Page 58 of The Union
My mouth parted at the sight of the contraption in Peter’s hand. “That’s what Sam had on at Intech.”
Peter swept his gaze around. “This device codes the chip through a software program. I’ll do some troubleshooting. I want to warn you. It could take me five minutes or five weeks to figure out the problem.”
“Other than surgically removing the chip, is there a fail-safe option to, say, somehow dissolve it into the bloodstream whereby the device would be removed naturally?” Dr. Vieira asked.
“I hadn’t gotten that far in my research and testing, so if my colleagues found a way, I’m not aware of it,” Peter replied. “But I will do my best to figure out what happened.”
A muscle jumped along Steven’s jaw. “You mentioned test subjects. Who? Vampires, shifters, humans?”
Sadness washed over Peter. “All the above, and… when I was part of the team, all our victims died.”
Fuck me!I felt like he’d just punched me in the gut. “Are you saying Sam could die?” Hewassaying that, but I had to ask just the same.
Steven wrapped an arm around me. “Let’s not think like that.”
I leaned into him, enjoying the warmth of his arm and his emotional strength. “Kind of hard not to.” I didn’t want to be the downer or poor-me person, but the knowledge that all the victims had died wasn’t exactly reassuring me that Sam would come out of his coma. My baby wouldn’t have a father. I wouldn’t have a chance to build a life with Sam. We’d barely scratched the surface of our relationship.
“What about genetic engineering?” Dr. Vieira asked. “Do you know anything about Adam’s efforts?”
Peter shrugged. “I wasn’t privy to that project, but I know that Carly Aberdeen had a lot of data on DNA mapping sequences and had been testing the research on humans. Whether or not she was successful, I don’t know.”
At the mention of her name, I snarled, fisting my hands, hungry to expel the air from her lungs until she took her last breath.
Steven squeezed me to him. “She’ll pay for what she’s done.”
Damn right she would, if I had any say in how she suffered.
Steven released me. “If Adam is successful, we’re looking at world war, not only for supernaturals, but for humans too. So thank you for helping, Peter.”
Peter gathered his equipment. “Don’t thank me just yet. Shall I get started?” He seemed more relaxed now than when he came in, which was good news because if he couldn’t keep his hands from trembling, then he might have a hard time helping Sam.
“I’ll escort you,” Steven said.
Jo’s cell trilled, and Dr. Vieira went to check on Dane.
“I’ll be right there, Steven. I need to use the ladies’ room.” My bladder was nagging at me, and I had time. After all, Peter had warned us it could take five minutes or five weeks.
Once inside the restroom, I released an enormous anger-frustration-and-anxiety-filled sigh. I leaned against the door and closed my eyes.
“Sam will come out of this. Sam will not die. Sam is strong,” I whispered. “Whoever is listening above, please, please bring Sam back to me.” I placed a hand on my stomach. “Hey, little one or two. Your daddy will be alive to see you come into this world.” At least I had to believe that. Otherwise, I might lose my mind and my will to live.
Inhaling, I pushed off the door and quickly relieved myself. After I washed my hands, I stared at myself in the mirror. My blue eyes were dull. My face had lost its color. Then again, my skin was on the fairer side since I was a redhead. Still, I needed sleep. I swiped a hand over my wispy strands, combing them down and blowing out a breath. Between my peaked appearance and weight gain, I hoped Sam wouldn’t run. Then a frightening thought gripped me—one I had earlier and couldn’t seem to shake.What if he doesn’t remember me? Or he loses his humanity? Will he be feral?
I wouldn’t think the worst. Nope. Positive thoughts.
I shook off the bad mojo and left. The second I stepped into the infirmary, Steven’s deep baritone carried through the room. “Don’t move, Peter.”
What the hell?
I ran, dodging equipment and benches.
Jo flew out of Dr. Vieira’s office, which was adjacent to Sam’s room.
Dr. Vieira ordered the shifters to stay put before he rushed up on my tail.
I skidded to a stop in the doorway while Doc plowed into me.
Sam was awake, but he was sucking on Peter’s neck.
