Page 157 of Red Marked

It takes sixteen minutes. We keep them surrounded and watch for anything incoming.

Then we get airborne and head home, flying as fast as our cargo will allow.

The ground crew has the containment cart around the male before his sling has stopped swinging. We land behind the carriers and shift.

I’m in my pants and shirt in under a minute.

Star takes for-fucking-ever.

What the hell?

Fuck!

I’m going to have to have a talk with her as well.

She’s standing next to the cart with her hands on her bare hips, asking Cindy how often the sedation gets topped up in transit. Cindy, who is human and dressed and hasn’t noticed a thing, is giving her a thorough answer. Brian walks into the side of the cart.

Go and get dressed. For fuck’s sake, go and get fucking dressed.

Someone giggles at my elbow, and Rift gives me a shoulder bump. She’s already in her uniform with her boots laced.

“So.” She keeps her voice under the noise of the ground crew. “Is there something between the two of you?”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

“We’ve had two newbies since we started up. You weren’t as interested in either of them. You weren’t as worried about them, either.”

“Neither of them was female.”

“What difference does that make?” She lifts her brows.

“A huge amount.”

“You can’t take your eyes off her. You flew home with your head on backward. I was right behind you, and I counted.” She folds her arms. “And don’t give me the ‘she’s a female’ bullshit. I’m a female, and you have never once worried about me this much. In fact, you treat me like one of the males. I’m a little hurt.”

“I would be worried if you were new.”

“Would you, though?” Those brows go up again.

“Of course. Stop with your shit, Rift. She isn’t like the rest of us,” I whisper.

She isn’t even really a recruit. She’s here for other reasons. I can’t say it. Rift knows what I mean since she’s in the inner circle.

“Okay.” She shrugs. “It’s just an observation. You might want to be more careful. That’s all. Others might notice, and then there will be talk.”

I frown. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

She nods. “If you say so.”

She heads for the debrief room. Star finally heads for her locker and throws on some clothing.

Fucking finally.

Rift is right. If it were Forge or any other recruit – a female included – I wouldn’t be nearly as concerned.

I take the long way to the debriefing room, through the therapy wing. I’ve done it most days since we brought Quake in. He was our first, and I like to see for myself how he’s doing.

I stop at the observation window.