Page 11 of North

“Family is family. Now, lie back. I’ll give you your dose of nano-meds, then check out Mr. ‘I’m Fine’.”

North made an annoyed sound.

I turned my head, and pale blue eyes caught mine. I blew out a breath. I reminded myself that nano-meds had come a long way from the days when they were just as likely to kill you rather than heal you.

From his seat on the bunk beside me, North frowned. “You haven’t had nano-meds before?”

“Only once.”

“There’s no reason to be nervous. Doc Emerson is the best.”

“It won’t hurt a bit,” the doctor said.

“I know.” North kept staring at me. I huffed out a breath. “I saw a squad mate have a bad reaction to them.” I shuddered.

Emerson made a sympathetic sound. “It’s rare but it happens. I promise we have everything we need to deal with an adverse reaction.”

I didn’t watch as she leaned over me to inject me. My stomach was full of uncomfortable flutters now.

“You’ll be fine,” North said.

I nodded.

He leaned forward and his fingers brushed mine. I let mine curl around his, and he gently squeezed.

I wasn’t going to admit how comforting I found that small touch.

North

I sippedmy beer and tried to relax.

Jess and I had been given a clean bill of health from Doc Emerson. My hip and ribs no longer ached. Best of all, Jess’ burns were all healed. By the time Emerson was done, Jess didn’t even have a hint of a scar.

We’d joined the squad at Hemi’s bar, but for some reason, I couldn’t relax. The place was busy and we’d snagged a prime table. Jess, Sasha, and Colbie sat at the end of the table, chatting up a storm.

“You all right?” Kai asked.

“Fine.” I rolled my shoulders.

“You look like a man with woman problems,” a voice said from across the table.

I looked up. Our dark-haired tech guru, Maxim Ivanov, cocked a brow at me. He was tall and lean, and kept his black hair long. Tonight it was tied back in a stubby ponytail.

“I don’t have woman problems. There’s no woman.”

Maxim didn’t look convinced. “Really?”

“Shouldn’t you be in your workshop, grunting at everyone and inventing something?”

He sipped his vodka. “I needed a break.”

Marc set some shot glasses down on the table. “A little celebration. To welcome the newest member of Hunter Squad.”

Jess arched a brow. “You’ve bought me welcome drinks three times already, Jackson.”

He grinned. “No? Really?”

“Any excuse with this one,” Colbie said.

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