19. Mercy

I hung backwhile the guys checked out the safe house. Hopefully, this one wouldn't explode. I had so many questions about what happened, but my focus right now had to be on the man grumbling in the back seat. I didn't know him, but I could already tell he wasn't a happy guy like Patrick.

"Relax. They'll be fine," Nick muttered as I paced just outside the van.

I glanced inside the sliding door at the angry man. "You don't know that. This Jones guy might be dead."

"He's not," Nick sighed, resting his head back.

"How do you know?"

"Because Cash would have been more worried if he thought his friend was dead."

Trying to distract myself, I decided to find out any information I could. "How long have you worked with these guys?"

"Not long. And way too fucking long."

"What does that mean?"

"I served with Fox and?—"

"Fox was in the military?" I asked in surprise.

"Well, he doesn't hang around for the fun of it. That's not true. Maybe he does."

"You're talking in riddles." I looked back at the house, waiting for it to blow up, but as the seconds ticked by, nothing happened.

"Fox is…odd at the best of times. But right now, he's going through something."

"Something that could get everyone killed?"

"Doubtful," he muttered.

"And Patrick?"

"As solid as they come, though a little too happy if you ask me."

"I didn't know being happy was a bad thing."

"It's not, if you like that sort of thing."

I knew he was tired and probably on the verge of passing out, but I couldn't resist asking. "What about you?"

"What about me?"

"You don't seem to want to be here."

"Well, I was just impaled by a flying object. That could have something to do with my shitty mood."

Could be, but I got the feeling he was always like this. "Are you married?"

"Fuck," he sighed. "How many fucking questions are you going to ask?" He tipped his head back, resting it on the seat.

"Well, I can see you're going to be a joy to be around."

"I'm just here to do the fucking job."

"And I'm just trying to stay alive," I shot back.

"Then do yourself a favor and stay the fuck away from us."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," he grumbled.

"All clear," Chase said, walking back to the van.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. No bombs in this one."

I nodded, relieved we were going to stay in one spot. I didn't mind being on the run with Chase. In fact, it was almost a little fun. But the thought of being able to settle down for more than a couple of hours and actually sleep in a bed sounded fantastic. But that would have to wait until I got Nick patched up.

The back seat suddenly swung backward, nearly tossing Nick out of the trunk. "What the fuck?"

"Hey there, friend," Fox grinned. "Ready to get inside and get patched up?"

"As long as you're nowhere near the needle."

Fox tossed his head back and laughed. "You crack me up. Even after all these years, you still have that wicked sense of humor."

"Glad I can entertain you," Nick muttered.

I walked around to the back, surprised by how the seat swung back. I'd never seen that before. Then again, I'd never seen rifles hung on the side wall of a minivan either.

"Is the med kit in here?" I asked, pulling at the storage compartment.

"Don't open that," Chase said, slapping his hand over mine.

"Why? What's in there? Porn?" I laughed.

"Those are explosives."

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. "In…a minivan?"

"It's a work vehicle," he explained.

I stepped back, holding up my hands. "Okay, I won't touch a thing. So, how are we going to get him in the house?"

"Easy," he said, hitting a button. A gurney slid out from the back end of the minivan, then legs slid out and hit the ground, locking into place.

"Impressive. Any other tricks?"

"Many more, but none we need right now."

"Do you happen to have a surgical suite in there also?"

"Nope, but we have a plan."

"Okay, then let's get him inside so I can start cleaning him up."

While I stepped back, the guys helped Nick onto the gurney. Fox was rambling on about something that happened while they were serving, and I noticed Nick did his best to drown him out. That seemed to be something they all did around Fox.

Once Nick was inside, Chase joined me in the living room while Fox talked Nick's ear off. Patrick was nowhere to be seen.

"How are you?" Chase asked.

I quirked an eyebrow at him. "Just dandy."

"Seriously."

"I'm fine. A little shocked at the explosion."

"The first or second?" he asked, his lips twitching in humor.

