Eve of Destruction Read Online Free PDF Page B

housing for the students of a nearby military school—but otherwise it’s a ghost town.”
    “Why are we going there?”
    “There’s enough infrastructure left to facilitate training. The Army still uses it for that reason on occasion and since our purpose is the same—the defeat of an enemy through force—it serves our needs just as well.”
    “Fun.”
    Alec linked his fingers with Eve’s. The next week would be rough for her. “I’ll be back before you even have a chance to miss me.”
    The cast of her features changed from disgruntlement to worry. “I’m an idiot. Bitching about learning how to defend myself while you’re on assignment.”
    “I’ll be fine. You just take care of yourself.”
    Eve eyed him carefully. “But it’s not going to be easy, right? He has subordinate wolves to protect him; you’re alone.”
    “It’s no fun when it’s easy.”
    “I wish I felt that way.” She leaned against the metal handrail that surrounded the elevator car and crossed her arms. It was her
you-are-not-going-to-bullshit-me
pose. “Have you done this before? Gone after an Alpha while he’s home with his pack?”
    “Piece of cake.”
    “Now who’s lying?”
    Alec grinned and took in the view from the top of her head down to the combat boots on her feet. Eve was the type of exotic beauty people looked more than twice at. Creamy skin, inky dark tresses, red lips. His own paradise, his refuge from the rigors of his life.
    It had been lust at first sight ten years ago and nothinghad changed since then, despite being apart the entire time. She was his apple, his temptation. He was her downfall. Talk about a shitty foundation for a relationship. They had baggage, hurt feelings, regrets. Eve was the kind of woman a man married. White picket fence, kids, and a dog. Alec was aiming for advancement to archangel and heading his own firm.
    The elevator doors opened and they stepped into the training center. The entire floor was dedicated to creating the best fighting force of Marks possible. There were classrooms with desks as well as dojos, indoor firing ranges, weight rooms, and fencing studios. Alec sometimes stayed to watch the instructions, impressed with the level of efficiency. As the original Mark, he’d been forced to survive by the skin of his teeth. Some said he was born to kill, built for it, and he agreed.
    Eve led the way to a glass-enclosed conference room. As they entered, the conversation died and all eyes turned toward them. There were a handful of people in the room, ranging in age from late teens to middle age, male and female. Some sat around the long table that dominated the center of the room, others sat atop it with their legs dangling over the sides. Ken was pouring himself a glass of water from the silver pitcher on a nearby console. They all looked at Eve, then glanced furtively at Alec except for a nearby blonde who assessed him boldly from head to toe.
    “How are you feeling, Hollis?” asked a dark-haired Hispanic man in jeans and button-down flannel shirt.
    “Good. Thanks for asking.”
    As Alec joined Eve in the far corner, he returned every stare. Eve hopped onto the widow ledge, her lithe legs dangling and her fingers curled around the lip. They were white knuckled, betraying her unease. The tension in the room was thick and it pissed him off.
    He leaned back and crossed his arms, facing the room dead-on. Uncomfortable shuffling ensued, then a return to the previous discussion.
    Ken cleared his throat. “I cannae wait to get started.”
    “You’re two sammies short of a picnic,” a petite redhead said derisively, flipping her hair over her shoulder.
    “Well,” Alec murmured for Eve’s ears only. “The girls are easily pegged with their nicknames, I think. ‘Goth Girl’ especially. I’m assuming the redhead is ‘Princess,’ since she’s covered in glitter.”
    Eve smiled. “I am so high school, aren’t I?”
    “It’s not your fault they’re easily identifiable.