by Anna Hackett
Emotions churned inside him. Damn, he needed to do something. Anything. Maybe he’d hit the gym, see if someone was up for sparring.
He checked his watch. Hell. It was really late. Everyone would be in bed.
He knew where he wanted to go. His port in the storm.
His jaw tightened. He should leave her alone. She’d make him rip the scabs off and he wasn’t sure he could handle that. He also owed her an apology for being a dick at the landing pads.
Gabe headed out of the Ops Area. When he got to her quarters, he made short work of hacking her electronic lock. But the instant he stepped inside, he knew her rooms were empty.
There was only one other place she’d likely be.
He wandered the empty tunnels. Everyone would be sleeping, tucked up with their loved ones or with whomever they’d found to help stave off the loneliness.
He rounded a corner and spied a dark-haired woman running off down the tunnel. Reed standing there, watching her go.
When he sensed Gabe, Reed looked back over his shoulder. “Hey, Gabe.”
Gabe raised a brow. “Bit late to be out.” He eyed Reed’s bare chest and the damp towel around his neck.
“Could say the same thing to you,” Reed said.
“Been in Ops, looking for any sign of the Genesis Facility.”
Reed shook his head. “You need to take a break sometimes, bud.”
“Who was your friend?”
“Someone who needed a break.” Reed stared down the hall, a troubled look on his face. “Sometimes I need to sneak out of here and get some fresh air. She did too.”
Gabe knew Reed was an outdoorsman. A former UC Navy SEAL before the attack, he loved the water and always told them stories about hiking, surfing and mountain biking. Being stuck in an underground base had to drive the guy crazy.
“So…you headed to the infirmary?” Reed asked with the faintest hint of a smile.
Gabe stayed silent.
Reed shrugged. “Okay, keep your secrets, bud.”
As Reed turned to go, something urged Gabe to talk. He grabbed the other man’s shoulder. “Wait.” He dropped his hand. Uncertain. “I…I like the doc.”
“We all do. Smart, funny, hard-working, sexy. She’s pretty likeable.”
Gabe scowled.
Reed laughed. “I’ve got eyes, Gabe. Besides, I think your kind of ‘like’ is a little different than for the rest of us.”
“She’s—” perfect “—social, outgoing, friendly.”
“Ah, clashes with the man-of-few-words thing? They say opposites attract.”
Yeah, but Gabe wasn’t so sure. Maybe opposites attracted, but could they stay together?
“I’m dangerous.”
“We all are, Gabe.” Reed held up a hand. “And I know you’re…more…but I sure as hell know you’d never hurt a civilian.” Reed eyed him thoughtfully. “You want my advice?”
Gabe nodded.
“Be honest and be yourself. If you’re thinking something, just tell her. She doesn’t expect sonnets and songs from you. I think she just wants you. Badass Gabe Jackson.”
“What made you an expert on this…relationship stuff?”
Reed grinned. “I like women. All of them. Young, old. Pretty, plain. Straight and round. There’s just so much to discover. And if you treat them right—” he winked “—they’ll treat you right, too.”
They said goodnight and Gabe strolled toward the infirmary. Okay, just be honest, tell her what he was thinking. He could do that.
The infirmary door appeared ahead. She’d be hunched over her desk, working. The woman worked too damn much. She had a team of doctors, nurses, technicians. She could take a break occasionally.
A crash sounded from inside.
Every muscle in Gabe’s body went on high alert. He charged through the door and rushed inside.
His heart stopped. She was flat on the ground, a man on top of her.
Something washed over Gabe in a flash. Something dark and deadly. He stormed forward, not making a sound.
One step from them, the man looked up.
Fuck. Shock hit Gabe. Not a man. A raptor. Wait…not really a raptor, either. Some sort of hybrid?
One eye gleamed red, filled with angry hunger. His fang-filled mouth was covered in blood.
With a roar, Gabe grabbed him and yanked him off Emerson.
He swung the raptor-man around, and the sound of a growl filled the air.
