Page 87 of Silver Elite

“Don’t test me,” I warn, my grip tightening on the knife. “Because you’re pissing me off, and I’m not afraid to use this.”

Rage flashes in his eyes, but before he can react, we hear footsteps in the corridor and then a familiar silhouette fills the doorway.

Cross.

He stands there for a moment. Assessing. His gaze shifts between Anson and me, his expression unreadable.

“Either slit his throat or let him go,” Cross finally says, his neutral tone betraying none of the tension in the room.

I shoot him a withering glare. “Go away, Captain. This doesn’t concern you.”

He glances at Anson. “Booth. You’re dismissed.”

“We’re not finished with our conversation,” I say, keeping the knife against Anson’s throat.

“You’re done. He’s been dismissed.”

I clench my jaw. Then I lower the blade.

Anson shoots me a venomous glare before slithering out of the locker room like the snake he is, his footsteps fading into the distance.

I turn to face Cross, angry at the interruption.

Unfazed by my thunderous expression, he steps closer, his gaze searching mine with an intensity that makes my breath catch in my throat.

“He started it.” I don’t care that I sound petulant.

Cross nods, his lips quirking into a wry smile. “Where did you get the knife?”

I could lie, but I don’t. “I stole it from the warehouse after an op.”

That makes him chuckle. I hate how much I enjoy the husky sound.

He stares at me, expectant.

Without a word, I grit my teeth and flip the knife in the air a couple of times. I catch it by the handle then spin it around and reluctantly hand it to Cross.

“So obedient,” he murmurs.

“Don’t get used to it.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

He continues to study me. Contemplative. When he speaks again, his tone is impossible to discern. “Tomorrow’s a pit night. Recruits can go.”

I stare at him.

“You should go.”

To my shock, he hands the knife back to me. “Keep it in your locker. Only use it if he comes back.”

I watch him stalk out of the locker room, unable to make sense of anything that just happened.

Chapter 20

Pit night. I’m still not entirely sure what I’m in store for, but everyone in Black Cell is going, so I’ve agreed to join Lyddie. I heard Ivy tell Bryce earlier that the pit serves as both entertainment and release. With leisure passes scarce, it’s a way to combat the perpetual boredom that naturally plagues the Command.

In the barracks, recruits are getting ready around me, and I feel a twinge of self-consciousness. It’s quite unlike me, as normally I don’t stress about my wardrobe or how I dress in comparison with others. But I’m seeing my female fellows slipping into short skirts, tight denim, tiny tops, and it triggers a rush of insecurity.

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