by Amy McKinley
“Good. I want to check her out too. Or better yet, have Hannah do it. Since espionage is her thing, she should be able to tell if Jules is hiding anything.”
It was definitely her thing. Raised as a spy for Russia, she was trained for interrogation and mental and physical torture, which our government also liked to utilize to ferret out deception.
“I don’t think she’s purposely hiding something,” I said. “But there could be some piece of information she doesn’t think connects. I need the girls to see if they can get anything out of her. I’d think her guard would drop some around them, at least with Liv.”
“Seriously? You’re throwing Mari under the bus?”
“It’s not like that, but she’s a ballbuster, and Hannah can be downright scary. You know what I mean.”
Chris snorted. “Whatever, man. When will we see you?”
“Late Friday night. We’ll get in, and she’ll probably crash soon after that. We’ll have all day Saturday to try to get what we need out of this messed-up situation.”
Once everyone who needed to be present was seated in Carl’s office, he connected via video chat to Dr. Andrei Mikhailov and his team in Russia to discuss the death of their field scientist, Sasha. Maybe sixty years in age, Andrei appeared fragile with a hawklike nose and thinning gray hair. Wire spectacles perched on his nose, but his dark-brown eyes were warm as he greeted us. I forced a small smile in return. Carl led the discussion while I willed my tense muscles to relax.
“Our findings concur with the ones you’ve reported, Andrei. The virus is lethal and ancient in origin. We haven’t seen it before, but it mimics some of the worst aspects of Marburg hemorrhagic fever. Have you determined how the infection spread to Sasha and if anyone else is at risk?”
The first viral hemorrhagic-fever outbreak that we knew of dated back to the 1700s. The virus gained access to the immune system through CCR5, a gene responsible for the production of a protein. Many scientific hypotheses suggested that the delta-32 mutation came about as a natural genetic defense due to such outbreaks as the lethal fevers. Those who had the CCR5-delta-32 mutation survived the epidemics.
I happened to agree with the hemorrhagic theory, and that’s why I’d done extensive research into how to implant the genetic wonder into those who did not have it. My research used CCR5-delta-32 as the key to combat entrance for many diseases and viruses that attempted to gain a toehold in the immune system.
Andrei cleared his throat. “We found a family who died in the same manner as Sasha. Her colleagues on-site said she knew the husband and wife and had gone a day early to visit before the rest of the team arrived. Our best guess is she drank some of their water, which was contaminated due to melting permafrost around the burial site.”
“Have the residents been evacuated?” Carl asked.
“They have and are in quarantine until we are positive they do not have the virus,” Andrei confirmed. “So far, it seems very localized to that family, as their closest neighbor was one hundred fifty kilometers away.”
Carl turned to me, and his facial expression suggested an invitation to reveal my findings.
“We’ve sent over a batch of antibodies that have been shown to be effective against similar viruses. During our preliminary testing, the fever slowed once the antibodies were introduced, and some even halted the illness’s progress. While it’s not a hundred percent, at least there is a chance of survival.”
“Thank you, my dear,” Andrei said to me before turning his focus back to Carl. “And the delta-32 injections your facility has created? What about those? It would help ensure that the rest of us have another level of protection against other threats buried in the permafrost.”
Excited murmurs from his team and shocked ones from ours confused the communication. My gaze shot to Carl. The injections weren’t public knowledge. Somehow, we had a serious leak.
I settled back into my airplane seat—Trev was flying us to Maine. He hadn’t given me a choice. When he picked me up for work, he made sure I had packed a bag for the weekend. Honestly, if I hadn’t gone with him, I would have spent my entire Saturday in bed.
I hadn’t said it, but I was really glad we were getting away. Work was difficult and depressing without Fran there. I poured everything I had into my job, knowing a breakthrough was near, but it wasn’t the same without Fran’s teasing and refusing to let me carry anything. She always said I was a menace to experiments with my inability to walk gracefully from one end of the office to the other without stumbling or bumping into a chair or desk.
I swiped tears from my face. Nothing would be the same without her there.
