Free Act of Surrender: An Immortal Ops World Novel (PSI-Ops / Immortal Ops Book 2) by Mandy M. Roth Page B

There are millions of women out there and you go and pick the one we’re looking into?”  
    Striker yelled from the other side of the lab. “That Bloody-English-Bastard-Out-to-Steal-My-Country can kiss my arse.”
    “Great, he’s back on that again,” murmured Duke. “Corbin will love being called that again .”
    “She’s not a target,” corrected James, ignoring Striker. The urge to shake Duke and make him understand that Laney was on their side—a good guy—nearly overtook him. James had to collect himself before he did something stupid like attack his own teammate.
    Yep. The Corporation messed up your wiring.  
    “Yet,” said Duke. “You don’t know that she isn’t a pawn in that sick place’s bigger game. She could be playing you.”  
    “She’s not.”  
    “And you know this how?” demanded Duke.
    “Gut says it’s the case.” James leaned against the counter. “And I trust my gut. I did so with Mercy and I was right. She’s good people and I knew that from the word go. The two of you are together because of it—because of my gut. All I ask is that you trust me on this. I just need to play this out more to see where it’s going.”  
    Grumbling, Duke nodded. “You’re right. Fine. I’ll keep a lid on this for now, but check in with me. I don’t want you falling into the enemy’s hands again. I fucking hate it when that happens.”  
    “Yes, Mom,” said James with a wink.
    Duke eyed James’s cane. “You taking that with you?”  
    James shook his head. “No.”
    “We’re going drinking,” announced Boomer. “Who is in?”
    “Should they drink after what Mercy gave them?” asked Duke. “I love the woman to death, but she’s a menace in a lab. Did you hear about what she did yesterday?”  
    “I showed up right after it happened.” James had to fight to keep from laughing. He had heard about Mercy’s rather unfortunate experiment gone wrong. “Corbin’s hair still pink?”  
    Duke rubbed his temples. “Yes, and the fucking Brit won’t stop calling to yell at me like it’s my fault he let Mercy have unlimited access to anything she wants. I told him not to be a lab rat for her. He said, oh she’s harmless .”
    “Now those were famous last words,” said James with a snort. He’d heard the explosion that had rocked the other end of the hallway at PSI the day before. When he’d gotten there, plumes of pink smoke were billowing out of Mercy’s labs. Corbin Jones had emerged, his normally blond hair shocking pink. It had taken all of James to avoid commenting. Unfortunately, Striker had been near so Corbin not only wasn’t going to hear the end of it, there was now photographic proof of the incident. And knowing Striker, he’d find a way to sneak it onto the internet despite how stupid it was for an immortal to leave a photo trail.
    “I fucking hate cameras,” said Duke.  
    He hated a lot of things so James didn’t comment on it. “How is Mercy doing with the pregnancy? Any morning sickness yet?”  
    “Nope. She is too caught up in trying to counter the Corporation’s weapons and drugs. I don’t think it’s safe for her or the little one to be exposed to all those chemicals.”  
    James bit his lower lip. “She’s being careful.”  
    “Our captain has pink hair,” reminded Duke.  
    “Probably because I took away anything dangerous and what I left her with didn’t mix as planned.” James shrugged. “Nothing Mercy used was harmful to her or the baby. She’s careful to wear all the proper safety gear as well. Plus, she’s been running her list of experiments by me. I’ve been double-checking. I won’t let her get into anything that might be an issue.”  
    Duke exhaled. “Thank you.”
    James touched Duke lightly, understanding the man was concerned for his mate and unborn babe. “Relax. She’ll be fine. The baby will be fine and before you know it, you’ll be a father.”
    Paling, Duke nodded. “I know.”
    “You’re going to