Relentless (Option Zero #2) - Christy Reece Page 0,13
didn’t know how long he stood there, watching. As if she knew she was being watched, she jerked her head up and met his gaze for a brief, electrifying moment. Her eyes, a blend of light blue and electric gray, mesmerized.
She gave him an odd, cautious look and then went back to taking notes.
He was so distracted he didn’t even notice that Eve had come to stand beside him until she said, “Damn fine work and I didn’t even fire a shot.”
“Glad you were there to back us up.”
She winced at his raspy voice. “You sound like a geriatric bullfrog. Heard you got gassed.”
“Yeah, something like that. Some kind of modified smoke grenade. Burned like hell.”
“You need to get that checked out. You sound awful.”
“Yeah, I will.” He coughed and tried to clear his throat without much success. “Stupid of me.”
“We’ve all done the stupid.”
He nodded toward the group of workers. “You’ve worked with this relief agency before?”
“Yes, a couple of times. They’re one of the finest on the planet.”
He directed his gaze to the young woman talking on her recorder. “Know who she is?”
“No. Must be new. I recognize everyone else.” She sent him a speculative look. “Any particular reason you want to know?”
“Just wondering. She doesn’t appear to be part of the group. She’s been taking notes and talking into that recorder for a while.”
“I’ll find out.”
Liam thought about stopping her. It wasn’t as if it mattered who she was. He didn’t do long-distance relationships. The aid team was based in Kosovo. He lived in the US. It would never work.
Despite telling himself that, he watched in anticipation as Eve spoke with one of the aid workers. She was back within a minute.
“She’s not with the relief group. She’s making a documentary about human trafficking. Want an introduction?”
Shaking his head, Liam headed toward the woman. Stopping for a moment to consider his appearance never entered his mind.
When he was about five feet from her, she jerked her head up again, like a wild animal sensing danger. Her wariness intrigued him even more.
He stopped in front of her, opened his mouth, but nothing other than a croak emerged. He cleared his throat and tried again. Nothing.
What the hell?
Aubrey looked up at the wild-haired, red-eyed stranger. He wore fatigues and was heavily armed, so she knew he was one of the people who’d rescued the human trafficking victims. He was tall, maybe about six-two, had dark brown hair that looked both wild and dirty. His face was covered with some kind of ash or soot.
Though his demeanor wasn’t threatening in the least, she couldn’t help but take a step back. There was something about him that felt oddly familiar. It was both exciting and alarming.
She hadn’t known what to expect when he opened his mouth to speak, but it certainly hadn’t been silence. He appeared to be struggling for words.
Compassion overriding her fear, she stepped forward and touched his arm in concern. “Are you okay?”
When he shook his head and gestured to his throat, she understood that, for whatever reason, he couldn’t speak.
“Do you need some help?” She glanced around for a doctor or medic who might be able to assist him.
His expression one of both exasperation and frustration, the man shook his head. He turned to look behind him, and seconds later, another man came to stand beside him.
About the same size, this man had coal-black hair and startling silver eyes that twinkled with amusement. He gave Aubrey a charming smile and said, “Forgive my friend. He’s a bit shy until you get to know him.”
The disheveled man gave his friend a narrow-eyed glare and the man hurriedly added, “He had an encounter with a smoke bomb and can’t speak right now.”
“Oh…I’m sorry about your voice.” She flashed a smile at both men. “You were involved in the rescue?”
“Yes,” the silver-eyed man said.
“You probably get told this all the time, but I just want to say thank you for what you do.”
The dark-haired man shrugged. “Glad we can do something.” He glanced at the silent man beside him. “If he could talk, he’d probably say something charming, like, ‘Who are you?’ And, ‘Why are you here?’”
“My name is Aubrey Starr. I’m a documentary filmmaker. Human trafficking, the horror and devastation it causes, is something I became interested in years ago. I don’t think people understand how virulent it is and how it encompasses every aspect of our lives. I—”