don’t believe me.” His breath exhaled on a rough sigh. “What did I expect? I mean, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. They took you from me. Tore away your memories. Brainwashed you when you tried to fight back.” His gaze swept over her face. “Wyman never wanted us to be together. He knew I was going to take you away, and if I did, the bastard would never get his hands on you again.”

“He…my father…”

“He killed your real father. Did he tell you that part? I bet he didn’t. They were partners, back in the day, but Wyman killed your father on a mission. Friendly fire, if you believe that.” His mocking laughter said he didn’t. “And Wyman took you. Separated you from the rest of the world. You were never allowed any freedom. When I found you, hell, you were like Rapunzel. The princess who’d been locked away in a tower that he made.”

“I’m no princess.” And he was no prince.

Lucas pulled her closer. “I won’t give up on you. We’re together again. We’re going to stay together. One day, you’ll love me again.”

“You going to keep me cuffed until then? Cuffs and tranqs—they don’t exactly shout love.” She could feel her strength coming back. Her voice wasn’t as slurred or as weak. She just needed a little more time.

Lucas smiled at her. The smile chilled her to the core. “I have something better.” He inhaled. “God, I missed your scent. I missed your body. I missed you.”

And he scared her. “What is your something better?”

“The Lazarus formula, of course.”

That made no sense to her.

“Before I blew that lab—your prison—to hell and back, I helped myself to a few supplies. I’ve got the Lazarus serum. I’ll give it to you, and it will be a reset.”