Page 14 of Tabitha

I recall my father muttering about the old man throughout my childhood. I wait for flashbacks or a panic attack to strike, but all I feel for my childhood is apathy.

I survived.

It’s behind me.

“You okay?” Pierce hovers protectively at my side, glaring after Barney like he wants to beat the fucker to a pulp. I kind of like that side of him, though I would never admit it out loud.

It would only give him ideas.

“Fine,” I mutter, annoyed at his question. “We’re going to be late for our meeting.”

As I head toward the diner, the door opens, and I immediately know the three men who step out are trained killers…and my contacts.

Joy.

And there is no doubt in my mind that they’ll be a pain in my ass.

Especially since they have no idea the real reason I’ve been sent.

* * *

BAST

As I exit the diner, I automatically scan my surroundings, the feeling of someone watching like a constant itch under my skin since I entered this town. My instincts scream danger, and it has been draining to remain alert for the three weeks we’ve been here.

Dozens of eyes watch our every move, but so far, no one has taken action against us.

That doesn’t mean they’re not planning something.

After the first day, it became obvious we’d overstayed our welcome.

I scan the town one last time. When I don’t spot an overt threat, I glance down at our contact and still. I initially bit back a sigh at the first sight of her, but seeing her up close changed my opinion. I’ve worked with so many soldiers over the years that I can recognize them on sight.

And the woman before me is a soldier through and through.

The way she scans and catalogs each of us, gauging our threat levels, is so automatic that I’m not sure she’s aware of doing it. From her dubious expression, she’s not too impressed with us, and I automatically pull back my shoulders and stand up straighter.

With her black and silver hair swirling around her in the breeze, it’s impossible to ignore that she’s absolutely stunning. Even standing around five-foot-seven, she’s still dwarfed by my six-foot-four height, but that’s true for most people.

It’s the way she holds herself with such confidence that makes her stand out from others. I didn’t realize I find that quality attractive until now. It’s like she knows her place in the world and doesn’t care what anyone else thinks. She doesn’t act superior—sheknowsit and doesn’t feel the need to prove it.

I’m waiting to see if that will be an asset or a hindrance.

She’s so young that she makes me feel old at pushing forty, and my bones actually creak as I shift on my feet. Years of fighting and war have that effect on a person. Though I can’t say I could mistake her for innocent, not with the hard glint in her silver eyes.

Her head is on a swivel, noting everything around her. Whatever she’s gone through has hardened her. She doesn’t see us as people but tools to use to complete her mission.

Which makes her dangerous.

Until I learn where her loyalties lie, she can’t be trusted.

My curiosity runs rampant, and I can’t wait to learn everything about her.

“You’re Tabitha?” I tip my head to the side, allowing my stature and deep voice to intimidate her.

Instead of being alarmed, she mimics my pose. “And you must be Bast.”

Her voice is low and husky, like she doesn’t speak much. My name on her lips, said in that way, has my cock hardening like some untried youth.

---