Mercury Striking (The Scorpius Syndrome #1)(111)

She kissed his jugular and leaned back, her blue heart glowing brightly. “I am. You will be, too.”

Jax shuddered as relief rushed through him. Life had turned into hell, but he’d found heaven. Somehow, he’d been given a gift beyond what anybody deserved, and he’d hold her close forever. “Good. By the way, Harmony. I love you, too.”

Lynne cuddled next to Jax as he drove the truck while Raze held a babbling Vivienne on his lap. The woman was in a worn and wrinkled pencil skirt and tank top, her wild blond hair falling in a tangle down her back. She looked like a petite Barbie doll who’d gone through hell.

They’d have to wait until the drugs left her system to figure out who the heck she was.

Lynne’s eyelids half closed as Jax’s warmth spread through her. She’d slept for hours, and they’d be home soon. She’d worry about Bret later, and since she had the USB drive and documents from Myriad, maybe she could finally find a cure for Scorpius or at least a way to manage vitamin B.

Tace and Sami shared a dirt bike behind the very full trucks, keeping pace. They’d managed to secure weapons, four generators, fuel, medical supplies, and some food.

Lynne came to wakefulness, noting that Vivienne was still somehow talking. Had the woman babbled the entire trip?

“God, you’re pretty,” Vivienne whispered, reaching out to rub Raze’s chin.

Lynne studied them. Vivienne’s light coloring contrasted intriguingly with Raze’s darkness as the sun began to rise.

He looked down at Vivienne. “Go to sleep, Vivienne.”

She continued to rub his chin. “So pretty. Comanche?”

“Cherokee,” he whispered back, gaze on the woman. “My mama’s daddy was half.”

Vivienne giggled, the sound definitely drugged. “My mama’s daddy was a moonshiner.”

Raze smiled.

Lynne watched, interested. In the dawn, watching Vivienne, he seemed almost relaxed.

Vivienne snuggled into his chest. “Grandpops called me Vinnie. My whole family did.” She yawned. “I miss them.”

Raze patted a huge hand down her small back. “I know. Go to sleep.”

The woman wiggled even closer. “Do you know where the Bunker is?”

Raze frowned. “The Bunker?”

“Yes. The government facility . . . where hope and the future live.” She giggled.

Raze cut Jax a look, and Jax shrugged. “Tell me more.”

“Later.” She yawned. “What’s your last name?”

“Shadow.”

“You feel good. Can I keep you?” she mumbled.

Raze sobered. “No, but we can negotiate later.”

Vinnie slid into a boneless sleep with a soft sigh.

Jax turned his head just slightly over Lynne’s. “I thought she’d never fall asleep. Who knows what they shot into her veins. She seems to like you, Raze.”

Raze shot Jax a look, his blue eyes cutting through the morning. “Don’t get any ideas.”

“Not me. Nope.” Jax tucked Lynne closer. “Either of you ever heard of the Bunker?”

Lynne shook her head. “Not a word.”

“Me either, but maybe this woman had clearance with the FBI that we can only imagine.” Raze stretched out his legs. “Of course, I’m guessing.”

“If you say so, and at some point, you’re going to tell me how the woman in your arms fits into your plans. Something tells me you knew we’d find her.” Jax breathed out.

“I don’t have plans.” Raze rested his head back and closed his eyes.

Yeah, he did. Lynne nodded slightly against Jax. They had to stick together. She fingered the USB around her neck that she had taken from Bret. Maybe they had a chance now.

Something to worry about for another day.

For now, she snuggled with a man she couldn’t believe existed, and she wanted to hold on tight.

Finally, they reached home, and Jax insisted upon carrying her from the truck into the building. The entire community seemed to be waiting for them to arrive, and several people patted her arm or welcomed her back as Jax carried her through the rec room and up to their apartment. Lynne just blinked until he’d locked the door and set her on the bed.

“Shouldn’t you get your shoulder treated?” she asked, not protesting as he drew off her clothing and tucked a clean shirt over her head. Her brain was fuzzy, and she needed more sleep.

He smiled and shucked out of his clothes, revealing his hard warrior’s body with a fresh bandage over one shoulder. “After Tace bandaged you, he sewed me up in Nevada before we got on the road, so I don’t know what else he could do.” Jax set her under the covers and climbed in to hold her. “Although after you get some more sleep, you might want to get creative.”

She snuggled into his side before levering herself up to look at him. He stared down, bruises marring his deadly face. “You were right. Earlier, when I met you.”

His eyebrows lifted. “Right?”

“I, ah, figured I’d find the documents, see if there was a chance, and then be done.”

His gaze softened. “And now?”

“Now I want to live. No matter what.” She’d found so much more in this man than she’d ever thought to find. “I love you, Jax.” No matter what happened, she’d hold him tight as long as she could.