"I would say the first was worse. By now, I'm an old pro at handling this stuff."

"Soon you'll be shooting guns and barking out orders to all of us."

"I'll pass on the guns," I smiled. "I'm a doctor, remember? I'm not interested in causing that much damage."

"I can load you up with a bunch of rubber bands. Scary, but non-life threatening."

I slid into his arms and rested my head against his chest. Yes, I was dealing with all this crap, but it still felt good to be wrapped in his arms and feel his warmth on my skin. His hand slid up and down my back soothingly.

"Better?"

"Yeah," I yawned, feeling like I was about to pass out.

"We need to get your meds." His voice rumbled against my head, sending shivers down my spine.

"I can make a call."

"No, you can't, Mercy. Anyone you call would be very bad."

I bit my lip, remembering the call I placed the day before to Lucy. Even after the voicemail, she must be worried as hell. I needed to find a way to let her know what was going on, but I couldn't risk calling her a second time.

"Fox and I are going to the hospital to pick up the supplies you asked for. Patrick will stay with you and Nick."

"Is it safe?"

"For you, absolutely."

"And you?" I asked, looking up into his eyes.

"We'll be fine."

"Fine is a word that's used when you're hoping everything will go as planned."

He grinned down at me. "Look at you, catching on to the way we talk."

"So, what's the plan if things don't go as planned?"

"Then you'll listen to Patrick. He'll take care of you. Just leave Nick behind."

I smacked his chest. "Don't say things like that."

"What? He's the new guy. He can't expect us to save his ass all the time."

"I heard that, fucker!" Nick wheezed from the other room. "Any chance you're gonna get something to help anytime soon?"

"Why? Are you in pain?"

"Nope!" he called out. "Just want you as far the fuck away from me as possible."

Chase leaned in and placed a scorching kiss on my mouth. "Don't wait up."

I watched as he walked out the door and headed to the car. In a matter of seconds, Fox was chasing after him, jumping in the car just as he took off.

Patrick walked in, setting a phone on the table. "Got anything good to eat?"

"Uh…I just got here."

"Yeah, about that..."

I waited for the slam about how I'm not good enough for Chase or something. At least, that's where it felt like this was going.

"While you're here, are you going to cook for us?"

Taken aback, I wasn't sure what to say. "Um…I guess."

"Seriously? Because that would be so awesome."

"Well, I'm pretty awesome," I grinned.

"Yeah, that's what Chase says. Everything is Mercy this and Mercy that. The man wouldn't shut up about you."

"Really?"

"Nah," he grinned. "Actually, he was pretty tight-lipped about you. But he moped around like someone shot his dog, which is how I know whatever happened with the two of you was intense."

"It was," I admitted. "So, how long should this hospital thing take?"

He shrugged, kicking his feet up on the table. "Not sure. It depends on how many people they have to deceive."

"Isn't this something you always do?"

"Oh, sure. We break into hospitals all the time and steal from them. In fact, it's listed on our business card," he grinned.

I should have known better.

"How's Nick?"

"Passed out for the moment. Which is a good thing because he was very grouchy."

"You don't say."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "No need to get snippy. I was simply stating a fact, not complaining."

He raised his hands, then heaved himself out of his chair. "Well, with that being said, I'm gonna check out the perimeter and stretch the old legs."

I chuckled to myself at his definition of old. "I'm gonna get cleaned up. I feel like I have three days of grease on me."

He nodded. "There should be supplies in the bathroom cabinet, but I can't guarantee they're not five years old."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Turning, he whistled and walked out of the room. Staring down at the phone, I bit my lip. I really shouldn't, but if he used it…

Decision made, I swiped the phone and headed out of the room. After checking on Nick one last time, I went into the bathroom and shut the door. They had a tub. I sighed in relief, then rushed around the bathroom, turning on the water and grabbing the essentials. As the water filled the tub, I dialed Lucy's number, praying she would pick up.

"Whatever you want, I'm not buying."

