Under Her Covers: Death's Relentless Dance (A Reverse Harem Romance), #2

By AJ Sinclair

The Scarlet Infection is dead, but its mutation—the Scarlet Hell—is killing everyone it touches as death's relentless dance goes on.

Dr. Indiana Jones and her company have nothing left to fight it with. All they can do is survive, but as they struggle to rebuild a normal life, new threats rise up against them. Their unstable home is a popular target for raids, and the man raining destruction down on them is the last person Indie expected.

The Army no longer exists, forcing Indie's former soldiers to adapt to a world without order. When the unthinkable happens, Austin, Cody, Eli, and Jack's bond deteriorates. Shaken and desperate, the guys launch a rescue mission and recruit an unlikely person who's reluctant to help anyone. He has secrets, and revealing the truth could drive them apart. Reckless choices put them all at risk. Love will survive, but what will it cost them?

Warning: Graphic Content, Sexual Situations with MMMMF interaction, For Adults Only

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pickled Shamrock Press
• Release date: Aug 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386526193

Book preview

Chapter 1

AUSTIN

November

The relentless Wyoming wind howled across the desolate plains, flinging bits of brown grass into Austin’s hair as he stood on the deck of his parents’ ranch, staring at the snow-capped Rockies. In the bedroom behind him, his brother-in-law wheezed his last breath, barely drowning out his sister’s sobs. Strangling gasps accompanied by blood oozing from the victim’s eyes and nose marked the final stage of the virus known as the Scarlet Hell. He’d watched it kill everyone he’d grown up with. His uncle, weakened by years of alcohol abuse, had died quickly. His niece and nephew lingered for days, giving Indie hope that they might somehow survive it and give her the antibodies she needed to find a cure, but they’d eventually lost the battle.

White haze underlined the gray clouds gathering over the mountains, adding a distinct chill to the goddamn wind. Austin shivered and jammed his hands in his pockets. The rusted metal gate slammed against the rickety fencepost, knocking the Tilted-T Ranch sign onto the dusty road below. No one scrambled to fix it. No one left to care. This place he’d once loved and left behind had become a festering tomb.

The bedroom door opened and closed, and the deck boards creaked as footsteps sounded. Mitch is gone. Indie tucked her hand on his arm and rested her head against his shoulder.

I know. Austin had learned all the steps to death’s dance, especially the last bow.

Eli wandered over, scribbling in the journal he’d been keeping for the last couple of months and muttering to himself. He’d abandoned his cell phone. This remote part of Wyoming never had a strong signal, but most carriers had lost service during the riots. The federal government had tried to impose quarantines in large cities—Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and of course, Denver—but the citizens resisted. The mutation infected the U.S. in a matter of days as people scattered to be with family and friends, which had spread the virus even faster. I’ve lost count of the cases we’ve encountered.

Austin scoffed. I don’t believe that. The man remembered every detail of every day since the two of them met in basic training.

All right, I stopped counting. Eli rubbed the scruff on his chin. This mutation is far more pervasive and deadly than its predecessor.

Indie nodded and slipped her hand around Eli’s arm to pull him closer, using the two men’s bodies as shelter from the wind. Everyone exposed becomes infected.

No one survives. Jack appeared from nowhere and pronounced the words of doom.

Cody perched on the deck railing, chewing on a dried wheat stalk. Someone will. But dread tainted his typical cocksure grin. Right, Doc? No virus is one hundred percent lethal.

Indie sighed. It appears this one is.

Well, shit. A chilly wind gust blew the wheat from Cody’s mouth and slapped it against Austin’s neck.

He brushed the dangerous missile from his stubble with a quick flick of his fingers. Even a small amount of saliva could carry the deadly infection. The Scarlet Hell spread in all the usual ways, but it seemed to have a will of its own. They’d been careful—Indie had seen to that—but they’d also been lucky.

Indie pushed free from the warm cocoon of her men and paced the creaking deck. I hate sitting around watching everyone die. She glanced toward the bedroom and wrung her hands. I couldn’t even get close enough to give him morphine without risking infection.

Jack slid closer to Indie, freeing her hands from their agitated grip and lacing his fingers with hers. We need to leave. He muttered the words as he nuzzled her neck, and she relaxed into his embrace.

Austin nodded, contemplating the affection between the two. Jack had always been the hard one, carrying out harsh orders without question, but Indie had drawn out his protective instincts and shown him that soft didn’t have to equal weak. She’d shown them all the strength in her tender touch. I thought the ranch would be safe, but it’s contaminated.

The sooner we get out of here, the better. He’d put Jack and Cody in charge of stockpiling supplies—weapons and ammunition, food and medical necessities, tampons for Indie and condoms for all the guys. They’d loaded up the moving truck Cody’d stolen when they escaped the lab Indie had set up in Dallas to come here, keeping it fueled and ready to go at a moment’s notice.

