Chain Reaction, page 27
part #2 of Liar's Game Series
“What happened at the facility wasn’t your fault, Matt. You didn’t set them on fire. You set them free. There’s no telling what Waters and his people had in mind for them. Certainly not burial. All Waters cared about was getting answers. Treating them like specimens. But he can’t do that anymore. And that’s because of you.”
“It doesn’t feel that way.”
“I know,” she said, reaching out to touch his hand. “Did you know I wanted to stay there? To pull the bodies out of the fire? Nick had to drag me away. But he was right. They were already dead. And what was important was getting out of there ourselves. Because as long as we’re alive, they won’t be forgotten.
“As long as we’re living and breathing, there’s a chance we can beat this thing. Find the proof we need to nail Tucker, Kresky and Davies and whoever else is involved. And right now that’s all that matters.”
NICK PACED BACK AND FORTH across the bedroom floor, debating the wisdom of opening the bathroom door. Mia had seemed better, there was no question about it. She’d been completely focused during their discussion, even adding insight. But it was totally possible to function on one level while falling apart on another.
He’d lived like that for longer than he cared to admit. But he also knew that no one could have helped him. He had to find his peace all on his own, and it had been a long time coming. Hell, it was still a balancing act, but he had gotten better.
If only he could hit fast-forward and spare Mia the pain. God, he hated feeling helpless. His whole life had been about taking action. And yet here he stood, waiting outside a bathroom, feeling completely out of control.
“Mia,” he said, knocking on the door. “Are you okay in there?”
There was no reply. He reached for the doorknob and then withdrew his hand. Maybe she couldn’t hear him. Or maybe she just didn’t want to. If he were honest, that was what scared him the most — that the fragile bridge they’d built between them had been washed away in the wake of everything that had happened.
When he’d arrived at the S&C facility, he hadn’t been looking for someone to love. But he’d found her nevertheless, and the thought that circumstances beyond his control were conspiring to take her away was almost more than he could bear.
He couldn’t stand it. Sucking in a fortifying breath, he flung open the door, to find her standing in front of the mirror, staring blankly at her naked reflection, tears glistening on her face.
“Mia? Sweetheart, are you all right?”
At first he thought she hadn’t heard him, but then she turned, reaching out for him, her eyes brimming with tears. “Hold me,” she whispered. “Please. I can’t get them out of my head. I can’t stop seeing them lying there. Please, Nick, help me.”
He closed the space between them in seconds, his arms coming around her in a gentle embrace. “You’re shivering. Have you had a shower?” he asked, rubbing his hands over her arms and shoulders, her skin clammy and cold beneath his fingers.
She shook her head, and he let go long enough to reach out and turn on the spigots, testing to make sure the water was warm enough.
“Come on,” he urged. “We need to get you warmed up. It’ll make you feel better.”
She nodded, but made no effort to move away from him.
“Sweetheart, there’s a possibility you’re going into shock.” He’d seen it before in people who’d gone through a hell of a lot less.
“Okay,” she nodded, still shivering, “but only if you come, too.” In other circumstances the line would have been a come-on, but he knew Mia just needed reassurance. To physically feel that she wasn’t alone in all of this.
“All right. We’ll do it together.” He stripped off his clothes and then maneuvered them both into the shower stall. The water ran over them, pounding against their skin. She stood still in the circle of his arms, tilting her head up, letting the water stream down her face and throat.
Nick took the bar of soap and slowly, gently began to wash her. Starting with her shoulders and working down in soothing circles, until she was slippery with lather. Gritting his teeth, he tried not to think about what he was doing, what he was touching. He tried to ignore the single-minded part of his body already tightening with need.
Mia sighed with contentment as he slid his hands around her, soaping her breasts and her stomach, suds sliding down between her thighs. Her nipples hardened beneath his palms, and he swallowed a groan, pushing back his desire. This was about Mia. Her needs. Not his.
He ran his hand lower, his heart pounding so loudly he was certain she could hear it, hear the blood as it raced through his body, pooling in his groin. And then with a little moan, she leaned back against him, lifting her hands to stroke his face. Moving slowly against him, pushing closer into the curve of his body, the water forming a curtain around them.
Then slowly, she turned to him, her eyes clear as they met his. For the moment, at least, her grief had been vanquished. Her breath caught as she reached up to trace the bandage on his shoulder, her body trembling against his.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“Mia, believe me, you have nothing to be sorry for.”
Steam from the shower swirled around them and he reached out to pull her closer, her soapy skin sliding against his, the sensation almost more than he could bear. He spread his hands across the small of her back, letting the heat from the water beat down on them, and then with a groan he bent his head, taking possession of her mouth.
She raised her arms, her breasts pressed against his chest, the friction of their bodies rubbing together intensified by the pulsing water. He tried to maintain rational thought, but his heart was beating in tandem with hers and he knew that, at least for this moment, all that mattered was the two of them.
With a sigh, he bent and took one of her breasts into his mouth, circling it with his tongue, feeling the nipple tighten with his touch. Holding her with one hand, he moved the other in slow circles down her abdomen. Sliding lower and then lower still, until he slipped one finger inside, her heat surrounding him. She cried out as his finger moved deeper, and he smiled, gently biting her nipple.
