Page 28 of Elite Metal: Warriors

And now, this.

Now Steele wanted to send Roni in. Into the line of fire.

Granted, there might not be actual bullets, but Morrow was in bed with the cartel, and God knew who else. He was a dangerous man, and they were plotting to subvert his operation. If he found out…

If he found out…

Sterling’s blood went cold.

To clear his head, he headed up top. Partly to get away from the sight of Roni and Ant with their heads so close together—it made his gut knot—partly to think in peace, and partly to clean his place. Ant was right. It was a disaster, and if he was bringing Roni here tonight—and he fully intended to, come hell or high water—he didn’t want to scare her.

It took him a couple hours to clear out the empty beer cans and pizza boxes, scrub down the toilet and wash the sheets. By the time he was done, it was early evening. A trickle of excitement washed through him. He couldn’t wait to get her alone. It had been far too long.

Of course, he had to acknowledge, things had changed between them since they’d last made love. Now he knew who she really was and vice versa. It was possible that she wouldn’t want to be with him again. And if that was the case, fine.

It would suck—more than he might be able to bear—but fine.

He would still do what he could to help her. Help her get her sister back. Help protect her. Even if, when this was all over, she never wanted to see him again.

It irritated him to no end that when he went back to the command center to collect her, she and Ant were sitting at the table and laughing. Laughing. A ripple danced down his spine. First, because he loved the sound of her laughter. And second, because she’d never laughed like that with him.

When she caught sight of his glower, for surely that was what it was, she blinked. Her laughter trailed away. He didn’t like that either. That his presence could sober her so. He couldn’t help but shift his glower to Ant, who grinned knowingly. The fucker.

Sterling cleared the gall from his throat. “Are you ready to go?” he asked, ignoring the harsh tone of his voice.

Her lashes flickered. “Um…” He hated that she glanced at Ant. “Are we done?”

The bastard winked at her. Winked. Bile surged in Sterling’s stomach. “Yeah. I think so. For today at least. We can keep digging tomorrow. You need some sleep.” He tucked a curl behind her ear in a gesture that made Sterling’s blood boil. It was far too gentle. Far too intimate. He set his teeth.

Roni nodded and ripped her gaze from Ant’s face. “Right. Well, we got a lot done.”

“We did, darlin’.” Ant nodded. “And this gives me a lot to work with.” He stood with a scrape of his chair and picked up his laptop. “I’m…looking forward to tomorrow,” he said in a far too seductive tone. Although Sterling was pretty sure the smarm was for his benefit, based on Ant’s smug glance.

Sterling’s hands closed to fists. He struggled for control. He didn’t know why he felt such roiling possessiveness. Why suddenly he wanted to rip out Ant’s throat for touching her, smiling at her, looking at her. The voice in his head screamed, mine.

He hadn’t had feelings like this since…

His chest tightened. Since Dancer.

He’d never thought he’d feel like this again.

Sworn never to feel this way again. It was far too painful.

But it was too late. Roni had crept into his soul, into his veins, into his heart. He had to acknowledge that he wanted her. Not just in his bed—tied to his bed, preferably. He simply wanted her. That Ant might want her too, despite his devotion to Beth, made his throat clog.

There was only one course of action.

He had to win her, show her, possess her. Make her realize he was the only man who could touch her. Who should touch her.

His resolve firmed. Tonight. Tonight he would take her. All out. Tonight he would give her everything. He hoped that once she knew the full force of his passion, she’d be so boneless, so replete, she’d never look at another man again.

Especially Ant.

It would be a damn shame if he had to kill his friend.

* * *

Sterling was silent as he led Roni to the elevator. She shot glances at him beneath her lashes, but his expression was not forthcoming. Well, she could tell one thing. He was definitely pissed. But she had no idea why.