Using his enhanced strength, Gabe flung him. The raptor crashed through two infirmary beds, tipping them over, before he hit the floor.
But a second later, he rose.
Then he bounded over the overturned beds and flew at Gabe.
Gabe was ready. Hand-to-hand was his specialty.
Gabe swung out. He hit the man—raptor, whatever the hell he was—in the face. The raptor spun, growling as he did. Gabe hit out again.
The raptor ducked. Damn, he was fast. Faster than a regular human.
But then, Gabe wasn’t a regular human, either.
He kicked the man, hitting him in the gut. They traded a few blows, the man growling and snarling the entire time.
But he had one major disadvantage.
He had Emerson’s fucking blood on his mouth. Gabe had no idea how badly she was hurt, but she was bleeding. This thing would pay for that.
Gabe snatched up a stool. He swung it in a wide arc, throwing all his power behind it. It slammed into the raptor’s head.
The creature howled and fell on the floor, thrashing about.
Gabe hit him again. And again. Until he wasn’t moving and Gabe couldn’t hear him breathing.
Gabe stood there for a second, chest heaving. Then he dropped the stool. It hit the floor with a clatter.
He raced to Emerson.
She was still sprawled on the floor, one arm raised above her head, her fingers lax. Gabe crouched, his heart pounding harder than it had in the fight. God, she was covered in blood. Her chest and neck were a torn, bloody mess. And the blood… It soaked into her lab coat, turning the normally pristine white crimson.
He leaped up and smacked the emergency alarm button on the wall. They’d been retrofitted along the wall of beds when they’d made this space into the infirmary.
As alarms wailed, he rushed back to Emerson.
“Gabe.” She spluttered on the word, blood coming from her mouth.
No. No. He got behind her, and gently pulled her head into his lap. “I’ve got you, Emerson. I’m not letting go. You hold on. Help’s coming.”
Her hand groped for his and he tangled his fingers with hers.
He couldn’t lose her.
But her injury was bad and he knew she was dying. She just had to hold on until they got here. He willed his strength into her.
“You…came.”
“Save your strength.” He brushed her hair off her face. “And yeah, I came. I can’t stay away from you. I’m sorry I was a dick earlier.”
Her eyelids fluttered, but her gaze stayed on his. Like looking at him was holding her here.
The doors slammed open and people rushed in. Marcus was in the lead, clutching his carbine. Protocol dictated squad support for the medical staff in an emergency.
Marcus took one look and swore. The medical staff, most in their pajamas, stood gaping in shock.
“Help her!” Gabe yelled.
They rushed forward. An older, black nurse directed them. “Phil, stretcher. Get her into Exam Two.”
The woman pressed a hand to the side of Emerson’s throat, eyeing the wound with a direct look that steadied Gabe.
“Someone get the nanos prepared. She’ll need a large dose. And blood. She’ll need blood. Let’s move, people!”
Then the woman’s kind brown eyes met Gabe’s. “You can let go now. We’ll take care of her.”
His arms tightened on her, instead.
The woman patted his arm. “Trust me. We love her, too. We’ll get her healed.”
Gabe sat there and wat
ched them whisk her away. He stayed on the floor, sitting in her blood, remembering one other time he’d been covered in the blood of the one person in the world he loved.
Chapter Nine
“Gabe?”
Marcus’ voice pierced the fog that had enveloped Gabe. He had cleaned himself up a little and was sitting on a chair…but his hands were still bloody. Stained with Emerson’s blood. Jesus. He felt…hollow.
He looked up at the closed surgery room door. They were still in there. It felt like it had been hours. What if she died? He wouldn’t survive.
And all this time he’d held himself back, had been protecting himself and denying them both.
“Gabe,” Marcus said again, more sharply.
Gabe turned to look at him. He was standing nearby, his hands on his hips. Gabe had been distantly aware of Marcus directing people to remove the raptor body and store it in the makeshift morgue in the adjoining rooms.
Marcus sat on the chair beside him. “She’ll be all right. She’s tough.”
