Chapter 90: You answer to me

The surgical prep room remained unlit by the overhead main fixtures; only the shadowless lamp above blazed with an intensity that burned the eyes.

"Theo... please, stop..." May’s voice quivered beyond recognition, tears slipping from the corners of her eyes into her hairline.

Hurry up and get it over with... I can’t take much more of this!

"Don’t move."

Involuntarily, she reached out and wrapped her arms tightly around Theo’s neck.

That single action proved to be the final straw breaking the camel’s back.

Theo lowered his gaze, his vision sweeping over May before locking straight onto those mist-shrouded, terror-filled eyes.

For one breathless second, the air froze completely.

The explosions, gunfire, and roars echoing from the hallway outside were entirely sealed off by the thick iron door. Inside the operating room, the absolute silence carried only the sound of their ragged breathing.

In that fraction of a second, the much-vaunted self-control Theo prided himself on shattered into a million pieces.

Lifting a hand, he unclipped the gold-rimmed glasses from the bridge of his nose and tossed them aside.

The frames struck the cold tiled floor with a crisp, echoing crack.

Freed from the obstruction of the lenses, his eyes burned with unadulterated, raw possessiveness. Bracing both hands on either side of May’s head, his tall frame lowered as he enclosed her entirely within his oppressive shadow.

"May."

His voice sounded as raspy and deep as a desert beast dying of thirst three days over, every single syllable radiating burning heat.

"You brought this upon yourself."

May drew in a sharp gasp.

Just get on with it already...

"Theo... don’t talk anymore..." Her voice dissolved into a weak puddle of whimpers, choked with a tearful plea.

Theo afforded her zero opportunity for debate.

Lowering his head, he captured her still-protesting lips in a precise, forceful seal.

The kiss struck with overwhelming aggression, carrying a suffocating mix of possessiveness and obsession. Offering not a shred of gentleness, he swept across every inch of her mouth as if intent on devouring her whole.

May let out a soft whimper, her hands pressing against his rock-hard chest in a futile bid to shove him away.

Yet his muscles felt cast in solid iron, immovable.

Her resistant palms soon lost their resolve, curling instead to grip tightly around his lapels.

[System Notice: Warning! Second Male Lead rationality value has dropped to zero!] [System Notice: Warning! Second Male Lead affection rating has broken through the threshold!]

The system’s alert broadcast flashed across May’s mind in blinding, glaring red.

Theo’s kiss shifted downward, tracing from her lips along her jawline to attack the length of her slender neck. His teeth grazed lightly against the delicate skin, sparking wave after wave of intense shivers.

"Theo... they’re still fighting zombies out there..." May panted, her voice breaking apart.

"Let them fight."

Theo’s voice detonated directly against her earlobe, his hot breath fanning across her skin. "Right now, you answer to me."

His hands moved with rough urgency, tugging her collar loose...

The alternating shocks of chilling air and burning heat forced May to arch her spine involuntarily.

"You really are an absolute siren."

Theo nipped at her earlobe, his voice laden with suppressed, unhinged madness. "Usually you put on such an obedient front, yet the moment this happens, you’re more sensitive than anyone."

Theo’s palm traced downward along her waistline, unyielding and demanding. "Weren’t you acting so brave a moment ago?"

May’s face flushed hot enough to bleed, wishing desperately for a crack in the floor to swallow her whole.

Right then, a piercing alarm shrieked from outside the surgical room, followed immediately by Alex’s frantic roar: "Ray! That monster is heading upstairs! Fall back!"

A flicker of annoyance crossed Theo’s eyes.

Drawing a deep breath to quell the internal surge, he rested his forehead against May’s, their breaths tangling together.

"It seems our time is running short."

Lifting his head, his crimson-tinted eyes regained a fraction of clarity, though the possessive manic edge refused to fade.

The system’s cold, mechanical chime chimed in at the worst possible moment: "Please complete the objective within thirty minutes. Reward: Epic Recovery Spray Upgraded Edition."

May widened her eyes in disbelief.

Thirty minutes?

You’ll need to give me ten bottles for that.

***

"Protein..." Ray suddenly barked in realization, connecting the dots. "This thing is nothing more than a pile of living protein! It’s terrified of fire!"

The revelation jolted every member of the squad awake.

"Gasoline!"

Mitch was the absolute first to react. "There’s still half a spare canister of fuel left in our wrecked camper van!"

"I’ll go grab it!"

Dropping his axe, Jack turned on his heel to bolt downstairs.

"Stand your ground!"

Ray grabbed him by the shoulder. "Going down there right now is suicide!"

Before his words even finished, a dense, teeth-grating scrape of metal echoed from within the ventilation ducts flanking both sides of the corridor.

Screeech—!

The sheet-metal ceiling ripped open under a set of talons as three dark figures leaped down in unison, landing solidly before the group to block their forward path.

Rippers.

Arched backward with their backs bowed, their crimson eyes glowing through the dim corridor, they emitted low snarls from their throats as their razor-sharp claws carved harsh sparks across the concrete.

Behind them, the giant Stitch-Splicer had successfully re-aggregated its mass, standing tall on its eight heavy limbs.

Trapped between wolves in front and tigers behind.

A dead end.

"Damn it!"

Mitch spat viciously onto the floor. "Did we step into a zombie breeding ground today?"

Every heart leaped straight into their throats.

"I’ll go."

A bright, clear voice cut through the dead silence.

Leaning against the wall, Alex wiped the grime off his face. His innocent puppy-dog eyes shone with startling brightness at that moment.

"You guys are far too bulky and make too much noise—you won’t outrun them."

Tossing the vehicle keys in his palm, he added, "I’ll take the emergency stairwell; my speed is unmatched. You guys hold them off here, and I’ll be back with the fuel before you know it."

"No way! Doing this alone is way too dangerous!"

Jack rejected the idea without a second thought.

"Jack, this isn’t the time to play the hero."

Alex smiled, exposing two tiny fangs. "I’m objectively the best candidate for the job, aren’t I?"

Ray stared at him for a few solid seconds before nodding curtly, squeezing two words through clenched teeth: "Make it quick."

"Got it."

Answering with crisp promptness, Alex spun around and sprinted toward the heavy fire exit door.