What about your sister? Indie slipped from Jack’s grasp and stepped toward Austin. I left my brother behind, and I still don’t know what happened to him. She curled her hands into his shirt, clinging to him as if afraid he might disappear too. 

A shudder ripped down Austin’s spine. I know what’s going to happen to Kara. The same thing that had happened to everyone. Infection and death, and in most cases, passing the virus to someone else. The longer we stay, the bigger the risk to all of us. Austin clamped his hands around her fists and pressed a kiss on her knuckles. I’m sorry I dragged you all up here.

Cody snorted. We volunteered to come, remember?

Insisted was more like it. Eli arched an eyebrow and corrected him.

She insisted, and we all followed her like a bunch of lovesick puppies. Jack snickered at his actions as he crossed the deck and settled behind Indie.

Hey, it was better than the alternative. Cody shivered as the wind swirled around him, stirring up old snow and dead grass.

That’s true. Indie shook her head. No one in their right mind wanted to stay in Dallas after the Hell took hold.

That clusterfuck was off the scale, especially after everything you did to cure the Scarlet Infection. Eli scowled and made more notes.

I can’t believe you got blamed for the mutation. Austin brushed the backs of his fingers along the curve of Indie’s jaw.

She shrugged, but lingering terror haunted her eyes. Facts don’t matter when panic takes over. Panic had hit Dallas hard. According to the news, the new outbreak had started there, and once word got out that Dr. Indiana Jones had been spotted at the airport, her adoring public turned against her with stunning fury. I got tested by the CDC, and I did my own tests. I’m not a carrier.

Did the protesters who attacked your lab know that? Jack crossed his arms over his chest and planted his feet while the wind slapped his hair across his flattened lips.

Indie tensed, pulling away from Austin to resume pacing. I released a statement, talked to reporters, but rumors spread much faster than the truth.

We were lucky to get out of there, Cody shivered, and Eli nodded.

Splitting up was never an option. Indie turned at the far end of the deck and fixed a glare on Austin.

He shrugged, knowing she was right but still offering a weak argument. I had to consider all courses of action.

Well, you can ditch that one right now. She marched across the old wooden planks and halted a step away from him, apparently trying to decide whether to slap him or hug him. Not going to happen.

Austin reached for her, closing the distance between them as he curled his fingers behind her neck and pressed a hot kiss to her chilled lips. Any touch, especially kissing, had become high-risk since the outbreak, but fuck it. He’d never feared danger. She sighed as he wrapped his arms around her, sealing his silent vow never to leave this group behind—no matter what hell they faced.

The guys circled around them as they’d been doing for months now. No jealousy, no competition, only... He stopped short of using the word love. He cared deeply for Indie, no doubt about that, and she loved them without question. But everyone he loved... He didn’t want to think that word either.

Together for the long haul. Jack draped his arms across Austin’s and Indie’s shoulders and squeezed.

The non-stop wind howled across Austin’s forlorn lips as Indie broke their kiss and jabbed a pointed fingertip into his chest. Got it?

Yes, ma’am. Austin pried her poking finger from his sternum and pressed his forehead to hers. I never thanked you, he glanced up at the men surrounding them, all of you for... What? Coming with him to try to save his family? There was little chance of that, and they all knew it. For coming with me to watch my family die.

It was never a question. Cody patted him on the shoulder.

Eli scratched his head. I thought you said you didn’t have any family left.

Of course, Eli would remember something Austin didn’t. None that want me. After my youngest sister, Amelia... he swallowed past the sudden lump in his throat, my mom moved back to New York City. Died a couple years later. My dad turned into a useless alcoholic, and Kara blames me for all of it. This is the first time I’ve seen her in years. He shrugged. No family.

As if to specifically prove him wrong, the sliding glass doors slid open, and Kara stumbled out. Death haunted her pale, sweat-sheened face, and she shivered violently as she pulled her sweater tighter around frail shoulders. Austin resisted every natural urge to help her, knowing a simple touch could infect him and ultimately kill him. Indie nestled her hand in the crook of his elbow, holding him back as his sister wobbled and grabbed the railing.

Kara mustered enough strength to glare at her brother. We’re the only ones left. I just got a call from Mitch’s sister in Florida on the land line. She’s infected too. This hell has spread all over the country.

All over the world. They’d found that out with the last news alert before Eli had lost the cell phone signal.

Mitch, Uncle Fergus, and Aunt Marie. Blood dripped from her nose, mixing with the tears on her chin as she wiped it with the back of her hand. My children. A sob nearly knocked her over. Charlie and Amelia were lucky they died before this.

Should he tell her the truth? Did it matter anymore? Everyone he’d ever loved—his entire family and the few friends he’d contacted since coming back home—had fallen victim to the Scarlet Hell. Charlie died during the quarantine.

