Mercury Striking (The Scorpius Syndrome #1)(36)

“How long were you married?” Lynne asked.

“Um, fourteen years.” Lynne sobered. “We had Haylee when we were only sixteen, and we got married after she was born.” She shrugged. “Grew up in a farming town in the middle of Washington, and there were plenty of people who said we wouldn’t make it. But we had Haylee, got married, and then Don went to college. I cleaned houses for a long time to help with bills.”

Lynne nodded. “Sounds tough but sweet.”

A sad smile lifted April’s lips. “Yeah. Then about ten years ago, his dental practice took off, and I quit working. Became a full-time mom.” Her brow wrinkled. “Wanted more kids, but it just didn’t happen.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Maybe it’s better, considering. We almost made it to the big fifteen year mark. We were planning to celebrate with a trip to the Caribbean.” She glanced down at her loose jeans. “Believe it or not, I was working incredibly hard to lose twenty pounds before we hit the beach.”

Life from now on, if humanity survived, would be measured as before and after Scorpius had infected the world. “Scorpius bacterium. The ultimate diet,” Lynne said.

April snorted. “So true. Who knew?”

Lynne cleared her throat. “For the record, I am sorry about everything.”

April rolled her eyes. “From what I understand, none of this was your fault. I mean, unless you’re psychic and ignored the signs.”

Lynne picked at a string on her yoga pants. “Not psychic.”

“Besides, aren’t you the one who figured out that vitamin B could help?”

Lynne’s stomach recoiled. “Two of us figured it out. My best friend, Nora McDougall, and I studied the research on which medications were known to work on the brain. Which supplements. It was a shot in the dark, but we took a few of those.”

April caressed her daughter’s arm. “Where is Nora now?”

“I don’t know.” Lynne rubbed her chest. “Things went bad at the CDC, and she was out on assignment with her husband, and then all hell broke loose. I had to make a run for it, communications were down, and I haven’t found her again. God, I hope she’s okay.”

“She smart like you?” April asked.

Lynne grinned. “Thinks she’s smarter and probably is. More importantly, she’s not alone. If her husband is still alive, and I’d bet on that Scottish bastard any day, then she’s safe.”

“Scottish bastard?” April smiled.

“Yes. He’s got the coolest brogue even though he moved to the States as a teenager. Went into the service, and he’s a badass. If anybody could keep Nora safe, it’s him. He was appointed the leader of the Brigade right away, and I hope they’re still alive somewhere.”

“Do you think the Brigade is still out there?”

Lynne nodded. “I really do.” The Brigade was created with top soldiers as the first line of defense against Scorpius, and they’d been working on securing nuclear plants and military facilities before communications went down. Lynne patted Tace’s arm when he stirred. “I kind of blackmailed them into getting married. Made it a deathbed wish when my heart first turned blue.”

April nodded. “You’re a good friend.”

“Nora wanted to kill me.” Lynne slipped the sheet up over Tace’s torso as he shivered. “But I was right, and she needed protection. Plus, it was so obvious they were in love and belonged together.”

“Speaking of romance, what’s up with you and our illustrious leader?” April squinted.

Lynne swallowed. “Nothing. I mean, he’s intriguing and dangerous as hell, and we had a moment. Neither one of us can afford emotions right now.”

April smoothed hair from her daughter’s forehead. “If you say so. I think emotions have their own agenda, you know? If you can find something real in the hell we’re living, you’d be a moron to let it go.”

Lynne shook her head. She hadn’t even leveled with Jax completely, and soon he’d want her gone. After she shared all she knew with Tace, if Tace survived, then the group would be a hell of a lot safer with her far away from them. She might not know Jax well, but she understood he’d sacrifice her for his people. It was his duty.

Haylee thrashed to the side and strained her feet against the restraints. Her eyes suddenly opened wide. She screamed, louder than any banshee, and kicked out. One small foot escaped, and she started kicking wildly.

Lynne jumped up and reached for her ankle.

The girl struggled with amazing strength, and Lynne dropped to the floor. Grunting, she stood back up and snagged the girl’s foot, planting it hard on the mattress. April scrambled for the restraint and secured it around her daughter’s ankle.

Haylee yelled and gyrated on the bed.

Damn it. Lynne rushed to the medical cabinet and drew out another syringe of morphine. Hustling back, she smoothly inserted the drug into the girl’s vein.

Haylee subsided with a soft whimper.

April sat back down and exhaled loudly. A tear streaked down her face. “I can’t believe this.”

“I know.” Lynne put the syringe in the garbage and returned to check on Tace. He’d lost all color, and his body shivered as it fought the fever, but he’d gone quiet. For now.