Page 91 of The Lazarus Protocol

Ash walked over to him and held his hand out. Adam clasped it, trying not to hold on for dear life, but it was close. A hairsbreadth from a bro-hug, they stuck like that for a second. Because Ash knew that he couldn’t get through this story without human contact that had nothing to do with pain.

“You don’t have to finish,” Ash said. “They’ve heard enough, and you don’t have to convince anyone.”

“He’s still out there. It won’t ever be over.”

Ash nodded and stepped back, letting go of Adam’s hand. “Not unless you give me the word. He slips and falls in the shower. Or his car goes off a cliff.”

Adam didn't know what to say. Part of him wanted to take his friend upon the offer.

Ash said, “I’m keeping tabs. He’s dormant. For now. But the guy is a psychopath. Sooner or later, he won’t be able to avoid his nature any longer. Someone will get hurt.”

Adam squeezed his eyes shut for a second.

“No one believed you,” Noah said, backtracking a little on Adam’s tale.

Adam wanted to shrug but couldn’t. “Turns out one of his buddies at the Pentagon is actually his brother-in-law. Knew all about the colonel’s proclivities toward torture and human experimentation in the name of advancing research. Even lauded the results he came up with. Championed him so much the guy became untouchable.”

“I know who you’re talking about.” Noah’s mouth tightened. “You should’ve told me. I’d have put a bullet in him myself.”

Adam stared at his hands. “Even a former SEAL can’t get that close to him. He believes he’s untouchable…because he is.”

“How’d you get out of the facility?”

“Killed three orderlies and a doctor, and escaped.” Adam lifted his chin. “I met this guy on the highway. He picked me up when I stuck my thumb out—perfect timing. Said his name was Kyle and he had an offer for me.”

Adam shook his head, thinking back on his reaction before he continued, “I tried to kill him, too. But he convinced me he was legit. Dropped me at a homeless shelter with fresh clothes and a hundred bucks. After the second attempt to capture me failed, he came by again. Offered me a new ID, new name.”

“The military didn’t want anyone to hear your story.”

Adam shook his head.

“They were gonna bury you.”

“And let Montrose continue his ‘experiments’ in the process.” Adam drew in a breath and let it out slowly. “I didn’t win, but now I’m free. Thanks to your parents.”

“You would’ve taken their secret to your grave.”

Adam nodded.

Noah scratched his chin. “I wish you’d told me. But I get it.”

“I get now why you’re overly sensitive about one of us getting captured,” Jay said from his left.

Dan, over on his right, nodded.

Marina swiped a tear from under her eye.

“Don’t cry for me, Marina.”

She sniffed. “Don’t tell me what to do. I’ll cry if I want to.”

God knew Adam had shed plenty of tears. “The Lazarus Protocol gave me a life. A new ID. I can’t have the life I had before, but I like this one. I’m not giving it up, and I’m definitely not willing to let this team fall apart because I didn’t tell you something I swore not to.” He let go of a little of the tension he’d been feeling now that the story had been told, and he knew the team would stick with him. Not that he’d been worried, but with the truth out, he felt a little less like he was lying.

Noah nodded. “I’d love to know how to find them.”

Adam stared at his friend, knowing exactly what missing family felt like. He had his sister back in his life, and he even kind of liked her husband. “I’ll give you the number I have. It’s an emergency contact.” He’d reached out to them in the apartment when it was clear Johannsen was missing. Sent a text they had yet to respond to.

“What about Kyle?” Dan said. “You mentioned him before.”