In what felt like no time at all, we landed, and after we taxied to a hangar, Trev escorted me to a Jeep.
“We’re really staying on a wild blueberry farm?” When he’d told me, I couldn’t quite believe it. But it sounded peaceful, so I went with it. The distraction would help because Sunday would suck.
It was dark out by the time we pulled to a stop in front of a gorgeous house. Waves crashed in the distance. I’d caught sight of a sign as we drove under it. “You didn’t say this was also a winery.” I could use some wine.
Trev put the Jeep in Park and walked around to my side as I stepped onto the circular driveway. “The farm grows wild blueberries and hybrid grapes. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the wine.”
“I bet I will. A glass right about now would be very welcome.”
We followed the walkway to the house, and Trev pounded on the door. I crossed my arms over my stomach. I shouldn’t be here. Why hadn’t I insisted on going to Becs’s house for the weekend? That would’ve been preferable to having to pretend I was okay in front of a bunch of strangers, even if they were family to Trev.
He smiled down at me, unraveled my arms, and clasped my hand as the door opened. The warmth of his hand seeped into my chilled fingers. Maybe being with him for the weekend was the best option, after all. I leaned into him and decided to make the most of the next twenty-four hours.
A woman with mahogany hair and a warm smile held the door open. I offered her a closed-lipped smile, too exhausted to infuse any life in my expression as I entered. She looked Italian with her cognac eyes, classic features, and olive-toned skin. After Trev came inside, she wrapped her arms around me in a quick hug, whispering, “I’m so sorry about your friend, Jules.”
I fought the tears that flooded my eyes. It took a few blinks. “Thank you for having me.”
“You’re very welcome. I’m Liv, and we’re so happy you’re here. Let me introduce you to everyone and then show you where you’ll be staying.”
Trev took my bag from my hands, and I followed Liv to a large room in the back of the house with a fireplace and access to the backyard patio. I recognized Chris from the boating mishap right away. His arm was wrapped around a woman with long hair a similar shade to Liv’s, if not a tad darker. Liv made introductions. Mari stepped forward and squeezed my hands, repeating the same thing Liv had said about Fran.
I kept a tight grip on my emotions and said hello to the other man, Liv’s husband, Liam. He had stunning green eyes and traces of a dreamy Irish brogue. I stifled a yawn.
Liv must have taken pity on me. “You look tired, Jules. I’ll show you where you’re sleeping.”
“Want me to come with?” Trev asked as I walked by him.
“No. I’ll be fine. I’m going to pass out as soon as my head hits the pillow.”
“I’ll be close by if you need anything.”
I almost threw myself into his arms at the warmth emanating from his gaze. I nodded, unable to trust my words at this point. Liv led me to my room and opened the door.
“There are towels in the bathroom, and if you need anything at all let any one of us know.”
“I appreciate it.” After she left, I made quick work of getting ready for sleep. As I climbed into bed, I welcomed the numbness that stole over me, allowing my mind to quiet enough so that I would be able to pass out without nonstop anguish over
Fran. Tomorrow would be a new day, and with it would come a houseful of people I didn’t really know.
A knock sounded at my door, jolting me awake. Where am I? As I blinked the world into focus, I took in the room where I’d awakened. I was in a large bed, bigger than mine at home, with a fluffy white duvet. The room was painted in a soft grayish purple. It was soothing and pretty, but when reality crashed back into me, tears welled. Fran was gone, and her absence was a hole in my heart.
“Get your running clothes on and meet me downstairs.”
I swiped at the corners of my eyes and managed a half smile or maybe a grimace at Trev’s muffled demand through my closed door, pushing off the cloud of grief I’d been blanketed in since Fran’s death. He’s good for me.
Trev wanted to go for a run, and I was game. Last time, he’d beaten me, but I was determined that the next win would be mine. I shoved off the covers and yelled for him to give me five minutes. My hand curled around my cell phone. There were two messages from Becs. One asked where the hell I was. The second asked how was I doing. I let her know I was in Maine for the weekend and that I was doing as well as could be expected.
