Page 176 of Red Marked

“Exciting.” She touches my arm. “Here’s the deal. You have to eat, so you may as well come. We get everything already prepared by the canteen, so it’s just a case of throwing the steaks onto the grill and then chowing down. Don’t settle for microwave lasagna.”

I laugh because that’s exactly what I was planning on having.

Rift zips her jacket and looks at me sideways. “It’d do you good. You can get to know everyone a bit better. Not just the backs of our heads in formation.”

“You’re right.”

“Of course I am.”

I finish doing up my belt and check my phone. There’s a message from Flint, and my heart kicks up a notch or two, which irritates me.

I’m going to the barbecue. We can discuss your findings afterward.

That’s it.

What is his problem?

Why is he still so angry?

I know I messed up, but I also didn’t mess up. I was right. It was Holt. I got the information we needed.

I apologized.

I meant it when I told him it wouldn’t happen again, and it won’t. He can stop being all pissed off already. I’m not apologizing again. I refuse. Why is he being so damned irritating?

You are not allowed to touch yourself.

You aren’t allowed to use that dildo.

No touching your pussy.

Why not? What the hell?!

He’s starting to get on my last nerve. Did I deserve his anger at first? Yes. Do I deserve it now? No. He’s being a prick, and I’m sick of it.

I decide I’m going to the barbecue. I’m going because I know it’ll piss him off.

Back in the apartment, I shower fast, and I stand in front of the closet for longer than I should before I pull out one of my summer dresses. I choose the pink one. I throw it on my bed. Then I take out the black lacy underwear and put that on.

My phone buzzes on the bed. It’s Rift begging me to come and giving me directions to the barbecue area.

I head out to the back entrance of the residential block. Then I take a path that leads to the back lawn, behind the housing block. It’s easy; I follow the scent of charcoal and fat hitting a hot grill.

There’s a low wall for seating, a scatter of folding chairs, and string lights someone’s looped between two posts, even though the sun hasn’t fully gone down yet. It’s nice.

Rift spots me first and waves me over. Rex lifts his chin in greeting.

“Hey,” Dane says, smiling.

“Look who decided to grace us,” Rift says.

“I was promised steak.”

“And we will deliver,” she says.

I note that Flint is not here yet.

“Pearl! Star. Whatever we’re calling you today.” Brian shoves a cold bottle of beer into my hand before I can decline it. “You’ve got to try this craft beer. It’s the best on the island. It’s called Red Brew.”