Page 63 of Silver Elite

“Hell, Darlington, you’re embarrassing yourself,” he sighs as I step off the mats.

“It’s almost as if I don’t belong here,” I say with a pointed stare.

We finish out the day in the shooting range, where our weapons instructor Ivan shows us a new sniper rifle the General is putting into circulation. When it’s my turn to test out the weapon, I chide myself for the excitement simmering in my gut.

There’s only one corporation on the Continent that manufactures firearms: Tecmel. I have a Tecmel rifle at home. Former home, that is. The home that Cross Redden and his despotic father handed to strangers. But this rifle bears a manufacturing stamp I don’t recognize. REMM-4.

“What’s REMM?” I ask Ivan. Nothing displeases me more thanconveying genuine interest in this program, but curiosity gets the better of me.

“Defense manufacturer,” the older man replies. He’s got a head of curly gray hair and the steadiest grip I’ve ever seen. “The General just awarded REMM a massive contract to develop a line of weapons for low-light conditions. We’ll be testing this one in the field during your training ops.”

He shows me the clip-on night sight. It’s lightweight. Adjustable. Perfection.

I almost shiver in pleasure. I feel genuine disappointment when I must relinquish the weapon to Ivan.

Kaine pokes me in the ribs. “You look like you want to go to bed with that rifle.”

“Shut up.”

“Seriously. You’re panting.” He grins. “For someone who loves firearms this much, you would think you’d be a better shot.”

I offer a sweet smile. “You don’t have to be good at the things you love, Sutler. Sort of like how I imagine you love sex, but are terrible at it.”

That summons a laugh. “Why don’t you find out?”

“No, thank you.”

“You’re missing out.”

“I really don’t think I am.”

Lyddie giggles. Everyone in Black Cell has naturally grouped off, and the three of us have formed an unlikely trio. I’m wary of everyone else, especially the Psycho Brigade, which consists of Anson, Roe, and Kess. Interestingly, I notice Ivy standing with their group today. She spends most of her time with Bryce and a male recruit named Jones, so it raises my hackles to see her with those three. They’re huddled around like a pack of white coyotes.

“Your grip is all wrong,” Ivan chastises me when it’s my turn to shoot again. He’s already demonstrated the proper two-handed grip half a dozen times, but silly me, I can’t quite perfect it.

“I’m trying,” I say, feigning helplessness.

“Sutler,” he orders. “Go work with Darlington.”

Well, that backfired.

A grinning Kaine joins me. He looks good today. He always looks good. The problem is, he knows it.

“So, we need to perfect your grip, huh?”

I sigh at his cheeky smile.

“Here, cowgirl. Let me show you.” His hands lightly brush my shoulders as he moves to stand behind me.

“There’s no reason for you to stand so close,” I grumble. “Just show off your grip and be on your way.”

“Nah. I think this requires some intensive hands-on training. Ivan agrees.” Kaine calls over his shoulder, “Right, Ivan?”

The middle-aged man is busy with Lyddie. I don’t think he heard a word Kaine said when he calls back, “Affirmative.”

“See?”

I sigh again.

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