Page 26 of Now or Never
Kenna wanted to reach for the girl but wouldn’t put it pastDominatusto infect her with a virus that would kill anyone whocame into contact with her. It was possibly too late for her and Jax—proximity might’ve already signed their death certificates.
Kenna laid a hand on her belly. “You could have the doctors test for infectious disease, or something else. If he poisoned you, it would show up in tests.”
Megan shook her head. “He said it wouldn’t. He told me to make peace with the inevitable.”
“I’m sorry.”
Megan shrugged. “I knew this would happen. Maybe it’ll be quick and won’t—” Her voice broke. She cleared her throat. “Maybe it won’t hurt too much.”
Kenna sniffed back the tears gathering. Such a waste of the fresh start this young woman could’ve had, and the chance to heal from what happened to her. She wanted the words to give Megan some peace. A chance to walk her through regaining her life. Instead, there was nothing inside her, no words forming on her tongue.
“Anyway, thanks for trying.” Megan sighed.
Kenna looked at the light above the bed, blinking away tears. What could she say?
Jax put his arm around her shoulder. “We’re glad you got out of there, Megan. And that you had the chance to discover what it feels like to be free. Even if it was only for a short time.”
She wanted to add something, but all she could think was that inevitablyDominatuswould come for Joseph. They would destroy his life the way they had with so many others.
All that came out was, “Do you know who the family member was who protected them?”
Megan started to speak and coughed. After two or three coughs, she looked at her hand. Blood coated her fingers.
“We’ll get a nurse.” Jax led Kenna to the door with an urgency to his movements. As soon as they cleared the doorframe, he yelled, “Nurse!” down the hall, loud enough Kenna winced.
She stepped to the side and leaned her head against the wall. “You think she’s contagious?”
Jax turned to her and before he could say anything, the uniformed officer sitting beside the door stood and glanced between them. His craggy features gave her the impression of a mouse with two days of stubble on his chin. “What’s this?”
Kenna glanced at him. “The young woman you’re supposed to be protecting? She’ll be dead in a moment. Maybe the fake ID for the nurse who stuck her with a needle was excellent, but you let a killer in her room and she’s going to pay the price.” She turned and walked away, heard him call after her, but didn’t stop.
Jax spoke to him, then jogged to catch up with her at the elevator. When they stepped in, he said, “The cop thinks we’re going to make a statement at the police station.”
“Wasn’t me who lied to him.”
Jax shot her a look. “I didn’t intentionally lie. I just wasn’t about to let you walk off. He could’ve chased us down and you’d have been in danger from a police officer because you’re being stubborn.”
“I’m still not going to the police station.” She leaned her head back against the wall as the elevator car descended to the lobby.
“I know.” He sounded disappointed.
“Regretting quitting the FBI?”
“Don’t ask dumb questions.”
She looked at him.
“Or if you do, don’t be surprised when you don’t get a smart answer.” He shot her a look that said he’d already resigned himself to the life he was living now. Opting to exchange a career with the FBI for being with her all the time. “What?”
“It would be another dumb question.”
Jax closed the distance between them and kissed her. “I’m very glad we’re both here, and I have the freedom to work with you. Protect you. Help you. Solve cases with you.”
“I get it.”
He kissed her again. “Get used to it.”
She wasn’t sure that would ever happen. “For the record, I’m glad, too. That I’m free and we’re together.” She laced her fingers with his. “That we’re having a baby.”
