Page 21 of Cruel Salvation

“At the bank, Dorsey left his number daubed in green paint.”

“Number?”

“The number Rhea Winslow had assigned to the soldiers to make them more robotic and seem less human. Then at the power plant, we found this shell casing.” Lotus held it up for them to see.

“It was left on the ledge very deliberately for someone to find, and it isn’t standard issue. If I had to guess, this is military grade and not easy to get a hold of either.”

“This is seeming less and less like a psychotic break and more deliberate.”

Lotus glanced back at Damon. “Damon suggested that maybe he’s under the influence of the drug again in some way.”

Bás, as she suspected, didn’t flinch. “Possible, and worth looking into. Jack has Will working on this with Watchdog so they can delve into that. I’ll also take Bein and go speak to the people at the rehab centre and see if we can dig anything up.”

“Can I make a suggestion?”

Lotus turned slightly to Damon. “Go ahead.”

“It might be possible that Nazareli, and anyone who was seen as in power that they might hold responsible, is a target.”

“Shit. Smithy and his family.”

Her body went cold at the thought of Smithy’s wife, Lizzie, or one of the kids getting hurt.

“We’ll warn them. Smithy isn’t an idiot, and he won’t let anything happen to his family. In the meantime, we should consider pulling you from this and having someone else head this up.”

Ice trickled down her neck at the suggestion. “No way. I know this man better than all of you.”

“Lotus, you know damn well we don’t work that way. We’re a team.”

“Oh, and were we a team when it came to Rykov? Where were we when he needed us?” She stood abruptly, tears threatening to overflow. “I can’t do this.”

Pushing past Damon, she rushed up the stairs, fully aware that her out-of-character actions were in fact strengthening Bás’ case for him, not the opposite. Falling on the cool sheets of the double bed, she gave into the tears that had been stalking her these last few months. Everything seemed to spill out, the grief over Rykov, the guilt, the loss. The feeling of being so out of control and terrified of losing another person in her life.

She felt the bed dip and a strong, familiar pair of arms came around her. She grasped onto him like he was the only life raft in a sea of sharks. She cried for her mother, for John, who’d been her friend and mentor, for Rykov, and for the person she could’ve been if only things had been different. For the life she could’ve had if only death and evil hadn’t come into her life.

“It’s okay, sweetheart, let it out. I’ve got you.”

Damon and his sweet comfort only made her cry more because she knew he was different. From the very start, he’d been different, as if her heart was linked to him, and she’d never been more terrified in her life. Which was why she fought him, but now she had a part of him growing inside her as if fate was done letting her choose the path with him.

With his arm around her, he held her close, stroking her back, her hair, his lips pressing against her head as if she was fragile but not weak.

“I don’t know why I’m crying.”

His lips caressed her ear as he spoke close to her neck. “Yes, you do. You’re human, Naz, and you’ve been through so much, more than anyone should in a dozen lifetimes, and it takes a toll.”

“I’m normally so good at holding this in and getting on with things.” Her voice was a wet hiccupy mess as she tried to get her words out.

“I know, sweetheart, and holding it in isn’t good for you. Everyone needs an outlet for the emotions, and beating up Hurricane in the boxing ring isn’t enough.”

Her lips tipped up at his attempt at humour. “But it’s fun.”

“No doubt, but you need to acknowledge the pain or it will eat you up until there’s nothing left, and that would be a shame because I happen to think you’re pretty awesome.”

Lotus cuddled closer and he tightened his hold as if sensing it was what she needed. “You just want in my pants again.”

His warm chuckle slid over her like melted caramel, vibrating against her chest and causing her body to tingle. “You got me, but that’s not all.”

Lotus pulled back a little so she could look up at him and see his eyes. Warmth radiated back at her, but there was also a hint of vulnerability in his blue eyes. This man who could have any woman he wanted or be any place in the world right now, chose to be in this safe house, chasing after a maniac with her because he wanted to.