Once Bitten, Twice Dead - By Bianca D'Arc Page 0,98

the names?” she asked tentatively. She thought she understood the anger in his expression. If others knew about her, she would still be a target, even after they caught Sellars. She’d realized it the moment she heard Sellars discussing her on the phone, but the enormity of the problem came home to her only after seeing Xavier’s response. He knew as well as she did that she’d never be free of danger until this problem was solved once and for all.

“There was a Jennings and a Rodriguez on the original science team. It would make sense that he’s in touch with them, if they’re working with him to sell the technology.” Xavier got himself back under control. He unlocked one of the bins holding their weapons and began to restock his supply of ammo. He also passed a spare utility belt to Sarah. It was already loaded with extra clips of darts and a place for her to holster the pistol he’d given her earlier.

If felt good around her waist. She’d been feeling kind of naked without a weapon or the usual weight of extra ammo and tools settled around her hips.

Xavier had rescued her and she’d nearly wept when he’d come into that kitchen where she’d been surrounded. She’d wanted more than anything to fling her arms around Xavier and never let go, but circumstances had prevented her from doing any such thing. Even now, they both knew they had to see to their duty before they could revel in the fact that they were both safe for the moment.

She wondered if Xavier felt as strongly about her safety as it seemed. He’d certainly put a public claim on her when they were standing next to the chopper before. She hadn’t expected the way his arm around her waist had made her feel. For a moment, she’d simply accepted the echoes of caring and tenderness that threatened to make her cry like a baby in front of his men, the cops and the doctor. She’d swallowed the emotion and simply leaned against Xavier’s tall form. His warmth had seeped into her, heating the cold places inside with his gentle strength. He was her rock. Her safe harbor. In that moment, he’d said more with that single hand at her waist than she would have believed had she not experienced it herself.

Was she fooling herself? Did he really feel those same momentous emotions? She wasn’t sure, and they didn’t have time or space to sort it out now. The mission was still on. They had to finish the job before they could even begin to address anything personal.

Whether Xavier would want to explore anything bordering on emotional was another question. He hadn’t made her any promises. They were together for now. That had to be enough. But yet…her foolish heart yearned.

He’d come after her when she’d been kidnapped. That was his job. But she hoped he’d come after her for more than just the job. She hoped there was some element of feeling for her as a person behind his mad rush to save her from Sellars. She knew if the roles had somehow been reversed, her heart would have been fully engaged in saving Xavier’s life.

In all too short a period, he’d become important to her in ways that defied logic.

She felt the helicopter begin to descend. Xavier distracted her by taking a more traditional handgun from another locker and passing it to her.

“It’s loaded with armor-piercing rounds, just in case,” he told her over the headset.

Armor-piercing bullets. Also known as cop killers. Highly illegal for civilian use, but she was with the army now. If anyone had the authority to use this kind of weaponry, it was Xavier and his team. Anyone who would pursue and hope to sell zombie technology didn’t deserve to get away. If she shot anyone with this kind of ammo, they’d go down and stay down. Which is probably why Xavier used it.

Reno landed the chopper, dropping into the small clear space between the mansion—in what she now realized was one of the more exclusive parts of Lloyd Neck—and the tree line. Xavier jumped out, then turned to help her out of the chopper. She didn’t really want to go back in there, but she knew they had to tidy up and make sure none of those monsters were left—either the human or the zombie kind.

Xavier started dropping transmitters, counting as he went. She followed, guarding his back and scouting the grounds as