She arched back, eyes closed, offering herself. The steam and the water only heightening the pleasure of stroking her, loving her. And he felt himself harden until the throbbing of blood matched the beat of the water.
He shifted, bringing his lips back to hers, and pushed her against the wall of the shower, the tiles cool beneath his hands. He ached to bury himself inside her. The water was behind them now, a fine mist caressing them both.
Holding her steady with his body, he cupped his hands under her hips, lifting her up. With a moan, she twined her legs around him, the invitation more than he could bear. In a single motion he thrust himself inside her, the sweet hot suction sending him to the brink.
With driving need, he began to move faster, her rhythm matching his. She wrapped her arms around him, holding tightly as he held her pinned above the world, everything in him centered on the exquisite feel of her body surrounding him as he pounded deeper and deeper, until there was nothing left except the two of them locked together, spiraling toward release.
Then suddenly she cried his name and the world spun out of control, pleasure exploding through him with unbelievable strength. As the powerful contractions consumed him, he could feel her body shuddering around his, and knew that he’d found a contentment beyond anything he’d ever imagined.
Slowly, he let her go, her body sliding against his as together they sank to the floor of the shower. He pulled her into his lap, her head nestled against his shoulder, the shower’s gentle rain washing them tenderly with fine fingers of mist.
For the moment, at least, they’d managed to hold the darkness at bay. But Nick knew better than most that shadows had a way of resurfacing just when you’d convinced yourself that they were gone for good.
* * *
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
MIA STRUGGLED AGAINST the images rolling through her brain. She knew it was a dream, knew that all she had to do to escape was open her eyes. But the weight of her mind’s fantasy was too heavy, the dream clutching at her, holding her back, trying to bury her with the sheer horror of its existence.
She fought, rising through layers of sleep, only to be pulled back again. And then suddenly, she was awake, gasping for breath, the remnants of the nightmare receding into the shadows. The room was still dark, the blue-black sky framed by the window indicating it was still the middle of the night. She reached for Nick, needing the comfort of his warmth and solidity.
But he wasn’t there.
Panic surfaced again and she fought against it, sitting up and shaking her head to clear her thoughts. She was strong enough to handle this on her own. Whatever was happening between her and Nick, she mustn’t allow herself to depend on him for everything. She’d learned a long time ago that the only person she could really trust was herself. And now wasn’t the time to forget the lesson.
She got out of bed and slipped into her jeans, then grabbed a T-shirt from the end of the bed. It was only as the soft cotton slid over her head and shoulders that she realized it was Nick’s, the simple smell of him making her body quiver with desire.
She breathed deeply and then wrapped her arms around her waist, remembering his gentle ministrations in the shower. He’d washed her and held her, and only at her invitation had things become decidedly more heated.
When, she wondered, had she allowed herself to fall in love with him? Was it the night he’d burst into the line shack, daring her to team up with him, despite their mutual distrust? Or the night they’d jumped from a rooftop and managed to escape in a delivery van? Or maybe it was the night they’d first made love, when she’d desperately needed his touch to help her heal.
So many moments, in so short a time. Yet there was no doubt in her mind. She loved Nick Price. Loved him with an intensity she wouldn’t have believed was possible a week ago — hell, a lifetime ago.
Smiling to herself, she headed out to the hallway and down the stairs. If she’d learned anything at all in the past few days, it was that life had to be lived now, because tomorrow wasn’t a guarantee. Who knew if she and Nick had a chance in the real world? Who knew if they’d even survive long enough to find out?
For the moment, he was here with her, and that all by itself was miracle enough for now. Like Scarlett O’Hara, she’d face tomorrow another day.
She stopped at the bottom of the stairs, suddenly feeling awkward, the momentary buoyancy she’d felt in the wake of admitting her true feelings evaporating with the reality of the scene before her. Matt was leaning over the coffee table, studying something on the computer. No doubt making plans to find proof of their suspicions and vindicate her friends.
“Where’s Nick?” she asked, stepping into the room, blinking at the bright light.
“He’s checking the perimeter. We’ve been taking turns.”
“And everything’s okay, right?” Fear surfaced. “No sign of Davies?”
Matt shook his head, his gaze comforting. “There’s no one out there. Nick just wants to confirm the fact. In case you hadn’t noticed, he’s a little overprotective when it comes to you.”
Mia frowned, not certain how to answer.
“Don’t get me wrong, Mia. I think it’s a good thing.”
“Really?” She perched on the arm of the sofa, chewing absently on her fingernail.
“You’re going to make yourself bleed,” Matt observed.
She jerked her finger back, self-consciously fisting her hand to hide her ragged cuticles. “That’s what my grandfather always said.”
“At least it proves the perfect girl is far from…well —” he grinned “— perfect.”
“Believe me, I’m anything but.”
“None of us are.” He shrugged. “But I’ve got to admit I like what I see. Which is why I feel like I need to warn you about Nick. I’m sensing that there’s more between the two of you than just friendship.”
