Nick jerked against the restraints again and howled. The sound tore at my heart.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” I told Bear, struggling to keep my voice even.
“You can’t go now.” His eyes held desperate hope. “Look how calm he was with you.”
“I don’t want to go. But I have to.” I nodded toward Nick. “For him. For a cure.” The thought of leaving Nick like this punched holes through my gut, but I couldn’t stay here when I could be trying to save him.
Bear sat heavily and scrubbed his hands over his face. “Sorry. You’re right.”
“It’s okay. I get it. Make sure you eat, please?”
“Will do,” he said, though I wasn’t convinced. “Take care of yourself, Angel. You hear me?”
“Loud and clear.”
After a final heart-wrenching look at Nick, I returned to the media room and found Portia, Jane, Victor, and my dad still there.
“Y’all need to go back to bed,” I said with asperity.
“I have too much on my mind to sleep,” Jane said. “Besides, I have work to do. My constituency is in an uproar.”
“I don’t think I could sleep either,” Portia
added. “And I’m used to early hours.”
“Well, I ain’t,” my dad said, pushing to his feet. “It’s past my bedtime.”
“I’m about to head over to NuQuesCor with the fresh security team to help Dr. Nikas,” I told him.
“You do that,” he said. “But you be sure to wake me if you need anything.”
“I will.” I kissed his cheek before he toddled off to wherever he was sleeping.
“Angel,” Portia said. “Do you think it would be possible for me to go with you? I have extensive lab experience, and though it’s not my field of study, I’m sure I can be of use.”
Hell, she’d be useful for making Dr. Nikas happy, if nothing else. “Let me check with Marcus, but I’m all for it.” His office was only a corridor away, but I saw no need to expend that much energy.
I texted.
he replied, and I could almost hear him roll his eyes.
“Marcus says yes,” I told Portia. “If you need to take anything with you, grab it. We leave in about five minutes.”
“Be right back,” she said and strode quickly off.
I glanced at Jane. “Could you make sure Bear eats?” I asked. “He’s pretty stressed, and I have a feeling he’ll forget.”
“You can count on me.”
“That was never in doubt,” I said, smiling. “How’s it going with your district?”
She winced. “There’s a lot of fear. Marcus has set up a camera and microphone in the conference room so I can make a statement, then I’m being interviewed by Brennan Masters for the news.” Her forehead puckered.
“You don’t look too happy about it.”
“I’m not.” She met my eyes. “I represent those people. Why am I holed up in here while they’re vulnerable? Because I have connections? It doesn’t sit right with me, but Marcus and the security chief are adamant.”
The security chief was Pierce Gentry. Of course he’d be adamant about protecting Jane. “None of us want to see you hurt,” I said. “Besides, you need to keep yourself safe so you’re around for your people and . . .” I stopped. Made a face. “And nothing. You’re right. I’d pitch a fit if I was forced to stay in lockdown when I wanted—needed—to be out doing something, especially for people I care about. Who are we to tell you where to be?”