Page 75 of Jude

Chapter 16

“You’ve been throughenough.” Jude moved back to Octavia’s bedside. He didn’t want her put at any more risk. She’d barely survived her last encounter with the State.

“I agree,” said Sophia. “Octavia, I understand your desire to help, but you need to rest. You’re still completing your first treatment of the dragon serum.”

“This is all I need,” said Octavia. “I’ll have this and be fine.”

Sophia smirked. “It doesn’t work that way. You’ve not been looking after yourself for a long time. The serum is good, but it can’t work miracles. If you push yourself to the breaking point, there’s no guarantee I’ll be able to put you back together, no matter how much serum I pump into your veins.”

“I’m prepared to take the risk.”

“I’m not.” Jude rested a hand on her shoulder. “You can still help. You don’t need to be in the thick of the action to do so. You can help from here.” He saw the anger in her eyes but refused to back down.

With a disgruntled sigh, Octavia nodded. “Fine. I’ll help from here. But only if you’ll be my partner.”

The words left Jude feeling good. He loved the thought of them working together and being partners. He wanted that in every aspect of their lives together.

“Gather everyone in the briefing room in an hour,” said Danni. “The priority is to figure out where this vaccine is being manufactured and how advanced they are.”

Jude felt Octavia tense under his hand. He looked at Sophia. “Will the serum infusion be complete by then?”

Sophia checked the serum bag. “It will be done in ten minutes. But I strongly recommend you don’t leave this bed.”

“I will only walk to the briefing room,” said Octavia. “I’ll go slow. Jude will help me if I need it.”

“I’ll be right by your side,” said Jude.

“You people seem to think I give out medical advice for fun.” Sophia stalked back to her office.

“There goes her good mood,” said Jude.

“That was a good mood?” asked Kade.

Danni gave them all a nod before heading to the door. “I’ll see you all in the briefing room.”

“I might be late.” Jude glanced at Octavia.

“We’ll be there,” said Octavia.

Danni’s eyebrows rose. “Only if you’re fit enough. Don’t push yourselves too hard.”

Kade unhooked his port screen and followed Danni to the door. “I’ll run this data through another program. It will clean up a couple of patches of muddled data. But we’ve got what we need. We can decode the conversations.”

As soon as Kade and Danni had gone, Octavia glared at Jude.

He pressed a finger against her lips before she spoke. “I know you’re pissed at me for saying you can’t go into the field. I just need to keep you safe. Damn, when I saw you injured, when I thought something bad had happened to you...” Jude looked away.

The anger in her eyes faded as she pushed his finger away. “I understand. But I can keep myself safe.”

“You don’t have to do it on your own anymore,” said Jude. “You have this whole place looking out for you. Make use of it.”

“There is something I’d like to make use of.” She slid from the bed, stood on her tiptoes, and pressed a kiss to his lips.

Jude inhaled her scent, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her to him as he did so, being careful not to disturb her serum IV.

She pulled back and laughed self-consciously. “I look hideous. I can’t believe you still want me.”

He kissed the scars on her cheek and ran his hands over her head. “I’ll admit, it’s an unusual look. But I’ll want you no matter what you look like.” He rested a hand over her heart. “It’s here that counts.”