The Hungry (Book 2): The Wrath of God Read Online Free PDF Page A

Terrill Lee grinned. The question came out with a burst of boyish enthusiasm. His words hung around like a bad odor in an old fridge.
    Ripper and Lovell looked at each other for a brief moment. They turned in tandem to give Terrill Lee a withering stare. He immediately reddened. He looked down and away. The two soldiers continued hauling equipment to the waiting helicopter. Miller felt bad for Terrill Lee, but he'd dug his own damned grave.
    "If you want to play dress up, T. L.," said Scratch, slapping him on the back, "I know where you can get yourself a slightly used wedding gown."
    Miller shook her head wearily. "Very fucking funny."
    Scratch broke into a huge grin. He winked at Sheppard. Mortified, Terrill Lee found something interesting to examine on the knee of his jeans. Miller shook her head at all three of them. Men.
    "You are just too bad, Scratch," Sheppard said. He held out his fist to bump, and Scratch complied. Sheppard turned to Terrill Lee. "You want some Bactine for that burn?"
    "What do you boys think this is, some kind of trip to Disney World?" Miller snapped. Despite her resolution to stay behind, she'd followed the others down to the parking lot where the enormous helicopter waited. She'd been fighting to change their minds, but to no effect. "If you take today lightly, all three of you are going to end up zombie burgers."
    "Lighten up, Penny," said Terrill Lee. She could see he'd regained some of his equilibrium. "Nothing bad is going to happen. We've got a small army along for the ride. Besides, I thought you'd be glad to get rid of us for a bit. We've worn out our welcome."
    "I never said that," Miller protested. "Sure, I wouldn't mind if y'all got off your hairy asses and got me out of the penthouse once in a while. A girl wants to see the sights now and again. But I never meant that you should go off on some damn-fool mission just to charge right the hell back into the heart of the dead zone."
    "Look at her," Scratch said. "She's worried. She loves us, she really loves us."
    "Oh, fuck off. I just don't want to see you get killed."
    "Please don't worry so much, Sheriff," said Sheppard. "Really, we're in good hands with these guys." He nodded at the efficient Special Ops team Miller had mentally begun to refer to as the Magnificent Seven. "Look how smoothly they operate together. They're a pro-football team. We'll all be fine." And then he made that I've got a secret face again. Miller ignored him.
    "How do you know that? You don't know these jar-heads from Adam." Miller realized she'd spoken too loudly.
    Major Hanratty's head turned slowly around. Her dark eyes blazed. She strode over toward Miller with a strong sense of purpose. Tension flooded the air and the men grew uneasy. Miller geared up for a knock down, drag out. Rat came close, almost nose to nose. The two women locked on like heat seekers. Miller thought, Well howdy bitch… Behind them, Scratch blew the mood by making little hissing kitty cat sounds.
    "Actually," said Rat softly, right into Miller's face, "the only jar-head here is Lovell. He's got fifteen years in the Corps, and he's damned proud of it."
    Lovell gave a quick "Hoo-ah" as he strolled by carrying a crate of M-4s.
    "Ripper over there," said Rat, "was a Navy SEAL for eight years. Cochrane and Dale are both Air Force. Psycho was an MP at Abu Gharib. He and I hail from the US freaking Army. And old Brubeck?" Rat whispered conspiratorially. "Personally, I think he's with the CIA, but he won't talk about that. So I'd suggest you don't ask."
    "Oh, I get it," Miller said with an innocent smile. "You rent-a-GI clowns think you're the fucking A-Team."
    Ripper was standing nearby. He jammed a wet cigar butt in his mouth. "Ah just love it when a plan comes together."
    Everyone except Miller and Rat burst into laughter. The ladies held their stare. Miller scowled. Then Rat smiled.
    "Let me put it this way," Rat said. "We are the ones they call when things have gone wrong." Rat put her