Page 14 of Black and Brown

Hmm.

“He can throw knives so fast, like phantom blades, that they leave his targets confused.”

Mirage watched him, maybe for a reaction, while the director kept reading off his unique qualifications.

Grace didn’t know how his face looked, but his partner frowned as though he didn’t like it.

He and Mirage stared at each other.

Two men paired together because of the rare ways they could kill.

“I’ll leave you gentlemen to get acquainted. You got months of training ahead.”

The director glanced back and forth between them as if he were a matchmaker, then left the room.

The fuck? Acquainted?

This wasn’t a first date at a coffee shop where they’d discuss the latest book they’d read, their favorite hobbies, or if they’d watched both seasons of House of Dragons.

What did the director want them to say to each other?

Good to meet ya. I look forward to killing with you.

Mirage

Mirage waited until the heel clicks of the Gucci shoes faded down the hall before he turned back to Grace’s steely gaze.

Eyes that reflected emptiness within.

Grace stood still, too still, not even blinking, creating an air of intrigue around him.

So silent but still commanding.

Mirage pulled out one of the executive conference chairs around the long table.

“You wanna sit and talk for a while?”

Grace didn’t budge.

For whatever reason, Mirage wanted Grace to be as impressed with him as he was with Grace. But the entire time the director had been reading off Mirage’s skills, Grace had looked the opposite of awed.

Mirage shoved the chair back in place.

Grace’s piercing glare shook him.

“Umm, where are you from?” he asked, feeling foolish.

He still got no answer. He did get a couple of blinks of those long lashes and a raised dark brow.

Really, motherfucker?

Mirage didn’t take the bait or show any feelings.

“They said you were in the Marines. Where were you stationed?”

Mirage waited a few seconds before he narrowed his eyes and elaborated further, trying hard to break the ice.

“You were a sharpshooter, right? I think the suit said you were one of the best to come out of the Sniper Academy.”