Free Jinn & Toxic by Franny Armstrong Page A

fulfillment. By his snicker, she could tell he knew exactly how her body fired up at his nearness and that caused a fury she’d never felt toward someone she was attracted to.
    “Would you like me to continue with your interview here and now?”
    With his teammates around them, that was the last thing she found intriguing, but her rebellious nature took control as she snapped, “Sure. Go for it.”
    Instead of following through, Tab released her and stood.
    “Listen up, team. We’re still missing Alvarez, Barrymore, Carr, Cloonan, Fahey, Gardiner, Halloran, Hogan, Lally, Lemieux, Murphy, Paquette, Seguire, Crow, Tanaka, and Woodrow. Keep a sharp eye out for them when we head out in a few hours. We’re still on silent communication. Most of us are, anyway,” he said, his eyes brushing over Jinn.
    “Everyone can stand down for a bit of sleep. We take turns on guard. Watch this one carefully. She’s got more secrets than you’ll ever know and we can’t trust her an inch. Jennings, you and I’ll do the first round. Metcalfe, if you’re up to it, I’ll wake you in two hours. Blackstone, you’ll take that shift as well.”
    Without another word, he moved off into the bushes. Jinn bit back a smile after noticing he wasn’t as indifferent to her as he’d like her to believe. With a sense of satisfaction, she lay on her back, staring up at the canopy. Night creatures serenaded them with soft, relaxing sounds. She fell into an exhausted sleep in seconds.
    ***
    “Captain, you didn’t wake me. Aren’t you going to get some sleep?” Metcalfe asked. It was still dark as pitch out, but Tab sensed his coming. He was in tune with all his soldiers.
    “I wasn’t tired.”
    “Sir, if I may be candid?”
    “Go ahead.” Tab knew what was coming. Before he dismissed them, each of his soldiers gave him strange glances when he’d confronted Jinn on the ground. He sensed their confusion. There was something strange going on between Jinn and him that even he didn’t understand, and it wasn’t good. His body turned on like a light bulb whenever she was near. The mere thought of fucking her made him harden to the point that he growled in frustration, and she knew it too by the expression on her face a few hours before when he’d left her side.
    Why the hell does she have that effect on me? Her sister never did.
    He was careful to block his thoughts from the others, including her. For some reason, he didn’t sense Julie anywhere. Was she dead, or alive like Jinn said she was? How was he to find his targets to complete the mission and save Julie at the same time? Torn, he turned toward Metcalfe.
    “Sir, you’ve never shown more than a professional attitude to us all. Something’s changed with Dennison and you. I’m not asking if you have a relationship going, but I have concerns about her status as your prisoner.”
    “It’s complicated. I’ll let you know when I can explain what’s going on. For now, we keep an eye on her and do our job. The enemy is hours away by now. We can pick up the trail at first light. Give me an hour’s shuteye then wake me.”
    “But sir—”
    “Dismissed.”
    The man faded off into the night leaving Tab alone with his thoughts. It was impossible to sleep so he lay on the ground and contemplated the two sisters. What a strange combination of fire and courage they both had. Why was he drawn to Jinn and not Julie? It was a long, restless hour before Metcalfe returned.
    When they arrived at the camp, Blackstone grinned. “We’re ready to go sir. Your breakfast is waiting. Fresh boar. Metcalfe was complaining about the scar the creature left on him, but I told him he was lucky to be alive. He ate without a problem after that.”
    A low chuckle escaped as Tab climbed to his feet and rubbed his burning eyes. “You do have a way with words, my friend. Let’s move out.”
    ***
    With the freedom of not being bound, Jinn pretended she was staying with Tab and followed him meekly, though she