Free Roth(Hell Squad 5) by Anna Hackett Page A

into the chair. She felt warm and calm. God, it felt good. She hadn’t felt like this…well, except for those moments in Roth’s arms. She looked at him now, her gaze boring into his blue eyes.
    “Avery, what’s your occupation?” Emerson asked again.
    “I’m a special agent with the Coalition Central Intelligence Agency.” She frowned. “No, that’s not right. I was, but I’m not anymore. Now I work in the kitchen.”
    “How are you feeling?” Emerson studied whatever the scanner screen was displaying.
    Avery smiled. “Pretty darn good.” She giggled. “Awesome.”
    “High as a kite,” Roth muttered.
    “Like I said, your inhibitions are lowered. It’ll make it easier for you to recall the memories you’re after.” Emerson turned. “Where are you from?”
    “Brisbane, originally.”
    “What were your parents’ names?”
    “I don’t know. I never knew them.”
    The doctor paused for a second. “Neither of them?”
    “My mother was apparently a drug addict. She gave me up as soon as I was born.”
    “Who did you live with?”
    “I lived in foster homes. Fifteen of them.”
    Avery heard Emerson gasp and Roth curse. His hands tightened on her.
    “It wasn’t all doom and gloom. Most of the homes were good. Good food, clean clothes, they made sure I went to school. It inspired me to want more from my life. I wanted a career, I wanted to be important, I wanted to help and I wanted to be in charge of my life.”
    “All right,” Emerson said. “Let’s move on. One more question, Avery. Who are your closest friends?”
    “Friends? No one. I don’t have any and I didn’t really have any before the invasion. I was too busy at work, and I traveled a lot.”
    “Lovers?” Roth growled.
    “Roth,” Emerson admonished, but they both ignored her.
    Avery smiled, she thought it felt goofy. “No one special. Just a few casual ones here and there. I never wanted the hassle of a man to boss me around and moan that I didn’t give him enough attention.” She eyed Roth, wondering why he looked so pleased. “Besides, caring for people is a stupid move. They always leave. Why set yourself up for the pain?”
    Roth’s face went hard. His gaze roamed her face. “Sweetheart.”
    “I never really wanted anyone enough…until I saw you.”
    Something flared in Roth’s eyes. “Doc?”
    “I’m adjusting the levels, looks like the drugs have hit her system a bit hard.”
    “That big hard body of yours, all those muscles.” Avery grinned. “Hard for a woman to ignore. But I also like your drive, your determination. It makes me want to climb all over you.”
    Beside her, Avery heard Emerson stifle a laugh.
    “Avery,” Roth’s voice was a ragged growl. “Stop talking. Doc, fix the levels. She’s going to kill me after this.”
    “Don’t be mean to the doc.” Avery slapped a hand at his chest, missed, and clipped his chin, instead. As he scowled at her and grabbed her hand in his, she smiled. “At least I know now what that tongue of yours can do.”
    “Really?” Emerson said. “Want to share that?”
    “No.” Roth leaned forward and pressed his mouth to Avery’s.
    Mmm. Avery moved into him, opening her mouth to drink him in. Oh, the man could kiss.
    “Enough.” Emerson slapped Roth’s shoulder, and he drew back. “I need her calm, and you’re making her heart rate spike.” She nodded at the screen where a line was moving like crazy.
    Avery settled back in her chair.
    “All right,” Roth said. “Let’s go back to before the alien invasion.”
    “Do we have to?” Avery complained. She felt so good, she didn’t want to think about the aliens.
    “You were meeting with the Gizzida,” Roth said.
    Now a chill swept through Avery, wiping away the humming desire. “Yes.”
    ***
    Roth stayed close to Avery, watching her face. Emerson had warned him before that if the memory stim went wrong, she could have a seizure or fall into a coma. The slightest sign of discomfort and he was pulling