“Trust me. There is a huge difference. I brought the things with me that I didn’t want to leave in storage. My clothes and other personal stuff.”
He looked at the relatively empty backseat with one raised eyebrow. “You travel light.”
She had to chuckle at his hopeful tone. “It’s all in the trunk.”
He wandered the few feet over to the back of the car where an MP was letting his dog sniff the contents of her open trunk. It was filled with boxes and a few garment bags that contained a portion of her wardrobe and personal items. The dog hopped down, having found nothing objectionable, and the MP stepped away. The car had been cleared for entry to the base.
“Interesting choice of vehicle.” Finally, Matt commented on the land yacht. It had taken longer than most, which was impressive. But in the end, everyone was curious about the giant old vehicle.
“It was my dad’s,” she said simply. The short answer seemed to satisfy him. He only nodded briefly and put his sunglasses back on, hiding his gorgeous denim-colored eyes.
“If you’ll follow me, I’ll lead you to your lab. You’ll be quartered in the same building. I’ll show you the best place to park and help get your stuff inside.”
“That would be great. Thanks.” Eileen was impressed at his offer of assistance. He really was making her feel welcome. It was more than she’d expected.
Too bad it was under false pretenses. At least on her part. The scene with Rodriguez had kept replaying in her mind as she’d driven the last miles to base. She didn’t know what to do. She certainly didn’t want to work for the bad guys. Rodriguez was a worm. No, he was lower than a worm. He was scum. She wouldn’t throw her lot in with him no matter what.
But how could she avoid having him spill the beans about what she’d done? She was in deep trouble and couldn’t see a feasible way out. Not yet at least. She’d try to play along for now and hope something changed before Rodriguez decided to force her hand.
Commander Sykes hopped back into the utility vehicle he’d driven to the gate and led the way through the maze of buildings. She would need a map to find her way around until she got her bearings. After a lengthy drive through several outlying areas of the large base, he finally pulled into a spacious, mostly uninhabited lot and parked his jeep near a side door to one of the buildings it bordered.
Eileen parked the Caddy beside him and got out, stretching the kinks out of her back. It had been a long ride. She wasn’t used to road trips—or being run off the road, for that matter. Things in her life had definitely taken a turn for the strange and frightening. She was doing things and dealing with people she never would have before. She didn’t like it at all but had no idea how to go back to the way things used to be.
She and that first scientific team had let the genie out of the bottle. Now she had to do everything possible to cram it back in and make certain it could never escape again.
Eileen opened her trunk, noting three muscular, uniformed men rounding the corner of the building. She thought nothing of them until they veered in her direction. Matt greeted them and turned to face her, with the imposing group ranged behind him.
“These are a few of the men you’ll be working with,” he informed her. “You probably remember Captain Beauvoir and Private Kauffman from the op on Long Island.”
“How could I forget?” She shook hands with Beauvoir and Kauffman as they stepped forward. “How are you, Captain?”
“Very well, thank you, ma’am.” He favored her with an intense smile. Xavier Beauvoir was one heck of a good-looking man. Shaggy blond-streaked brown hair, sparkling whiskey-colored eyes, and a physique that just wouldn’t quit. He’d run the operation on Long Island. The man was sharp as a tack despite his lazy Cajun drawl. Still waters definitely ran deep with him.
Matt continued the introductions. “This is Simon Blackwell. He’s a retired Navy SEAL, now working for us on a contractual basis. He’s one of my men from Quantico.”
She understood what that meant. No doubt this Blackwell fellow had been involved in the initial infestation. If he was still involved, he was more than likely naturally immune to the contagion.
“Good to meet you.” She shook his hand as well, feeling guilty all over again about having released the first round of monsters. If not for her stupidity, this man would never have been exposed to the contagion. He’d probably lost friends to it, too. All because of her.
After the introductions, each of the guys picked a few boxes or bags out of her trunk and headed for the entrance to the building. She was surprised. She’d assumed that Matt had volunteered to help her carry her belongings. She should have realized he had volunteered his men to help her instead. Why would a Navy commander waste precious time moving boxes and bags when he had a troop of men at his beck and call to do the work?
To read more, get your copy of Night Shade by Bianca D’Arc.
About the Author
Bianca D’Arc has run a laboratory, climbed the corporate ladder in the shark-infested streets of lower Manhattan, studied and taught martial arts, and earned the right to put a whole bunch of letters after her name, but she’s always enjoyed writing more than any of her other pursuits. She grew up and still lives on Long Island, where she keeps busy with an extensive garden, several aquariums full of very demanding fish, and writing her favorite genres of paranormal, fantasy and sci-fi romance.
Bianca loves to hear from readers and can be reached through Twitter (@BiancaDArc), Facebook (BiancaDArcAuthor) or through the various links on her website.
Other Books by Bianca D’Arc
Paranormal Romance
Brotherhood of Blood
One & Only
Rare Vintage
Phantom Desires
Sweeter Than Wine
Forever Valentine
Wolf Hills*
Wolf Quest
Tales of the Were
Lords of the Were
Inferno
Tales of the Were ~ The Others
Rocky
Slade
Tales of the Were ~ String of Fate
Cat’s Cradle
King’s Throne
Jacob’s Ladder
Her Warriors
Tales of the Were ~ Redstone Clan
The Purrfect Stranger
Grif
Red
Magnus
Bobcat
Matt
Tales of the Were ~ Grizzly Cove
All About the Bear
Mating Dance
Night Shift
Alpha Bear
Saving Grace
Bearliest Catch
The Bear’s Healing Touch
The Luck of the Shifters
Badass Bear
Loaded for Bear
Crossroads: Bounty Hunter Bear
Lone Wolf
Snow Magic
Midnight Kiss
Tales of the Were ~ Howls Romance
The Jaguar Tycoon
The Jaguar Bodyguard
Tales of the Were ~ Lick of Fire
Phoenix Rising
Guardians of the Dark
Simon Says
Once Bitten
Smoke on the Water
Night Shade
Shadow Play
Gifts of the Ancients: Warrior’s Heart
Epic Fantasy Erotic Romance
Dragon Knights ~ Daughters of the Dragon
Maiden Flight*
Border Lair
The Ice Dragon**
Prince of Spies***
Dragon Knights ~ The Novellas
The Dragon Healer
Master at Arms
Wings of Change
Dragon Knights ~ Sons of Draconia
FireDrake
Dragon Storm
Keeper of the Flame
Hidden Dragons
Dragon Knights ~ The Sea Captain’s Daughter Trilogy
Book 1: Sea Dragon
Book 2: Dragon
Fire
Book 3: Dragon Mates
Science Fiction Romance
StarLords
Hidden Talent
Talent For Trouble
Shy Talent
Jit’Suku Chronicles ~ Arcana
King of Swords
King of Cups
King of Clubs
King of Stars
End of the Line
Diva
Jit’Suku Chronicles ~ Sons of Amber
Angel in the Badlands
Master of Her Heart
Futuristic Erotic Romance
Resonance Mates
Hara’s Legacy**
Davin’s Quest
Jaci’s Experiment
Grady’s Awakening
Harry’s Sacrifice
* RT Book Reviews Awards Nominee
** EPPIE Award Winner
*** CAPA Award Winner