She hung up before I could say anything. Cursing under my breath, I dialed again, hoping she would stay on the phone longer than two seconds.

"Again, not buying?—"

"Lucy!" I hissed.

Silence greeted me for a good thirty seconds before I heard her voice. "Mercy?"

"Yes," I hissed.

"Girl, I thought you were dead."

"I left you a voicemail. And if you thought I was dead, why don't you sound sad?"

"Sure, let's get to that question first. Not the one about how a building collapsed on you and you never showed up for work again."

"I explained in the message."

"The one I didn't get?"

"Did you check your voicemail?"

"You know I suck at that."

"That doesn't mean I didn't leave you a message," I snapped.

"Yes, but since you know I don't check voicemail, you would know that leaving me a message wouldn't do jack shit for making me not worry!"

I cradled the phone between my ear and my shoulder as I started to undress. "Can we stop arguing about this?"

"I'm not arguing. I'm having a friendly conversation."

"Whatever. The point is I'm alive."

"Yeah, care to explain how you pulled a Houdini?"

"Chase got me out," I said breathlessly.

"The hot guy at your apartment? Holy fuck, he was so hot. Does he have a friend?"

"Yes, but?—"

"Ugh, because I could really use a good dicking right now."

I shook my head, wondering how this conversation circled around to her getting laid. "The point is, he rescued me, but something happened and we're on the run."

"That's cool. So, where are you going?"

"Lucy, we're on the run. I can't tell you that."

"Well, then you probably shouldn't be calling me either."

"Tell me about it," I sighed, pulling the phone away from my ear momentarily as I pulled my shirt over my head.

"If you're not supposed to be calling, then why are you?"

"I thought you were pissed at me for not calling?"

"Well, yeah, but calling seems a little stupid if you're on the run. I didn't know that before."

"I was trying to balance keeping you safe and letting you know I was still alive. Call me crazy, but I wanted to hear your voice."

"Aww, that's so sweet. I miss your face too."

"That's not exactly what I said." I climbed over the edge and dipped a toe in the warm water. Sinking down, I hissed as the hot water slid over my skin.

"So, Chase…I bet that's hot," she grinned. I could already envision the look on her face—and the fact that she would be flicking the bean after this call.

"Yes, he's hot. But we're not alone anymore. Some of his friends joined us and we almost got blown up."

"But you were already almost blown up," she said curiously.

"Right, so it happened twice."

"Wow. You know, you would think he would try to mix it up a little. Next time, you should ask him for something different. Maybe a knifing."

"I doubt he has any control over how someone else tries to kill us."

"I'm just suggesting you talk it out with him. That's not asking too much."

"Right, I'll get on that."

"So, how are things? Is the sex still amazing?"

"It was the night you were at my house, but we haven't done it since then."

"Why not? Isn't that a rule or something when you're on the run?"

"No, I really don't think it is."

"It should be. What's the point of being in danger if you don't get some benefits out of it?"

"Um…I don't know where to go with that."

"But you're going home with him or something, right?"

"We haven't discussed it."

"Can I go with you?"

"What?"

"Hear me out. I'm your gal pal. We could get jobs wherever we go. We'd be like…like…I don't know. Two girls that hang out and like to go out with hot guys. I could be your wingwoman."

"That's…" I shook my head in amusement. Lucy was the most awesome friend in the world, but also the weirdest.

"Excuse me for having dreams," Lucy scoffed. "I happen to think a hot guy coming to the rescue is something to aspire to capturing."

"I'll see what I can do. Maybe I can hook you up with one of them."

"Really?" she said excitedly.

"No, not at all. I'm not a matchmaker, and I don't even know if any of them are good enough for you."

"Girl, if they have muscles, they're good for me. Besides, with that much testosterone running through those bodies, how could the sex be bad? It's just not possible."

"Just because the sex is good doesn't mean I would set you up with any of them. I need to test the waters first and make sure whoever he is passes all my tests."

"Big dick. Big muscles. Those are the tests. Got it?"

