“Do you?”
“Seriously, shut the fuck up or go elsewhere.” I shoved him into the wall again. The smirk… I wanted to wipe it off his blasted face. “What the fuck is your malfunction? Why are you acting like this?”
“You mean it’s not obvious? I’m pissing you off so you can burn off some of the aggression. You can either take it out on me or the bag.”
I rolled my eyes and stalked back to the bag. “Hold the fucking thing,” I growled.
“Your wish is my command.” He walked behind it with a swagger. Peeking around the bag, he still had that fucking smirk on his face.
“Seriously, motherfucker… I will drill you.”
“Remember when I first showed up? You tried to fight me the next morning.”
“How can I forget?”
“How well did that work for you?”
“Let’s spar then.”
“Right on!” Gunther and I both turned toward the door, Chris and Jake walking in. “Can I ref?” Chris asked.
“Sure. Whatever…” I shook my head.
Gunther and I squared off in the center of the room.
“Rules?” Chris asked.
“No head or dick shots,” I said. “No connecting kicks. No full force punching.”
“Have you gone nancy on me, mate? You’re taking the fun out of sparring.”
“Sparring, you twat. We’re not fighting.”
His lips curled into a small smile. “Afraid I’ll beat you?”
Taking him by surprise, I threw my fist out, stopping just short of his jaw. “Nope.”
Chris grabbed both our fists and pushed them together. “All right, y’all. This is going to be a fair fight. No head or dick shots. No connection on kicks, and no full force punches.” Gunther and I glared at Chris. He let go of our fists and stepped back. “Sorry. Just trying to get into the spirit.”
We shook our heads and turned back to one another, circling. Fingers twitching, we eyed one another, watching the muscle movement just as we had been trained. We both feigned left at the same time, and I pulled out a right hook. He blocked it, then chuckled.
I had enough of his macho bullshit. Charging at him, I threw punch after punch. The motherfucker blocked every single one.
“Is that all you got?” he taunted, still grinning.
My lip curled into a snarl. I went at him again, punching at full speed.
Blocked.
I could hear Chris and Jake whispering in the background as I dropped my fists. “You win.” Disgruntled, I turned and went back to the bag.
“Is there any way you could teach me some of that insanity?” Chris asked timidly, approaching me. “Because that shit was unreal.”
“Sure. Tape up,” I grumbled.
“Feeling better, lass?” Gunther asked.
“How about you fuck off,” I growled.
“I’m going to go check on Grey. You’ll be all right?”
“Yeah.”
“Leave her be for now,” he warned, raising his brow.
I rolled my lips into my mouth and nodded. “Yeah… I will.” I turned back to Chris and began teaching as Gunther left.
A chuckle over the spar with Henry rolled from Gunther as he walked down the hall. When he heard Cora’s voice coming from the library, he peered through the window. She held Grey above her head. He sucked on his fists and laughed at all of Cora’s chatter.
Gunther rubbed at the ache in his chest that would never subside. While he loved seeing Grey happy, the sight broke his heart.
It should’ve been Quinn, not Cora.
Lately, it had been more difficult to stay away from Cora. For whatever reason, she was looking more desirable. He wasn’t sure if it was because he missed a warm body next to him, or if he was starting to see Cora as a woman who could be his future. What started as the subtle appeal of a beautiful woman seemed to turn into a woman who could fulfill his needs as a man.
He tore away from the scene and headed to their room, hoping for a few minutes alone to sort out his thoughts.
As he lay in his bed, the ruminations that traipsed through his mind were conflicting. Without a doubt, Quinn was the love of his life. No one would ever compare. Her tender touch and strong hand made him who he was.
Quinn was the only one who was able to break through the ice that encased his being and steal his heart. However, since her passing, Cora had been there for him. She had taken on so much, even unnecessary tasks. She had been his support, willing to do whatever it took to help him and Grey continue living.
