Page 40 of Elite Metal: Warriors

“You got your mic on?”

“Yep. I’m wired.”

“Don’t forget. We’ll be watching your every move.”

“Such a relief.”

Though he liked her sarcasm, that hint she wasn’t cowed, he affected a frown. “Don’t be a brat.”

She waggled her brows. “I thought you liked it when I was a brat,” she murmured, so none of the others could hear. But they probably heard. Judging from their snickers.

It was all he could do not to growl.

He pulled her closer and kissed her, just because, and then he turned to Ant. “How about you? All ready?”

His buddy shot him a smug grin. “Ready and raring to go.”

He fixed Ant with a fierce glower. “I’m counting on you,” he said in a meaningful tone. Ant’s grin widened. It made Sterling want to throttle him or something; to Ant, this was fun.

Fun!

This was the woman he cared about, going into the lion’s den. The woman he—

Sterling’s thoughts derailed and his nostrils flared as the fucker dropped an arm around Roni’s shoulders and tugged her closer.

“This is going to be awesome, isn’t it, sugar lamb?” he cooed.

Fucking cooed.

Fuck. They should have picked some cover other than this. Any cover other than this. Sterling didn’t think he could bear to watch Ant and Roni play boyfriend and girlfriend. Not even through a telephoto lens.

Ant noticed his bristling and clapped him on the shoulder. “Chill, dude. I’ve got this. Believe me, I understand.” He waggled his brows. “I’ll keep the groping to the outside of her shirt.”

Yeah. Not helpful.

“Okay. Everyone set?” Steele clipped.

“Good to go,” rounded the van.

“Let’s head out. We’ll move up into position. Ant, wait for our go before you launch.” Steele turned to Roni. “You’ll be fine,” he said.

Her smile was brave, but Sterling saw the worry beneath it. “Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll be watching.”

His nerves pinged as he left her, making his way to the building across the street with Steele. They were both dressed in bland suits with briefcases that held their equipment. No one even batted a lash as they made their way to the empty office on the third floor. Once in the room, Sterling whipped out his gear and trained his scope on Morrow’s office. The bastard was at his desk on the phone.

Sterling assessed his physical features; he was not impressed. Morrow was an overweight, middle-aged man with a receding hairline and a weak chin. His eyes had a piggish look.

This was the cockroach who’d been tormenting Roni? Hell, Sterling could squash him without a thought.

“Okay, Ant, we’re in position.” Steele’s voice, as it crackled over his earpiece, snapped him out of his bug-squashing fantasy. There was an echo because Steele was right next to him with his camera whirring.

“Roger that,” Ant responded.

Sterling watched the office with an eagle eye, ignoring the tick in his left lid.

Morrow continued to talk on the phone but after a while, his secretary opened his door and said something to him. Morrow ended the call and stood. Sterling’s nerves leaped as Roni and Ant entered the room. He tapped his earpiece and it crackled. Panic flared. Was it not working?

He tapped it again and her voice came in loud and clear.