Page 114 of Specter Bred

“But then I wake up,” he continued, his voice dropping, “and you’re in my bed. Half-dressed. Wearing another man’s fucking shirt.”

Each detail seemed to bother him more than the last.

“And if that wasn’t enough, you smell like sweat, sex, and Farm Boy.”

The usual authority in his voice was slipping, giving way to something far less controlled.

“Do you know what that does to me, Maeve?”

I swallowed. “What, sir?”

“It makes me want to cover you in my scent until there’s nothing left of his.”

For a second, I forgot how to respond. He lowered his forehead toward mine, close enough that his breath warmed my lips.

“My control’s hanging by a fucking thread.”

His nose brushed mine.

“Then why don’t you?” I whispered.

His attention stayed fixed on me. “Soon.”

The promise in that single word sent heat coiling low in my core.

“But first…” Graves glanced over my shoulder toward Hayes, still sitting bloodied on the floor. Whatever had been burning between Graves and me shifted as he focused on him. “Farm Boy.”

Sammy straightened slightly. “Sir?”

“I need to know if you can share.”

Sammy’s eyebrows shot upward. “Share, sir?”

Graves gave him a flat look. “You heard me.”

When Sammy continued staring at him, Graves exhaled.

“When I found out about you and Maeve, I needed to know whether what was between you would strengthen the unit or break it. Whether you’d make each other better soldiers or become a liability the second feelings got involved.”

Sammy’s expression sobered.

“You gave me my answer.” Graves let that settle for a moment. “Now I need the same answer about you and me.”

That wiped the last trace of amusement from Sammy’s face.

“Can you share Maeve without jealousy or resentment getting between us? Can the three of us do this and come out stronger for it instead of weaker?”

For once, Sammy didn’t have a smart-ass answer ready. He looked at me, something in his expression softening before he turned back to Graves.

“Yes, sir.”

Graves studied him for another moment, before I cut in. “He’ll do what I want him to.”

Sammy’s seriousness cracked into a crooked, bloodstained grin. “What she said.”

A rough laugh rumbled out of Graves. “You’ve been training your beta well.”

“He’s very trainable.”