Roth(Hell Squad 5) (8 page)

They parted, panting.

“God, go, before I tell the general and his debrief to go to hell and drag you to my bunk.”

She straightened. “Maybe I’d drag you to my bunk. And I’d be on top, Masters.” She shot him a smile. “I like the top.”

He swatted her butt. “Go.” A fierce growl.

As Avery hurried down the tunnel, she felt a lightness for the first time since she’d been pulled from that tank.

Chapter Seven

Avery shifted in the armchair, trying not to bump all the cords attached to her. She couldn’t seem to get comfortable.

“One more.” Doc Emerson leaned over and pressed a sticky electrode pad to Avery’s bare shoulder.

One more. Right. There were already a bunch of other ones sticking to her temples, neck, arms and chest. She wore a tight tank top to give the doc better access. She shifted again, hating that she couldn’t settle down.

The doc pressed a hand to Avery’s shoulder and squeezed. “Relax. Are you sure you want to do this? You know I’m against the idea.”

Avery gave a jerky nod. Roth had promised to be here. She’d left a message on his comp, telling him the doc had set up a time for the memory stim procedure. The doc started tapping on a scanner screen nearby, and Avery let her head drop back against the chair. It was one they used for the regular blood donations all the base residents had to give. Well, except her, and the other alien-lab survivors. The doc was being cautious, not letting them donate until she could fully rule out anything the aliens had put in their blood. Blood that was needed for anyone who was injured…which she guessed was most often the squad soldiers.

She glanced at the door, but saw no sign of wide shoulders and a sandy head. Maybe Squad Nine got called out? Or maybe he’d forgotten and had better things to do.

She straightened. She wasn’t a little girl, needing someone to hold her hand. “Let’s get this show on the road, Emerson.”

The doctor turned and held up a pressure injector. “Okay. I have a few different drugs I need to give you. I’ll just be a minute.”

Emerson bustled around. The scanner started a steady beat, and Avery watched various lines on the screen, bobbing and dipping.

“The drugs are pretty potent, Avery.” Emerson’s face turned serious. “I have to warn you. In order to stimulate your memories, the drugs will lower your inhibitions.”

Avery’s hands clenched the armrests. She thought of her faceless mother, snorting drugs, injecting them, desperate for another hit. That was what she’d come from. “I’ll…have no control?”

“They won’t make you do things you really don’t want to do. They just take the brakes off the things you want to do but stop yourself from doing.”

Avery released a slow breath. “I’ve always wanted to learn to tango. Hopefully I won’t be dipping and turning around your infirmary with a rose clenched between my teeth.”

Emerson laughed. “There you go. Don’t worry. I’m here, I’ll make sure things don’t get out of hand.”

Avery nodded and Emerson went back to organizing her equipment. The doctor shoved a portable light closer, the glare spearing into Avery’s eyes, and a pain gripped her head.

A memory, harsh and hungry, hit her. She tensed. She heard raptors, was being dragged across the floor, and she was yelling. Raptor grunts echoed in the darkness…along with human screams. Orange light filtered through the room, giving the place a scary feel and ahead she saw the empty tank waiting for her.

She heard a female voice calling her name, a hand shaking her shoulder. Avery ignored it. She wanted to remember, but now her heart was beating like a giant drum, reverberating in her head and she…was afraid.

“Avery.”

Roth’s deep, steady voice made her blink.

She realized he was kneeling in front of her, his big hands covering hers on the armrests. The memory of the alien lab shrank in a flash, like he’d frightened it away. “Roth?”

“I’m here, sweetheart.” One of his hands slid up her arm, rubbing. “What did you remember?”

She shuddered and pressed her head against the plump armchair. “Being dragged toward that tank.” She shook her head. “Keep going, Doc.”

Emerson looked like she wanted to argue, but with a sigh, she pressed an injector to Avery’s neck. “The first lot of drugs.”

Avery focused on Roth. He stayed kneeling, but she could see he was wearing his armor on the lower half of his body, and just a T-shirt on the top. His hair was a little mussed, no doubt thanks to his combat helmet. “You had a mission.”

“Just base patrol. Got waylaid in the handover to the next team, that’s why I was a bit late.”

She wasn’t going to tell him she was glad he was here. But she wanted to.

Her gaze zeroed in on a dark shadow on his neck. A bruise. Oh, God. “Is that a hickey?”