Cloying sadness inched over the spark of happiness Trev had instilled when he’d awakened me, but I wouldn’t let it win. I missed Fran, and nothing would change that, but I was determined to be good company while I was a guest there.
I threw on shorts and a long-sleeved shirt then quickly brushed my teeth and pulled my hair into a ponytail before heading downstairs to meet him. Running would take my mind off things I didn’t want to think about. I needed it.
Mari was sitting at the table when I entered the kitchen. With a big cup of coffee in her hands, she offered a sleepy smile. “Going out?”
I opened my mouth to answer, but Trev beat me to it. “Running.” He pointed to her. “Don’t make breakfast. Tell Liv too. Loser has to cook.” He turned to me and grinned. “My money is on Sweet Cheeks.”
What the hell? What era are we in? I marched right over to him, grabbed his shirt, and yanked him to eye level. Before he could pull away, I snarled, “Wrong century.”
Mari spewed coffee over the table as she burst out laughing. “That’ll teach you. Don’t mess with a woman who hasn’t had her coffee.”
“Isn’t that the truth?” I winked. Mari was obviously tough and didn’t take anyone’s crap, and she seemed genuine in her defense of me. It was easy to remember who was who after meeting them last night. They were very different.
“I knew there was a reason I liked you.” Mari grinned before getting up and refilling her mug. “I’ll let everyone know you’ll be cooking, Trev.”
“Where’s the loyalty, Mari?” He shook his head and tried to look disappointed. The mirth dancing in his eyes contrasted with his words and actions. “I’m going to have to speak to my brother about getting you back in line.”
Mari plucked a knife from the wooden block and leaned against the counter. With coffee in one hand, she tossed the blade into the air then caught it by the handle. “I’d like to see you both try.”
I shifted from one foot to another, wondering what kind of family theirs was.
“Morning.” Liv walked in, took one look at Mari, then glared at Trev. “What did you do?”
“Nothing, I swear.” Laughing, Trev grabbed my hand and pulled me to the door leading from the kitchen.
“If she cooks, we’re cooking with her!” Mari yelled after us.
My brain didn’t want to process what had happened in there, so I quietly stretched alongside Trev. It was chilly outside, much more so than fall mornings in California. I shivered despite my long-sleeved shirt. After a few minutes, he offered a hand to help me up. Fog was lifting off the ground, and the crisp pine-scented air enticed me to take a deep breath.
“Ready?”
“Where are we running?”
“We’ll follow the driveway out and run along the road until we see a path on the right.”
I nodded, and we took off slowly at first, letting our muscles warm up. It didn’t take long before both of us lengthened our strides. It was beautiful there—I could get used to it. I let my mind wander while I matched pace as best as I could to Trev’s longer stride.
The trail was amazing. We ran beneath a canopy of trees and caught glimpses of the ocean through the branches. The rolling waves sounded like the ocean did at home and helped to settle me. It was peaceful. Even so, I couldn’t shake the sadness of Fran’s tragedy that clung to my soul. I missed her. Tears intermingled with the sweat that ran down my face, but I didn’t care.
After we turned and headed back, we kept the same pace. It was nice, and I wasn’t opposed to running with Trev at all. He pushed me in more ways than one, out of my comfort zone and letting someone new in. Whatever was going on at work or with the odd things at home, at least I had a friendship with him. It surprised me. I never thought we would have become friends, not after the way a couple of the women in my office had behaved when he was around. That had felt like high school all over again, and that wasn’t something I wanted to repeat.
As we got closer, we both increased our speed. There was no way I would beat him, in spite of my long legs.
He flew in front of me, and I put on as much speed as I could. We were using the sign over the beginning of the driveway as the finish line. Gasping for breath, I slowed as soon as I crossed. Trev was way ahead of me.
Jogging backward, he grinned. “What’s for breakfast, beautiful?”
I almost tripped. Beautiful? He must’ve been joking. I flipped him off then plopped down in the grass, waiting for my breath to even out before I loosened my muscles.
