Page 150 of Fractured Future

“Learned behaviour,” I point out.

When both Hyland and Axel look at me in mock-outrage, I smile broadly back. Being the only female in this all-male, testosterone-filled environment doesn’t bother me. If anything, I enjoy being the one to tear them down.

“Can girls dick measure?” Axel pouts pathetically. “Because it sure feels like you are.”

“I wouldn’t need to, Ax. I’m obviously far more well-endowed than you are.”

“Don’t encourage them, Em,” Warner pleads.

“Sorry. Couldn’t help myself.”

Walking past Axel to prepare to leave, I smack my hand against his when he offers me a high-five. Only the lovable psycho himself would take my insult as reason to applaud me.

With Warner and Hyland taking the lead and Axel moving to the rear so I’m sandwiched between them, we exit the office block to head for the warehouses located in the distance.

This is a quiet, industrial suburb with little to no pedestrians. The location of the meet isn’t far, so within a few minutes of walking, the derelict structure comes into sight.

“We want them out in the open,” Warner murmurs, his attention fixed on the front entrance. “I’m not having any of us set foot in that booby trap.”

“Booby trap?” Axel repeats. “This isn’t Scooby Doo.”

“You wanna go in there? These dickheads don’t mess around, Ax. You’ll be walking into a death trap.”

“I could take them,” he declares confidently.

“Be still, and shut up, pup.” Hyland tightens the strap on the extra-large vest that covers his long-sleeved tee. “You’re giving me a migraine.”

“I haven’t succeeded yet? Damn. I need to up my game.”

“Don’t you fucking dare.”

All crouching behind a brick half-wall that sections off the warehouse’s deserted car park, we bide our time. Warner checks in with Archer via his earpiece while we ensure ours are all connected.

“Come in.” Axel puts on a posh announcer’s voice. “Testing, testing. Ow!”

Lowering the paw that’s smacked into Axel’s head, Hyland spits a choice curse at him. Honestly, if I didn’t already have a headache threatening to take me out, their antics would give me one.

“I can see movement inside on my scope.” Kyle’s voice whispers into my ear. “Seems like an impending exit.”

“Copy that,” Warner acknowledges.

A shoulder nudges into mine as Hyland sends me a stern nod. “This is it.”

“Okay. I’m ready.”

“You can still sit this out.”

“Not a chance, Hy. I’ve trained for this.”

He flourishes a proud half-grin. “Just testing you. I’m gonna be right behind you watching you take their asses down.”

“Just here for the show, huh?” I tease him.

Reaching for his gun, Hyland checks the magazine one last time then replaces it. “Damn straight.”

“And here I was thinking you’d be my partner in crime tonight.”

Ignoring the others nestled close by and inevitably listening to us, Hyland stares deep into my eyes. His olive-toned spheres brim with pride, making my heart patter even harder.