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I better hurry and pack.
Angela meets me halfway across the gravel driveway, her arms reaching out and grabbing my shoulders. “I have my chance. He’s giving me a couple of guys. I’m going to kill that son of a bitch.” She pulls me into a fierce hug and turns on her heel, heading to the supply tent near the main gate.
She’s chaos, that woman.
Shaking my head, confusion tosses my thoughts around in a jumble until I focus on the order of packing the supplies.
The roar of the helicopter dulls out any order of thought I might have as I hear it landing near the gate. I jump when a hand touches my waist.
“It’s not often I can sneak up on you.” Sam’s hand curves around my belly, hugging me against his chest.
“It isn’t often we’re standing just fifty feet from a helicopter,” I laugh. “What did you find out?” I keep boxing the sterile bandages while the warm comfort of his hands roam up and down my hips.
“Get this, it’s for Angela. She convinced the captain to give her a handful of guys to go after Alex.” I can’t tell if it’s awe or confusion in his voice.
Turning in his grasp, my hands find his cheeks. “She had new pictures of Jenny. She’s still alive! And Cap said that there is going to be a bomb run on the city!” The blue pools of his eyes narrow as a cloudy storm of anger darkens his features.
“They’re doing what? There are still so many people there!” His hands tense around me, pulling me tighter to the heat of his body.
His soft shirt rubs on my cheek as I burrow against him. “We’re losing, Sam. I’ve been reading that they’re saying that there’s only twenty percent or less of the population left. They’re eating us faster than we’re thinning them out.” I can’t look at him. Guilt still pulls at me for the role I played in this. How many people died because I brought this illness to our area?
A heavy whine of the engine revs as the chopper takes off. The walls of the tent billow from the down thrust before it fades away to quiet.
“She was on that, wasn’t she.” It isn’t really a question. I already know. I’ve gotten to know her pretty well the last couple of months. She wouldn't be the type to say goodbye.
A low rumble from his chest mimics the engine that just left. “I think so. She’s on a mission. Been on it her whole life it sounded like.”
Crunching gravel signals someone else approaching the tent. Captain Russo pulls the door open just enough to stick his head in.
“Our escort will be here in an hour. Let’s get it buttoned up.” With that, he disappears.
“He seems like such a hard ass, but I’m glad he’s giving Angela a chance.” Sam loosens his hands and picks up one of the boxes I’ve already packed.
“You know, I learned something the other day that I think he’s already figured out.” I say quietly so only he can hear me despite the thin walls of the med tent.
He raises one eyebrow at me expectantly.
“His wife’s baby wasn’t his. There haven't been any other cases where both parents remained human and the baby shifted.”
Sam’s lips harden into a thin line. “Poor bastard. No wonder he’s grumpy.” His perfect lips soften as he purses them, then shifts them into a smirking smile. “So, I guess when we have babies, we won’t get puppies for sure.”
“No puppies. Maybe we can find Thor a girlfriend at the prison if we want some.” I give his hard muscular ass a playful spank as he heads out the door. His hands are too occupied by the heavy box to retaliate.
“They better hope the rooms they put us in are soundproof because I’m going to make you scream tonight for that one.” He smiles as he lets the door fall closed behind him.
“Promise?” I say loud enough I know he can hear me.
It doesn’t take long to get the rest of the gear loaded into the back of the cargo trucks, and everyone begins climbing into their spots in the various dozen vehicles.
I’m a little surprised when Captain Russo is sitting in the passenger seat of Sam’s truck. Sam is standing next to him with a sour look on his face.
“Captain, I thought you were riding in the armored truck?” I’m completely confused. It’s only a bench seat, so I guess there would be room for all three if I squeezed into the middle.
“I think it’s best if you ride in there. You’re the entire reason this camp exists, Doc. It’s safer there than in this truck.” He gestures to the windshield, unprotected by the heavy bars like the armored one.
“Sam?” I don’t want to be apart from him. It’s scary enough having to leave.
“I don’t like it either. I suggested you just ride in one of the helicopters, but Cap said they’re delayed, and we need to head out now so we can be sure to be clear before the planes turn downtown Boise into a parking lot. I’d ride with you, but apparently none of these assholes know how to drive a stick.” His eyes are so dark I almost swear he’s possessed.