Page 21 of Bones
“I know,” Mac repeated even firmer, but he didn’t sound angry.
“Gods, won’t this be fun.” Sam crossed his arms, frowning.
“Is she gonna die?” a young voice asked. “What’ll Madame do to us if she dies?”
“Nah, Jax, she’s not gonna die. I’m sure she just needs rest,” Trey said.
“Lana’s gonna lose her shit,” Griz muttered.
“We need to set up a rotation,” Mac said. “Trey, you?—”
“I got it,” Trey interrupted. “You can?—”
I tried to be quiet as I shifted, my arm tingling from my position, but the floor underneath my mattress creaked loudly and all five of them stared at me.
“Welcome back,” Trey said.
I pushed myself up with shaky arms, feeling far too vulnerable lying down. My head still pounded, but the rest of me did feel better. I scanned their faces, my stomach dropping as I noticed their eyes flicking to my chest. I glanced down, and my panic swelled at the sight of my shirt’s low neckline displaying the brand on my chest.
“How you feeling?” Trey strode over and crouched next to the mattress. “And if you say you’ll be fine one more time, I’m gonna give you a narc.”
My heart leapt into my throat at the mention of the heavy drugs. I knew I didn’t manage to contain the terror when Trey’s eyes narrowed on my face, studying my expression.
“My head hurts,” I said fast before he could ask any questions.
“Can I?” He reached out toward my forehead, and despite feeling uncomfortable I nodded. He pressed a large warm hand to my forehead and then let out a relieved sigh. “Fever’s gone. You want some water?”
“Where’s my flannel?” I whispered.
“Right here.” He reached behind me, plucking my flannel shirt from the floor and handing it to me. “I’ll get you some water.”
I pulled my shirt on as fast as I could and buttoned it up to my chin without looking at the silent group standing at the table watching me. My skin crawled at the attention. When Trey came back with a chipped ceramic mug of water, I took it gratefully.
My gaze shot up when Mac moved forward to stand behind Trey, his arms crossed over his chest. I couldn’t help glancing down to his stomach, the memory of the giant gash in his gut and the fear in his eyes racing through my mind.
“We gotta talk,” Mac said.
“Come on, Jax.” Griz steered the young boy outside with Sam following, leaving me alone with Trey and Mac.
Trey twisted to look up at Mac, but he didn’t look confused, just resigned. I took a large gulp of water and tried to hide my anxiety.
“Madame would like to offer you a job here as healer for the Vault,” Mac said, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides.
I narrowed my eyes. “And if I decline?”
Something like discomfort flashed across his stoic face. “That’s not an option.”
I wasn’t expecting anything else, but the heavy wave of hopeless dread washed over me again.
“You can stay here at the clinic,” Mac continued after it became clear I wasn’t gonna ask anything else. “There’s a loft.” He gestured up at a rickety ladder I hadn’t noticed before. “Upstairs can be your lodging. You can have whatever’s here left from the previous healer. Madame had a stash of narcs.” He motioned toward a dingy safe that had been recently placed in the room judging by the absence of dust on it. “Trey and I have the key, so you can ask us to open the safe when you need one. Madame wants you under guard to make sure you’re…cooperative.”
I made a scornful noise under my breath and those sharp eyes narrowed on me.
“You’ve been officially added to my crew,” he said bitterly, letting me know how he felt aboutthatdecision, “and yes, I expect you to becooperative.”
I bristled but managed to keep my mouth shut.
“You will replace Exo. You’ll be under our protection and answer directly to me or Trey, but you will follow my rules. I don’t tolerate any of my crew causing harm to each other or putting each other’s safety in jeopardy.”