What? Kara coughed. The quarantines failed.

Austin shook his head. During the first infection. He was in my company when we were sent to Denver to support the containment effort.

Why didn’t you tell me?

I called you—several times—after I got out of the hospital. You wouldn’t answer.

You could’ve left a voicemail or texted me.

Send a text to tell you our brother was dead? I’m not that heartless.

Oh, you’re so noble. Her bitter laugh turned into a coughing fit.

Indie held her arms out and stepped in front of her men, reining in their natural impulse to assist a person in distress.

Austin backed up into her and spoke over his shoulder. Get them out of here.

Indie grabbed Jack’s arm and tugged him toward the door while Cody and Eli moved to follow, but Austin’s sister stumbled into their path.

No, I want them to stay. A violent cough seized Kara, splattering blood on the boards at Indie’s feet. They need to know what you’re really like, how you’ll run when things get bad.

Austin crossed his arms over his chest. I was deployed.

That’s convenient. Running off to parts unknown and leaving us to pick up the pieces. A small cough escaped her, accompanied by a distinctive wheeze.

Indie took a step back toward Austin. What pieces?

Eli knew. He’d been part of the investigation. Austin eyed the lieutenant, but Eli remained tight-lipped.

Austin pulled Indie closer to him. My youngest sister, Amelia, was killed in action.

In action? She was in the Army too?

He nodded, trying to figure out how to explain when Kara released a strangled sob.

She worshipped you! Copied you in every way—hunting, fishing, even playing soccer just so she could be a kicker for the football team. And when you joined the Army and became a big shiny hero, she enlisted with stars in her eyes.

She chose to do those things!

You got her killed! Kara’s accusation hung between them while she bent over the railing and gasped for breath.

Austin’s heart ripped in two as his remaining sister struggled to argue. She’d blamed him for so long the words barely hurt anymore. I encouraged her to be whatever she wanted. But Amelia had followed her own path, right? She still would’ve joined the Army if he hadn’t. Charlie too. Or had they wanted something else?

She died trying to please you, Kara rasped, her voice ragged and weak.

I supported her. Joining the military is always a risk. His eyes stung and dripped. The fucking wind must’ve blown something into them. He blinked and wiped his face. She knew that. And if I had thought for one second that she might... Damn it, now the dust was drying his throat. That he would...

Eli stepped forward and laid a hand on Austin’s shoulder. General Kerr was cleared of any wrongdoing.

He’s still responsible. Austin shook his head.

Kara wheezed, struggling to stay on her feet. You are...

Responsible for all the tragedy that had plagued their family? If Kara needed to believe that to die in peace, he’d accept it. Carry the burden because there was no one left to do it. I know. He stepped closer to his sister and reached for her.

She tried to take his hand, but a howling blast of wind knocked her back before her bloody fingers touched him. She tumbled backward onto the deck, rolling onto her hip and curling into a ball as violent coughs sent blood through her eyes and nose.

Kara! Austin surged forward, but strong hands held him back. He pulled free, but someone else grabbed him. Two different arms circled his chest in a vise grip he couldn’t escape.

Kara held up a bloody hand, waving him off. Don’t. Then she collapsed, breathing shallow and slow. I’m sorry.

Austin waited for another word, another breath, but none came. His knees buckled, and he dropped to the deck, dragging Jack and Eli down. No family. The wind wailed with him, and shudders wracked his body as hot tears streamed down his cheeks.

We need to leave. Jack’s rough voice burned in his ear. He and Eli tried to pull Austin away from his sister’s contaminated body, but he jerked free.

I can’t run away again.

We have to. Indie knelt beside him, wiping his face with her soft, warm hand. Tears shone in her eyes. It’s not safe.

Fat snowflakes pelted Austin’s head, catching in his beard and melting. The icy cold snapped him back to reality, and he turned to stare at the mountains. Storm coming. Big one, from the looks of the angry white clouds. The snow would bury Kara. They couldn’t risk touching her.

Eli glanced at Jack as they helped Austin stand. Is the supply truck ready?

Yes, sir.

Move out. The lieutenant took command as Austin fought to collect himself.

Cody fished the keys from Eli’s coat pocket. I’ll drive.

Austin squared his shoulders and took one last look around the ranch—the only permanent home he’d ever known. Would he ever see it again? Probably not. He had to let it go for good. He took Indie’s hand and squeezed it. I’m ready.

Chapter 2

AUSTIN

They scrambled to the truck, raising their arms to shield themselves from wind-whipped snow.

Cody hopped into the driver’s seat and started up the powerful engine. How bad is this going to get? He turned on the wipers as Indie and her company piled into the cab.

Austin managed a smile at the Texan. Have you ever seen snow?

"Once, when Jack and I went to his old place in Bumfuck, Wisconsin.