Gunther closed his eyes, visualizing Quinn. She was stunning in every way. Her perfect face framed with her brown wavy hair… He loved to touch her, hold her face in his hands, run his fingers over her lush lips. Her smile was divine, not to mention her full chest and the curve of her hips. The feeling of her heat against him… How glorious it was to be inside of her, giving her back all the love she had shown him.
The thirst for her was staggering. Gunther trembled and licked his lips as his cock stiffened. “Shit,” he whispered.
Then thoughts about when he helped Cora wash her hair and the time he walked in on her while she was dressing railroaded him. While she wasn’t as curvy as Quinn, Cora’s body was just as amazing.
Bent over in a pair of dark green boy shorts, the soft curve of her cheeks peeked out. Startled by his pensive presence, she stood straight, her darker blonde waves laying over her naked breasts. The cold in the room caused her nipples to stand out proudly. Gunther couldn’t take his eyes off her. She grabbed the closest thing, a pillow, and held it in front of her body, breaking him from his trance.
“Bloody hell. Damn women. Why must they be so beautiful and taunting at the same time?” Gunther groaned and adjusted his hard cock, looking for a more comfortable position. “Ugly things… Ugly things,” he whispered.
Gazing around the room in an effort to try to find something to relieve the strain, he spotted Cora’s clothes on a line next to the sink.
The dark green boy shorts.
“Fuck me.”
Even though he wasn’t ready or interested in a relationship in any way, shape, or form, Gunther was in dire need of sexual release by another’s hands. His own weren’t cutting it anymore.
He didn’t want to get his heart crushed again. There were still gaping holes in it that only Quinn could fill.
But Cora was there, available, and willing. He knew she purposely brushed up against him, smiling in a shy but sassy way. It was obvious to Gunther that she wanted to be with him. He wondered if he should indulge her.
The door opened and Cora came in with all the kids. He watched her intently, enjoying her simplistic approach to life. She reminded him of a hippie. The braided fabric headband or the occasional scarf gave her away. Or maybe it was the long skirts and flowy dresses she frequently wore. Whatever it was, Gunther took pleasure in just the mere sight of her.
“I’m sorry. Were you napping?” she asked.
“No. Just hanging out.”
“Are you in need? You look a little…” She pulled her lips tight and furrowed her brows. “Off.”
“Yeah, actually. I could go for a dose.”
She knelt next to him and rested her hand on his forehead. “Are you feeling okay?”
Gunther forced a smile, appreciating her worry for him. “Just achy and a bit tired. The jog and bag training wore me out.”
“Right. Well, I’m here for whatever it is you may need.” She smiled softly, then stood and walked to the cabinets to collect the supplies for a draw.
Oh, shit. Was that an offer?
Next time they found themselves alone, Gunther decided to test the situation and see how receptive Cora would be. He knew it would be a defining moment for them, but it was a risk he was willing to take.
The need for a woman’s touch was far too great to be able to resist much longer.
Chapter 10
-London-
As he approached the row of brick, terraced hou
ses, Erik looked at the address on his phone once more to be sure he was at the correct building. Considering the area, it was rather quiet. Maybe it was the time of day and most were off at their jobs.
He was in need of an assistant to help him develop the cure, and working with Tess Sims had been a great success before.
Tess had an unorthodox way about things, acting a little colorful, vividly using the major curse words. However, she was devastatingly intelligent. Her brilliant mind had a “go big or go home” work ethic, which was what Erik desired.
He navigated the steep set of steps to the front door. There was a moment of worry that maybe Tess had moved. Taking his chances, he knocked and waited with a poised patience, which truly wasn’t part of his personality.
“I’ve got it, Mum,” Tess yelled over her shoulder as she opened the door, then turned and faced Erik.
He smiled, but before he could get a proper hello in, she slammed the door in his face. “Suffering hell,” he grumbled and knocked again. “Tess, please. We need to have a chat.”
“I want nothing to do with a twat like you!” she shouted from behind the door.
