Into the Light (The Admiral's Elite Book 2) Read Free Page B

called, moving to take his seat across from Becca. Gabrielle sashayed a few steps behind and took her seat beside the big Marine.
     
    Ryan’s casual air was clearly meant to distract and diffuse. He was the only one who got away with that sort of thing, though typically he was more subdued in front of Black. It must have been pretty obvious the tone their little “catch up” session was taking.
     
    Black tracked the newcomers with a pointed stare. Michael cast another appraising glance her way and she caught it. Becca lifted an eyebrow and widened her eyes in question. He raised a shoulder, subtly trying to let her know he hadn’t known this was coming. It was unknowable if she believed him or not. He wished it could be otherwise and hid his disappointment in himself that he wasn’t the man she deserved.
     
    Their exchange ended when the admiral opened his mouth. “Now that we are all together, I would like you to familiarize yourselves with our next mission.” Gliding in his creepy way around the table he passed out the files, pausing a moment longer behind Becca. She sensed without knowing what he’d done exactly, that something had transpired between Michael and himself. It had only taken a second but the mood of everyone at the table changed. Frowning, Ryan gave Becca a curious look confirming her suspicions it involved her. Gabrielle feigned boredom. And the heat rolling off of Michael was palpable. Becca shot him several nervous sideways glances.
     
    “Is there something you would like to say Michael?” Black had resumed his position at the head of the table and leaned forward, putting his features directly under the overhead light. He glowed, eerily wraithlike.
     
    The vampire climbing its way out of Michael gnashed its teeth, demanding blood. Black openly challenged him on the flight back from D.C. He was going to use Becca for something. Did Michael have an issue with that? The knife Black put between his ribs hadn’t been what stopped him from objecting more than he had. It was the damned bond Black controlled him through. There was no stopping the admiral from using Becca, she was one of his soldiers now like the rest of them. But Michael already struggled to make absolutely sure he was able to offer protection against those he could defeat, while letting her believe he was treating her the same as the others in the unit. She was intelligent. Eventually she would figure out something changed while the admiral and he were in D.C. And as much as a part of him wished he could tell her, Black had forbidden his mentioning his new plans for Becca, he also dreaded it. There was no chance she would believe him to be anything other than a weak coward for doing nothing to defend her from Black. As her commanding officer and lover it was his duty. Too soon, his only happiness in over half a century was going to come crashing down and he was powerless to stop it.  
     
    “No Sir. I believe I’ve expressed my opinion already.” From his periphery he caught Becca’s sharp intake of breath and the direction of her eyes. He could almost see her picturing the fading scar that would be gone entirely the next time he fed.
     
    Thankfully, Black let it go. He was confident he’d made his point and everyone at the table knew Michael was allowed a certain amount of leniency given his elevated position in the unit. They couldn’t know why Black chose him as their leader though they were more than willing to keep him as the go between. No one wanted to spend any extra time with the admiral if they could avoid it. That was the only reason no one had discovered his ties to Black thus far. Only Becca had gotten close enough to him to be in a position to be suspicious. And this jumping ability had him shaken. If she guessed at the depth of his supplication she would withdraw for self-protection, if not for disgust. How could she not? He was half a man, or monster; unable to exercise his own will. And if she didn’t