Marked Read Online Free Page A

just not the heaven she’d planned at the start of the evening. Then she’d split the commission with Trevor, drunk herself into serious oblivion, and decided getting involved with anyone else wasn’t worth the pain.
    “Be safe out there, Cace. It’s gonna be a long night. Sorry in advance.” Trevor leaned in, kissed her cheek, and walked away. Off to wreak havoc Cacy would have to clean up. Off to shed the blood she’d no doubt be washing out of the back of her rig by morning. Off to reap a soul she’d probably have to escort to Heaven or Hell on her coffee break.

CHAPTER THREE
    E li stood by rig 436, pulling at one of the dozens of zippers on his bulletproof, waterborne bacteria–repelling paramedic uniform. It would take some getting used to, like most things in this place. Especially Lieutenant Cacia Ferry.
    By the time he’d showered and met with the Chief, Eli had convinced himself it would be no big deal to have her as a partner. He’d worked with tons of female paramedics in the past. He’d never been anything but professional. And this would be just like that. Nothing but professional.
    Then he’d come face-to-face with her. Now he would spend the rest of his shift trying to get the image of her breasts, rose-pink nipples pearl-hard and mouthwatering, out of his head.
    “Chief’s sister ,” he whispered to himself.
    A buzzing vibration coming from one of his pockets pulled him from his thoughts. He pried out his cell and looked down at it. Here safely. Apartment is great! And check out my lab! I think I’ll call this handsome fellow ‘Danny.’ Hope your first day at the job is going well. XOXO
    Danny? In the time it took for Eli to wonder who the hell Galena was talking about, the text dissolved and a picture appeared. His sister was posing with her arm around a broad flat-screen computer, its holographic projections throwing all sorts of odd squiggles across the snapshot.
    Of course. Danny. Her new computer.
    He smiled, relieved, as he shot back a reply and tucked his phone in his pocket. She’d always worked hard, and she hadn’t let what had happened to her slow her down. If anything, she’d driven herself harder after the attack, trying to regain her sense of control. And it had really paid off; this faculty position in the Harvard University Immunology Department was a dream come true for her. Eli just wished she wouldn’t spend so much time alone. He hoped there were actual people in that lab facility and not just machines. It’d be nice if Galena made a friend or two.
    Eli focused his gaze on the alcove next to the locker room entrance. A videowall there kept up a rotating feed of the different sectors of their station’s emergency response zone. He stared at the teeming canals and sidewalks. So many people. So many problems. The population of the city had swollen in the last few years as Boston became one of the few remaining cities with modern conveniences. Electricity. A (barely) functioning police force and fire department. Hospitals still stocked with antibiotics and anesthetics. Luxuries.
    “Feeling prepared, Desert Boy?” Cacy called as she strode into the garage. Her uniform clung to her body, revealing lush, round hips and shapely legs.
    Eli flashed a smile at her and looked back at the videowall, trying to ignore the sudden tightness in his pants. “I’m always prepared, Lieutenant.”
    Dec had told him about the dangers of the canal zones, and in the city in general. It didn’t sound any worse than what he’d faced on the streets of his hometown or during his stint as an Army Ranger.
    Cacy yanked open the rear doors of the ambulance and climbed in, where she began systematically checking each compartment in the back, mumbling to herself about self-perpetuating saline gel, chemical defib solution, and fast-acting antibiotic boosters.
    The back of the rig dipped as Eli climbed in to join her. She glanced at him irritably and wiped her hand over the back of her neck,