Free Edge of Obsession (SKALS #3) by Adriana Noir Page B

information you can find. Your discretion is of vast importance in these matters, because I swear to you, when all is said and done, I will have their fucking heads on a stick. Are we clear?”
    “Very.”
    “Good. Get out,” he ordered.
    Head bobbing in confirmation, Vince made a beeline for the door. He staggered back, almost capsizing, as the metal barrier swung open without warning and struck his shoulder. Marx pinned the man with an unapologetic glare before storming the rest of the way into the room. The former technician slipped past him in humbled silence, leaving Sebastian to face the commander on his own.
    Marx’ s eyes glinted, the dark pits black and full of venom. “What the hell just happened out there?” he bellowed. “Who gave you permission to waltz in and off a man in our custody?”
    “I did,” Sebastian stated. “ It was my team. You kept Dominic alive so I could have my revenge and I had it.”
    “That man’s crimes were against SKALS. Not just you! It wasn’t your call to make,” Marx snarled.
    “Is that so?” Gritting his teeth, Sebastian returned to his station by the window. “I was the one bound to a chair with a knife to my throat. I was the one with a plastic bag over my head, and it was my home Laychee and his men broke into. I would say that made his transgressions very much against me .”
    “You are out of line, Baas. Out of line and completely out of control. Much like the party you held for her over the weekend, your engagement to Miss McAvay was another announcement that seems to have slipped my attention. If I didn’t know any better, I would say you are trying to keep me out of the loop.”
    “It was a private affair. I saw no reason to invite you, much less think you would want to attend.”
    The director’s lips pursed with a dark scowl. “It didn’t sound private to me, Sebastian. In fact, I would go so far as to say that Dominic Chase and I were the only members of this team not invited to your little shindig.”
    “Is that what this is about? You’re riding my ass over a few hurt feelings ?”
    “ I have warned you before to use the girl as an outlet for your body. Nothing else . I need your head in the game, and one way or another I will have it. Big changes are coming. Changes that will catapult this organization and its power to levels beyond your wildest dreams. You are going to head those efforts.”
    Li fting his chin, he regarded the commander. Loathing bubbled to the surface along with an icy twinge of fear. What levels? What the hell did the man have planned now? Did any of it tie into what had happened with Dominic and Laychee? The thought made his blood run cold.
    “Do you have something you wish to add to this conversation, Agent Baas?”
    Taking a slow step back, he spread his palms and forced a tight smile. “I look forward to seeing what the future brings.”
    “Good. ”
    The shrill chirp of Sebastian’s phone interrupted any other comments Marx might have had. Tamping down a sigh, he pulled it from his pocket and regarded Taylor’s name. Apprehension made his neck muscles throb. Careful to keep his face passive, he swiped a finger across the screen.
    “Now is not a good time. What do you need?” he bit out curtly.
    Taylor hesitated on the other end. “I didn’t mean to interrupt anything. I was just wondering if I could leave the house now that everything is over. You got me that beautiful new black 300 for my birthday and I’d really like to drive it.”
    “ Yeah. Fine, just make sure you take Rupert with you.”
    It crushed him, but he hung up without saying another word. Marx stared at him with an amused quirk on his lips. It took everything he had not to grab his gun and blast the smug look off the commander’s face.
    “ Making midday phone calls now? That brings me to my final point, Agent Baas. Your life is not yours to do with as you please. SKALS still owns your ass and I still run that show. Stop trying to be something