Gabe wordlessly turned his gaze away from his sergeant and glanced around the room. There were others huddled in small groups across the infirmary, waiting for news. Some were medical staff, and Elle was there with a bunch of civilians. Everybody loved Doc Emerson.
“So, you and the doc?”
Gabe looked over, taken a little aback. Marcus wasn’t really one to comment on people’s love lives.
Marcus stared at him, then his blue eyes widened the tiniest fraction. “Hell, you’re in love with her.”
Gabe blinked. Love? He didn’t know a lot about love. His father had taken off when he and Zeke were babies, and his mother had not been capable of love. She’d dumped them on their grandmother. Gabe had loved his grandmother. The tough old bird had barely blinked at having two wild young boys to raise. And he’d loved his brother, but they’d never said the word love or talked about it. They’d just always had each other’s backs. Had always been there.
Until Zeke hadn’t been anymore.
Marcus leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Loving a woman twists you up. Makes you do some pretty idiotic things. God, it can even make you afraid.” He lifted his gaze and Gabe followed it to where Elle was standing, chatting with a nurse. “But it’s worth every second.”
“What if she doesn’t make it?” Gabe finally voiced the words rattling around his head.
“What if she does? What are you going to do then?”
The door opened.
Gabe shot to his feet.
The nurse came out. “She’s doing well.” Her gaze skated over the small crowd, before zeroing in on Gabe. “The nanos have healed her wounds. She’s a bit shaky and needs some rest.”
“I want to see her,” Gabe said.
The nurse opened her mouth, and looked like she wanted to deny him. Then she looked at his hands and cleared her throat. “Okay, maybe you’ll have better luck convincing her to stay here where someone can keep an eye on her, rather than heading back to her own quarters.” The woman shook her head. “Doctors make the worst patients.”
Gabe pushed into the room. He half expected to see her flat on her back, but she was sitting up and looked cross. “I hate these gowns,” she grumbled.
“Yet you seem to like putting them on others.”
She pulled a face. “Doctor’s privilege.”
“The nurse said you need to stay here and rest.”
Emerson shook her head. “No. I’m going to my quarters.”
“She said its best—”
“I’m fine, Gabe.” Emerson’s gaze caught his. “Thank you for rescuing me. If you hadn’t arrived when you did—” she shuddered.
And something inside Gabe raged. Like a wild beast yanking at its chain.
“I want my own bed,” she continued. “My own things. I’ll rest easier and tomorrow I’ll be a hundred percent.”
He moved closer. Part of him needed to be near her and see that she was truly all right. He looked at her chest, but it was covered by the gown. Her neck, though, looked okay, the new skin a little bit pink from the fresh healing.
“Emerson, you were attacked. You were dying.” The word came out strangled. “You have to take it easy.”
“And I will. In my quarters.”
“We both know you’ll drag a tablet and files into bed with you.”
She lifted her chin and slid one foot—a slim, rather cute foot with red-painted toenails—to the floor. “You don’t get a say in my life, big guy.”
He deserved that. He remembered what Reed said about being honest. “Too bad. I’ll make sure you rest.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You did not just say that.”
“Yep.” He reached down and scooped her into his arms.
She squeaked, snatching at the back of her gown to keep it shut. “Gabe—”
“I agree you’ll be more comfortable in your room.” He strode out, past the crowd of concerned well-wishers, who all stared at them, wide-eyed. “I’m taking Emerson to her quarters.”
The nurse hurried forward and spluttered. “She needs someone to look after her!”
“I’ll look after her.” He turned and walked out.
Emerson stayed quiet all the way through the tunnels. He waited at her door while she pressed her palm to the lock. The door beeped. Inside, he strode straight to her bed.
“No,” she said. “I want to shower first.”
He wasn’t sure that was a good idea. She had larger quarters than most, and that included a bathtub. “No. I’ll run you a bath.” He carried her into the bathroom and set her down on the closed toilet lid and flicked on the water. He pressed the button to close the drain. The water was only lukewarm this time of night. With a frown, he strode out to her kitchenette. It only took him a second to call up some boiling water from the auto-oven. He headed back to the bathroom with the jug. She watched him, bemused.
