Spider Game (GhostWalkers, #12)(28)

Draden would protect Trap with his life, the same as Wyatt. The same as the rest of their team. Wyatt put both hands on his hips and smirked at Draden. “Take a good look at the ladies’ man there.”


“He sandbagging it?” Draden asked, putting one foot on the boat and peering down at Trap.


“Nope. He tried cuddlin’ up to that woman of his. Kissin’ her. Probably tryin’ to cop a feel and she took exception to his roamin’ hands. She don’ need a knife to keep her man in line.” He burst out laughing. “Give me a hand. I’ve got to lug his lazy ass to the lab. He wants a few blood samples. Figures we need to get them before this paralysis wears off.”


Draden’s eyebrow shot up. “He thinks he can come up with some kind of vaccine? Something to keep this from happening the next time she decides she doesn’t want lover boy to use his hands on her?”


Wyatt’s grin widened. “Yep. That’s about it. He thinks he’ll fight a little fire with fire.” Wyatt stood over Trap’s body, one foot planted on either side of his legs. He whipped out his cell phone. “Need to get me a few shots of this. No one will believe she got the drop on him.”


Put that away, Wyatt, Trap demanded. He sent a scowl toward the swamp – toward Cayenne. I’m never going to live this down. He takes those pictures and the boys will have a field day. You didn’t have to bite me.


I had to bite you.


I didn’t mind the bite. I’ll take the bite if you like that sort of thing. It was kind of sexy, but lose the venom next time. I can’t satisfy your needs, baby, if I can’t move.


Draden pulled out his own cell phone. “I think it best if more than one of us has the proof. He’s not above destroying evidence.”


Wyatt slipped his phone back into his pocket, reached down and heaved Trap’s weight over his shoulder while Draden steadied the boat. Trap hung helplessly down his back, arms dangling free. Mordichai came out of the darkness. He reached Trap, caught his longish blond hair in his fist and lifted Trap’s head to peer into his eyes.


“She f*cked you up royally,” he observed. He dropped Trap’s head with a grin and pulled out his own phone. “I’ll have to email these to the boys so they don’t miss out on the fun. Hang tight, Wyatt, let me get a few shots.”


I’m f*cking going to kill every one of you, Trap snapped.


“Not if that woman of yours gets ahold of you. We won’t have to worry about a thing,” Draden said.


Wyatt glanced into the swamp. Straight at Cayenne, as if he could actually see her crouched there in the trees and brush. He raised his voice and gave her a little salute. “Thanks, lady. We don’ often get Trap over a barrel. We can have months of fun with this. Don’ you worry, we’ll take care of him for you. Go on home where you’ll be out of harm’s way. He’s safe with us.”


There was a small silence. Cayenne emerged from the swamp right out into the open, knowing she was exposing herself to real danger. She looked very small and lost. Wyatt stood sideways so Trap could see her there, risking getting shot. Knowing she stood right there visible to Ezekiel’s lethal trigger finger.


“He should be coming out of it by now. The Comeaux brothers both were up and moving within minutes after you were gone.” There was worry in her voice. “He shouldn’t have any ill effects, but maybe he’s allergic.”


I’m not allergic. You just injected a little too much venom. It’s already wearing off. Go home. I’ll be seeing you sooner than you think. Trap made it an order. She wasn’t good at taking orders, but she was anxious about him, and he was just as anxious about her. If his teammates perceived anything wrong with a single movement, if they thought her a threat, something bad could happen. He didn’t want to have to kill anyone he loved.


She hesitated, and then she looked up toward the roof. She knew exactly where both Ezekiel and Malichai were – something most others would never be able to pinpoint. Cayenne faded into the shrubs, and that told him she didn’t have a clue about Gino or his whereabouts. Wyatt turned toward the lab.


“We don’ have much time, Draden. He wants as much toxin in his blood as possible to work with. Mordichai, get the door open and get us the blood draw kit. I’ll want a lot of tubes,” Wyatt said. “This is funny as hell, but he’s still our brother and we’ve got to take his back. The next time she thinks she has him at her mercy, she’s going to have a very big surprise.”


Mordichai had already punched in codes and yanked the door open. Wyatt took Trap through to the long padded table where he placed the limp body gently. “When we develop this vaccine, Trap, and I have no doubt we will, make certain that it will guard against a lethal dose, accidental or not, just like we did with Pepper and the girls.”


Wyatt pulled Trap’s arm straight, found a vein and inserted the needle Draden handed him, his movements quick and sure. Pushing the first tube into position with his thumb, he watched the blood fill it. He filled five tubes. During that short amount of time it took to do so, he noticed Trap could move his head around.


“It’s wearin’ off. If she’s still close, reach out and tell her,” Wyatt suggested.