Page 18 of Covert Mission

Wait, I know how. Absurdity.

He crosses his arms.

I cross mine.

But I can’t look away from his muscles. Those are some big guns.

I fight to get my eyes back to his because I’m not sure I’ve ever been so close to biceps like those.

Silly, I was closer. Remember, I was nearly choked to death by them.

He demands my attention. “You get me now?”

I glance toward Brian and Pembrook. “Hm. Okay, so they don’t look very…operator-ish. But there are plenty of sleeper operatives out there.”

I’ve even met some, but I don’t share that fact.

He gets a funny look on his face. It’s a mix of disbelief and anger. “Fuck, honey. They wouldn’t know which end of a long gun to point at the bad guy.”

Hm. He might be right.

I’m not going to debate that fact. This makes me unreasonably snarky. “You’re just angry that you’re not the boss of everything right now. Someone has serious control issues.”

The narrowed eyes are back, and those razors cut me to shreds. He carefully enunciates, “You have no idea.”

We stare at each other. He’s not the only one with control issues. This is going nowhere.

A standoff ensues.

Beast shakes his head, looks at the ground. Puts his hands on his hips.

I win. Take that.

I almost laugh but rein in my insanity. I don’t even know who this person in my brain is right now. I’ve been pushed to the brink!

But when he looks back at me, there’s steely resolve behind those pools of chocolate brown.

My momentary satisfaction at winning the staring contest evaporates.

I brace.

“Look, ma’am,” he rumbles. “I’m not the boss of a lot of damn things. But right here, right now, I’m stopping a tragedy that might make your parents childless. I’m just telling you that you’re unprepared for this environment. Take a hint from someone who’s been in more than one war zone. Pack up. Or hire a battalion of round-the-clock guards, because a woman like you isn’t safe here.”

I open my mouth but can’t come up with a reply.

He holds up his hand. My eyes fly to the palm. Memories of that heated, calloused skin on my lips send a zinger through my body.

“Are you aware that your life is in real danger?”

My teeth catch my lip.

Crap.

His eyes are… almost worried. Bossy I can take. Worried? It only makes my doubts multiply like field mice.

“I am aware,” I admit.

He really lays it on. “You are aware that woman over there who works for you might become a victim of a heinous crime, all based on your decision in this moment.”

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