Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 140965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
Not yet but give it time. I’m totally susceptible to good looks. On the other hand, I don’t like bossy men, so if you want worshipping from me, you’ll have to keep your mouth closed and let me boss you.
That fantasy mouth smiled. The kind of smile that could melt the panties off a nun. Holy cow. He could completely own a woman with that smile. He clearly appreciated her sense of humor, although she meant what she said. The GhostWalker was just a little too dominant for someone like her.
Good to know. About the talking too much. I’m not known for that, but I’ll be much more careful.
She loved that he could tease her when they were in such a dire situation. It was a great distraction from the sound of voices coming toward them on the water. She could see the faint, distorted lights shining through the sheets of rain.
Go under. Stay under until I tell you otherwise. Don’t make a sound.
Shylah obediently sank beneath the brackish water. That is a prime example of what I was just saying. Your order of not making noise was unnecessary. I’m a soldier and I don’t need you telling me what to do.
Every soldier needs a commander and it looks like I’m yours.
You’re a soldier. You need a commander. What makes you the boss?
I’m bigger than you are, Draden said, his voice just a little arrogant.
Shylah refrained from answering. What was the point? He was bigger.
3
It took what seemed like forever for the boat filled with the Milisi Separatis Sumatra soldiers to move down the river and go around the long curve. Shylah had no problem staying underwater, even when it was murky, and she had no idea what was in the water with her. She could see with her enhanced vision, so if anything did come at her, she would know. The roiling in her stomach wasn’t that. The knots and growing terror weren’t from anything creepy in the water, holding her breath too long or the fact the hottest and most lethal man in the world was pressing his thigh against hers. It was knowledge. Time. The clock ticking.
She couldn’t keep her mind on the soldiers making their way down the river, searching for signs of them. It was the fact that she had time to think. This gorgeous man, Draden Freeman, had somehow been infected with the hemorrhagic virus that had killed an entire village. It would kill him and eventually kill her. She had to cut herself off from every human being …
Stop thinking about it.
That voice. When it slipped into her mind, he poured in after it. Heat. Filling every space in her mind unexpectedly. She was lonely. How could she not be? But she was someone who knew she was intelligent. She had amazing skills, taught from childhood. Whitney had tried to undermine her self-worth, but Shylah knew better than to let him succeed.
She believed in herself and her dedication to her country. That was hers, not something Whitney could take from her, but self-esteem didn’t make her any less lonely. Before, growing up, she’d had her two best friends, Bellisia and Zara. Then they were gone, and she was by herself. She would die that way …
Stop.
His fingers settled around her arm and he gently pulled her into him. The way he did it centered her, his touch a whisper against her skin, no more, yet she found herself tucked in close to his body. There was heat just like in her mind, as if inside Draden was a fire, burning hot and out of control, threatening to consume both of them.
She didn’t know where she got that image, but it was there in her mind, which meant he got the same one. This is embarrassing.
Why? I am hot right now. I want to kill every single one of those fuckers. Most of the time rage for me is ice, but not this time. They killed every man, woman and child in that village. Those people were peaceful. They tried to live their lives in the best way possible, not asking for anything from anyone. You bet I’m hot.
Put that way, she understood. They were testing the virus. I’ve been tracking the men who created it.
He pulled out of her mind abruptly. She knew because she felt bereft. Starkly alone. The feeling was raw and ugly after having him there with her. She wanted him back, and that wasn’t an intelligent response. She needed to stand on her own two feet at all times. That was what made her strong. Depending on someone else only made for weakness. With what was coming, she couldn’t afford to be weak.
Do you know who they are? Their identity?
He was back, sliding into her mind so easily, as if they had been communicating telepathically for years. She could tell he was one of the rare anchors. He could draw psychic energy to him, so others wouldn’t overload on it.