She snorted, her nose pert and scattered with freckles. “You were definitely a man-whore.”
He thoughtfully took another drink. She was pretty. Very. Small hips, little waist, high breasts. His body came alive in a way it hadn’t in a surprisingly long time. “Come here to scratch an itch that never quite went away?”
Her jaw dropped and then snapped shut. “Of course not, you egomaniac.” More pink in her cheeks.
“Sorry.” The words came out before he could think. “There was a time, after my injury, when I’m pretty sure I was a complete ass.” The three months after, when the football scouts stopped calling were a blur, but he could remember her bringing him…what? Cookies? And his homework. Yeah. That, he remembered. “If I did anything that irritated you, I’m very sorry, Eleanor.” He meant every damn word. Without her, he probably wouldn’t have graduated.
She took another drink. “You were cranky. Like a bear with a thorn in its paw. But you weren’t mean, Hugh.” She sighed. “I don’t think you have that in you.”
The woman was wrong. Everybody had that in them. Now more than ever. Memories started flooding back. Working with Ellie. Her smile and her sense of humor…and her way of carefully thinking everything through before saying anything. Oh, she’d get to her reason for being in his place, but she’d do it in her time. He could live with that. “Where have you been, anyway?”
She glanced down at the dog, who was almost purring in her lap. “Here and there. Graduate school. Chemistry and computer science,” she answered before he could ask.
He grinned. “Dr. Smithers. It fits you.” Then he paused, surprised by how unsettling his next thought was. “If that’s still your name. Did you get married?” Why did the thought feel like a punch to the nards? He hadn’t seen her in eons.
“No.” She wetted her lips.
His pants tightened. “Me either.”
“I know,” she said softly, meeting his gaze again. “I have a dossier on you.”
A dossier? What the fuck? “All right.” He set his beer on the table and leaned forward. “Enough easing in, Ellie. What the hell are you doing here?”
She sighed and dropped her feet to the shag carpet, careful not to dislodge the dog. Her shoulders straightened and she lowered her chin in a stubborn motion that wasn’t familiar. “Congratulations. You’ve been transferred from the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, Hugh.”
Transferred? He straightened. “Sorry, but I like my job and my life.” It was quiet, methodical, and routine.
“That’s too bad. Because now you work for the Brigade.” She smiled while her eyes remained deadly serious. “Welcome to the first line of defense against any current pandemic Scorpius-induced threats.”
* * * *
Ellie let her words sink in and tried not to stare at the man who still ran through her dreams periodically. It wasn’t fair. It really wasn’t.
Couldn’t he have a slight paunch? Or a receding hairline? Or adult acne?
No. Hugh Johnson had gone from an adorable college kid to a ripped and sexy man. The guy looked like a dark Thor with his thick brown hair and angled jaw, obvious even when covered with a two-day scruff. His eyes, those deep ocean-blue eyes, were still sharp and sexy. Oh, he moved like a good old Southern boy, slow and graceful, but anybody with eyes could see the intelligence in his. Most people didn’t bother to look.
She always had.
When she hadn’t been dreaming of him sweeping her up and declaring undying love. Man, she’d been a moron.
“I’m not leaving my job, Ellie,” he said, his voice a deep rumble with a gentle tone.
That voice. Man, she remembered it. Her abdomen clenched, and tingles danced down her spine. “They sent me in to ease your way,” she explained, only lying a little bit. Okay. She might have volunteered, but still. The plan was good. “The DNDO is part of Homeland Security, which means you can be transferred. You have been. Get on board.”
One of his dark eyebrows rose. “You’ve gotten a bit bossy, sweetheart.”
He had no idea. She breathed out. “Listen, Hugh. The pandemic is killing people left and right.” The Scorpius bacteria had already killed a hundred thousand people, and it showed no chance of slowing down. “The world is dying, and we’re under a threat.”
“I’m not a biologist, and you know it. The CDC will find a cure,” he countered, not sounding sure.