“I need your help. Please, just hear me out. I need your brilliance, your work ethic… I need someone who can do nothing short of amazing.”
Tess slowly opened the door. With a raised brow, she stepped onto the little stoop, slamming the door behind her. Her short ginger hair was wild and spiked, tipped in bright blue, her nails precisely painted in the same color. She was very rock and roll with her tiny red plaid shorts, wide studded leather belt, and torn up Stones t-shirt showing under a gray cardigan. The knee-high Doc Martens she wore were laced with a deep red, lacy fabric.
Tess pointed in Erik’s face and snarled, “Make it snappy and keep your voice down. I don’t want my mum to hear a word coming from your cunt trap.”
“I want to change what we did.”
“I didn’t do anything. It was all you. I just assisted and did as you said.”
“You were a part of it.”
Tess shoved her cardigan sleeves past her elbows, exposing her fully tattooed arms. Erik stared at the blue cheetah print flames licking up her arms, which changed into a background of red and orange, highlighting heavily outlined blue stars. “Only because I needed money to pay off my dad’s gambling debts. I didn’t want my mum and me to end up in the Thames like he did.”
“I have some really good ideas and have been researching.”
“I’m not going back there with Cockface. Oh, I mean Roger. Do you know how many times he swatted me on the arse?”
“I know, and I’m sorry for his inappropriate behavior. He’s not there and I’ve a feeling he isn’t coming back. No one is there. Just me. I think we can develop a cure, Tess, but I need you to come back and help me. I will add twenty percent to your previous salary.”
“I don’t know…,” she muttered, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Please. I want to use my knowledge to do good. I’m done harming the innocent.” He looked around. “So many people died because of what I created. I want to develop a cure and save those who seem unsaveable. We can do this…together.”
“How do I know this isn’t some bloody scam? You are one shady motherfucker, Erik Carlson.”
“My wife left me and took my children. I sold my cottage… I have nothing left except for this. I live at the facility now, and I just want to fix things.”
“Where would you get the money to pay me?”
“The accounts are loaded to the gills. Roger has stacks of cash hidden in various places. I’ve explored every nook and corner in that building and found some seriously disturbing things. Did you know he had a woman living with him?”
Tess’ eyes widened. “No.”
“Yeah, he did. I was up in his flat and found a small cot and a two-drawer dresser scarcely filled with women’s clothing inside the closet. There’s a large bolt lock on the outside of the door.”
“Maybe he just-”
“No. Someone was living there. There were stacks of books, dirty utensils…a chamber pot.”
“What?!”
“I’m telling you the truth. I will show you. Come work with me again. You’re the only one I can trust with this task. You were the best in the lab.”
“What about the US lab techs?”
“When Roger left, they decided they would, as well. There is no one left but me.”
“I told my mum the job was eliminated. That was why I came home.”
“Tell her the position reopened and you are being rehired with a substantial raise.”
“And I’ll have to live there like before?”
“Yes. We will have to work day and night because I want to get this done.”
She stared into his squinty eyes, trying to determine if he was telling her the truth. “Fine, but you better not be lying.” She poked him in his chest. “I will knock you on your titchy arse if you are!”
Holding his hands up, he looked in her eyes. “I swear to you, Tess.”
She sighed. “I will be there first thing in the morning.”
“Thank you. We’re going to make this happen. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Erik left Tess on the stoop to head back to the facility.
-East End of London-
After meeting with Tess, Erik needed to tie up a few loose ends before her arrival. He had been working hard on his own, but the demand for an assistant grew every day. He was thankful she agreed to come back.
Because he had spent every possible moment researching since the outbreak, Erik felt he had enough information gathered to begin a trial on samples. Most of the time, his nose was in a book or his eyes were glued to a computer monitor. He made it a point to stay away from the lab, only going in to check on the animals, taking care of those that were lost.
