“Which man?”
“The one by himself and eating pizza.”
Godric found the target, and his brows rose when he peered back at me. “Most people don’t notice he’s around.” His head tilted in interest. “Why are you curious about him?”
I didn’t want him to know that the man scared me. I didn’t want him knowing I found anything frightening. So I shrugged a bored shoulder, and answered, “He was hanging around when the crazy scientist was giving his speech about how amazing you are.”
His lips twitched in humor, though his eyes carefully scanned my features. He didn’t completely believe me. “His name is Theron. He works for me occasionally on special projects.”
“Special projects?”
He nodded. That was all.
I knew a brushoff when I saw it.
Godric groaned under his breath, his features pained as he looked skyward. “Actually, I need to speak with him.”
“Theron?” Finn groused. “Wait until we’re gone.”
Rune grunted in agreement, finishing his water.
Alaric rubbed his forehead. “I’m really not in the mood to deal with him today, either.”
Wolfe snorted and glared. “Same.”
My red brows rose on my forehead.
Their reactions were…interesting.
Finn growled and quickly looked away. He stared at the ground hard, picked at the grass near his crossed legs, and whispered swiftly, “Too late. He’s headed this way.”
I blinked in shock at his obvious anxiety.
All four of Godric’s friends, and if I wasn’t mistaken, all the powerful men in the corporations, gazed anywhere but at the man walking toward us in flip-flops.
I tensed and set my plate and my fork down.
Theron stopped in front of our group.
He was playing a game on his bracelet again, his head down without a care. His voice was quiet with an accent that sounded like sand blowing in a light breeze.
Theron stated directly in greeting, “Mr. King.”
His gaze lifted. He didn’t look at Godric.
Those dark eyes were honed directly on me.
I still couldn’t figure out how old he was.
His attire was so innocent and casual.
His honey-colored hair gleamed under the sun.
And he definitely still scared the shit out of me.
Godric sighed. “Theron, this is Poppy.”
The man didn’t say anything, only started another one of his slow perusals of my person. When his regard rose back up my body and landed on my eyes, he smiled.
And it transformed his face into a masterpiece of beauty.
I blinked.
He. Was. Scary. As. Fuck.
Theron tipped his head to me. “It’s an absolute pleasure to meet you, Poppy.”
I nodded my head in a jerky motion.
I couldn’t speak for the fear tightening my throat.
He stared. “A quiet one, huh?”
Godric chuckled. “Not exactly.” He leaned closer to me, his shoulder bunched with protective muscle and warmth. “I actually need a favor.”
Theron finally turned those eyes on Godric.
He complained, “I’m supposed to be on vacation.”
“Yes. So you’ve said before. A hundred times. And yet you keep popping up at the most annoying times.” Godric glared with an old argument that I knew nothing of, but I did know it was one by his irked expression. He paused and tapped his right foot. “So, are you willing?”
Theron peered back down to his bracelet. His tan fingers worked on the game with concentrated speed. “What is it?”
Godric sucked in a sharp breath, and then grumbled, “I’ll be away for a few days with no contact. I need you to run this place while I’m gone.”
I jerked my head in his direction.
What?
Who the fuck was this guy?
Theron’s fingers kept tapping, his attention still on his freaking game. “Trouble?”
“No, nothing like that. It’s personal.”
Dark eyes did peek up then, even if his head was still lowered. A too-pleased smile lifted his lips.
Godric rumbled in exasperation, “Will you?”
“You’ll owe me.”
Godric’s nostrils flared as he exhaled heavily through his nose. “The usual?”
“Yes. In a week.” He tapped his bracelet, shutting off his game, and looked at the four silent men sitting before him. “That goes for the four of you too, since he’s not asking you for this favor.”
Four pairs of furious eyes shot to Godric and glared daggers. But they nodded their heads once in agreement.
Theron smirked as he strolled away, his flip-flops silent in the oddest way as he moved. “See you in a week, gentlemen.”
We all watched him until he slipped inside the King Corporation, whistling the entire time as he strolled along, no one else even glancing his way.
“I hate you,” Rune hissed.
Godric growled, “It’s just dinner. Get over it.”
My jaw went slack, and my eyes darted between all of them. “You five have to be the weirdest group I’ve ever met. That’s saying a lot too because I’ve met some really freaky people all over the world.” I flicked a finger where Theron had disappeared. “And I don’t even know what the hell to think of him.”
Other than he was a scary sonofabitch.
Godric huffed. “Just stay away from Theron.”
“I planned on it.” My head turned toward the sidewalk where Major Wilcox was now standing and checking her bracelet. I glanced at my own and quickly shut my game down. “I’ve got to go. Lunch is over.”
Godric’s golden eyes speared mine. “Take my sandwich with you. I’m not going to eat it.”
I stared. “The test is going to be long, isn’t it?”
He shrugged with nonchalance.
That was answer enough for me.
