“Yeah. Girls giving you trouble?”
Asking some of the trackers to attend the selection process wasn’t that unusual, but we were only normally called upon when The Elite wanted a little extra security.
“Just one.”
I grin to myself, knowing the answer before he confirms it. “The redhead.”
“Yep. She bit the doctor. Had to send him for a tetanus shot.”
I laugh. “I told you she was feisty, and if I recall, on that basis, you decided to train her yourself. Changing your mind? Worried she might bite your dick off when you ram it into her mouth?”
“Not in the slightest,” he drawls. “You know how I enjoy taming the wild ones.”
“Well, if anyone can, it’s you,” I reply.
He chuckles. “See you tomorrow night.”
“Just before you go, I want to talk to you about Baron.”
“What about him?”
“He isn’t right for this job.”
A pause comes over the line, and I can almost visualize Viper leaning back in his high-backed leather chair and resting his feet on his desk. “In what way?”
“Too many to mention, but I’ll leave you with this nugget. If he’d gone to pick up Red on his own, you wouldn’t have received a virgin.”
“He touched her?”
I snorted. “No, but he would have if I hadn’t been there. He doesn’t have the right attitude, or self-control, or discipline required for this job. He’s lazy and arrogant, and I have to refrain from throat punching him every time he opens his mouth.”
Viper chuckles again. “I hear you, and I’ve had my own doubts for a while, too. Which is why I’ve put him to a little test. If he passes, then you and I will talk again. If he fails…”
He trails off, and my jaw goes tight. “What test?”
“We’re a girl short for tomorrow. Davenport’s take went to shit, and he had to pull out. I asked Baron to find a replacement.”
“In a day?” I bark. “Without due diligence. Are you crazy?”
“Careful, Hawk,” Viper snaps. “Remember who you’re fucking talking to. He’s unlikely to succeed. Davenport is trailing him. He’ll step in if it all turns to shit. I’ve given him full authority to do what’s necessary.”
I know what that means.
I grind my teeth. If anyone offs Baron, it should be me. I’ve had to put up with the jerkoff for the last God knows how long, yet now Davenport gets to steal my fun.
“See you tomorrow. Don’t be late.”
Viper cuts the call, leaving me hanging.
Chapter Three
Hawk
I intended to swing by Calla’s apartment on the way to the facility, but I hit a line of traffic on the highway after a multicar pileup and only just make it with five minutes to spare.
Inside, my gaze falls on Baron standing with Davenport. He’s wearing a smug expression, which I take to mean he succeeded in obtaining a girl, although what fucking use she’ll be when there’s been no time to shadow her properly is anyone’s guess.
He gestures me over. I ignore him, instead heading off to find Viper. I locate him in his office, but I have to cool my heels until he finishes a phone call. He beckons me inside, and I take a seat across from his desk.
“He succeeded, then,” I say.
Viper nods. “Surprisingly, yes. Davenport was pretty impressed with him.”
“Good,” I bite out. “Then Davenport can take over his fucking mentoring. I’m done.”
Viper cants his head to one side. “What is it about Baron that gets up in your grill?”
“He takes up oxygen better spent elsewhere.”
Viper barks a laugh. “I should have known better. You’re a lone wolf. Always have been. But you’re also the best at what you do.”
I nod. “So I’m done?”
Viper sighs. “Fine. I’ll speak to Davenport.”
“Great.”
I rise to my feet, and so does Viper. He drapes an arm over my shoulder.
“Let’s go have some fun.”
“Fun for you,” I say with a laugh.
“You never know, Hawk. One day you might get promoted.”
I take up residence behind where they’ll line up the girls while members of The Elite training squad inspect each one before there’s a group discussion about which girl will be matched with which trainer. It’s far from random. The uneducated might think the trainers don’t care whether a girl passes or fails the tests, but that isn’t true. They are as keen for the women to make it into serving The Elite as I am. It’s all a matter of pride. I want the girls I’ve selected to make it because it solidifies my position as the best tracker, and the trainers want them to succeed because they want to maintain their position in the training program. Some of them genuinely want to help the girls into womanhood. They enjoy being the first man to penetrate a virginal woman. Others are sexual sadists who relish the ability to test the limits of these young innocents.
A couple are just plain cruel.
Then again, I’m not here to judge.
The Elite Trainers file in first, and they take their seats. Once they are in place, the women are brought in. My Red is second from the front, and despite where she is, her spine is erect, her shoulders back, and her eyes flash all kinds of venom. I chuckle under my breath. Good luck, Viper.
I skate my eyes along the line, working out where, if any, trouble might arise from. Apart from Red, they seem like a meek bunch, and I wonder what my tracker coworkers are playing at. Poor bitches. I’d estimate that the majority of these women won’t make it through the night. Some will probably fail on the very first test.
When my gaze falls on the last girl shuffling along, head bowed, my heart crashes.
No.
It can’t be.
Calla.
What the fuck is she doing here? How?
God-fucking-dammit.
My brain races, trying to find a solution to an insurmountable problem. I can’t save her. It’s too late. She’s lost to me.
I scan the room, and my eyes fall on Baron standing by the entrance where the women were brought through. He nudges Davenport and jerks his