Everything needed proper organization so he and Tess could start immediately. Erik went to the lab and headed right for the coolers. He opened the door and looked in, moving a few items around. There wasn’t a single vile of tainted blood, saliva, or virus anywhere.
He clenched his jaw and balled his fists. “Fucking hell! What the fuck am I supposed to do now?” he shouted, slamming the cooler door shut. He stood with his hands on his narrow hips, head shaking. After shoving his glasses up his nose, Erik kicked the cooler. “Ow! God-fucking-dammit!” he yelled, hopping about in his loafers.
He turned toward the observation window looking into the cage room. The very last chimpanzee was on the verge of turning. A lucky break for him, an awful time for the animal suffering at the bottom of the cage.
Sweat beaded on the back of his neck and trickled down his spine, catching where his button-down shirt met his pants. Erik let out a loud exhale and pushed his glasses up his nose once more. Reaching into his lab coat pocket, he touched the metal handle of the knife he always carried with him.
Erik walked to the door and pressed his finger on the print reader. The moans from the dying chimp made every hair on his body stand on end. His breath caught in his throat, his legs moving of their own accord to the front of the cage. The chimp’s head turned toward him. Her watery, hazy gray gaze pulled at every fiber of Erik’s being. He sat on the tiled floor with his arms wrapped around his knees, chin resting on a wrist.
As the chimp whimpered, more remorse flooded in. Erik had harmed so many, telling himself it was all in the name of science. It was the only way to justify it in his mind.
But now? All of it was too much for him to think about. He needed to change the way his mind processed the situation.
Erik needed the chimp’s blood in order to perform the preliminary tests. His hands were tied, bound, and shackled to the hundreds of thousands of lives he ruined. He had to kill one more to save many. It was the only way.
He pushed his weary body up, then sighed and pulled a gurney toward the cage. When he opened the door, weakness and pain hindered the chimp’s fight or flight response.
“This will all be over
soon,” he murmured as he lifted her to the bed. “All your fears and pain will leave.” The clatter from the buckles on the straps echoed through the room full of empty cages.
The chimp moaned while Erik readied the supplies to drain her. He swallowed back his emotions, feeling like a monster. However, he needed to shut that voice out.
“One more… Dear God, only one more,” Erik said, pushing the needle into her arm. He watched the tainted blood flow out into the bag. Every time he changed it, he whispered, “I’m so sorry for all I’ve done.”
Her eyes opened, her cold gaze locking with his. While they stared at one another, Erik watched what was left of her life drain away. Gray eyes with lazy lids closed, then slowly reopened. With one final moan, she closed them one last time.
Erik watched her intently, waiting for the inevitable. His hand slipping into his pocket, touching the knife handle, he decided to finish the chimp off as humanely as possible. It was the least he could do.
Once the task was completed, he placed all the precious, tainted blood into the cooler, then walked back to the gurney, muttering, “Such irony.” Erik patted the chimp on her chest.
Shaking his head and rubbing his eyes, he was completely ashamed of his actions. Exhausted, he ached and his legs could hardly hold his body up. It would be impossibly difficult to lift another finger. His mind wavered, feeling the need to shut down. He slid down the wall and stared at the cages until his vision would no longer focus.
He would incinerate her in the morning before Tess arrived.
Chapter 11
At the conference room table, Erik laid out all the research he gathered. “Wow… Guess you’ve been busy, yeah?” Tess asked, flipping through the pages of notes and printouts.
“Day and night,” he murmured, pointing to the text. “Okay. Since the virus is attracted to the electrical signal of the brain when it has plenty of clean blood to live on, we need to somehow deactivate that aspect of it.”
“Why can’t we just reverse the process?”
“If we try a reversal, it would mean starving the virus to draw it out, which would be like a finger hovering over a trigger. Far too risky. What I’m thinking is we need to develop an anti-serum to bind around the virus, blocking the signal, leaving it to go into a dormant state. Then we could clean the blood to flush it out completely.”
Blind Faith (Shattered Lives, Book Four) Page 9
