Page 27 of Covert Mission

My curiosity about Beast hasn’t been satisfied. I have about a million questions. But since he’s saying more than one-word answers, I figure I should stick to the topic.

“Do you know anything about organizations like ours?”

His focus sharpens and he searches my face. “I get the concept. Where do you get your money?”

Interesting that he’s asking about funding. It happens to be my specialty.

Propping myself up on my elbow, I shift and get comfier. “The money comes from a variety of sources. Some federal funds, grants, and then there are donations. Some of them are very large. But the company also has a great campaign for getting everyday-people to donate to a good cause.”

He rolls his water bottle between his hands. “Federal funds, American donations, but you work internationally?”

“We do. Central, North, and South America. It’s not that unusual. Lots of federal funds and private monies go to international causes.”

He nods. He’s quiet for a while.

So, the man isn’t all muscle. Beast is athinker.

I can see that he’d be a dangerous operator. Smart. Observant. Clearly, physically capable.

His next question is probing. “Been to Vandemora before?”

Hm. I hesitate, but say, “Yes, I have.”

No need to mention that it was on spring break and involved lots of tequila and overheated nights in a dance club with a bunch of drunk fools.

Beast stays silent, and I wonder if I’ve said too much. My unease grows. It would be easy for a man like him to put pieces that I don’t want together. I’ll have to be careful.

Finally, his gaze goes to his tactical watch, and he stands up. “Time to move.”

Something about his expression makes me uneasy. Gone is the arctic, closed-down façade. He looks pissed. The veins on his temples pop out.

“What’s wrong?”

He stares at me for a tense beat. “The reason Evan radioed was to let me know that one of your trucks was on fire.”

I’m off the bed an instant later.

His hand shoots out, lightning-fast, and he grabs my arm. “Slow down, speedy.”

“You can’t be serious!” My heart is roaring. I clutch my chest.

“I’m always serious.”

“Christ!What am I going to do now?”

“Leave.”

This man, I swear. I draw a breath. It doesn’t help. I feel my lips snarl. “Beast…”

“Please let this all be a bad dream.” I clench my eyes shut. “You could have softened the blow. That was a shock I didn’t need.”

He’s still scowling when I look up at him.

“Didn’t take you for the kind who needs sugar coating.”

“I didn’t ask for sugar, I asked for a reasonable delivery.”

He swings me around toward the door.

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