"Sure, I'll whip out the ruler tomorrow," I drawled.

"Good. I'll be expecting a list of names by the time this whole thing is over."

"I'll get right on that?—"

I was cut off by the door swinging open. My eyes widened in horror as Patrick walked in. The grin on his lips faded as he stared at my chest. At first, I thought it was because of my scar, but then I realized my tits weren't actually under the water.

"Oh shit!"

"What? What is it?"

"Patrick walked in!" I slid down in the water, covering myself as best I could with no bubbles.

"Patrick? Ooh, I like that name. Does he look like McDreamy?"

"Lucy!"

"Mercy, cover up!" Patrick yelled.

"Oh my God!" I screamed.

"Are you orgasming! No fair. You already have one!"

"I gotta go!"

"I want details!" Lucy shouted as I fumbled to shut off the phone, then dropped it in the water.

"Shit!"

Patrick marched over as I struggled to grab the phone. He shoved his hand in the water, grabbing my mound in the process. I squealed and tried to move away, but it was too late. Water sloshed over the tub, soaking his legs as he fumbled backward. His cheeks turned bright red as he lunged forward and grabbed the phone, then yanked his hand out of the water.

"Oh my God, this is so mortifying!"

"For you? I just touched—" He spun around, his shoulders heaving as he shook like he was disgusted. "I can't believe that happened."

"You can't?" I screeched. "Ever heard of knocking?"

"In fact, I have, but I was catching you in the act!" he shouting, spinning around and pointing at me.

"Yes, you caught me. I was taking a bath!"

"And talking on the phone, which you're not supposed to be doing!"

I started to argue, but snapped my mouth shut instead. Yes, I had been wrong.

Patrick spun away again, shoving his hand through his short hair. "Fuck, Chase is gonna kill me."

He was. He so was gonna kill Patrick. And me. Possibly me even more because he'd already told me not to call anyone. And I'd done it twice. Not that Chase knew about the first phone call.

Unless…

An idea hit me, one that could save both our asses. It was a gamble, one that could land me in hot water if Patrick was too much of a standup guy. But I had to take the chance.

"You know, I don't have to tell Chase about what happened here."

His eyes narrowed on me. "You don't?"

I shook my head. "I mean, let's face it, it was just as embarrassing for me as it was for you. And I don't really want Chase exploding and making this into something it's not."

He tipped his head slightly. "I'm listening."

"You don't tell him about my little phone call, and I won't reveal that you shoved your hand in the tub and grabbed me."

"That's a gross overstatement of what happened."

"Is it?" I asked, cocking my head at him. "You did shove your hand in the tub, and whether or not you thought you were grabbing the phone, you grabbed me. I'd say that's a pretty accurate assessment of what happened."

"It's a lie."

"It's blackmail."

His jaw clenched in anger. Granted, he had no reason to be upset. I would never use the incident against him, but it was the only bargaining chip I had. And since he didn't know me that well, he didn't know that I found the idea of using something like this against another person absolutely abhorrent.

"I could explain it all away to Chase. He would understand."

"Would he?"

"You shouldn't have been on the phone. In my eyes, that's worse than what just happened."

I shrugged. "Then by all means, tell him what happened and see how he reacts." Just for effect, I lifted my leg out of the water and rested it on the end of the tub. He turned bright red and turned away from me.

"Alright, alright! Jesus, woman. Are you trying to get me killed?"

"Not at all. Just looking for a mutually beneficial situation."

"Yeah, one that gets me killed," he muttered under his breath. "Fine, you have a deal. But if you step out of line again, I'll have no choice but to tell him."

"Deal."

"And I want this friend's number when we're done."

"So you can interrogate her?"

He glanced over his shoulder. "Sure, that's the reason," he grinned, then marched out of the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.

Sliding back into the tub, I smiled at my victory. Of course, it would be short-lived. There was no way Patrick would keep his mouth shut, but at least I would have something to hold over his head when everything blew up.