Cryostorm by Lynn Rush Read Free Book Online Page B

Especially computers.”
    Melanie’s face took on a purplish look. I wanted to say something to Nate, but I didn’t dare. Jasmine had said he taught her everything she knew about being an Agent, and Jasmine knew a lot. Even about interrogation.
    I wasn’t sure I was liking this side of my Nate, though. Calculated. Focused. Like he’d been with the information about Scott, Jasmine, and Zach.
    Like a robot. Filled with logic, but no emotion to help guide the decisions.
    Was that how The Center had made him?
    I shook my head. I didn’t care. I trusted Nate. Hell, I totally loved him. This was part of him. He was doing it for our good. To protect us.
    Georgia’s warm hand curled around my fist. I hadn’t realized it, but both my hands were fisted, resting on top of my thighs and iced over. I wasn’t cut out to be this cold-hearted monster, was I? Someone who could watch something like this?
    “Shhh, it’ll be okay,” Georgia whispered, her breath hot on my ear. Evidently my sister was okay with all this.
    Melanie’s gasp grabbed my attention again, and I saw her eyes roll back into her head.
    “Nate?” I whispered.
    “She’s unconscious.” He stepped away. “It’s okay.”
    I wasn’t so sure. But this was my life now—er—still. My life had always been filled with Agents, but this part was new. The whole squeezing-their-necks-until-they-pass-out thing.
    So not liking it.
    Tim burst up from his seat at the desk. “114. Georgia, come with me?”
    “Yes. Stick together. Agents could be on their way. In fact, I’m sure they are. Check her email. Internet is still up.” Nate stepped toward me, then slunk to the table, sitting next to me. “Hurry. Our time is limited.”
    “Shit,” I said.
    More running. At least up until this moment we’d been on our own schedule, never chased, moving all the time to stay “dead” and to hunt down Lois. Now the Agents, either from The Center or Bev, or both, knew we hadn’t really died.
    “I’m sorry, Mandy.” Nate leaned forward, digging his elbows into his thighs and resting his face in his palms. “I’ve failed.”
    Okay, that surprised me. “Failed?”
    “To keep you safe.” He nailed me with a hard stare. “That’s all I wanted to do was keep you safe. Make sure you stayed dead to the world and out of harm’s way, and I failed.”
    “No, you—”
    “She’s notified her co-workers. The only reason they’re not storming this place with darts is because of the weather.”
    “Then we’ll run. We’ll brave the storm and go. Georgia’s heat. I can build igloos. We’ll make it.” I leaned into his shoulder with mine. “You didn’t fail. You’ve got this girl, you’ll make her talk, we’ll learn more about Lois and—”
    “I’ve—she—I think there’s more.” Once again, Nate stumbled. “They’d not known about my survival, but now they do.”
    “Because of me.” Had I not been all jealous and possessive, I wouldn’t have thrown myself at Nate with my wet suit, therefore soaking his white shirt that Melanie saw his bar code markings through. “This is my fault.”
    “Don’t say that. It’s The Center’s fault. My job is to protect you, and I failed.”
    “I’m not your job , Nate. I’m your girlfriend. I—” Tears stung. “Your girlfriend.”
    Nate blinked as if he’d been transfixed. “Girlfriend.”
    He brushed his knuckles down the side of my face, and I leaned into it. Tender, caring, and loving Nate was back. Not duty-obligated-interrogation-artist Nate. Didn’t like him so much.
    The door burst open and Tim strode through holding two laptops. “Holy shit, man. She’s got two computers, two cases of tranq guns, and some wicked-strong netting.”
    “What?” I hopped to my feet. Nate stood beside me, reaching for one of the computers.
    “She’s an observer, then. Stakes things out, calls in for reinforcements. I figured as much.”
    Georgia came in, holding a suitcase. “We threw everything that we could in