“I hope so.” She glanced at the full trees outside. “But that’s their job. Ours is to protect the country in the meantime.”
He frowned. “I’m not agreeing, but what’s the Brigade?”
She straightened. “It’s a small force appointed by the president to counter the difficulties we’re about to have, and we need your help. Your expertise as the assistant director of assessments for DNDO.”
He leaned back. “I’m third in line, Ellie. I like it that way. You need the director or the deputy director.”
Actually, the man was twice as smart as the other two. “We want you.”
The words hung in the air. He studied her, looking suddenly…hungry.
She swallowed, her lungs compressing. “We can guarantee the safety of your family. There are places being set up—places the Scorpius bacterium shouldn’t touch.”
He shook his head, the movement measured. “Scorpius is going to touch everywhere, and you should know that.” He finished his beer, his tough-guy neck moving as he swallowed. Then he set the bottle down. “My family has all headed for the hills. We have cabins around Blue Lake, and my folks and brothers are hunkering down.”
She tilted her head. “Yet you stayed here.” Ah. The man wasn’t as oblivious as he appeared. “You knew you’d be needed.”
His chin lowered. “I’ve made assessments regarding nuclear threats for the last five years. Yeah, baby. I knew I’d be needed.”
Tingles exploded along her skin. It was nice when he dropped the good-ole-boy act. Even though it was only partly an act. “Did your dad fight you on closing the tire stores?” She remembered his family had owned several tire stores throughout the South and both of his brothers had gone to work there. Not him. He’d wanted something different. Money be damned.
“No.”
Good. His family had seemed like nice people. “I’m glad,” she murmured.
“What about your mom? How is she?” Hugh asked.
So he remembered a little about her. Even so, her smile felt sad. “She died a few years back. Breast cancer.” Ellie’s only family.
“I’m so sorry.”
“Me too.” She cleared her throat and gently moved the snoring mutt off her lap, slipping her feet into her pumps. “I assume you have a go-bag ready?”
“No.” He glared at the dog. “Get off the couch, Heisenberg.”
Ellie stood, hiding a smile when the pooch totally ignored his master. “Cute name.” She looked around. “You’re also welcome to bring a significant other with you. If you have one.”
He stood and towered over her so suddenly she stopped breathing. “Are you asking me if I’m available, Ellie Mae?”
Warmth from his body, his very close body, washed over her. She tilted her head back to meet his eyes. “Don’t call me that.” It was his little nickname for her in college, and her heart used to stutter every time he used it. Something special just between the two of them.
“Why not?” He stepped in until their feet touched.
She blinked. Sparks flew between her nerves. “Wh-what are you doing?”
“Exploring.” His gaze ran over her face, curiosity clearly gleaming in those deep eyes. “I liked you. Back then. Big eyes, sweet smile, huge brain.” He reached out and brushed a curl away from her cheek, his touch warm.
Her throat closed. Heat flashed from his touch, down her torso, to zing along her erogenous zones. “Yet the one time I made a move, you rejected me.” It still hurt. When he was down and out—injured and in pain—she’d tried to give comfort.
“I wasn’t lookin’ for forever, and
you’re a forever type of gal,” he murmured, standing way too close. “That offer you made nearly killed me sayin’ no. But even though I was hurtin’ and wanted to stop the pain, I couldn’t hurt you. Ever.” As if he couldn’t help himself, he brushed his knuckles along her jawline. “But I wanted you, Ell. Just knew you’d be a mistake I’d never recover from.”
Her lungs released quickly, and she took a step sideways along the coffee table. “Agreed.”
Amusement tilted his lips. “I ain’t a college kid no more, Ellie.”
“I’m well aware of that.” She needed to go by him to get to the door, and he wasn’t moving out of the way. How in the world did he still affect her like this? It had been years, for goodness’ sake. “We’re both eons out of college.”
“I’m no longer hurtin’ or whorin’ around,” he continued, looking big and broad in the small room.
“Your point?” she snapped, trying to get her libido under some semblance of control. Why did his country-boy act turn her on? She needed a shrink. Bad.