Beside me, Trev stretched his hamstrings and hip flexors. I had to force myself to ignore the way his shirt clung to him. A drop of sweat trailed along his cheek, dangled from his chin, then fell to his washboard abs. My stomach clenched. He was in great shape, with well-defined muscles. When he moved, his muscles rippled, and I wanted to run my hands from his chiseled face, down his corded neck, and along his rock-hard chest. Shaking my head, I pushed to my feet. “See you inside. I’m showering before breakfast.”
Keeping my back ramrod straight, I fought the urge to look over my shoulder to see if he was watching me walk in the house. Not even a second later, I felt him behind me. The heat of him was close, and every inch of me tingled. I wanted him to crowd me so I could feel his body against mine. We stepped into the kitchen together, and as he passed me, his fingers trailed across the back of my thigh. I bit back a moan as my heart raced and my knees threatened to buckle.
On wobbly legs, I made my way to my borrowed room and the shower. My reaction to him wasn’t supposed to happen. It never had with anyone else before, not like that. Sure, I’d had boyfriends, but they were comfortable, our intimacy enjoyable. Trev was different. His touch was combustible.
I got ready quickly and found myself back in the kitchen where Mari, Liv, and a tall blond woman with crystalline eyes was standing. She was stunning and frightening at the same time. I tucked my hair behind my ears, suddenly nervous.
“Don’t let her make you uncomfortable. Hannah has this ice-queen thing she does.” Mari jumped from her seat and went to the fridge. “What are we making? I’m starving.”
Hannah’s lips twitched before she turned on her heel and left, muttering something about not cooking.
“Italian baked eggs and sausage.” Distracted, I said the first thing that came to mind.
“Oh, Italian food.” Liv rubbed her palms together. “That sounds amazing.”
“I’m at a loss. You’ll have to tell us what to do.” Mari shrugged.
“I’m sorry to hear about your friend’s passing.” Liv squeezed my arm.
I blinked away tears. My heart was heavy, but Fran would have loved a morning like mine. It was easy for me to think of her there, enjoying herself. Mari wrapped her arms around me for a quick hug. I murmured my thanks, and they must have sensed I didn’t want to talk about how much I missed her in tha
t moment, because neither woman said anything more about it.
Liv reached around me, took out the eggs, and set them on the counter. “How did you meet Trev?”
I snuck a peek at her from beneath my lashes. Beside them, I felt self-conscious. Not being in my element and among Trev’s family was different from cooking at home.
Needing a few things from the fridge, I veered around Mari but stumbled over her foot, or maybe my own. Her hand shot out and caught my elbow. Saved from a face-plant, I flashed her a wobbly smile.
I rummaged through the fridge and pulled out what I needed. Tomatoes sat on the counter—they would need to be roasted. I busied myself by prepping them before starting the sausage on the stove. “He flew my boss and me to DC a few times. Aside from that, I didn’t really know him.”
Liv nudged my shoulder. “There’s more to the story. Don’t hold out on us.”
Is there? No. Not in the way Liv was suggesting. I shrugged. “He’s sort of babysitting me.”
“What?” Mari burst out laughing. “This is gold. Tell us. I want something to tease him about.”
Liv took over cooking the sausage.
“Is it possible to faze him?” Their warmth was infectious, and I couldn’t resist learning anything about him outside of what I already knew. “He’s so easy to be around, most of the time.”
Liv shrugged. “There are things that get under his skin, but he’s a good guy. Mari likes giving him a hard time because he doesn’t take himself seriously. He’s fun.”
“Yeah, he is.” That was something I needed more of: fun. And him. I wanted him, and my eyes widened as I realized that I liked him that way. I hid my emotions by yanking the bowl over and cracking the eggs in a one-handed flurry.
“I see you’ve done this before.” Mari moved closer. “Tell us what to do next to help while you fill us in about the situation with you and Trev.”
“Yes, do,” Liv chimed in.
Liv’s voice was casual, but I wasn’t buying it. Maybe she was protective of the family. I gave them each a task with the food that was already out on the counter before I answered the questions they kept asking. “Trev started to guard me after I fell overboard in California. We were on my boss’s boat, racing another company. I lost my footing and went over the rail. Trev saved me.”
