Page 19 of It's Always Been You

“They’re not supposed to black out.”

“I’m telling you, she did.”

Porter hesitated for a beat before continuing, “There’s an anti-serum that’s supposed to be taken after the mission is completed. Without its timely administration, the side effects are permanent, unstable surges of adrenalin. Among those affected, thirty percent experience blackouts.”

“Is there a cure?”

“It’s not going to be easy.”

“Tell me anyway.”

“You have to induce an episode. The anti-serum will be effective if it is given when the subject is in full berserker mode.”

“Whoever invented that shit has an odd sense of humor,” Travis scoffed. “I sure hope they’ve shut it down. If you’ve witnessed what happened to Sar—Caitlin, seriously fucked up, man—Sir.”

“Because of the high percentage of blackouts, it was shut down,” Porter said. “But we’ve kept a stash of anti-serums.”

Travis nodded.

“So, Blake. Do you want me to help your wife?”

“Of course. But I’ll have to talk to her. I’m not forcing her to do this.”

“You don’t want her to be forever looking over her shoulder, Travis.”

“I know, Sir, but I just got her back—”

“I get that, Blake. But sorry to bust your bubble, son, you don’t have the luxury of savoring this reunion. Not if there’s an arms dealer gunning for your wife. No pun intended.”

Travis grunted. “Give me today with her.”

“All right.”

“I really want to get back to her now, Sir.”

Porter tapped the roof of the car. The privacy screen of the sedan lowered and he gave instructions to turn back.

Caitlin dippedher toes in the pool. The water was warm, but there was a chill in the air. She must have been really tired because she slept like the dead. Eight hours of uninterrupted slumber. Now it was almost noon, and she was starving. Even that energy bar she grabbed from the box on top of the fridge did nothing to assuage her gnawing hunger. She ate for days after one of her berserker episodes. She also slept for days. Eat. Sleep. She glanced impatiently at the house; willing Travis to wake up already. She didn’t feel right rummaging through his kitchen, even if she was supposed to be his wife. Her brain was still processing the idea, but the kiss last night awakened that familiar feeling that fleeted through her the first time she laid eyes on him.

She heard the slamming of doors from the house and rapid-fire cursing. Frowning, she made her way back to theattached patio to peer inside. The sliding glass door was violently shoved on its tracks, and Travis appeared, a wild look on his face, which settled into lines of relief when he saw her.

Uh-oh.

He exhaled deeply. “I thought you left.”

“Where would I go?”

“You disappeared before, S—Caitlin. How the fuck did you disable my alarm?”

“I entered the code?”

Travis scowled at her. “You didn’t used to be such a smart-ass.” He paused. “That was an eight-digit code. You caught that?”

At the bored look she cast him, he muttered, “Never mind.” He stood aside to let her in, but she felt the heat emanating from him. Travis was all primal male. He was wearing a shirt with the sleeves cut off and a pair of shorts. She noticed the layer of dark hair covering his forearms making his bronze skin seem even darker.

“Have you eaten?”

“No. I’ve had a protein bar. But I’m still hungry.”

---