“My point? Well now.” His smile was more wolf than sheepdog. “This time, when you make the offer? I’m gonna say yes.”
Chapter Two
Day 1. I don’t write in a diary, and this is stupid but is apparently part of the job. The Brigade is an odd group. There. That should do it for the day.
—Hugh Johnson, Brigade Notes
Hugh stepped out of the chauffeured vehicle and reached a hand in to assist Ellie after a two-hour flight to Springfield. Litter tumbled down the cracked sidewalk, mixing with dried leaves. “Somebody had better explain what is going on,” he said, shutting the vehicle door, not surprised when it zoomed down the quiet street and away from them. They’d reminisced about college for the entire plane ride because she wouldn’t answer any of his questions during the trip.
“I told you I’m not authorized to detail mission parameters to you.” Ellie turned and looked down the deserted street. “You used to be more patient.”
He glanced at the quiet stone building in front of them. A cool wind washed down the street located at the edge of the city complete with several abandoned buildings. “You’ve never kidnapped me and brought me to Missouri before.” This was all getting weird. Really weird. Rumor had it that Scorpius survivors, some of them, went completely serial-killer nuts. He glanced down at the petite woman to his right.
She snorted. “I’m not planning on caging you, buddy.” Setting her shoulders, she marched on fairly high heels up the crumbling steps to push open the front door.
He kicked himself into gear and rushed after her, holding the door for her to enter. She had to brush by him, and his skin sensitized.
Why had he let her out of his sight so long ago?
Shaking himself out of the past, he grasped her arm and pulled her to a halt. Scratched and thin oak made up the floor, and dingy paint covered the walls. Several real wooden doors, old and dented, took up residence every few yards, proclaiming businesses. Henry O’Toole, attorney at law. Mildren Kremis, accountant. And so on. “Where the hell are we?” he asked.
She sighed and tugged him over to an old-fashioned elevator. “Just get in.”
The thing wobbled from his weight as he stepped inside. “Um—” he muttered as the door closed.
She pressed the button for the second floor, then the first, then the third, second, first, second, and then the close-door button.
Good God. She’d lost her mind. “Have you survived Scorpius?” he asked, keeping his tone mild. He’d just crossed states with a crazy woman.
Her smile touched something in him. “Hold on, Ace.” Then she pressed the red alarm button.
The elevator dropped suddenly, and he grabbed the wall. “Ellie?” His breath quickened.
She chuckled. They descended rapidly and then…stopped. The door opened.
He moved before she could, instinctively protecting her and stepping out, keeping her behind him. Two armed marines stood guard in front of what looked like a steel door set into a steel wall. His shoulders relaxed. “This is interesting.”
Ellie shoved past him and handed her ID to the guy on the left. “Used to be a CIA compound.” The guard returned her credentials and opened the steel door.
In Missouri? He gave the soldiers a nod and then followed her down another long hallway that led to a round control room with screens on every wall. Several people worked away at consoles, not bothering to look up at them. He whistled. “Impressive.”
“This way.” She led him around the consoles to a smaller control room with a long conference room type table.
He walked inside and paused.
Two people, a man and a woman, sat at the table eating what looked like burgers. They wore casual jeans, boots, and T-shirts. The man stood, all six-foot-four of him, and held out a hand. He had dark brown hair, intense green eyes, and a scar down his neck. “Hugh. Thanks for coming.” The Scottish brogue was a surprise.
Hugh shook his hand. “Somebody had better start explaining.”
The woman stood to about five-foot-seven, with dark eyes and curly brown hair. She also held out a hand. “I’m Nora Medina, and this is Deacan McDougall. Welcome to the Brigade.” Her voice was cultured and her eyes spirited. She gestured to the other side of the table and retook her seat.
“McDougall,” Deacan said easily, pulling fries out of a bag. “Nora McDougall.”
Nora blinked and then nodded. “That’s right. I’d forgotten.”
