Behind Enemy Lines by Cindy Dees Read Free Book Online

You need me.”
    He stared hard at her, and she glared right back at him. As much as he didn’t want to accept her argument, she was right. He needed her help. For now. But that didn’t mean he had to like it one bit. As soon as he was a little stronger, he was ditching her like a hot potato.
    He sighed, resigned. “If you’re going to be part of this operation for now, you need to understand the ground rules my team operates by.”
    She crossed her arms and raised an amused eyebrow. Too cocky for her own good, she was.
    “First and foremost, I’m in charge. You do what I say, when I say it. No questions, no hesitation. Got it?”
    A wide grin spread across her face. “Got it.”
    “I’m serious, Annie. In my line of work, lives hang on orders being carried out instantly. I’m the leader of this squad not only because of my rank, but also because of my field experience. You’re going to have to trust me, quite literally, with your life. Can you do that?”
    She tilted her head to the side, considering him. At least she finally seemed to be taking him seriously. “How good are you at what you do?”
    He answered her quietly. “I’m the best. My team’s the best there is, too. If you run with my squad, every one of them will die for you without a second thought.”
    “Let’s sincerely hope it doesn’t come to that.”
    “Agreed. So. Do you trust me?”
    “Yes, I guess I do.”
    Why did it feel so good to hear her say those words? This is a job. It’s just a job.
    “Welcome aboard then, Annie. Your first assignment is to find me something to eat.”
    She saluted smartly. “Yes sir. Right away, sir.”
    She marched out of the room, her rear end twitching pertly. Realizing he was enjoying the view, the smile faded from his face. He had a bad feeling about this. A very bad feeling.

Chapter 4
    “W here in the hell were you?”
    Annie jumped. She managed not to drop the bags of groceries in her arms, but her keys clattered to the floor. She stepped inside the apartment and closed the door.
    “Gee, hello. Nice to see you too, Tom. What are you doing out of bed? You agreed to stay there today.”
    He glared at her from his reclining position on the ancient, overstuffed sofa that had come with the apartment. “I was worried sick when I woke up and you were gone. I couldn’t stay in bed.”
    A warm feeling crept into Annie’s irritation.
    “I went shopping. I picked up more food, and I had to get you mountain climbing supplies.” She plunked one of the bags on the scarred coffee table beside Tom. It rattled metallically. “I managed to find some used gear, so you won’t have to make it look broken in.”
    “Good thinking.”
    Tom’s terse approval made her afternoon of foraging through dark, dusty, cobweb-ridden pawnshops worth the hassle.
    “I’ve got one more load to bring in from the car. Back in a minute.”
    She hauled her best find of the day out of the trunk of her car and heaved one of its black nylon straps over her shoulder. Although she exercised daily, she was huffing by the time she reached the apartment. How Tom managed to sneak all over the jungle carrying this bag full of rocks was beyond her.
    Triumphantly she set his backpack on the coffee table. “Merry Christmas a little early, Major Folly.”
    “My pack!”
    He reached out eagerly. His hand stopped abruptly in midair. He grunted and collapsed back on to the sofa, holding his rib cage. His eyes closed tightly as he waged a struggle against the pain.
    Annie jumped forward. All her best intentions to keep her distance from him went right out the window. She bent over him in concern.
    “Are you okay? Is there anything I can do for you? I picked up some painkillers from Dr. Clark today. Shall I get you one?”
    “No. Just leave me alone. I’ll be okay.”
    His voice sounded thin, not the rich tones of his usual speaking voice. It took all the punch out of his attempt to be stoic and macho.
    She sat down on the edge of the sofa