Page 46 of Black Bay Protector
“But he didn’t. He stopped. You saw it. You said…”
“Yeah, I know what I said, but for all we know, that glitch he had took care of that little issue and he’ll shoot you dead on sight. Remember what Lark said? That if they disconnect they might be stuck on their final order. Well, what if that final order was to kill you?”
Paige bit her lip, her eyes glassy with unshed tears as they flicked from him to that image of her brother. He hated seeing her so upset, so conflicted, but he’d rather apologize a thousand times later for being high-handed than put her in danger again.
Jace pulled her into his arms and buried his head in her hair. Through a throat tight with emotion, he said, “I love you, Paige. I won’t watch you die. Not if I can stop it.”
“Got it!” Lark shouted. “He’s trapped in the tunnel. I think I’ve blocked him from shutting us out again, but I can’t be sure. I’m not fully aware of his capabilities.”
“I still want someone at the release valve, just in case.”
“Sir, maybe if we let him see his sister,” Lark suggested. Glancing nervously at Jace who was growling rather viciously she added, “On the monitor. We don’t know his intentions. Perhaps he wants confirmation that she’s well and not being held against her will.”
Jace didn’t even want to give the bastard that much, but it was better than sending Paige out there in harm’s way. He still had to play devil’s advocate though. “What if Lark was right and he’s stuck on an order? What if seeing her only makes him that much more determined?”
The General grimaced. “Are they ready at the valve?”
When Matt confirmed, the General looked at Paige and then at Lark. “Do it. Tell him his sister is here and he can talk to her.”
The Commander stood at the closed partition and waited. He’d already tried to access the system to open the door but hadn’t succeeded. He’d been blocked. While he had other methods at his disposal, he chose not to use them – yet. First, he’d see how they wanted to play this. They thought they had the advantage and he’d let them hold onto that for the time being.
A face appeared on the monitor. It was a woman, and she was… stunning. Hair with the brilliance of fire surrounded a face that stole his breath and made his heart race. His diagnostic system automatically kicked in trying to deduce the cause. But he already knew. It was sexual attraction and he’d never felt it so keenly. Of course, with his memories taken from him, he didn’t have anything to compare it to, now did he?
Anger replaced the sharp thrill of lust. The need for vengeance returned with the force of a tsunami. “Are you sending her out?”
“We have your sister right here, Commander Carter. She’s well, and she’d like to speak with you.”
His sister?
Paige Carter’s face appeared on the screen with tears in her eyes. “Grady,” she breathed as her fingers reached out as if to touch him. “It’s me. Paige.” Her face turned pleading. “Please say you remember me.”
“I remember you. Now,” he added in hopes she’d understand. “I’m still trying to get my memories back.”
She let out a little broken sob and the Commander saw a set of muscular male arms come around her, holding her close to comfort her. His sister made a little motion as if she was telling whoever was hugging her that she was okay.
Her attention turned back to the camera and she cleared her throat. “I have so much to tell you. So much I want to say. How did you even find me?”
She – they – thought he’d come for his sister. “I didn’t know you were here.”
Her face morphed into one of confusion. “Then, who were you looking for?”
“Doctor Anne Dietrich.”
“Son of a bitch!” was yelled from somewhere behind his sister. “She’swhat all this bullshit was about? For Christ’s sake, I’ll tie her up with a bow and hand deliver that sick bitch myself.”
The Commander almost laughed. It seemed Doctor Dietrich couldn’t help making enemies everywhere she went.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Wecan’tjustgivehim Doctor Dietrich,” Lark pointed out. “We may need her once we recover those soldiers.” Her expression turned thoughtful. “Come to think of it, having one of those upgraded soldiers here could give us valuable intel. The things he knows, the things he could be capable of…”
The General gawked at her in disbelief. “He shut me out of my own system in a matter of minutes and you want to invite him inside?”
Lark squirmed slightly. “Well, yes.”
“Unbelievable.” The General paced away but came right back. “And if we let him in and he kills the Doc you’re so determined to keep alive?”
“We can post extra guards at her door.”
