Page 76 of The Lazarus Protocol

“We have Steph,” Ice said. “All good up here. I’m coming to you now, Dan. I’ll bring something to open the door.”

“Copy that,” Dan replied. “Hurry, because he’s fading.”

Adam blinked at his friend. “No one is supposed to know what it is.”

“Whatever you’re worried about doesn’t matter right now.”

Adam touched a hand to his chest, his fingers sliding through the blood. “What did he do to me?”

“He messed with your head, but we aren’t going to let that lay you low. We’re gonna get you out of there. Okay?”

Adam shook his head but didn’t know what to say. “Where’s Kyle?”

Dan said, “Who is Kyle?”

“I’m not supposed to say.”

Ice appeared beside Dan, biting off a curse. “That doesn’t look good.”

“There has to have been something on the knife. He’s been poisoned. He’s acting loopy.” Dan turned to Ice. “Can you get him out of there?”

“Always know you will.”

Dan looked over at Adam. “What’s that?”

“Get me out. All of you. ’Cause you’re my brothers.”

“You know it.” Dan nodded.

“That’s why I can’t tell you. Ash can’t tell you.”

Ice said, “Any idea what he’s talking about?”

Dan shook his head, maybe. Adam’s vision was blurry now. “The Lazarus Protocol.” Adam didn’t say more, because he wasn’t supposed to tell anyone what it was, how it worked, or how they’d saved his life and given him a fresh start that let him keep doing what he did best.

They wouldn’t understand.

More people stood at the glass. All of them staring at Adam.

“You should go. I’ll be okay.” The exhale flared hot pain in his chest. “I usually am.”

“Blow the door,” Steph said. “Do it now.”

Jay said, “Kai, status.”

“Found an explosive device in the hold of the ship. It’s behind the engine room,” Kai said. “I’m working on disarming it.”

“Coming to you,” Jay said.

Good idea. “That sounds bad.” Adam nodded. “You guys should…do stuff.” His upper body tipped forward, but he caught himself.

“He’s fading.”

Adam grinned. “You worried about me, Steph?”

Ice said, “We need to get all of us off this ship before a bomb goes off.”

“Today wasn’t a good day.” Adam shook his head. “Didn’t think it would go this bad.”