Page 26 of Elite Metal: Warriors

“We could install a clone.”

“What’s that?”

“Like a mirror. Reflecting everything he does.”

Steele nodded. “Can we do it remotely?”

“Sure. With a virus. But it could be detected, even with his shit-for-nothing firewall. A better option would be to install something in the hardware. That’s tougher to spot.”

“With her feeding him information and him feeding us information, it’s a complete loop. Let’s strategize how we can accomplish infiltrating his hardware.”

Ant nodded. “Computer repairman?”

“Too suspect. We could send her in with it.”

Sterling bristled at Steele’s suggestion. “No fucking way. You’re not sending her into a hot situation. She has no training.”

Steele glared at him but didn’t respond. Although he could have. Sterling’s outburst was downright insubordination. He didn’t care.

Ant grunted. “She doesn’t have the computer skills anyway. This is more than just the click and run she’s been doing. It’d have to be me going in.”

Much better idea.

Roni could stay here. With him. Where it was safe.

“I could go in with her.”

Oh, Ant needed to shut up. Just shut up.

Steele mulled over the options for a moment and then nodded. “I think that would work. Sketch out the details and I’ll run it by the boss.” Sterling opened his mouth to protest, but before he could, Steele pinned him with a dark look. “Can I talk to you? In private?”

Oh shit.

Sterling nodded and stood. Ant sent him a sympathetic glance.

Yeah. They both knew what was coming.

Once they were in the hall, Steele rounded on him. “What the fuck is going on?” he asked.

Sterling swallowed. “I think you know.”

“So you fucked her. So it was phenomenal. You need to get back on your game.”

“I am on my game.”

“Bullshit. You’re acting like a horny hound, distracted by a bitch in heat.”

Sterling bristled. His hands closed into fists. CO or not, Steele was about to get decked. And then Steele said something that made his brain stutter to a stop.

“You’re acting like a guy in love.”

The words hit him like a punch to the gut. It wasn’t love. It couldn’t be. He wasn’t capable. Not anymore.

But it was something.

When he didn’t respond, Steele leaned in and hissed, “Have you lost your edge? Because I swear to God, Sterling, if you have, I’ll kick your ass myself.”

“I just want to keep her safe. That’s all.”