Page 7 of Secret Gifts
“Chill out,” I giggle, and he gives me a serious, agitated look.
“People could have died. It’s fortunate your mother stepped in.”
He’s so serious now, when moments ago he was a laughing boy. I lean over, my eyes locking on his, and then my grin cocks up.
“No one died, and that's because I did do something. I just did it on the down-low. Don’t tell anyone, but I sent a text to my Uncle Grayson and told him something felt off. I knew he would come right away, and I could avoid telling them what was really going on. I’d never put anyone in jeopardy without having a backup plan. My mother's appearance was a surprise, but then again, Uncle Grayson has never been too good about leaving her out of the loop."
He smirks a little, and then he shakes his head.
“Well, you still shouldn’t have to rely on a backup plan. A captain has to trust his tracker’s intuition and analysis of a situation. That's the whole point of having a tracker, after all."
“Not going to happen. The commander’s pick, Mr. Hedin, overrules all other trackers - especially me. He hates the fact the United still thinks of my father as the best tracker, and it doesn’t matter what I say, he’s going to do his best to disprove me. The commander is just going to let him keep doing it too,” I huff out while turning my eyes away again.
Who would have ever guessed that my father's legendary tracking skills would be my most crippling handicap?
“So, you don’t care for the new commander it seems,” he says, a secretive grin emerging to play on his face.
I shrug indifferently, though I sincerely think he’s a terrible leader. My dad was much, much better, and my mom or Uncle Brazen would have been incredible too. This new guy hides to keep his identity safe, due to the war at hand.
“I couldn’t say for sure,” I lie. “It’s not like I’ve ever met him. I don’t agree with hiding while your men are fighting a war you're in command of, but whatevs.”
He laughs again, and then he scoots in to be closer.
“Maybe he’s hiding to keep his identity safe so he can watch people and find out who they really are. So many wars are lost when placed in the hands of men who prove to be one way in the light and another in the dark. Take you for example, you’re too scared to tell everyone what really happened, when it’s something that needs to be told.”
“I'm not scared, I'm smart. And he’s not going to learn anything in hiding. Besides, I’m still me in the light or the dark. I wouldn’t tell the commander even if the commander was still my father or Uncle Clay. And, if the commander was watching his men, he’d see what a phony Mr. Hedin really is,” I gripe, leaving the last part a whisper.
“Phony? Care to elaborate?” he asks with that dimpled grin forcing me to dissolve in the soft grass.
Please stop looking at me like that.
“You don’t want to hear my conspiracy theories,” I snort out derisively, ignoring the butterflies ruffling around in my stomach.
“I do want to hear them. What else have we got to do?”
I look over at the fire and see all the drunken fools tangling their lips with complete strangers as the embers spark around them. I can think of something I’d rather do with Jase, but I think it wise if I don’t. I try not to sleep with men that I’m too attracted to, and I’ve never been so attracted to anyone else in all my life.
“You could join the party instead of hanging out with me. I’m sorry, but I’m really not too social,” I murmur while urging him to return to the drunken crowd.
“Neither am I,” he seductively releases, his eyes daring me to come a little closer, and I have to swallow hard against the knot that has formed in my throat.
“Okay then. Conspiracy theories it is,” I rattle out nervously, and he stifles a smirk. “Do you remember the old Maverick case?”
He smiles tensely and nods. “The hybrid who escaped from Stringham Prison? I remember it very well. The United tracked him to the edge of the Unaligned borders. That case is three years old though. Why bring it up?”
My eyes dart to his belt, and I lean over to lift his shirt. He chuckles as I do so, but I have to check his badge.
“What are doing?” he asks, his eyes losing humor as my eyes fall on his smooth, sculpted abs that were hiding beneath that soft, black tee.
“Checking your rank.”
His smile returns as I shakily remove my hand and his shirt falls back into place to hide the body I wish I hadn't caught a peek of now.
“I’m a lieutenant. I’m privy to any cases already released to the public,” he teases.
I give him an involuntary girly grin while my cheeks blush, and then I shake my head.
“I was making sure you weren’t too far up on the chain because I don’t want anyone to think I’m making waves.”