I leaned over his leg and grabbed the chicken sandwich. My thigh muscles ached as I stood up from sitting crossed legged for so long. “Thanks for the food.”
“It was my pleasure.”
I started walking, but I couldn’t look away from his powerful regard. His eyes were gorgeous with the sun sparkling on the golden hue. My brows rose when his gaze widened, his mouth opening in a hurry, and his right hand shooting up in the air for me to stop.
Smack.
“Motherfucker!” I shouted and held the right side of my head. My eyes turned to glare at the tree I had run right into. I kicked the trunk, growling, “Fuck you and your scratchy bark too.”
I kept rubbing my head as I marched.
Masculine roars of laughter erupted behind me.
I chose to ignore it—as I was doing a lot today.
The line was already forming with the other nine girls, so I quickened my pace and ate the sandwich as fast as I could. I chewed with such a large mouthful my cheeks were puffed out as I fumbled with my sunglasses. I finally got them over my eyes and stopped at the back of the line.
Major Wilcox strolled in a bored manner until she halted directly next to me. Her head tilted, and she asked, “Have a good lunch?”
Her fingers wiggled down by her sides.
I quickly took another bite, knowing what she was going to do. My cheeks were round once again, and my voice was muffled from the chicken. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Good for you. It’s over.” The major moved fast as she yanked the remaining half sandwich out of my hands and chucked it into a wastebasket nearby. She bent and placed her face in front of mine, and whispered quietly, “I don’t give a fuck who you sit with at lunch. When an order is given on my watch, you follow it. Do you understand me, recruit?”
Of course, she had noticed. Everyone had.
I swallowed the chicken down. “Yes, ma’am.”
It was excellent.
I licked my lips for any lingering juices.
She glared at my pleased expression. “Do you find this
funny, Ms. Carvene?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Then why are you smiling?”
“Because my food was wonderful.”
“Was it?” Major Wilcox mocked.
Then she jabbed me in the stomach.
I belched right in her face.
Megan choked next to me and quickly looked away.
I hastily covered my mouth with my hand, the most horrified expression on my face.
“I am so sorry, ma’am.”
She blinked as she straightened. “Peach cobbler?”
I didn’t remove my hand from my mouth as my other one rubbed my belly where she had poked.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Her grin was wicked.
Shit.
“Okay, recruits.” She peered down the line of candidates. “Ms. Carvene here had peach cobbler today. And not only did she enjoy it, but she also didn't share it with anyone. So I’m going to teach you all a little something about sharing.”
Major Wilcox stared straight down at me, even as she talked to the entire group. “We’re all going to share the love of running. Right now. Seven miles. If you stop, you’re gone.”
She yanked my sunglasses from my face and tossed them into the wastebasket too. “Those aren’t regulation, Ms. Carvene.” Then she snapped her fingers at the group, her voice rising to a shout. “What are you waiting for, recruits? Share! Share!”
The front of the line started jogging.
Major Wilcox winked at me. “Isn’t this fun?”
“Yes, ma’am,” I answered through clenched teeth.
She started running as the middle began.
Megan glanced back over her shoulder. Glared.
“Fuck,” I groaned.
I peeked out of the corner of my eye.
Godric and gang were watching.
They’d had an excellent view too.
The only plus side?
They weren’t laughing this time.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Damn. I should have been running more in Port.
I groaned as I rolled out of bed at the dinner bell. My hair was still wet from my shower, and I wore my pajamas—a simple pair of loose cotton pants and a tank top. I grabbed Godric’s sweater as an afterthought and shoved it on over my head since the top of my shoulder still looked gruesome from his bite. Little scabs had formed, but it would scar. His teeth had sunk in too deep not to.
My slippers whispered on the hardwood floor, my feet dragging as I walked. The girls next to me weren’t any better. We had lost two women, now down to eight female recruits, when the major had decided the last three miles were to be a sprint to the finish line. The two at the back had fallen and not gotten up, just lying on the concrete sidewalk and crying.
The men still looked in prime form around us.
They hadn’t done anything extra after the tour.
I didn’t even want to think about the test tonight.
Godric had acted as if it would be brutal.
And I was exhausted.
That wasn’t a great combination.
I rubbed the back of my neck under my damp hair and ambled into the dining hall with the rest of the herd. When we were all inside, the doors locked behind us. I glanced around in confusion when there were no tables inside the room, much less food that I needed.
Whispers started around me, and a few men pointed to the far end of the room. My brows furrowed. I used my small size to squeeze between candidates, turning my shoulders, and brushing against their sides until I edged through the crowd to see what they were staring at.
Major Wilcox and her four counterparts were ignoring all of us as they spoke together near the far wall. But they weren’t alone. Godric and Finn were both with them. All seven wore black martial arts pants. The male chests were bare while Major Wilcox wore a black tank top. They had no shoes on either.
There were weapons along the wall behind them.
Many different forms of weaponry. All deadly.