McDougall eyed his wife. “Apparently, I’ll have to remind you later.”
Ellie sighed. “Newlyweds,” she whispered to Hugh. “Please. Have a seat.”
Hugh cut Ellie a look and crossed around to sit.
McDougall shoved a greasy-looking bag toward him and retook his seat. “Can’t vouch for the cholesterol content, but the burgers are excellent.”
Hugh nudged the bag toward Ellie. “I’m here for one more minute if somebody doesn’t explain.” While he kept his voice level, the hair was rising on the back of his neck. He was a simple guy, and this espionage bullshit just pissed him off. “Fifty seconds.”
McDougall grinned. “I have two armed marines guarding the elevator. Think you can go through both of them?”
“If I have to,” Hugh said easily. He might not be in the military, but he’d learned how to fight at a young age. With two brothers, it was impossible not to know how to take and throw a punch. He missed them already. At least Milo had promised to fetch the dog and take him to the lake. Heisenberg loved chasing the gulls. “I guess I could start with you.”
McDougall’s smile widened. The guy wasn’t put off in the slightest. “I like you already, Johnson.”
Wonderful. “Being liked has never been one of my goals,” Hugh said smoothly. Except by Ellie. At the moment, he’d freakin’ love it if she liked him. Especially enough to get naked. It had been way too long.
“Gentlemen,” Nora said in the way women had been sighing the words through history—like all men were morons. “Let’s get down to business.” She drew a remote control out from under the table and pointed it at the screen on the far wall. “We’ve downloaded your records from work, Hugh.” His computer screen took shape.
He sat back. “Did you, now?” he asked mildly, his ears starting to itch.
“Eleanor did,” Nora said absently, clicking a file open.
He slowly turned his head to face the blushing blonde. “You hacked my system, Ellie?”
* * * *
Ellie barely kept from fidgeting in her chair when faced with Hugh’s calm stare. Anybody who didn’t know him would think he was mildly curious. But she did know him—better than she’d thought. His eyes burned a deep blue. The guy was pissed. “We thought it expedient to have your records here for you,” she said, sounding like a prim schoolmarm with a stick up her butt. She held back a wince. “You’re welcome.”
His gaze remained on her face for a few heated beats. “You work for the government as a computer scientist?”
/> Deke snorted. “That’s the understatement of the year.”
Hugh turned toward Deke. “Ten seconds.”
Deke snatched a couple of Nora’s fries before she could stop him. “The president has sanctioned the Brigade as a line of defense against problems caused by the Scorpius Pandemic. We’re the Brigade. As you know, the government has been concerned for years about a terrorist attack against a nuclear facility.”
Hugh’s broad chest visibly settled. “You have intel?”
“We have chatter. A lot of it,” Ellie said quietly. “It’s unclear and garbled, but based on information from several sources, we believe there is going to be an attack soon.”
“Terrorists are taking advantage of the pandemic. That makes a sick kind of sense. Where?” Hugh asked.
Deke sighed. “We’re hoping you can tell us where. Not only the best three targets but the most probable terrorists. Think on US soil—either visiting here or homegrown. Commercial air traffic has been shut down. Probably for a long time.”
“Probably for good if nobody gets a handle on the Scorpius bacteria,” Ellie murmured, feeling better with Hugh at her side.
Hugh eyed McDougall.
Deke nodded. “I’m military and always have been. The president, who’s currently fighting the illness, tapped me for the Brigade. Nora is a microbiologist, and Eleanor is a computer scientist. You’ll meet the rest of the team later.”
Hugh turned toward Nora. “Microbiologist? Shouldn’t you be in a lab right now fixing this thing?”
Her dark eyes twinkled. “My best friend is the head of infectious diseases at the CDC. Her name is Lynne Harmony, and she’s fighting this thing even though she’s been infected. If she needs me, she’ll call. I’m needed here.”
“Lynne Harmony? The woman whose heart was turned blue by a faulty cure? I’d heard she’d died,” Hugh said quietly.