Lynne coughed out water, memories crashing into her. “Hell, no.”
“Why not? You can’t swim?” Sami shook her hair.
Why not share? It wouldn’t hurt anything. “I almost drowned when I was eleven, playing at the beach with friends. You know how you’re not supposed to swim after eating?” Lynne winced as soap ran over a small cut on her arm.
“I figured that was an old wives’ tale.”
“It’s not. I went in after eating, got a cramp, and sank to the bottom.” She’d never forget the feeling of the water closing over her head and beginning to fill her lungs. “My dad saved me, but sometimes I still have nightmares.” She’d never jump into a body of water again.
Sami spat out water. “The good news is that you probably won’t get the chance, so no worries.”
“What are you afraid of, Sami?” Lynne asked. If she opened up, perhaps the young cop could, too. Not that she was going to be there long enough to really forge friendships. The world wasn’t made for friendships any longer.
“Getting shot. And, well, disappointing people.” Sami shivered. “While we’re chatting, do you mind telling me what’s going on outside of Los Angeles? I mean, is there any organization forming in the cities?”
“I avoided the cities and just saw smaller outposts. There’s a military, but I don’t know how strong it is right now.” Lynne spat out water, unwilling to trust the woman with the full truth. The most dangerous Ripper of them all was out there, and he was coming for her. “Sorry I don’t know more.”
Sami turned away and sneezed before moving back. “I figured. You done? I’m freezing.”
Lynne ran back to yank on her clothing. “Remember the days of towels?”
“We usually have some towels here, but we’re probably the last to shower. Somebody will replenish them for next time. Hopefully.” Sami retrieved her gun and led the way back through the building, climbing the stairs and dropping Lynne off at Jax’s door, which was unlocked. Sami opened it and took a quick glance around. “You’re secure. Lock the door till Jax gets here.”
Lynne touched Sami’s arm. “I’m sorry about Shawn. And Red and the other guy.”
Sami nodded. “Me too. Do you want me to get you anything to eat?”
“No. Thanks.” If she ate, she’d throw up. Right now, she had to get on warm clothing and then get back to the lab documents. It was only a matter of time before the Elite Force caught up to her, only so long that she could hide from the team created specifically to hunt, find, and return her. “Thank you, though.”
Sami gave a weak smile. “We can get to know each other over breakfast in several hours.” She lifted a shoulder. “I need some sleep to get back on track, you know?”
“I get that.” Though who wanted to sleep with nightmares so ready to strike? Lynne waited until Sami started down the hallway before locking the door. She finger-combed her hair into some semblance of order and glanced at a bunch of clean clothes on the couch. She sat and folded both men and women’s clothing. Somebody had included her.
The thought warmed her, and she pressed a freshly folded shirt to her chest. Then she let routine take over, and she slowly folded most of the laundry.
After a while the locks disengaged.
Jax stepped inside, his hair wet, the scent of Dawn soap coming with him. “I talked to April. Sorry you had to shoot those men.” He shut the door, honey-brown eyes lasering through the semidarkness, so many weapons strapped on him he could probably wage a war by himself.
“Thanks.” She folded mismatched socks together. The sound of the gunshots still echoed in her head, and her body wanted to flinch. “I want to get back to the documents.”
“Sleep first. You need it.” He locked the door and began removing weapons and placing them on the counter. Heat swelled from him, and tight lines cut into the sides of his generous mouth.
She eyed him, her instincts flaring to life. “How did the talk go with your people?”
“Fine. I believe Red and Joe were working alone in trying to take over, but everybody else now knows without question that they either leave or they stay here under my leadership.” The atmosphere charged with his frightening mood. “Did you eat?”
“Not hungry.” She held still, feeling him out. Her eyes were gritty, and she probably did need a few hours of sleep before returning to work. The documents were complicated, and she needed to concentrate. For now, her attention centered on the warrior filling the apartment.
Tension, dark and angry, filled the atmosphere around him. Instead of frightening her, as it should have, the fierceness clawed through her abdomen. “Are you all right?” she asked.
“Fine.” He slipped another knife from his boot and tossed it onto the counter. “Why?”
“I heard about Shawn.”
Jax stilled. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“I wasn’t asking you to.” Jax’s pain, his fury, were palpable in the small room. The emotions, so raw and real, sped up her heartbeat and warmed her blood. She couldn’t save him, she knew that, but something about his wounded desperation called to her. She felt it in her own abdomen, the pain of the night and the futility of continuing on. She’d killed. On purpose. There had to be a way to stop feeling the repercussions for now—to turn off her brain.
He pivoted, tall and powerful, strength among ruin. Sexy and masculine, and just as damaged as she. He eyed her, direct, and her body finally started to warm. She stood, breathless, and crossed to him.
“What are you doing?” he rumbled, sliding a wicked-edged knife next to a bowl.
She had no clue. Going on instinct? They’d both had a hellish night, and she was freezing. She just wanted to warm up.
Jax was all heat. Hurt glimmered in his eyes, and the sense of being torn apart sizzled on his fury. She could think of only one way to ease his pain and forget her own. So she stretched up on her toes and licked under his jaw. Whiskers bit into her tongue, and she moaned.
He stiffened. “Lynne, baby? It’s been a really shitty night.”
“I know.” She pressed against him, enjoying the ripple of muscle as he tried to hold back. “I don’t want to think about the night. Or talk about the night. Let’s forget the night.”
His hands clamped on her arms, and he held her at arm’s length, studying her. “You want me to take you away?”
“God, yes.” She unfastened his belt buckle.
Jax Mercury wasn’t a guy to ask twice. “Gladly. Forget about Myriad, forget about vitamin B, and just be here in the moment.” He slid his hands across her chest and down, tightening them over her breasts before reaching the hem and tugging the slightly damp cotton over her head. She shivered.
Big and warm, his hands molded to her breasts. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered. “In case I forget to tell you, you’re beautiful.”
Panic rippled through her abdomen, and her breath heated. She flattened her hand over the bulge in his jeans. “I don’t want sweet, Jax.” She didn’t want emotion or feelings or depth. She squeezed.
He stilled. “You don’t want sweet?” Something dark, a warning of sorts, deepened his voice.
She shivered again. “No.”
“Fair enough.” He moved faster than possible, lifting her, moving, and laying her on the bed. Another wipe of his hand, and her yoga pants flew across the room.
Fire lit her from within, along with a healthy dose of reality. Of caution.
“Jax?” she asked. What had she just unleashed?
He straddled her and reached for his belt, gaze intent. The sound of leather sliding through denim echoed loudly in the silent room, skittering a wary hunger down her spine. He smiled, showing his teeth in an expression that was anything but sweet.
Thunder roared outside, and metal clashed against the building.