chapter893

With her next to him, it was like someone had switched his world from black-and- white to full color. Lydia arched an eyebrow, but a playful smile tugged at her lips. "Such a smooth talker, aren't you?"

Connor scooped her into his arms, burying his face in her hair for a second,

breathing in her scent. He looked completely at peace. "Lydia, having you here just feels right."

Lydia hesitated for a heartbeat. "What if one day I'm not here anymore?"

Connor's gaze locked onto hers, serious and intense. "If I'm alive, you're not going anywhere. Not a chance."

He didn't give her the chance to argue. He tilted his head down and kissed her, cutting off any more words that might sting. Beneath the night sky, the two of them melted into each other, the kiss deep and lingering. If Lydia hadn't gently pushed him away, Connor probably would have lost himself completely.

The next afternoon, Lydia finished turning all the herbs into pills. She didn't waste a minute. She hopped on a plane straight to the southwestern border, where things were getting worse by the day.

She'd already been in touch with her contact at the border. Security there was tight, with every car and truck getting checked before they could pass. When she and Connor arrived at the main hospital, Vincent was waiting for them, dressed head-to- toe in protective gear. Relief flickered across his face, but there was also a hint of disappointment just two people, not the team he'd been hoping for.

"Dr. Norwood, Kevin said reinforcements were coming. Is it really just the two of you?"

Vincent didn't mean anything by it. Everyone just had expected a whole medical squad.

Lydia nodded. Just us. But trust me, we're ready. Show us what's going on."

Her confidence settled Vincent a little. "Alright, Dr. Norwood, follow me. I'll show you the situation."

He'd barely finished when a voice piped up behind them. "Didn't the Medical Research Institute promise a team? Where is everyone?"

A handful of doctors in protective suits strode over. The one in front shot Lydia and

Connor a look full of skepticism. His voice was clipped and cold.

Vincent jumped to explain. Spencer, these two are here to help us.

Spencer gave Lydia and Connor a once-over, clearly unimpressed. "Seriously? Just the two of them? Vincent, you must

e mistaken

We're supposed to get a whole

team, not just a couple of people. This is serious-who let them in here?"

Vincent let out a frustrated sigh. "Spencer, Kevin himself sent me Dr. Norwood's details. There's no mistake."

Spencer sneered.

"If someone

wanted to sneak in and cause trouble, do you really think they'd make it obvious? If they're legit have them show their medical licenses.

Take off their masks, prove who they are. We're checking everything, no exceptions."

Lydia's tone turned icy. "Get your hospital director. I want to speak to him directly."

Spencer laughed. "The director? Right now, I'm running things here."

Lydia frowned and glanced at Vincent.

He looked grim. "Dr. Norwood, our director... he's been infected."

Before Lydia could respond, Connor jumped in, his voice low and steely. "So you've been hiding how bad things really are?"

Spencer let out a snort. "Hiding? No one cares about us. We reported everything and this is what they

send-two nobodies? Just showet

u're not

your medical licenses. If you qualified, you'll only make things worse for us. Leave, now."