Todd pushed away from the door. “I don’t want that sheriff around any of us. He’s not right in the head, and he needs to go back home.”
Madison looked up and nodded. “I agree, but right now we don’t have a choice. He owns this land, and we need it for training.” Her gaze lightened. “Plus, he has certain proclivities, and I think he’d enjoy demonstrating those to Zara before he leaves town.” She lowered her voice to a husky whisper. “Do you think Ryker will accept you damaged?”
Greg coughed. “Ryker will cut off your head, reach in, and discover firsthand that you don’t have a heart if you even think of harming Zara. You think I’m bad? Or my brothers? Ryker is fuckin’ crazy, lady.”
Madison clapped her hands together once. “How wonderful. You’ve bonded with Ryker.” She frowned. “Let’s see. Ryker, Heath, and Denver were thick as could be. I’d wondered. I really did.” Her lips twisted. “Very similar to your brothers. Remember them?”
“Yes. Are Chance, Kyle, and Wade still alive?” Greg spoke quickly as if he couldn’t stop himself, his voice cracking and his entire body going stiff. He held his breath at the last.
Zara reached out and grabbed his hand to give him support and then held her breath, too.
“Of course.” Triumph glittered in Madison’s eyes.
Zara breathed out. Good. Joy nearly filled her to compete with the fear.
Greg didn’t even twitch. “Where are they?”
Oh, you’ll see them soon enough,” Madison said quietly. “I promise.”
Greg sucked in air, and his chin went down. His head tilted to the side, and he stared intently at the doctor. A chill wafted through the room.
“What?” Madison snapped.
“You…you’ve lost them.” Wonder filled Greg’s voice. “They got away.” He glanced frantically around, his gaze landing on Todd. “Oh shit. This guy wouldn’t be here if…if… The commander is gone? You left him?”
Madison paled. “Yes, he’s gone.”
Greg swallowed and suddenly looked his young age again. “Dead?” His voice quivered.
Madison nodded, sorrow in her eyes. “Yes.”
Greg shook his head, his mouth dropping open. “I-I didn’t think he could die.”
Zara shifted her weight in the chair. She needed to get the upper hand somehow. “Where are Greg’s brothers?”
Madison arched one perfectly plucked eyebrow. “I don’t know, but they’ll come back for Greg here. Like I said: bait.”
Greg chuckled, the sound full of joy. “No, they won’t. They’re gone, really gone.” He turned to Zara, his eyes alive fully. “They’re free, Zara. Can you believe it? They actually got away.”
Madison slammed her hand down on the desk. “You’re about to be beaten, young man.”
Zara caught her breath. She had to turn the focus away from the boy. “Are you with Todd here or with the sheriff? I mean, we know you and the sheriff bumped uglies years ago, so it has to be still going on, right? Are you seeing them both at the same time?” She kept her voice at a stage whisper.
Madison drew back. “Of course not. Todd and I are together, and we share a glorious vision for the future. Don’t we, sweetheart?”
Todd waited a moment to speak. “We better, woman.”
Sparks flew from Madison’s eyes, but she kept her face in serene lines.
Oh, that bitch had both men fooled, now, didn’t she? Zara lowered her chin, keeping her gaze on the scientist. “It doesn’t smell right to me. You wouldn’t be seeing both men and hiding it, now, would you?” The sharp rap to the back of her head had her crying out. Her skull ached, and her eyes bugged.
“Thank you, Todd,” Madison said, sending him a beaming smile.
Greg jumped up and turned to face Todd. “You ever think of touching her again, and I’ll take out your still-beating heart and eat it. Believe it or not, it wouldn’t be my first heart.”
Man, the kid could be tough. But Todd was armed, and from the sound of things, he’d be just fine with shooting Greg. “Please sit back down,” Zara whispered.
“That’s not necessary,” Madison said, rising from her chair. “Take them to different buildings this time.” She tilted her head to the side. “Sheriff Cobb and I will meet you, Zara, in yours after suppertime. He likes to inflict pain, and I’m finding myself looking forward to seeing how much you are able to endure.”
Zara glared at the woman and shoved down fear. Her knees shook. God, how long would it take Ryker to get to her once he pinged her location?
How much time did she have?
Chapter
36
Heat exploded in Ryker’s chest, and part of him wanted to run fast and hard in the other direction. “Family?” He stared at them, noting their gray eyes and tightly packed bodies. “You’re fucked up.”
Jory cut a look at Matt. “Jesus. Where to start?”
Matt had jet black hair and square features. Jory had dark hair and a more angled bone structure. “With his name,” Matt said. “I’m not calling you Fred.”