Page 64 of Elite Metal: Warriors

“And then what?”

His gaze was dark as it met hers. “And then what, what?”

“How did you get into Black Ops?”

His expression closed down like the slamming of a door. “I’m not in Black Ops.”

“All right. And then…how did you get into…whatever you’re into now?”

“Ah. And then…” He shot her a smile. It was mostly teeth. “And then…”

“Yes?”

“And then…it was none of your business.”

Well. That was rude.

Michelle crossed her arms and stared into the night. There wasn’t much to see as they’d passed through the city and into a wooded area. Signs for Quantico flicked by, giving her some frame of reference.

He pulled into a gas station with a 24-hour mini-mart, and glanced at her. “I’ll be right back.” Panic fluttered in her stomach, but then he pressed his Sig into her hand and she relaxed. “Wait here. Honk the horn if you need me.”

She nodded and tightened her hold on the weapon. It was hard watching him disappear into the brightly lit store.

True to his word, he wasn’t gone long, but when he emerged, he had several bags in his arms. Without comment, he loaded them into the back seat and then hopped into the driver’s side.

“What’d you get?” she asked.

“Stuff.” His lips quirked in a quick grin. He riffled in a bag and pulled out a pre-paid cell phone. He ripped off the packaging and turned it on, and then punched in a number with quick, practiced moves. She heard it ring and then a deep voice answer, “Smith residence.”

“Hey dad,” Lithium said in a cheerful tone. “It’s me. Is mom there?”

A pause.

“No. She’s gone out.”

“Oh. Bummer. Can you let her know I’ll be late?”

“But she’s expecting you.”

“Yeah. Sorry. I had car trouble. I’m staying the night at Sam’s place. Can you send someone to pick me up?”

“Sure thing.”

“Great. Thanks.” Lithium shot Michelle a speaking glance, and then he disconnected the call, broke the phone in half and dropped it out of the window.

Apparently, that was one of his hobbies, breaking phones in half.

They didn’t speak as he started up the truck and pulled out of the lot onto the highway, but then, they didn’t need to. It gave her a warm feeling knowing that help was coming, even though she didn’t know who, or what that might be.

They drove on for quite a while, and then, with no warning, he pulled off the highway onto a road she hadn’t noticed. It wasn’t paved, and twisted and turned through the woods. The truck jounced as they hit a bump and then another. “Where are we?”

He didn’t answer.

She sighed. Yeah. He was right. If Ralley was listening, they shouldn’t reveal their location. But she couldn’t imagine how he could be listening.

Then again, the earrings had surprised her too.

It was probably best to play it his way.