Page 27 of The Dragon Recruit
But he’s so…snobby. And acts like he’s better than everyone.
You, more than anyone, know how important it is to keep up appearances and façades.
During her year with the British Army—which all future Protectors had to serve—Iris had tried to make friends with the humans. She’d even thought herself in love with one.
Until her world had come tumbling down.
Antony’s voice brought her back to the present. “If you take a picture with your phone, it’ll last longer.”
“What the bloody hell are you talking about now?”
“You’re staring. And have been for at least ten minutes.”
“Maybe I’m trying to learn your tells, or any other kind of information, since you won’t share anything with me.”
He raised an eyebrow but kept his eyes on the road. “I will as soon as we arrive. I told you that.”
“Why, though? It’s dangerous to go into a situation blind.”
He glanced briefly at her, his expression unreadable. “I have sentries posted along our route, watching and monitoring us. If something happens to me, one of them will find you within minutes and whisk you away to safety.”
“I’m not a bloody damsel in distress. So stop treating me like one, aye?”
“You could be a seven-foot-tall man armed to the teeth, and I’d act exactly the same way.”
“I’ve heard that bullshit before.”
“Ah, during your time with the army?”
She blinked. “What do you know?”
He tapped the side of his nose. “More than you’d like me to, I reckon. And before you get mad or shout, just know I looked up the backgrounds ofallthe Protectors working with me, not just you. So there’s no need to be defensive with me, my dear. If you weren’t amazing at your job, you wouldn’t be here, end of story. I value both my work and those I protect far too much to hire less than the best. I don’t care if they have a dick or not. If anything, it’s usually a negative.”
Rather than focus on Antony praising her, she blurted, “Why?”
His lips twitched. “It takes a lot of time and training to deprogram the expected privilege most men have since it won’t help them in a life-or-death situation where the other side will kill whoever they meet.”
“If only they did that in the army, or at least those who work with the dragon-shifters. I can’t speak to the human-only units.”
“In the military, even the human side, you’re part of a group. Still, it’s hard to get rid of ego. Which is something I won’t tolerate in my most trusted team members.”
She raised an eyebrow. “I find it hard to believe you lack an ego.”
“None of us do. But some individuals let it rule them, and it ends up getting people killed. In my experience, men, especially, don’t like to admit they’re wrong. I have to test them early. Because if they can’t learn from their mistakes, then they’re unworthy and a waste of my time.”
Interesting.Antony Holbrook seemed to understand the faults of males more than most. She asked, “So how do you test them? Or is that another secret of yours?”
He shrugged. “Not really. It depends on the individual. Most of the time, I ask about something they did poorly in the past and see how they react. Those who own up to their mistakes get more points than those who try to explain them away. The ones who outright deny it, well, they get a shot of a short-term memory loss drug and don’t remember a thing about me or that facility we left.”
Iris frowned. “So you would’ve used that memory loss drug on me if I’d refused to work with you?”
“Oh, I knew you would accept the offer, my dear. So it never crossed my mind.”
“To save or protect my clan, I’d do anything.”
“Exactly. But you also crave the challenge. You don’t strike me as someone who’d settle for being a mere Protector your whole life, without the chance to lead. And since Faye and Grant are quite young, they’ll probably be in charge for a while. This is your chance to impress me and maybe earn a permanent place on my team.”
Ignoring the thrill of being able to carry out missions regularly, Iris drawled, “Impress you, aye?”
