Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 112001 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 560(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 373(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112001 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 560(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 373(@300wpm)
“Wake up,” she whispered. “Come back to me…”
She was so consumed by measuring his every inhale and exhale, she didn’t notice the men who entered through the garage until they filed past her. The heavily armed guards were in black uniforms without any state, local, or military insignia, and they wasted no time fanning out and going through the rooms. She wasn’t going to bother to argue that she’d already looked around. They wouldn’t take her word for it.
Glancing up at C.P., she said, “I need help getting him back to the lab—we came on the bike—”
“We’ll put him in the Suburban—”
“I’m not leaving my Harley here.”
At the mumbled words, both of them looked down at Daniel. His eyes were open and his stare was more aware, though nothing much else had improved. His body was still in an awkward tangle and he didn’t seem to have the energy to straighten himself out.
But she’d take the consciousness.
“We’re not going to worry about that.” She smoothed a gentle palm over his brush of new-growth hair. “Let’s take care of you.”
As C.P. barked orders into her phone, Daniel tried to sit up—and of course, he fought the help that was offered, pushing Lydia’s hands away. When he finally managed to brace his upper body against his elbows, Lydia gave him some space and tried not to stare at him like she was searching for evidence that he was about to die. Right in front of her. On the pale wall-to-wall condo carpet. With there being nothing she could do to stop the Grim Reaper’s robbery.
A familiar helplessness settled on her shoulders like a pair of heavy claws, a crushing sense of inevitability causing her to collapse on the inside.
“I’m not leaving the bike,” he repeated with exhaustion.
“We have other problems—”
“Well, I have that problem. And it’s going to be solved before I go anywhere.”
His voice was sharp and she opened her mouth to argue. Except he didn’t have the strength for a heated exchange, and frankly, neither did she.
“We’ll come back for it.”
“No.” He shook his head, then swallowed like he was trying not to throw up. “I want you to take it back. They can load me into that SUV like luggage. You’ll be on my bike. That’s how it’s going to go.”
Who gives a shit about the Harley, she wanted to scream at him.
But she tried to put herself in his position. When easy options were impossibles, you thought in different ways. You put out demands because you had no choice. You dug your heels in on things that felt arbitrary and insignificant to other people because that was all you had.
“Okay.”
“Thank you,” he said roughly.
“They’re waiting for us back at the lab.” C.P. ended her call. “Let’s get you moving. My men will process this scene and I’ll drive you myself—”
“Why the hell did you do that to him,” Daniel cut in.
The other woman’s eyes narrowed, and instantly, the cold calculation Lydia had associated with C.P. Phalen at first entered that stare. Gone was the friend she had become.
“Excuse me.”
“You gave him… Vita-12b.” Daniel pulled over the paperwork he’d been holding and had dropped. As he held up the pages, they shook like they were in a breeze because his hand trembled so badly. “That’s what I signed in your office, when you asked me to witness your signature. You gave him the rights to the compound and you made him a target.”
“I’m not going to dignify that with a response.” The woman shoved her phone back in her pocket. “Can you stand? Or are we carrying you out of here—”
“You put him… in the crosshairs. You live with… an entire platoon of those rent-a-guns—and you gave him… the drug that requires all that security—”
“Right, we’re moving you.” C.P. motioned at the men who were coming down the stairs. “Pick him up and put him in my car. He’s going back to the lab right now—”
“Fuck off.”
Daniel grunted and heaved himself to his feet. As he lurched to the side, he threw his hands out for balance and before she could stop herself, Lydia jumped up and steadied him. When she realized what she’d done, she braced herself for more arguments—and as none came, she was grateful. But also more scared than ever.
“Come on,” she said in what almost passed as a level voice. “I’m sure we’ll get updates soon.”
She shot a meaningful look to C.P., and the woman nodded sharply in return. “As soon as I know anything, I’ll pass it along.”
With that settled, Lydia started leading Daniel slowly through the kitchen to the garage door. As they went along, he did lean on her strength, but his back was straight and he seemed determined to go out on his own two feet. He hadn’t been using his cane for the last couple of days, and as he struggled now, the pit in her stomach was a spotlight on how much she had internalized the relative improvement after his immunotherapy had ended. With all its side effects winding down after the infusions had been stopped, the rebound was real, but temporary.