Free Circle of Danger by Carla Swafford Page A

every second. Was the Wizard’s girlfriend a cold bitch that forced him to such extremes? Or was he so ugly he had to drug a woman to have sex with him? That had to be it. No self-respecting man had to drug a woman for any reason.
    She finally said, “Yes, way. I’m going with or without you. This is my fight too. You want him for what he did to the women and your operatives. I do too. No woman deserves to be forced into that type of slavery. Plus I have a more personal reason to take him down.”
    â€œYou’re wrong,” he said in his raspy voice.
    She placed her hands on her hips. Both eyebrows rose this time; she waited for him to understand he wouldn’t win this time. His amber glare softened.
    He sighed and relaxed his stance, his arms dropped. “That’s only part of the reason. We do need to stop him from hurting more people, but I’m ramping up this operation because he dared to let one of his men touch you.”
    The heat of anger shone from behind his amber eye. She wanted to soothe him, trace his scars and tell him not to worry, but he needed to listen to what she was telling him first.
    â€œYou’re right. But I wasn’t really hurt.” She raised her hand, stopping him from interrupting. “Even so, I was the one he shot up with the drug. That gives me the right to be the one who captures him and forces him to hand over the antidote.”
    â€œWhat if the plan fails? Chances are he’ll sell or kill you.” His voice deepened. He glanced over at Jack and Bryan as if he didn’t want them to hear.
    â€œI’m willing to take that chance. If the circumstances were reversed, would you feel any differently?”
    He opened his mouth and then shut it. The scars on his face became lighter as he shifted his jaw.
    Bless the baby’s heart .
    He wanted to argue. She was confident he would think of something else to hold over her. In the meanwhile, he was so cute, looking at her as if he wanted some cotton to wrap her in.
    â€œMeet me downstairs in the shooting range. I want you to work on handling a gun.” His hand pressed into her back. Was he trying to get rid of her? What else was he planning?
    â€œJack’s been teaching me taekwondo.” She sidestepped from his touch. Her nipples had hardened from that simple contact. Being so close, she could smell the soap he’d used that morning. Her chest tightened. He smelled good.
    â€œHe’s a lousy teacher then.”
    â€œWhat?” Her hands fisted. “Don’t take your foul mood out on Jack. I’ve been taking lessons from him for only a year. It’s not like I can practice every hour of every day.”
    What was it about him and Jack? She’d never understand men.
    â€œIf you’re coming—”
    â€œNo if. I’m coming with you.” She jabbed his chest.
    He sighed again and looked at the ceiling for a second. “ When you come with us, you need a way to protect yourself that doesn’t involve years of training. A gun. That’ll do it. You’ll only need the basics. Plus, I’ll make sure you know enough not to shoot yourself or anyone else in The Circle.”
    â€œI know how to shoot a gun.” No one could live with a bunch of assassins and mercenaries without learning a little about guns and how to shoot them.
    â€œYou’re not letting her go,” Jack said, his forehead wrinkling as he looked their way.
    â€œThis is between me and Marie. So stay the fuck out.”
    â€œDon’t talk to him like that,” she stepped in.
    â€œJesus H. Christ, woman. He’s not on your side.” Ryker growled in his frustration.
    â€œYou’re not ready to go on missions yet.” Jack shook his head.
    She glared at her so-called friend. Whose side was he on? Obviously not hers.
    â€œYou know, Ryker is right. Stay the fuck out of this.”
    Jack’s eyebrows rose but he kept quiet.
    Someone please save