Page 3 of North (Hunter Squad #2)

CHAPTER THREE

Jess

“ J ess needs the infirmary, not me.”

I hid a smile at North’s grumble. We’d returned from the mission, but Jameson had been firm. I was going to the infirmary and so was North.

“You’re getting checked out,” Jameson said. “No arguing.”

The men were walking behind me as we headed down the corridor. We were in the old underground base beneath Dawn—the Enclave. I’d read all about it in the reports on the alien invasion. It and Blue Mountain Base had been the main two bases the human survivors had utilized in the Sydney area.

The walls were concrete, and despite the artwork and really good natural lighting system, it still felt like a base. Ahead, I spotted the doors to the infirmary.

Trips to the doctor were never my favorite thing, but the burns on my side and back were stinging like hell. Whatever painkillers North had given me were sadly wearing off.

“I’m not injured,” North clipped out.

“Really?” Jameson snorted. “Despite fighting a monster and having heavy shelves tipped on top of you.”

“Yes.” A mutinous tone.

“Then why are you limping?”

North went quiet.

The doors to the infirmary whispered open. The walls were a soothing green and I saw medical staff in white coats bustling around. Several neat bunks lined one wall. A doctor and nurse were treating a young girl.

“What do we have here?” a female voice said.

I turned and saw a middle-aged, blonde woman headed our way. Her white coat flared around her body. Her hair was in a trim bob and she had a strong, attractive face.

“Your next victims, Doc,” Jameson said.

“You bring me the best gifts, Jameson.” She tilted her head, and Jameson pressed a kiss to her cheek. Then her blue gaze took me in before shifting to North. Her lips quirked. “This one makes the worst patient. All doctors and medics do.”

“No, I don’t,” North muttered.

The doctor hugged him.

With a sigh, he hugged her back. “Hi, Aunt Emerson.”

“Sit on the bunk. I’ll make it as quick and as painless as possible.”

“Treat Jess first.” He sat on the edge of the bunk. “She sustained significant burns to her left side and back.” He rattled off the medications he’d given her.

Bright-blue eyes focused on her. “Hello, Jess, I’m Doctor Emerson Jackson-Green. Call me Doc Emerson.”

“Jess Ramos.” I realized this was Zeke and Marc’s mother. She seemed much too small and elegant to have given birth to them.

“Jess is our newest squad member,” Jameson said.

“So I’ve heard.” Emerson cocked her head. “How are you holding up with this bunch of ruffians?”

“They’re great.” I flicked a quick glance at North. Well, most of them.

“I’ll leave them in your capable hands. See you two at Hemi’s.” Jameson paused. “Once the doc clears you.” He sent a hard look North’s way, then left.

“Okay, Jess, let’s see what you’ve done to yourself.”

I laid back as the doctor tugged my shirt up. “North treated the burns in the field, I?—”

“She needs nano-meds,” North interjected. “The burns were caused by some acidic substance from a monster.”

Emerson made a sympathetic noise, carefully peeling back the bandages North had applied.

“And he needs to get checked too.” As the doc probed my side, I controlled a wince. “I’m pretty sure he’s hurt his hip and cracked a rib.”

“I’m fine .”

Doc Emerson rolled her eyes. “My years of experience have led me to believe that it’s in the male DNA to constantly say they’re fine, even when they’re not. My husband is the worst. That man can be bleeding all over the place and still tell me he’s fine.”

I smiled.

“Men,” the doctor muttered.

“I can hear you,” North said.

Doc Emerson winked. “I know.” She probed my side again. “Oh, this does look nasty, although Dr. Connors there has done a good job. You will need nano-meds. It’ll neutralize any other nasties that might have come from the monster.”

I nodded.

“So you’re Cruz’s niece.” Emerson pulled a trolley over, then lifted a vial.

“Sort of.” I felt a tickle of nerves. Nano-meds squicked me out a little. “I think we’re actually some sort of second cousin.”

“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 sipped my 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.

“Lark, that’s not true.”

“Lark?” Colbie’s gaze narrowed.

“You didn’t like sparrow, so I’m trying lark.”

“Just quit with the nicknames.”

Marc lifted a hand. “It’s perfect for you. Larks are cute, sweet, and fly, just like you.”

She rolled her eyes. If she did it any harder, they’d roll out of her head.

“Jess,” Marc said. “These are thank-you drinks because you saved North’s life.”

Now, I frowned.

Jess glanced my way. “Technically he saved me first. On the beach.”

Jameson snatched up a shot glass. “That’s what good squad mates do. To Jess.”

