Page 77 of Fury

“I don’t know,” Archie said. “But they’re definitely getting ready for something.”

Expression granitelike, Chapel leveled a hard look at Archie. “And you expect us to believe you just managed to overhear all this?”

Chapel voicing what she’d just been thinking boosted her confidence. Yet she couldn’t quite squelch the nagging thoughts in the back of her head that had her doubting Archie could be at the heart of all this.

But you can’t deny the facts.

Her friend’s lip twitched with ire. “Not like the door was all that thick, GI Joe.”

Chapel didn’t acknowledge the quip. Instead, he turned and spoke quietly to Macklin and Glace before looking at Hollyn. “That’s good for now.” He jutted his chin toward the door, and she took the hint.

She didn’t want to press her luck by insisting that she stay, so she stepped out of the hold. Stopping by the command room to grab the microchip—she didn’t want it far from her for long—she saw Davis and Hale were still wading through whatever footage they’d been talking about earlier. She had been going to slip into a chair near them, but Fury lifted his head off the floor and let out a low growl, effectively ending that idea. Why he wasn’t a fan of her now, she didn’t know. That was an animal for you, though. Especially one like the RMWD.

The guys glanced over their shoulders.

Davis straightened. “What’d he say?”

Hollyn leaned her hip against the door jamb. “Says he doesn’t know who’s behind this, but he overheard that they’re planning to modify the program to work withmissiles.” She rubbed her temples. “I had a completely nonviolent intention with that program. That someone wants to militarize it . . . and they’ve got a demonstration planned . . . It doesn’t sound good. Missiles! Can you believe it?” When his face went somber, her pulse sped up. “What?”

Davis stood. “Chapel still with him?”

“Wh—yes.” She frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“I’ll bring you up to speed later.” He gave her arm a squeeze when he and Hale brushed past her, Fury hot on their tail.

“Well, okay then,” she murmured to herself in the empty silence of their departure. A nearby clock read almost noon. No wonder she didn’t feel on top of her game. She’d been awake for over twenty-four hours without food or rest.

Hollyn stepped over to the chip reader on the desk and took out the microchip, then shuffled to her room. Sinking down onto the bed, she looked at the tiny piece of tech in her hand. It’d been with her the whole time, and she’d had no clue. If she’d found it sooner?—

No. It wouldn’t do any good to go down that road now.

Eyelids heavy with exhaustion, she set the microchip on her nightstand. The fluffy pillow lured her to lay down. She yawned.

Maybe just a quick nap.

“Hollyn?” a voice tugged her from the clutches of sleep.

With a yelp, she bolted upright, wide awake. Archie stood in the doorway, looking sheepish. Why was he here? The team was just letting him walk around the house now?

An uneasy feeling bobbed in her stomach.

“Archie . . . hey.” She rubbed her face. Yawned, feeling like she’d run a marathon. So much for a nap helping. She felt more confused and tired than ever. What time was it?

The Abu Dhabi sky was a pool of pink and purple hues. Drat. She’d been asleep longer than she’d planned.

“What are you doing?” She shoved her blanket back and folded her legs. “Isn’t the team questioning you?”

Cradling his injured hand, he stepped into the room. Lowered onto the bed beside her. “They decided I was in the clear.”

They had? That didn’t sound right. Call her crazy, but she didn’t think Chapel would decideanyonewas in the clear.

“What?” He eyed her.

She tried to stop staring as the uneasy feeling grew stronger. “Sorry.” What was it about him that seemed different? He looked basically the same as always—minus the dirtied clothing and tired eyes. When was the last timehe’dslept?

He flashed a grin that didn’t reach his eyes.

Something’s not right.

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