Page 272 of 5+Us Makes Seven

He laughed.

“Alcohol isn’t allowed on the base. How would I get some?”

“Smuggling,” I said, staring into his eyes, wishing I could read his thoughts.

“What do you know about smuggling?” he asked as he stepped toward me.

I took a step sideways, toward the door.

“It’s happened during wars throughout history.”

“Yeah? Well, Afghanistan ain’t no war. It’s a hell-hole all the time.”

As he spoke, I continued sliding toward the door.

“Where are you going?” he asked. “You afraid of me or something?”

Or something, I thought but said nothing. What have I gotten myself into now?

“Come on,” he begged. “You want this hot body.”

He lifted his shirt off, showing the ridiculously huge muscles.

“You’re not my type. No hard feelings, though.”

Two more steps to the door…

“Oh, I’ve got hard feelings,” he said with a nasty grin.

I reached out to put my hand on the doorknob, ready to run away. He stumbled forward, pressing his palm against the door, holding it shut.

“Where you running off to, beautiful?”

“You need to leave,” I said firmly.

Do not show fear. Do not show fear. Do not…

“Look, you fucking cock-tease. You’ve been playing Cooper and me both, and that’s not right. If you want information for your damn story, it’ll cost you. He’s not the man you think he is.”

“What do you mean? Is he involved in the smuggling?”

He sighed.

“There you go with the damn smuggling again. All you do is ask questions. Time for you to give some up.”

“What the hell are you talking about? You’re not making any sense.”

The moment he reached out to grab my arm with his hand, I screamed, hoping someone noticed.

SEVEN

Cooper

When I heard her scream, I leapt into action, rushing toward her CHU. The lights were on, but I had no idea what was happening inside. Had she seen a rat or something?

The door burst open, and she ran outside. Max lumbered out right behind her, a sick and demented smile on his face. I slowed down, stopping near Jade.

“What’s wrong?”

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