Mia opened her mouth to deny the fact, then closed it again on a sigh. Matt could see the truth. It was written all over her face, and nothing she said was going to negate the fact. “So what are you trying to warn me about? Katie? I already know, Matt. He told me everything.”
“Wow, that’s some mojo you’ve got going. Nick hardly ever talks about Katie, not even with me.”
“I can’t even imagine what it must have been like. To watch his sister die…” She trailed off helplessly.
“Actually, Mia, I think you do know. You’ve been through a lot these past few days. I was there when you found your friends’ bodies, remember? It doesn’t get any worse than that.”
“But it wasn’t my sister.”
“Families come in all shapes and sizes. I don’t share blood with Nick, but I’d defend him with my life. Hell, I’ve done so on more than one occasion.”
“And he’d do the same for you.”
“Yeah, he would. And I just wanted to say that I think you’re good for him. And when we get to the other side of this, maybe there’ll be something there for the two of you to build on.”
“I feel kind of like you’re giving me permission.”
Matt laughed. “I guess maybe I am. Hell of a lot of nerve, right?”
“No. I envy the friendship the two of you have. Even with all that I’ve had in my life — and there’s been a lot — I’ve never had someone I could count on like that. Someone I could trust to that degree.”
“Well, now you do.” The simple words wound their way through her brain, and for the first time since the explosion in Cedar Branch, Mia felt hope. Real hope.
“Thank you,” she whispered softly, her smile negating the tears.
“Well, before you get all maudlin on me, I should also tell you that if you hurt Nick, all the evolved genes in the world aren’t going to save you from me. Got it?”
She nodded solemnly and then they both started to laugh.
“So, what?” Nick bellowed, striding into the room. “You making moves on my girl now?”
“Yeah, right — like she has eyes for anyone else.”
“Just want to make sure you’re keeping your hands to yourself,” Nick said with a grin, coming to perch next to her on the arm of the sofa. “He’s a notorious flirt.”
“And exceedingly good at it, too,” Mia quipped, feeling absurdly happy considering the severity of the situation.
“Everything’s clear outside,” Nick said. “No sign of Davies or any of his men.”
“Well, that’s a comfort,” Mia said with a shiver, her good mood evaporating with the thought of Davies.
Nick frowned, reaching for her hand. “You okay?”
How could she possibly explain that everything was awful and wonderful all at the same time? She felt guilty for even entertaining the notion of being happy in the wake of her friends’ deaths. But she also felt as if she were poised on the brink of something absolutely amazing. “I’m fine,” she said. “I just couldn’t sleep anymore.”
Nick’s gaze held more questions, but he didn’t ask, and she was grateful for the reprieve. She’d just had a heart-to-heart with Matt. And even though it had been positive, she wasn’t ready for round two. And certainly not in front of Matt.
“I was just about to fill Mia in on our plans to get into Biosphere,” Matt said, pulling them both back to the matter at hand. “I managed to locate a local driving schedule for ASI. Looks like we’re in luck. A truck is due at Biosphere at five-thirty this morning.”
“The shredding company?” She remembered seeing the truck just before Davies had grabbed her. “I’m not sure I’m following.”
“Security at Biosphere is bound to be at a premium. Especially thanks to Matt’s handiwork at the S&C facility. Which means if we’re going to get in, we’ve got to be creative.”
“So we’re going to pose as employees of ASI?” It wasn’t a bad idea, but considering their timeframe it seemed a lot to put together, even with Nick and Matt’s connections.
“No,” Matt said, shaking his head. “We’re just going to use the truck. It’s a cabover ‘straight truck’ with a twenty-foot box.” He turned the laptop so she could see it.
“Do I look like a trucker?” she asked. “Normalese, please?”
“Sorry,” Matt said. “When I was a kid, I spent a summer with my uncle driving his rig. Basically it’s a big truck, and the container’s tall enough so that a couple of people riding on top aren’t likely to be detected coming through the Biosphere gate. Even if Davies and crew are in megasearch mode.”
“And exactly how are you all planning for us to get up there?” Mia asked. “I’m assuming there’s not a ladder.”
“That’s where it gets interesting,” Nick said. The two were grinning like a couple of testosterone-driven adolescents. “We’re going to have to jump.”
“Off what?” She already knew she wasn’t going to like the answer.
“There’s a low overpass on 287 just past the exit for Biosphere. The access road goes under it before curving around onto the county road traveling south.” Matt hit a key and the screen changed to the image of a map. “The bridge is just over fourteen feet, which means it’s really only a step down.”
“Onto a moving vehicle.” Mia frowned. “Won’t they hear us?”
“Not likely. Cabs these days are pretty soundproof. And the box is a completely separate unit. Combined with road noise and probably the radio, the driver won’t hear a thing.”
“Assuming we don’t wind up as roadkill.” The two of them had obviously lost their minds.
“Well, we are going to tip the odds in our favor a bit. A contact of ours is going to pace the truck, and when he gets to the exit, he’ll pull in front of the driver and slow him down. My guess is that the guy will be so pissed he wouldn’t notice if an elephant landed on the back of the rig.”
“Don’t you think it’s risky getting someone else involved?” she asked.
“Matt didn’t tell him anything specific. Just that we needed the truck slowed down.”