After a few trips, the water steamed lightly.
“In you hop.”
She gripped the medical gown. “After you leave.”
He folded his arms over his chest. “I’m not leaving. You might slip, or feel dizzy. I need to be here to help.”
She huffed out a breath. “I’m not getting naked in front of you.”
His brows rose. “I’ve seen it all, Emerson.” Every glorious inch.
“This is different,” she said primly.
He’d never understand women. “Fine. I’m going to get you something to eat. You get in the bath.”
“It’s the middle of the night. I’m not hungry.”
Damn, this looking after someone was hard. “You need the calories after the nano treatment. Now get in the damn bath,” he growled.
He was only gone a couple of minutes and returned with some fruit and protein bars.
She was in the tub, the bubbles barely hiding her lush body. In fact, the peek-a-boo show of smooth skin between the white fluff was more arousing than if she’d just been naked. He cursed under his breath, his unruly cock responding.
Jesus, Jackson, she’s recovering from an attack.
“I do need to look at my notes, Gabe. Jason…they did something horrible to him.” She shuddered. “I’d noticed some strange test results in some of the other lab survivors and after seeing Jason…I know what the Genesis Facility is now.” Her eyes were grim. “The aliens are turning humans into raptors.”
***
Damn these aliens. Emerson shifted in the bath, the warm water lapping at her skin. The raptors were taking everything, including their humanity.
“Yeah. I guessed as much,” Gabe said. “But not tonight. For what’s left of the night, you need some sleep.”
She swallowed and even though she didn’t want to say her next words, she knew they were a necessity. “We need to post guards on the lab survivors. Especially the ones with the abnormal test results.”
“Shit. You think some of them could be turning raptor too?”
“I hope not. They’ve been here a
few weeks and I haven’t seen any signs of that, but we can’t run the risk. Not here in the base.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, the raptors have already sent one sleeper spy in here. What’s to say there aren’t others?”
The thought made her shudder. “The list of the rescued survivors is on my comp and those with the strange results are marked.”
“Okay, let me call Marcus.” Gabe shot her a hard look. “You eat some of this.”
She muttered under her breath as he strode out. But she grabbed a bit of melon. She heard him talking and assumed he’d made the call using her comp.
Soon, he was back. “Marcus said he’d take care of it.” Stormy gray eyes hit hers. “And now I’m going to focus on taking care of you.”
She felt a flush of heat through her. The nanos had healed her and restored her energy. She wasn’t really feeling tired at all.
His gaze dropped to the plate of food. “More.” He crouched beside the tub and held up some bite-sized chunks of protein bar.
She groaned. “Gabe. It’s the middle of the night.”
“More.” He wouldn’t be budged. “I need to see you eat.”
There were nightmares in his eyes.
She heaved out a sigh. “Okay.” When she looked again, his gaze had fallen to her bubble-covered breasts. That heat spiked again.
She took her time nibbling strawberries and sucking on melon. Enjoying the laser-focused way he watched her mouth. Finally, she pushed away the rest of the food. “I honestly can’t eat anymore.”
“Okay.” He set the plate on the small vanity. “Lean forward, I’ll wash your back.”
He grabbed the frothy sponge she had on the edge of the tub. He squirted her favorite soap on it and sniffed it. “Smells like you.” Then he started washing her back. As she leaned forward, he traced along the length of her spine.
“I’m not sure this is a good idea,” she murmured. Desire was a slow burn in her belly, but every stroke had it rising higher.
“Need to touch you.” Another stroke of the sponge. “Need to feel that you’re alive.”
God, he was killing her. He worked his way up, kneading her skin a little. She tried to hide a moan, but it escaped her lips.
“I like making you feel good.” His hand smoothed over her shoulders, then he lightly circled her throat and put his fingers on her pulse point.