His hand went to his neck and he grinned. “Yeah, a hot little wildcat marked me.”

Avery’s mouth dropped open. She’d done that. Left that mark on him. She was equal parts embarrassed and pleased.

“Caught hell for it at my debriefing.” He rolled his eyes. “Don’t get me started on my squad. Don’t think they’ll ever let me live it down.”

“I can heal that for you, Roth,” Emerson said with a wide smile.

He thumbed the mark again. “No, thanks. I kind of like it.”

Emerson snorted and turned back to Avery. When the doctor winked, Avery had to fight the urge to laugh.

“Okay, second lot of drugs, Avery.” Emerson hesitated with the injector. “I won’t lie, these drugs are going to hurt.”

“Do it.” Avery felt the dual sensations, the cool press of the injector on her neck and the warm press of Roth’s fingers on her arms.

The drugs went in, and it felt like fire in her veins. She arched against the chair, wincing.

“Shit, Doc, should it hurt that much?” Roth demanded.

“It’ll wear off shortly,” Emerson answered.

“It’s okay, Avery.” Roth patted her hands. “You’re tough enough to handle it.”

“I’m tough enough to take you on, so yeah, I guess you’re right.”

A crooked smile appeared on his rugged face. “You’d only take me down if you got lucky.”

She snorted. “You’re dreaming, Masters. You’re all brute strength, I’m skill.”

“Sounds like a challenge to me.” His fingers brushing her arm gentled. “Well, you certainly aren’t brute anything, although there is plenty of strength under your prickly persona.”

“I’m not prickly.”

He made a masculine sound that she translated to a skeptical “yeah, right.”

Emerson interrupted. “Avery, I’m going to ask you some standard questions, just answer truthfully. Then we’ll ask the questions referencing the aliens.”

“Got it.”

“What’s your full name?” Emerson asked.

“Avery Lauren Stillman.”

“Lauren,” Roth murmured. “Pretty.”

“Occupation.”

A feeling of lassitude was starting to flow through her, the pain receding. She snuggled back into the chair. She felt warm and calm. God, it felt good. She hadn’t felt like this…well, except for those moments in Roth’s arms. She looked at him now, her gaze boring into his blue eyes.

“Avery, what’s your occupation?” Emerson asked again.

“I’m a special agent with the Coalition Central Intelligence Agency.” She frowned. “No, that’s not right. I was, but I’m not anymore. Now I work in the kitchen.”

“How are you feeling?” Emerson studied whatever the scanner screen was displaying.

Avery smiled. “Pretty darn good.” She giggled. “Awesome.”

“High as a kite,” Roth muttered.

“Like I said, your inhibitions are lowered. It’ll make it easier for you to recall the memories you’re after.” Emerson turned. “Where are you from?”

“Brisbane, originally.”

“What were your parents’ names?”

“I don’t know. I never knew them.”

The doctor paused for a second. “Neither of them?”

“My mother was apparently a drug addict. She gave me up as soon as I was born.”

“Who did you live with?”

“I lived in foster homes. Fifteen of them.”

Avery heard Emerson gasp and Roth curse. His hands tightened on her.

“It wasn’t all doom and gloom. Most of the homes were good. Good food, clean clothes, they made sure I went to school. It inspired me to want more from my life. I wanted a career, I wanted to be important, I wanted to help and I wanted to be in charge of my life.”

“All right,” Emerson said. “Let’s move on. One more question, Avery. Who are your closest friends?”

“Friends? No one. I don’t have any and I didn’t really have any before the invasion. I was too busy at work, and I traveled a lot.”

“Lovers?” Roth growled.

“Roth,” Emerson admonished, but they both ignored her.

Avery smiled, she thought it felt goofy. “No one special. Just a few casual ones here and there. I never wanted the hassle of a man to boss me around and moan that I didn’t give him enough attention.” She eyed Roth, wondering why he looked so pleased. “Besides, caring for people is a stupid move. They always leave. Why set yourself up for the pain?”

Roth’s face went hard. His gaze roamed her face. “Sweetheart.”

“I never really wanted anyone enough…until I saw you.”

Something flared in Roth’s eyes. “Doc?”

“I’m adjusting the levels, looks like the drugs have hit her system a bit hard.”

