Page 118 of Freeing Lark

Lark’s amusement faded. Something about the way Bradley was looking at them made the hairs rise on the back of her neck. Then he leaned toward Wren and whispered something. Wren looked directly at Lark. Her smile disappeared.

Lark felt Cormac’s hand settle against the small of her back. “You okay?”

“Fine.” He didn’t look convinced. Neither was she.

A moment later, Bradley excused himself from the group and started toward them. Lark’s stomach tightened. He wasn’t alone. Grant Calloway was walking beside him. Her blood went cold.

Cormac felt the change in her immediately. His body shifted almost imperceptibly, putting himself between her and the approaching men without making it obvious.

Calloway smiled. “Miss Meadows. Pleasure to see you again.”

She couldn’t make herself answer the same. Meeting him this time felt different. Especially since she knew what he was connected to. She called upon her well-honed experience of growing up in this life and put her indifferent mask on.

“Hello,” she said smoothly.

Calloway’s gaze moved to Cormac. “Lieutenant Cormac Shibley.”

Cormac’s expression didn’t change, but Lark felt his hand tighten against her back. “Good memory,” he said.

“Yes, well. Occupational habit,” Calloway replied smoothly. His gaze lingered on Hoot for a beat too long. “I make it a point to keep tabs on certain people.”

The words sounded harmless. They weren’t. Lark felt the tension roll through Hoot’s body beside her.

“I’m flattered,” Hoot said dryly.

Calloway’s smile never faltered. “You shouldn’t be.” For the briefest moment, something cold flickered in his eyes. Then it was gone, replaced by the polished charm of the man everyone else in the room apparently trusted.

Lark’s stomach tightened. Whatever Calloway meant by certain people, she had a terrible feeling Cormac was one of them. The words sent a chill through her.

Cormac’s eyes narrowed. “It’s been a long time. Why keep tabs?”

Calloway smiled. “Your reputation precedes you.”

She forced a polite smile and turned to Cormac. In the sweetest voice she could come up with, she put a hand on his chest and teased, “I didn’t know you had a reputation, babe.”

For half a second, Hoot simply stared at her. The sweet little smile, the hand on his chest, the endearment—it was so far removed from the Lark he knew that it nearly caught him off guard.

Then he recovered, slipping an arm around her waist. “Only the good parts, sweetheart,” he drawled, playing along. “The rest are highly classified.”

Her smile widened. Calloway’s eyes flicked between them, and Lark caught the briefest hint of calculation in his expression. Perfect. Let the bastard wonder exactly what they knew.

His eyes remained on them for a moment too long. “Well, I’m sure we’ll have plenty of opportunities to become better acquainted.” Lark wanted to gag, not liking the sound of that. Neither, apparently, did Cormac. His hand settled more firmly against the small of her back.

Calloway finally excused himself, disappearing into the crowd with Bradley.

Lark watched him go. “What did he mean by that?” she murmured.

Cormac’s gaze followed Calloway. “Don’t know yet.” That answer did nothing to settle her nerves.

Before she could say anything else, Wren appeared beside her. “There you are. I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

Lark turned. “Why?”

“I need your help with something.” Wren glanced toward the restroom hallway. “Come with me?”

Lark hesitated. She looked at Cormac.

He didn’t say anything. He merely gave the smallest nod, his expression changing almost imperceptibly. She trusted that look. “I’ll be right back.”