It took an hour to move the bodies out to the SUV and scrub away blood evidence in the college. Adam drove to a national park and piled the corpses on the ground. Max turned away while he doused them with gasoline and lit the fire. He watched her from the corner of his eye, and when the smoke from the fire drifted her direction, carrying the odor of charred flesh, she stumbled away. She heaved until her stomach emptied. Adam wanted to go to her, pull her close, and make her forget everything—this damned night, his walking away when he should’ve stayed at her side, not contacting her because of his own weaknesses.
He turned away. The dancing flames threw haunted shadows over the trees surrounding them. How would he keep his distance after tasting her again? Knowing she still responded to him with abandon like she used to. His groin ached, his cock pressing against the zipper of his jeans. He wanted to push her into the stand of pine away from the cursed fire and take her until he worked the energy out, until he got over her sweet face and sweeter taste. Their history hung over him thick as the smoke spiraling into the air. He tried to use the flames as distraction, but could only watch her from his peripheral vision. She shifted from foot to foot, her arms folded close to her chest. The khaki pants she wore accented her long legs, and her pale blue shirt set off her creamy complexion.
He’d fallen in love with her back in the days of the project, but she’d loved her work more than she could’ve ever loved him. He’d been jealous and hadn’t wanted to compete with her career. When he’d stumbled upon Doc talking with another scientist about possible uses for the R1LN virus, it’d been an excuse to run. He’d warned Max beforehand, but she’d ignored him. Mary, a Navy lieutenant who had volunteered for the enhancement process, had gotten infected with R1LN in some unknown way. Reed suspected Doc had wanted a guinea pig; her twisted mind could’ve justified murder. R1LN was the ultimate weapon to be turned loose on the enemy, letting them destroy themselves. A reasonable idea in theory, but much too dangerous—his worst fear for the project now stalked the countryside.
Adam lifted his gaze skyward, saying a silent prayer to God they’d be able to succeed. Maybe God wouldn’t listen to them after they’d behaved like delinquent children, toying with creation.
Sweat broke out on Adam’s brow, and he wiped a hand over his face and backed away from the fire. The coming day promised to be a hot one, already the air hung ripe with humidity. He wanted to be home in the Colorado Rockies, hidden away in his personal exile in the small hunting cabin he’d paid cash for. Cool crisp nights, even in the height of summer, were welcome compared to the South’s oppressive heat.
By the time the flames lowered the morning sun had started inching over the horizon. Adam dug a shallow grave near the funeral pier and scooped the char into it, stamping out the remainder of the coals. With the job done, they left the site and got into the Jeep. Max huddled by the passenger door, her eyelids drooping. He’d forgotten how exhausting one night’s lost sleep could be, and felt sorry for the woman.
“Try to catch a few minutes rest,” he said.
She blinked, forcing her eyes open. “I’m okay.”
He couldn’t suppress a grin. “You sure about that? You look a little like a zombie.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Please, I don’t want to hear that word for at least a week.”
On impulse, he reached out and took her hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. The softness of her skin sent warmth through his system, and he clung to it longer than needed. Max stared at their joined hands in much the same way she’d stared at the undead. Eyes widening, mouth agape. He couldn’t be sure if she appreciated his touch, so he dropped her hand, keeping his distance.
* * * *
They rode in silence; Max didn’t want to be the first to broach the subject of what had happened back at the college. Outside of the undead attacks, which, by all reasoning, should be her utmost concern since there had been multiple infected at the site. She viewed it as her own selfish needs making her focus on the makeout session. An ugly, self-centered thing she should put to the wayside. After all, it’d been her stubbornness to prove the virus useful, making her forge ahead after Reed had warned her about her twin’s plans, ending their relationship in the process.
Why were there so many undead at the college? How many more are there? Her groggy brain couldn’t quite work out the questions; she wanted sleep more than anything. She looked over to Reed who remained wide awake, but of course he would. He could go four days without sleep and still function, thanks to his genetic engineering.
When he’d taken her hand the unexpected touch had been nearly as thrilling as the makeout session back at the laboratory. Her skin still tingled, as did her pussy. But just as quickly he’d broken the contact.
Max forced her thoughts to what was important. At least they’d managed to take the equipment she needed. She hoped it didn’t get damaged as they took the jostling back roads. With enough caffeine she could work sixteen hour days, and she’d push her physical limits until she found the reason for Laura’s immunity. Then she’d put an end to the ravages of R1LN.
“I know a place we can stop,” Reed said, breaking into her thoughts. “It’s owned by my first stepfather. It’s an older vacation home, but isn’t used this time of year. Not much chance your sister or anyone else would think to look there. My mother was only married to him for six months when I was eight.”
Max hadn’t even realized his parents had been divorced. How sad that she’d been involved with him and hadn’t bothered to find out more about his childhood. Not that he’d been forthcoming with personal information outside of medical and military history. Nothing else had mattered in the project.
She stifled a yawn. “Okay, that’s fine with me.”
An hour later they pulled down a long driveway. Her mouth fell open when she caught sight of the home. It appeared to be more a plantation house than a vacation place. Two stories, with a ground level porch running the length of the front and tall pillars supporting a second deck on the top floor. Painted white with black shutters, it had overgrown juniper bushes growing near the foundation, making it look a bit wild. Brown, dead grasses tangled with new green growth in the lawn. The place looked as if it hadn’t been used in a while.
“Mike is a real estate investor,” Reed said in way of explanation. “Honestly, I don’t think he remembers owning this place. He has homes scattered all over the country, or at least he did when I was a kid.”
“It’s beautiful,” Max said, feeling starstruck. “I’ve never been in a house this big. How many rooms does it have?”
“Eighteen, I think.” He gave her a quick smile. “Didn’t realize you’d be the type to fall for a fancy home. I figured if it didn’t come equipped with a science facility you wouldn’t be interested.”
His teasing tone drew out her smile. “Outside of science I have a love of architecture. I see all the mathematical angles in the construction.”
He shook his head. “I always hated math.”
“You scored high in your tests.”
“Doesn’t mean I enjoy it. Believe it or not I was in the choir in my father’s church. I liked music.”
“You? Music?” she sputtered.
“Dad wouldn’t have allowed me to join theater, but I always wanted to try out for a musical.” He winked and she couldn’t be sure if he was serious. “So I focused on sports, academics, and a future in the Marines.”
He pulled behind the house to hide the Jeep. They unloaded the equipment and other supplies Reed had brought. Basic staples of food, water, lanterns, and a couple of sleeping bags, along with her own overnight bag.
“There’s no electricity,” he said, noting her examination of the battery operated lamps. “Judging by the looks of things, the lights haven’t been on in a while.”
Max shrugged. “We don’t need anything elaborate, but I’ll require some sort of generator to operate the lab.”
“There’s one out back. It makes a lot of racket, but I doubt anyone can hear it out here, and we’ll only have it on when you need it.”
He picked the backdoor lock and they walked inside. The home smelled of dust and disuse, but it was fully furnished with sheets draped over the furniture scattered throughout the first floor. A huge crystal chandelier hung in the foyer, cobwebs stretching within its gold plated arms. Max had the sudden idea ghosts lived in the home and chills raced over her skin. Of course ghosts didn’t exist, unless someone had managed to create them in a laboratory. Which didn’t make her feel any better.