Page 62 of Elite Metal: Warriors

“What?” A squawk.

He frowned as he shifted gears and turned onto the road leading to Quantico. “Until we know if they’re listening or not, I think it’s best we not reveal our plans to them again.”

* * *

Michelle glared at him, but he wasn’t paying attention to her so it was a wasted effort. What was worse, he was right. She was horrified to think that Ralley had played her so utterly. And so easily. She liked to think she was a sharp and clever intellect. Apparently, all it took was a little bling to blind her.

Those goddamn earrings.

She should have known. She should have suspected something.

Military contractors didn’t gift their employees with jewelry. But everyone had received similar gifts at the last holiday party. The men had gotten Rolexes and the women diamond earrings. Ralley explained it was a thank-you for excellent work and that profits were up, contracts had been renewed. It was a celebration.

But it hadn’t been, had it?

And she’d been fooled. He’d listened to every conversation she’d had since then, tracked her every move.

Heat rose on her neck as fury lashed her.

How dare he? How dare he?

She couldn’t help but wonder what other methods the bastard had used to keep an eye on his employees. She should have expected it. They were in the business of sneaky surveillance. But she’d never imagined she’d be a target.

But then, who did?

Thinking about Ralley’s perfidy—the evidence she’d uncovered that he was in bed with an ex-KGB commander, and the truly horrifying plot she’d uncovered—made her stomach hurt. She forced her gaze to her companion and focused on him instead, on the sharp lines of his profile, the tight, controlled movements as he worked the controls of the truck, his determined expression.

He was the biggest man she’d ever seen, easily the most frightening. His face was a panoply of hard planes, angles and scars. His chest was massive. His biceps bulging. His expression fierce. But she wasn’t afraid. She wasn’t. Not really. She had no idea why. She hated to think it was because she found him unspeakably attractive. She hated to think she was that shallow. That stupid.

But if she disregarded his looks—as though she could—there was more to him she found attractive. He was brave, powerful, determined to keep her safe. She didn’t know who he really was or what he intended, but if he’d wanted to hurt her, he would have done so by now.

She had to believe he was telling the truth. That he was here to save her. That they were on the same side—even though he was so damn secretive.

Fuck, she didn’t even know his name. “Who are you?” she asked, before she had time to filter the words.

He glanced at her. “I told you. No one.”

“You’re not no one.”

“I am.”

“What’s your name?” Surely he had one, this No One Man.

It annoyed her that he pressed his lips together.

“What should I call you?” She tipped her head to the side. “I’m not going to let up until you—”

“Lithium. My name is Lithium.”

She gaped at him. “Seriously?” Lithium? “Is that like a codename or something?”

“Or something.”

“I’m not calling you Lithium.”

He made a noise that sounded like a growl. “Well, you have to. It’s my name.”

“It’s a stupid name. I’ll call you…” She looked him up and down. “George. You kind of look like a George.”