I tugged on the bottom of my sweater and attempted to keep my features blank, the skin on my cheeks tight with strain at seeing Godric here. If he was interfering with my chance to be part of the Corporate Army, I would have his damn balls. And if he was here to help me…
He would need help after I was done with him.
The kind of help that requires men to carry his casket.
Godric didn’t look in our direction as he grinned at something one of the instructors had said, easily carrying on his conversation while a roomful of people waited.
Finn glanced at us and scratched at his chin, his eyes carrying over all the recruits he could see, evaluating them with experienced eyes. When his attention stopped on me, it was no different from all of the others he had assessed. Then he was on to the next individual.
He leaned in and said something to their group.
Every person laughed.
Yes, we were green.
I was in my damn pajamas, appearing for all the world like I was ready for a sleepover with a friend. Not at all like I needed to with a roomful of weapons. I was happy I had remembered to slide a hair tie over my wrist after showering.
The instructor in the middle eventually stepped forward when all of the candidates shut up about Godric being here. And Finn too. They had been arguing about who had the most impressive physique for fighting. No one had agreed on that one while I kept my mouth shut.
In my opinion, it was obviously Godric.
But they were both built like beasts.
The instructor stated loudly. “It’s test time.”
No shit.
“At least half of you will be leaving tonight.”
That was nice of him to say.
“We will be calling names randomly. When your name is called, you can choose one weapon. Pick wisely because you will fight with it.”
Hmm. That wasn’t so bad.
“There will be no fatal blows.”
Even better.
“The first person to draw blood wins.”
Not so good.
“And the loser is out of the program.”
That would definitely be bad.
There still had to be a catch. One on one was easy.
“Any questions?”
The man next to me raised his hand. “Will Mr. King and Mr. Baker be staying the entire time?”
I dropped my forehead into my right hand and rubbed at my temples. I could not believe the first question asked was that.
Baker. Baker, Baker, Baker…
It came to me quickly.
Baker Corporation. They were the largest weapons corporation, building and supplying the world’s needs in the finest and deadliest weapons. I had thought Finn was the quietest and most reserved of Godric’s friends. Perhaps he had a dark side he hid from the world running a dangerous business like that.
The instructor snorted. “Yes, they will.”
I sighed and raised my hand before any other idiots could raise theirs. I asked in a bored tone, “Who will we be fighting?”
The instructor grinned. “Us.”
I kept my hand in the air. “How many?”
“Our two against your one.”
My hand loved high places. “How will you pick?”
“Randomly.”
I wiggled my fingers still up there. “Do we need to bleed both people or just one?”
He snickered, amused with my persistence. “Both.”
I finally lowered my hand.
Then I raised it fast with a thought. “Will we get dinner afterward?”
Finn’s shoulders shook ever so slightly.
The amusement fled from the instructor’s face. “Are you so sure you’ll win?”
“Yes.” I kept my hand up. “You didn’t answer my question.”
He sighed. “Dinner will be served afterward for those still here.” His eyes scanned left to right on our group, skipping over me. “Does anyone else have any questions?”
My freaking hand wa
s still in the air.
I lowered it and scowled.
When no one said anything, he nodded. “Good. Now please move to the outer edges of the wall and take a seat to wait your turn.” Then he pivoted and chatted with their group once again, ignoring us all.
Megan tilted toward me, and questioned, “What else were you going to ask?”
I snorted. “The obvious. I wanted to know what was for dinner. I’m starving after that horrid run today.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
My ass was numb by the time my name was called.
The time had afforded me what I needed, though.
I knew how they fought and which ones I didn’t want to fight against. The two main people being Godric and Finn. Every time they had randomly been picked, the recruit was sent home. And they were holding back in each fight, the evidence clear in the tight coil of their muscles with each blow or pivot.
The view had been spectacular, though.
Both fought as if it were a fluid dance.
And Godric was hot as hell to look at too.
I stood and walked to the wall to pick my weapon.
This was the tricky part. None of the instructors or Godric or Finn had fought with the same weapon more than twice. They waited for the candidate to pick, and then they chose their own weapon.
I nibbled on my bottom lip.
The short sword seemed the easiest choice.
The whip the worst.
But I decided on the smallest blade available.
A pocketknife. No one had picked that yet.
I lifted it from the floor where it sat like a pebble amidst boulders. I opened it, and the silver gleamed—nice and sharp. I turned to Major Wilcox and held it up. “I choose the pocketknife.”
All of my would-be opponents were much larger than I was, with longer arms and legs. They could easily reach me with a sword before I could reach them. That meant I would have to get in close and take away their main strength over me.
Major Wilcox stared. “You’re sure?”
“Yes.”
I strolled to the middle of the room and waited, the recruits still inside sitting against the walls, leaving plenty of room to fight in the middle. Now they just needed to pick who I was fighting against. I stretched my back while I watched them talk amongst themselves.
Trigger (Origin Book 1) Page 9
