The Recruit (Book Three) Read Free Page A

lo –“
    His voice broke
and he stared at Richard’s desk as Reid waited patiently. After a
few moments he cleared his throat roughly and shuffled some papers
on the desk. “The Board wants us to get back to normal as quickly
as possible, thinks it will be better for the remaining recruits,
and I can’t fight them on this. Besides, the new guy will be here
soon and he’ll do what the Board wants, so we might as well try and
get the recruits back into a normal routine before he arrives.”
    “I’m not sure –
“
    There was a
knock on the door and at Mannie’s shout to come in, Selena entered
the office. She nodded to Reid before sitting down in the chair
next to him.
    “You wanted to
see me?”
    “Yeah. How’s
Hannah doing?”
    “Fine.” Selena
said cautiously. “She’s visiting Chen right now.”
    “Good, good.”
Mannie nodded distractedly as he opened a file folder on Richard’s
desk and combed through the papers. “Listen, this is a hell of a
time to say congratulations but we’re trying to get things back to
normal as quickly as possible.”
    “What are you
talking about?” Selena frowned at him.
    “You’ve passed
the program. You’re no longer a recruit.” Mannie gave her a small
smile. “Richard meant to tell you before…”
    He trailed off
and Selena grimaced. “Thanks, but I’m quitting the program.”
    “You’re what?”
Mannie gaped at her.
    “I’m quitting.
I’ll pack up my things and be gone by the end of the week.” Selena
said calmly.
    She walked
toward the door as Mannie stood up. “Selena, wait! You can’t quit.
We need you now more than ever.”
    “I’m sorry.
I’ve made my decision.” She slipped out of the room as Mannie
stared at Reid.
    “What the fuck
just happened?”
    “I’ll go and
talk to her.” Reid left the office as Mannie collapsed back into
his chair and dropped his head into his hands.
    * * *
     
    “Selena! Hey!
Wait up!” Reid jogged down the hallway as Selena quickened her
pace.
    He tugged her
to a stop. “Just hold on a minute, okay?”
    “What, Reid?”
She asked impatiently.
    “Listen, I know
what happened was awful, and I know we lost a lot of good people
but quitting isn’t going to make you feel better.”
    “I’m not
quitting because of what happened here.” She replied.
    “Then why are
you?” He asked.
    “Why did you
kiss me?” She asked abruptly.
    “What?”
    “Why did you
kiss me?” She repeated.
    “Hell, I don’t
know. I was pretty sure we were going to die and it seemed like a
good idea at the time.”
    “Right.” She
pulled her arm free. “Goodbye, Reid.”
    “Selena, wait!”
He took her arm again and pulled her into Chen’s training room. He
shut the door and leaned against it. “Tell me why you’re
quitting.”
    “It doesn’t
matter, alright? I just – I can’t do this anymore.” She shoved at
his large body. “Get out of my way.”
    “No, not until
you tell me why you’re quitting.”
    She glared at
him. “Get out of my way, Reid. I won’t ask you again.”
    He shook his
head. “You can’t just – “
    She scowled at
him and when she tried to punch him in the stomach, he blocked her
arm and swung her around until her back was pressed against the
door. She kicked and punched wildly at him and he grabbed her
wrists and pulled them above her head, pinning her against the door
with his hands and body.
    “Tell me,
Selena.”
    “Fine!” She
shouted. “I’m quitting because I’m useless at this, alright?”
    He blinked in
surprise. “Are you kidding me? You’re one of our best, Selena.”
    “Bullshit!” She
spat at him. “I go into every single fight terrified that I’m going
to die. I’m – I’m so scared that I can hardly think straight.”
    “We’re all
frightened.” He said softly.
    She snorted
angrily. “That isn’t true and you know it, Reid. Hannah isn’t
afraid, and neither is Will or Chen or Mannie.”
    “Just because
they don’t show it, doesn’t mean that they –