Circle of Danger by Carla Swafford Read Free Book Online

they hidden something from her?
    Though he spoke calmly and rationally, frustration leaked between each word. “We believe the Wizard was experimenting first on the women and then to see how the men would react. Maybe find another way to use the drug. The women had twice the amount of Blossom Flower that you did per the lab report Doc received. We think the Wizard became careless, not warning his people that too much would kill them. While the men were large and the amounts affected them differently, they continued to have problems controlling their basic urges for several weeks.” Sadness pulled at his face. She knew he never believed in harming someone weaker. He’d taken punishment from their master without complaint to protect her.
    â€œDid they get better?”
    From what the doctor had said, the drug was still in her system, and who knew when another attack—flashback, as he called it—would happen. All operatives working for The Circle should be in total control of their basic urges. She hated to think she would go months being aroused and seeking help with little hope of assuaging the cravings. Would she attack the nearest male when it happened? Like the men had the woman?
    The way Ryker avoided her eyes, she knew. They didn’t have an opportunity to get better. The Circle couldn’t take a chance of their operatives being placed in prison and leaking information about a large, secretive mercenary organization inside a mountain in Tennessee. Even if the government possessed some knowledge of The Circle, they didn’t know the whole extent. So the operatives had been eliminated. All loose ends tied up.
    â€œWhat are you going to do about me?”
    His eyebrows lifted. Was he so surprised by her question? Maybe that was a good thing. Maybe the thought of eliminating her never crossed his mind.
    â€œAs soon as Doc gives the signal, you’re going back to IS.”
    â€œNo. I’m an adult now. Whatever you believe, understand this. I’m not going back. There has to be more I can do, and entering data into the computer system isn’t it. I want to help find the person responsible for making and distributing this drug. For killing those women. Those men didn’t deserve what they got either. You got rid of one mad man and I want to help rid the world of another one.” She wanted him to understand how important this was to her. And how could he expect her to pretend what happened to her and between them never . . . well, happened?
    â€œLet me handle this.” He scowled. Before, whenever she’d seen that look, she’d backed down. Not this time.
    Almost nose to nose, she glared at him. “You can tell me to work in the IS department all you want, but I’m determined to find the little SOB who did this. I’ll do it too. So if you want me to stay safe, you’ll help me.”
    She may be crazy but she wasn’t stupid. Her skills didn’t include tracking down and apprehending criminals. His did. He was better than good. Few people in the world outmatched Arthur Ryker in the skills needed for his job. When a person had been trained since childhood on ways to kill and maim . . . a chill skittered down her back. He never took orders from anyone but Master and even then he’d taken those grudgingly.
    His shoulders slumped and he shook his head. “The first time you don’t follow my directions, you’ll find yourself chained to a desk in the basement. Do you understand me?” He spoke between gritted teeth. A sure sign she’d pushed him as far as she could.
    â€œHey, you’re the expert. I won’t have a problem doing as you say, but I have some conditions.” She straightened her shoulders. Her pride held her gaze to his. No way would she allow another person to bully her, including Ryker.
    â€œConditions?” He sat back in his chair and his gaze narrowed.
    Too late, she remembered how their