Mercury Striking (The Scorpius Syndrome #1)(98)

“Lynne?” Jax touched her shoulder.

She gasped and jerked around, eyes wide.

“It’s okay.” He kept his voice low, soothing. “You’re safe.”

She settled down, green eyes softening. “Sorry. I was lost in research.”

He leaned over and kissed her, going deep. “I didn’t mean to scare you. Okay now?”

“I’m good.” She reached up and ran her palm along his unshaven jaw. “How are you?”

He leaned into her touch. “I’m good. Raze and I are leaving shortly for the border to meet with Atherton.”

That quickly, the peace fled her eyes. “He’s crazy, Jax. Don’t trust him.”

“I won’t.” Hell, Jax wasn’t even sure he was dealing with the real Atherton. “Tace and Sami are in charge until I get back, and if anything happens, follow their lead. We have escape routes in three directions.”

“I know.” Lynne pushed papers out of her way. “We’ve already had drills.”

Good. His people were doing their jobs. “I’ve left you two guns on the counter in our apartment, and I want them with you at all times. You stick close to Tace or Sami for now.”

She nodded. “If you get the chance, Bret has my research somewhere. All of my notes and formulas, as well as Nora’s, I hope. We need them—just in case the Myriad research isn’t as complete as it looks.”

“My guess is that he won’t bring much but guns and men to meet at the border.”

She looked both delicate and delicious in her own environment with lab equipment and documents surrounding her.

There was so much he wanted to say, but he couldn’t find the words. He’d always been much better with action than with speech. “I need you here and safe for when I get back.”

She smiled, her lips settling into an enticing curve. “You mean a lot to me, too.”

He didn’t have time for emotion, and he didn’t have the need for somebody in his life, but it was too late. Here she was, and he wasn’t letting her go anywhere. “I’m not good at this.” Taking her hand from his jaw, he pressed it against his heart. “You’re in here. Stay safe.”

A shudder wound through her body. “Sounds serious, Mercury.”

He met her gaze evenly. “It is.”

“Me too.” Her hand remained over his heart. “This doesn’t mean I need to get your name tattooed on my ass, does it? With the former gang affiliation, with the military, and the new group, I’m unaware of the protocol.”

His heart lightened as a laugh rumbled through him. “You’re a smart-aleck, aren’t you?” He leaned in and kissed her again. “I’ll mark your ass later. For now, just promise you’ll stay safe.”

Color fused her cheekbones, and desire hinted in the air. “I promise I’ll stay safe and be here when you get back. You be careful and don’t trust anybody.”

“I rarely do.” Releasing her, he stood. “Weapons at all times.”

“Yes, Jax.” She reached for a different stack of papers.

He strode toward the door and turned around, his muscles bunching. “Last time I left, you were attacked by Red and Joe.”

She glanced over her shoulder at him. “And I shot them both and protected myself.”

Good damn point. Many of the group had accepted her, but fear still lingered about her blue heart. He didn’t like leaving her. “Don’t hesitate if you need to shoot again.”

“Go on your mission, Jax. You get extra points if you somehow find chocolate out there.”

Extra points. “Now that’s a deal.” He exited the room before striding through the compound and finding Raze loading a box van near the main exit. A minivan had already been moved to the side, leaving a path between two downed Mack trucks. Raze was helping men load empty gas cans into the back.

“I figured we’d fill as we went,” Raze said.

“Definitely.” Jax scrutinized the van. Bare tires, rusty metal, dented sides. An emblem on the side proudly proclaimed SNIDER’S BREAD as the best in the city. The scent of yeast and sourdough wafted around, and his stomach growled.

Raze tossed him a granola bar. “Figured you’d missed breakfast.”

Jax caught the bar. “Are we bonding now?”

“No.” Raze slid his hand through his thick hair, shoving it off his face. “We need to raid that cereal place when we get back.”

“One thing at a time, but I agree.” They needed food. The sun shone down as he crossed to the cab of the truck to see a collection of guns and knives already in place. What he wouldn’t give for an explosive or two. “I see we have provisions.”

Raze shrugged and gestured for a man to draw down the back of the truck. “Couldn’t sleep.”

“Been there.” With the exception of the night before, Jax had slept better with Lynne than he had in his entire life. “You need a woman.”

“A woman is the last thing on earth I need,” Raze countered.

Jax raised an eyebrow. “A guy, then?”

Raze shook his head. “I like women, Jax. Just don’t want the complication right now.”

That Jax understood. He frowned as Ernie ambled out of the building, two fairly small boxes in his hands. Pale and panting, the older man neared. “You okay to go?” Jax asked.