Free In Darkness Reborn by Alexis Morgan Page B

Paladin to give him a straight answer. Even if Penn liked Barak, which he didn’t, the Paladin would wonder why Barak wanted to know. No, until he had more concrete evidence that something was amiss, he would have to keep his concerns to himself.
    Not even Dr. Young or Devlin Bane knew what Barak was capable of when it came to the five senses, or that he had one or two extras thrown in for good measure. He planned on keeping it that way.
    He made sure to make enough noise walking down the alley to alert the quick-tempered Paladin that he was coming. However, he had almost reached the street end of the alley before Penn Sebastian even noticed, because he was too busy eating a sandwich.
    Barak walked by him without saying a word, thinking it was the first time he’d have managed to get by Penn without a fight. Barak’s luck ran out at the sound of a gun being cocked. He froze between one step and the next. Careful to make no sudden moves, he slowly turned back around.
    â€œThought that might get your attention.” Penn’s teeth gleamed whitely. “No one said anything about you leaving the building alone.”
    â€œI’m on my lunch break.”
    â€œYou’re still leaving alone.”
    Barak grew weary of having his every action watched. “So?”
    â€œSo, I don’t like the idea of you contaminating any of the local restaurants. You’ll just have to go back to work hungry.” Penn nodded back in the direction of the alley. “As much as I’d love to shoot you right where you stand, I’d rather not have to fill out all the paperwork to explain why you deserved to die.”
    That did it. He had to take orders from Devlin and even Trahern, but damned if he’d listen to the likes of Penn Sebastian. The man might have the right to be bitter over the injury to his hand, but he didn’t have to wallow in his misery, let alone take it out on everyone around him.
    For Lacey’s sake, he wouldn’t kill the obnoxious bastard, but he’d sure enjoy leaving him bruised and battered.
    â€œWho’s going to stop me from leaving?”
    â€œWe are.” Penn aimed dead center at Barak’s chest. “One shot from this little baby, and we’ll be hosing your blood off this sidewalk.” And liking it, too, if the smile on Penn’s face was any indication.
    â€œDo you use this same charm on everyone who passes by, or do you save it just for me?” Barak held his breath, hoping to get the answer he needed.
    â€œJust you, freak. When one of the IT guys walked by a while ago, I was the picture of charm. Now get back inside or bleed. Your choice.”
    No way that was going to happen. Barak took a couple of reluctant steps back toward the alley, all while sensing Penn following his every movement, his gun aimed straight at him.
    At the last possible second, Barak charged Penn directly. Just as he thought, the Paladin was reluctant to use the gun in such a public place. Instead, he came boiling up from his blankets to meet Barak head-on, both ready to beat each other senseless.
    Barak had no intentions of coming out the loser. He used every step of the ha’kai he could to keep Penn off balance while at the same time avoiding Penn’s down and dirty street fighting tactics.
    Barak slammed a fist into Penn’s stomach at the same time Penn managed to land a thundering blow to Barak’s jaw. The coppery taste of his own blood filled Barak’s mouth. He spit as he wrapped his hands around Penn’s throat and squeezed. Only the realization that Lacey would hate him forever kept him from shutting off Penn’s breathing permanently, and he settled for rendering the man speechless long enough to make him listen.
    â€œIf you want to draw another breath, Paladin, you’d better listen. I’m the stuff your nightmares are made of. Keep messing with me, and I’ll make that hand wound feel like a paper cut.” He