Page 43 of Tracking the Alpha
“Why do that?”
“At a guess, they were moving some of the captives last night and didn’t want anyone not in on the secret seeing.”
“Seems kind of extreme.”
“Only if you assume everyone’s in on the secret. I don’t get the impression the soldiers really know what’s going on. The guy who just knocked for example. He’s convinced the coyote we encountered somehow got inside the walls, killed someone, and escaped again.”
“It’s possible they’re unaware,” Barrett replied slowly. “I never actually saw anyone in uniform other than the general while I was held captive. Only doctors in white coats.”
“Making them innocent.” Her nose wrinkled. “Guess we’ll have to factor that into any plan we make.”
“A plan ruined by sleep,” he grumbled.
“I’m sorry you missed your chance to do anything.”
“Not your fault.”
“If I’d not dragged you to bed?—”
“Don’t you dare apologize for that. That was sorely needed and amazing.” He reached over to run a fingertip down her ribcage. “Being with you gives me a reason to not give up.”
She shivered at both the words and touch. She could have corrected his misassumption it would happen again. After all, Tanis didn’t usually do relationships, preferring the freedom of making her own choices. However, she, too, couldn’t help but recall the pleasure and passion. The exhilaration of them coming together. The sense of connection and rightness and fulfillment she’d never experienced before, likely caused by the fear of discovery along with the thrill of taboo. It would most likely wear off after a few more skin-to-skin bouts. Then, he’d say something stupid, and her attraction to him would shrivel...
“You should get going before the major gets suspicious,” he reminded.
“What about you?” she asked, keeping her voice low.
“I’ll figure something out. Now that I’m on the inside, time to see what kind of damage I can wreak.”
“Won’t sabotage give you away?”
“Only if I’m caught.” His grin had her quivering in spots that should have been sated. “There’s ways of causing havoc that will seem accidental. The more I can disrupt Davidson’s operation, the more likely we’ll get them distracted enough we can free the others without a fight.”
She bit her tongue lest she mention her fear his friends might be more like the coyote than him. They’d deal with that when the time came.
Tanis rolled out of bed and dressed comfortably. Athletic pants along with a matching tight shirt layered with a plaid, sherpa-lined sweater coat. As she slid her feet into her boots, which had thankfully dried since her dip in the creek, she glanced at Barrett from under her lashes.
“Where do you want to meet up later?” A brazen query that made assumptions.
“I’d say the best spot is right here in your room. If you don’t see me before dinner, expect me before lights out.”
“Assuming you’re not caught.” She worried. While a uniform would help him blend in, the soldiers would immediately notice the new face and question where Barrett came from.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. I am not planning on being captured.” He rose from the bed, naked and just as splendid looking as the night before. She clamped her thighs together to control the arousal quivering between her legs, but that didn’t stop him from sensing it. His nostrils flared, his eyes flashed, and a wild sheen rolled over them for a second. “I will see you later,” he growled in a low tone before dragging her close for a kiss.
The embrace curled her toes and had her pussy clenching so tight she had a mini O. She’d not even thought that possible from just a kiss.
“Be careful what you say and do around the general and major,” he murmured.
Tanis planned to be super cautious. However, she worried that the major would somehow suspect who she’d spent the night with. If she were caught sleeping with the target… She’d be just as screwed as if she caught him or didn’t. There was no winning scenario but the one that saw this place dismantled.
Exiting her room took more courage than expected. Tanis half expected soldiers to be waiting to take her in custody. A dumb fear because had they wanted her or Barrett captured they’d have done it while they were conked out. Obviously, no one knew the wolf in sexy man-flesh had infiltrated. Hopefully Barrett managed to move around without anyone noticing. It helped that the current soldiers hadn’t ever seen him. Still, the appearance of a new soldier might give rise to questions.
Not something she could worry about and she needed to settle her qualms before meeting the major, or she’d be the one to give Barrett away. She hit the communal bathroom for a pee and a wash of her face, mumbling a good morning to the groggy-eyed soldiers that staggered in. She left as they complained about having a hard time shaking fatigue and exclaiming over the fact they’d fallen asleep playing cards. Just reinforcing the drugging hypothesis.
The scanner at the main building made her go through its usual routine before giving her admittance. Rather than joining the major in the ops room, though, he stood just outside the door, beside Dr. Lindt.
“Good morning,” Tanis stated.
