Mercury Striking (The Scorpius Syndrome #1)(43)

“Oh, he’s dead inside.” Sami rubbed her nose. “I mean, I don’t know you, but you seem smart. You get that he’s using you, right?”

They were using each other. “There’s more to him than you’re seeing.” Lynne blinked as the words came out of her mouth. What was she saying?

Sami spat out water. “Well, woman to woman, take some advice. Don’t give him one hint of emotion, or he’ll kick you to the curb so quickly your blue heart will shatter.”

Lynne turned around in the miserable rain, allowing the feeling of clean to compete with the cold. She had no intention of losing her heart when she could barely hold on to her life. “Give me a break. I just met the guy.”

Sami leaned on the divider, her eyes sober. “He doesn’t get close to anybody, even the guys guarding his back. If you want to keep enjoying what I’m assuming is a pretty good lay, check yourself. That guy doesn’t have a heart, and believe me, you can’t save him.”

Lynne shoved her hair away from her face. “I don’t want to save him.” She could barely save herself.

“Right.” Sami shrugged bare shoulders in a clear I tried gesture. “You know, I’d probably kill to be able to jump in the ocean or even a lake. To just be submerged and, well, wet. You?”

Lynne coughed out water, memories crashing into her. “Hell, no.”

“Why not? You can’t swim?” Sami shook her hair.

Why not share? It wouldn’t hurt anything. “I almost drowned when I was eleven, playing at the beach with friends. You know how you’re not supposed to swim after eating?” Lynne winced as soap ran over a small cut on her arm.

“I figured that was an old wives’ tale.”

“It’s not. I went in after eating, got a cramp, and sank to the bottom.” She’d never forget the feeling of the water closing over her head and beginning to fill her lungs. “My dad saved me, but sometimes I still have nightmares.” She’d never jump into a body of water again.

Sami spat out water. “The good news is that you probably won’t get the chance, so no worries.”

“What are you afraid of, Sami?” Lynne asked. If she opened up, perhaps the young cop could, too. Not that she was going to be there long enough to really forge friendships. The world wasn’t made for friendships any longer.

“Getting shot. And, well, disappointing people.” Sami shivered. “While we’re chatting, do you mind telling me what’s going on outside of Los Angeles? I mean, is there any organization forming in the cities?”

“I avoided the cities and just saw smaller outposts. There’s a military, but I don’t know how strong it is right now.” Lynne spat out water, unwilling to trust the woman with the full truth. The most dangerous Ripper of them all was out there, and he was coming for her. “Sorry I don’t know more.”

Sami turned away and sneezed before moving back. “I figured. You done? I’m freezing.”

Lynne ran back to yank on her clothing. “Remember the days of towels?”

“We usually have some towels here, but we’re probably the last to shower. Somebody will replenish them for next time. Hopefully.” Sami retrieved her gun and led the way back through the building, climbing the stairs and dropping Lynne off at Jax’s door, which was unlocked. Sami opened it and took a quick glance around. “You’re secure. Lock the door till Jax gets here.”

Lynne touched Sami’s arm. “I’m sorry about Shawn. And Red and the other guy.”

Sami nodded. “Me too. Do you want me to get you anything to eat?”

“No. Thanks.” If she ate, she’d throw up. Right now, she had to get on warm clothing and then get back to the lab documents. It was only a matter of time before the Elite Force caught up to her, only so long that she could hide from the team created specifically to hunt, find, and return her. “Thank you, though.”

Sami gave a weak smile. “We can get to know each other over breakfast in several hours.” She lifted a shoulder. “I need some sleep to get back on track, you know?”

“I get that.” Though who wanted to sleep with nightmares so ready to strike? Lynne waited until Sami started down the hallway before locking the door. She finger-combed her hair into some semblance of order and glanced at a bunch of clean clothes on the couch. She sat and folded both men and women’s clothing. Somebody had included her.

The thought warmed her, and she pressed a freshly folded shirt to her chest. Then she let routine take over, and she slowly folded most of the laundry.

After a while the locks disengaged.

Jax stepped inside, his hair wet, the scent of Dawn soap coming with him. “I talked to April. Sorry you had to shoot those men.” He shut the door, honey-brown eyes lasering through the semidarkness, so many weapons strapped on him he could probably wage a war by himself.

“Thanks.” She folded mismatched socks together. The sound of the gunshots still echoed in her head, and her body wanted to flinch. “I want to get back to the documents.”

“Sleep first. You need it.” He locked the door and began removing weapons and placing them on the counter. Heat swelled from him, and tight lines cut into the sides of his generous mouth.

She eyed him, her instincts flaring to life. “How did the talk go with your people?”