Page 65 of Specter Bred

Maeve looked between us.

Grizzly posture straightened.

“Careful, Farm Boy,” he warned in a low voice. When he used that tone, it usually preceded violence.

“I’m just pointing out that you seem awfully concerned about who Archer spends her free time with, sir. And what she does behind closed doors.”

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

“I suggest you stop talking, Farm Boy,” he said, a low growl rolling from deep within his chest.

I immediately regretted everything, but I couldn’t quite bring myself to back down.

“Just making an observation, sir.”

A vein popped out of his forehead.

For a moment, I thought he might actually kill me.

Instead, he just stared at me with a look that made me rethink every decision that had led me to this moment. Then his gaze slid back to Maeve.

“Since the two of you seem so determined to spend time together, I’ve decided to reward your enthusiasm.”

Neither of us liked where this was going.

“Meet me back here at 0800.”

Maeve frowned.

“Sir?”

“Call it additional training.”

His smile was downright sinister.

“Consider it punishment for fraternizing with a fellow recruit,” he said, looking at Maeve. His eyes then shifted to me. “And for talking back to a superior officer.”

I opened my mouth, immediately thought better of it, and my lips snapped shut.

“Dismissed,” he said, and without another word, he turned and walked away.

The moment he was out of earshot, Maeve looked at me and threw her hands in the air.

“See?!”

She pointed after him.

“Nothing’s changed. He’s still a fucking asshole.”

I stared at her. Then I laughed a short, disbelieving bark.

“Maeve.”

“What?”

I shook my head.

“Everything’s changed.”