“To Jess,” everyone echoed.

I took the shot glass and knocked it back, savoring the burn of Hemi’s best whiskey.

Sasha smacked her lips. “Yum. This is the good stuff. Dad’s special blend.”

“Only the best for my girl,” a deep voice said.

Sasha shot to her feet. “Dad!”

Hemi Rahia stepped into view. He was built like a tank. He wasn’t the tallest in the bar, but his shoulders and chest were wide. His dark hair had a touch of a curl and was threaded with gray, and his smile was infectious.

He lifted Sasha off her feet and smacked a kiss to her lips. Hemi had three daughters. My dad always laughed about rough, tough, badass Hemi ending up as a girl dad.

But he adored his girls, including his wife, Cam.

Sasha took after her father—brown skin, curly, dark hair, and that big smile, but there was some of her mom in her, too, which showed in her high cheekbones and the line of her jaw.

“Are you working the bar today?” Sasha asked.

“I’m just checking in,” Hemi rumbled. “Got to keep my employees on their toes. And you? Are you keeping your squad in one piece?”

“Always,” she said.

“A good comms officer is worth their weight in pre-invasion whiskey.” He pressed a kiss to Sasha’s nose. “Hunter Squad, keep doing your thing.”

I lifted my glass. “Always.”

Hemi shook his head. “You look just like your dad.”

Dad and Hemi were more than friends. They’d been berserkers on squad six together, led by Kai’s dad, Tane.

“How are your parents?” Hemi asked.

“They’re good. Enjoying their trip.” Mom had been invited to do some work on computer systems redevelopment in Europe. She was in IT, and a tech guru. Dad had gone with her. “They’ll be back in a month.” Travel to other parts of the world took a lot longer than it had in the old days.

“Good, I miss them.” Hemi’s gaze shifted to Kai. “I think we need some better music in here.”

Kai finished his drink. “Okay, Uncle Hemi.”

The older man slapped Kai’s shoulder. “Good man.”

Kai walked over to the piano in the corner of the bar and sat on the stool. He sat there quietly for a minute, then pressed his hands to the keys and started to play.

It was some song I didn’t recognize, but it sounded good. The bar quieted as everyone turned to listen. Soon, Kai was lost in the music and bent over the keys.

“Wow,” Jess said.

“He’s really good,” I murmured.

“He’s way beyond good.”

“His mom wanted to learn to play. He took lessons with her. They’re both really good.”

Jess watched Kai for a bit. “His mom’s an alien, right?”

“Right. Her planet was called Florum. They were the enemy of the Gizzida, and Selena was taken prisoner. She’s one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.”

Colbie pulled Jess back into conversation.

“You got a clean bill of health?” Jameson asked.

“I’m fine. That damn monster was a pain in the ass.”

Jameson swirled his glass of beer. “They all are.” He paused. “Those suckers were hiding in the sand, waiting to ambush us.”

I felt a skitter of unease. “Yeah.”

“I hope Jess can help us understand what the hell is going on with them lately.”

Jess lifted her empty glass. “Who needs another drink?”

“Yeah, the next round is on the newbie,” Marc cheered.

“Only if you don’t call me newbie.” She headed to the bar.

I watched her. I liked the way she walked. She was wearing dark jeans that hugged her curves, and a tight, red T-shirt. Her black hair was in its usual ponytail.

Jameson and Zeke were talking, and I tuned out their conversation as I listened to Kai move onto a new song. This one was more upbeat and a few people got up to dance.

I looked back at the bar, wondering where Jess was. I wondered if she needed some help with the drinks.

Then I stiffened.

She was leaning against the bar, laughing with some muscle-bound guy I didn’t know. Maybe he was one of the firefighters? I’d seen him in here a few times. He was always charming a different woman. The man touched Jess’ arm, and she smiled and nodded.

I scowled. I…didn’t like it.

I rose to go and intervene. I was just looking out for her. She was new here. But before I’d taken a step, she grabbed a tray of drinks off the bar, smiled at the douche again, and headed back toward our table.

Relaxing, I sat down and blew out a breath.

Jess Ramos didn’t need me to look after her. She could look after herself.

And if I tried, I suspected she’d punch me.

Jess

Sipping my beer, I listened to the chatter of my squad.

I really liked Sasha and Colbie. They were lots of fun, and, added to that, they were great at their jobs. I could tell that Marc was the heart of the squad, and everyone looked to Jameson as their leader. North was a good medic, but he had spent the last hour scowling at me across the table.