“That big hard body of yours, all those muscles.” Avery grinned. “Hard for a woman to ignore. But I also like your drive, your determination. It makes me want to climb all over you.”

Beside her, Avery heard Emerson stifle a laugh.

“Avery,” Roth’s voice was a ragged growl. “Stop talking. Doc, fix the levels. She’s going to kill me after this.”

“Don’t be mean to the doc.” Avery slapped a hand at his chest, missed, and clipped his chin, instead. As he scowled at her and grabbed her hand in his, she smiled. “At least I know now what that tongue of yours can do.”

“Really?” Emerson said. “Want to share that?”

“No.” Roth leaned forward and pressed his mouth to Avery’s.

Mmm.
Avery moved into him, opening her mouth to drink him in. Oh, the man could kiss.

“Enough.” Emerson slapped Roth’s shoulder, and he drew back. “I need her calm, and you’re making her heart rate spike.” She nodded at the screen where a line was moving like crazy.

Avery settled back in her chair.

“All right,” Roth said. “Let’s go back to before the alien invasion.”

“Do we have to?” Avery complained. She felt so good, she didn’t want to think about the aliens.

“You were meeting with the Gizzida,” Roth said.

Now a chill swept through Avery, wiping away the humming desire. “Yes.”

***

Roth stayed close to Avery, watching her face. Emerson had warned him before that if the memory stim went wrong, she could have a seizure or fall into a coma. The slightest sign of discomfort and he was pulling the plug.

He’d been battling to find out what Avery knew, and now…now he was torn. He didn’t want this woman hurt, and he hated that she had to go through this.

“The negotiations had stalled. The Gizzida were getting impatient.” Avery’s voice had become a flat monotone. A crease appeared in the middle of her forehead and she rubbed at her temple.

“What is it?” he asked.

“Something…I discovered something?”

“About the aliens?”

She shook her head. “No…it was about…the Coalition President.”

Roth pulled back, surprised. “President Howell?”

Her eyes widened. “Yes. He had a backup plan. He hadn’t shared it, was keeping it very top secret. I discovered documents on it.”

“What?”

“The Coalition were building…they were building…” Her brow scrunched more. “Dammit, I can’t remember.”

“Don’t push it too hard.” He rubbed her arm. “It’ll come.”

She looked at him. “I find you insanely attractive.”

God, she was going to kill him. “Right back at you.”

“I don’t do relationships. They are hazardous to people’s health.”

“Only if you do them with the wrong people.”

“You think we’re right for each other?” She made a noise in her throat. “You’re all alpha and bossy. We’d kill each other in about ten minutes.”

“But we’d have awesome sex before we did.” But he knew she was right. He knew others in the squads had relationships, but Roth couldn’t risk it. He couldn’t drop the ball or his focus.

“Hello, don’t forget I’m right here listening to all this,” Emerson muttered.

Avery laughed, then her eyes went wide. “I remember. They were building an underground bunker.”

Roth struggled to pull his focus off imagining sex with Avery and back to the questioning. “A bunker. To shelter in?”

She nodded.

“Not in a military base?” It seemed crazy the Coalition would ignore Blue Mountain Base, when it was right on their doorstep.

“No, somewhere else. Somewhere underground.” She grimaced. “South of Sydney. They planned to take a select group there to ensure the survival of the human race. Top scientists, artists, government officials.”

Roth fought back a curse. Select an important, privileged few to survive, and screw the rest of the world.

Avery’s mouth tightened. “I didn’t like it. I felt they weren’t giving everything to negotiations that could save the entire world.” She rubbed her temple again, vigorously. “There was something else, something important. What was it?” She pressed both hands to the side of her head. “I don’t remember. I
have
to remember.”

“Easy. Stay calm.”

“No. I have to remember.” The last word was shouted.

He got in her face. “No, you have to stay calm, Avery.”

Then she gasped, like she couldn’t breathe. “President Howell. I was in his office. I saw documents…”

“What were they?”

“He was having private meetings with the Gizzida.”

“What?” Roth breathed. He sensed Emerson stiffen.

“He was meeting with them…to bargain for his own safety and a small group of his selection.”

“To live in this bunker?”

She nodded. “I confronted him. I was so damned angry. And…”

“And…”

She pulled her hands from Roth and curled them against her chest. “He sold me out. To the Gizzida.”