Eve Vaughn Read Online Free Page A

are out there right now, actually knowing what those bastards are up to, but too scared to do anything about it because they don’t want to lose their cushy lifestyles, it makes me shudder. The pretense would drive me crazy.”
    “You’re right. After a while, I think I wouldn’t be able to handle it either. It almost makes you feel sorry for the ones who do. At least Holly and Bella are here with me. I don’t think I’d be able to cope without them.” Jack knew it was silly of him, but her statement stung a bit. Sydney had every right to be happy she had two other people to lean on when most people who chose this life had no one. But he wanted to be that person for her. Quickly, he swallowed the wave of resentment. He’d have to bide his time and take things slowly although this was frustrating as hell.
    “I know what you mean. I don’t know what I would do if Chase weren’t here with me.”
    “Are you scared? About what’s going to happen to us all, I mean. I’m pretty sure the Cyrellians will have their own arsenal for us to contend with.”
    “I know, which is why we’re attacking their main operations. As I said at our meeting, our spies tell us they’re probably hiding weapons there. If we deplete some of their firepower it may give us the advantage we need to defeat them.”
    “Makes sense. I’d like to join your team for the mission.” This announcement took him by surprise. Halting in mid-stride he turned to face her. “You can’t be serious.”
    Her brows knitted together into a frown. “I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life. I want to go with you. And I hope you won’t try to stop me.”
     
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    “But there are other ways for you to help out the cause. We’ll need people to man the base while we set out.”
    “And what do you propose I do all day, twiddle my thumbs and wait for you guys to come home? If you haven’t forgotten, I used to work at Cryo Cor. It makes me sick to my stomach to think of what they did to everyone. I could have easily ended up as one of those people I left behind. They were sick, but didn’t even know it.”
    “But you’re not one of them.”
    Sydney placed her hand on his arm. “You’re missing my point, Jack. I put my faith in that company, not knowing what they were up to and certainly not realizing how they were slowly killing us off. The co-workers I’ve left behind are still there, some of them still none the wiser about what’s happening around them. I owe it to them to go back. I can’t stay here knowing there’s something I can do to help.”
    “How do you expect me to lead effectively if I constantly have to look out for you?”
    She rolled her eyes and snorted. “Now you’re starting to sound like Chase.” Jack grabbed her by the forearms and pulled her against him. “Is it so wrong to care about you? Should I not worry about what happens to you? Maybe you can turn your emotions off and on like that, but I can’t.”
    “Jack, I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Besides, I won’t be alone.
    We’ll be going as a group. Isn’t there strength in numbers?”
    “Maybe so, but I’d feel better if you were out of harm’s way.” Sydney shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I’m not going to allow you to dictate to me because your protective instinct has kicked in. I’ve been taking care of myself for a very long time, and I’d appreciate it if you’d treat me as you would any other person in the group.”
    “You’re asking for the impossible.”
    “Why? Aren’t I a member of this group?”
    “Yes, but you mean so much more to me than anyone else, and you know it.”
    “Jack, don’t. You agreed --”
     
     
     
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    “Yes, I agreed to no sex, but I said nothing about denying my feelings for you. I thought long and hard about you after I left your room this morning and I think I’m in love with you.”
    She raised one finely arched brow. “You only think?” He released her to rake his fingers