Page 16 of Lethal Game

Connor’s face lost its hard edge. “I could teach you that. It would be a good place to start, especially if you’re not used to a lot of physical activity.” He looked her over—what he could see of her with her legs tucked underneath her, anyway.

What did he see? A normal woman of twenty-four, or could he tell she was different? Most people only ever saw the differences and never the parts of her that longed to be ordinary.

“You seem in good shape now.”

She was about to tell him about being sick as a kid, which had resulted in a couple of medical oddities making any sort of physical training difficult, but Max’s voice interrupted her train of thought.

“What the hell are the two of you doing on the floor? Having some kind of Girl Scout meeting?”

“I wish I’d had a chance to be a Girl Scout. They learn all kinds of cool things,” she said as she got up, giving Max a cool look. What was his problem? “Connor was checking out my portable lab and telling me about some of his training and skills.”

“Really.”

“Yes. Did you know he’s a hand-to-hand combat instructor for the Special Forces? He’s going to teach me how to defend myself.”

Con nodded and slowly got to his feet as well, his gaze not on Max’s face, but on a spot behind her boss. Was someone else there?

Max asked another question before she could check for herself. “Is that it?”

“No. He also speaks seven languages and is qualified to shoot any weapon the Army has.”

“I’m a combat jujitsu instructor for the Special Forces and I’m good at it,” Connor said, crossing his arms over his chest, his low voice rolling across the room like a storm. He glanced at her, but it was quick, his gaze going back to that spot just outside the door.

“I don’t think that kind of advanced training is appropriate for Dr. Perry, Sergeant Button.” Another man appeared from behind Max. General Stone.

Sophia had only met the general once, when she was first stationed here four months ago. He’d looked at her, nodded, and left.

She didn’t like the look on his face now. Angry and impatient.

“Sir,” Connor began. “She’s completely deficient in her self-defense training. If she’s well enough to be here doing the work she does, why wasn’t she given the basics?”

“She’s a doctor, brought in under medical dispensation, that’s why,” the general barked. He took several steps toward her and she found herself backing up into Connor as the general invaded her personal space.

Idiot.Both men were going to think she was some kind of frightened child. She’d faced far worse things than a man with a war on his mind. She lifted her chin and was about to ask the general to step back, but Connor slid around and in front of her.

The general stopped his advance, nodded in a satisfied way and stepped back.

“I disagree, sir,” Connor said, shifting to one side before she could ask. “That’s exactly the reason why she should have all the fundamentals, plus some.”

“You have a problem with your orders, Sergeant?”

“No, sir. My orders are to act as bodyguard, translator, and Special Forces liaison for Dr. Perry. She’s a high-caliber asset with unique abilities and knowledge. Self-defense skills should be required for such an asset.” He glanced at Max, and Sophia was surprised to see censure in his gaze.

Max turned to her. “You want to learn self-defense?”

“Yes, I do.” She managed to restrain herself from bouncing on her feet with eagerness. “Within reason, of course.”

Max glared at Connor. “Do not put a single bruise on her, understand?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Sergeant, as you mentioned, she’s an asset we can’t afford to lose,” the general said. “Are you prepared to take total responsibility for her training and safety?”

Connor’s face froze for a moment, then hardened. His lips twisted into a scowl. “Are you sure you want me to have that responsibility? You know I won’t follow the rule book when it comes to her safety. Iwilltrain her. Iwillensure that she can defend herself vigorously.”

“I’m beginning to think, in Dr. Perry’s case, that might be necessary.”

Connor thought for a moment, then nodded once. “Yes, sir. I accept Dr. Perry as my responsibility.”

---