I turned my glass around, fiddling with it. I wanted him to like me, dammit. Dad would tell me that it would all be fine. That I just needed to earn his trust.

We’d worked well together today. I just needed to give it time.

I rose. “I’m heading to the ladies’ room.”

I headed toward the back of the bar, and quickly visited the restroom. After I washed my hands, I walked out, and spotted Hemi Rahia behind the bar. Or rather, heard him.

He had a booming laugh. I’d heard all about him and the berserkers. Wild tales of their exploits during the fight with the Gizzida.

“There you are.” The man I’d been talking to at the bar appeared. Blake. He had a friendly smile and was nice to chat with. He was a firefighter for the town of Dawn and the surrounding communities.

“Hey,” I said.

“I wanted to see if you’d like to dance?”

On the small dance floor, a few couples were moving around to the music.

I smiled. “Sure.” I was new here and I wanted to make friends.

He reached out and took my hand.

Kai was playing a fun upbeat song on the piano. We found a spot on the dance floor and started to move.

Blake wasn’t bad on his feet. He twirled me out and back in, and I laughed. He seemed nice, but my mind kept returning to the fight this morning. To the monsters we’d fought. I was eager to find some quiet time to take more notes on the creatures. If we encountered them again, I wanted to take a sample of the poison in their backs. I’d already talked to Jameson about getting my hands on a small test kit to take out with me. I was also very curious about how they’d lured us into a trap.

They certainly appeared to be working together. The monsters here were changing behaviors. More so than anything I’d seen back home.

It couldn’t mean anything good.

“I’m cutting in,” a deep voice said.

I looked up into North’s blue eyes and stiffened.

“Ah, we aren’t done yet, mate,” Blake murmured.

“Yeah, you are,” North said curtly.

“Blake, this is North, one of my squad mates,” I said.

Blake didn’t look happy, but he stepped away.

I managed a smile.

Then North wrapped his arms around me. He was taller and broader than Blake. He smelled like shower gel. Something crisp and fresh.

“How are your burns?” he asked.

I tried to focus. I hated that his proximity affected me so much. “They’re fine. A little tender.” Which he already knew from our trip to the infirmary. “You?”

“I’m good.”

We were quiet for a moment, swaying to the music.

“Is that why you came over here? To check on my injuries that you know are healing fine?”

“Yes.” His brows drew together. It was so annoying that a scowl made him look even more handsome. “And to warn you. That guy you were dancing with, he’s here with a different woman every time I see him.”

I raised a brow. “Are you warning me off Blake?”

North’s jaw tightened. “I’m just looking out for a squad mate.”

“Do you warn the guys off women?”

His scowl deepened. “I’m just trying to help.”

“I’m a big girl, Connors. I’ve taken care of myself a long time.”

“Fine.”

But he didn’t let go and we kept dancing. Our bodies brushed, and he was just so close. Warmth trickled through me.

His fingers flexed on my hip. God, we moved well together. In sync.

I looked up, and everything in me turned electric.

He was staring down at me, and I felt caught in that blue gaze. His head lowered a little, and I felt like I was trapped in a spell.

Crash .

Shouting broke out nearby. I jolted. Two men were swinging punches at each other. Okay, technically, one was swinging, and the other was swaying. He’d clearly had too much to drink.

North squeezed my arm and strode over.

I watched Hemi leap over the bar in a smooth, athletic move. “Hey! Cut it out.”

The men kept going at it. One fell and hit his head on a chair, blood trickling down his face. He jumped up to head back into the fight, but Hemi and North pulled the men apart.

“Cool it,” Hemi bellowed.

“That’s a nasty cut.” North made the bleeding man sit in a chair. “Hemi, where’s your first aid kit?”

“Behind the bar. Hang on, I’ll get it.”

I watched North tend to the man, talking in a calm voice. He got the drunk to settle down, then expertly cleaned and treated the wound.

Why did I find that just as sexy as dancing with him? Apparently, competence did it for me. I closed my eyes for a second. He was a squad mate. I wasn’t here to get involved with anyone.

I was here to work and study monsters. To be a part of Hunter Squad.

I was not messing that up by getting involved with one of the men on my squad. It didn’t matter how attractive or intelligent he was.

If Dad knew, he’d be spitting mad.

Don’t get distracted by a pretty face, Jessie girl. Hormones fade and then you’re left with broken pieces.

Besides, I wasn’t even sure if North Connors liked me.

I shook my head and made my way back to our table.

“Never a dull moment at Hemi’s,” Colbie said, as she dipped a corn chip in some guacamole.

I managed a smile and sank back down in my chair.