Free In Darkness Reborn by Alexis Morgan

of coffee.
    He doubted Lacey would approve of his attitude, but he wasn’t too happy with her lately, either. What was she thinking of, working with Barak? When he’d found out that she’d spent a whole day with the bastard out on the mountain with no one along to protect her, he’d seen red. Then when he’d tried to talk to her—well, yell at her—about the stupidity of what she’d done, she’d rolled her eyes at him and walked away, leaving him staring at her back in frustration.
    That stubborn determination to take care of herself was what worried him most. He understood her need for independence, but she wasn’t like him. She could be killed all too easily. His hand flexed painfully, reminding him that even he wasn’t completely impervious to injury.
    Footsteps had him sliding his hand under the blanket to grip the Glock he kept there. He’d never had call to use his weapons to defend the entrance to the Center, but there was always a first time. Especially now when Devlin was letting a damned Other wander the streets of Seattle as if he belonged there.
    â€œRelax, Penn. It’s just me, Ben Jackson.”
    Penn glared up at the intruder, the man’s face shadowed with the afternoon sun at his back. He eased off the trigger but kept the gun in his hand. “What do you want?”
    â€œI’m going to the deli on the corner to get a sandwich. Coming out this side of the Center is closer.”
    â€œNext time call ahead to warn me, or you might get your head blown off.” Penn was only half kidding.
    â€œSure thing, Penn. I should’ve thought of that.” The man took a few steps, then turned back. “Hey, since I’m coming right back by here, do you want me to bring you anything?”
    Normally Penn might have accepted immediately, but the words seemed practiced, making him wonder if the man’s whole purpose in coming down the alley was to make that offer. But to what end? He reluctantly nodded. “Sounds good.”
    â€œWhat would you like?”
    Again, that subtle note of eagerness. “Whatever you’re having will be fine.”
    â€œSure thing.”
    Penn leaned back against the wall, keeping one eye on the technology specialist until he disappeared around the corner. Maybe the man was just being friendly. As Lacey had pointed out all too often, his mood lately had been pretty bad. It wouldn’t hurt to loosen up a bit.
    He reached for his wallet, grimacing in pain when he forgot and used his sword hand. He hadn’t been doing the exercises the doctor had ordered as much as he should. They were damn painful, and he’d only had limited success in improving the mobility in his hand. But if he was ever to return to the tunnels, he needed to get past the pain and work those damaged tendons. Biting his lower lip, he slowly began a double set of reps.
    He was just finishing up when his lunch arrived. He accepted the sandwich and cold drink after offering his thanks and a ten-dollar bill to cover the cost.
    When Ben tried to give back part of the money, Penn shook his head. “Don’t sweat it. This is a far better lunch than I would have had. I appreciate it.”
    â€œOkay, if you’re sure.” Ben checked his watch. “I’d better get going. I want to finish this morning’s crossword puzzle before I have to go back to work.”
    Penn grinned at him. “Let me know if you figure out what eight across is. I must have some wrong letters in there because I can’t make any sense out of that part.”
    Ben disappeared down the alley as Penn took a bite out of his sandwich. After washing it down with a long drink from his pop, he studied the crossword puzzle again, hoping for inspiration to hit while he finished his lunch.

Chapter 5
    A sense of unease had plagued Barak all morning and afternoon because of the faint scent that might or might not have been out of place. He hadn’t