Read Online Inferno by Adriana Noir - Free Book Online

sandy brow furrowed in a show of confusion.
    “I read people for a living, Vincent. Stop making me drag things out of you today. My patience is already at a minimum.”
    “Yes, sir. I’m sorry. It’s just unnerving and I’m afraid you might find the situation disturbing.”
    Sebastian snorted and leaned back in his seat. The chair creaked as it rocked into a gentle recline. “As compared to what exactly?”
    “Good point,” Vince muttered. “I came across an invoice issued last week. He’s ordered five more helicopters. All military grade armed with heavy artillery and precision scopes.”
    The bottle sitting on the corner of his desk was starting to look more and more appealing. For a moment, he stared at it, tempted to give into its sweet siren’s song. It promised at least a few seconds of relief and mind numbing oblivion. Growling low in the base of his throat, Sebastian tipped his head back and rubbed the underside of his jaw. He really needed to shave. A few more days and he’d be eligible for Grizzly Adams tryouts.
    “So he is gearing up.”
    “Well, I wouldn’t exactly say he is gearing up, sir.”
    “Really?” Sebastian asked. His expression was skeptical, his eyes fierce and probing. “And what would you call it?”
    “A few minor purchases?” Vince asked, the uncertainty in his voice making it come across in the tone of a hopeful question.
    “When there is nothing wrong with the equipment we have?” Standing, he made his way to the window. His eyes searched the grounds, looking for any subtle changes he may have missed. Seeing nothing but the usual desert, walls, and barbed wire, he turned his attention back to Vince. “No. Marx isn’t one to waste resources or money. He’s starting to prepare. He may be starting out small, but he’s always expanded at a rapid rate. Today it’s a helicopter or two. Next month it’s an army. When SKALS first started out, it was a two-man team. Look what he’s managed to turn that into.”
    Vince nodded. His left leg bounced in an uneasy beat. An audible swallow filled the room as he searched for the right things to say.
    “We have to stop him,” Sebastian mused to himself. “Now.”
    “I know this is none of my business, sir, and it’s certainly not my place to ask, but when are you going to fill the others in?”
    Sebastian tilted his head. His eyes narrowed into suspicious slits. “Is the burden becoming too much for you, Agent Pellagreeni?”
    The stocky blond shook his head in adamant denial. “No, sir. Not at all. It’s just we can’t do this on our own, and quite honestly, every time I look at Agent Reevers, I feel guilty. It’s almost like I’m sneaking around his back or something.”
    The laugh that escaped him was quiet and humorless. “We aren’t lovers, Vincent. Josh is my partner.”
    “I know that, sir. That’s why I feel bad. He should be in on these things as well, and I swear to Christ, it’s like the man knows. The looks he’s been giving me lately are far from friendly.”
    “He’s not the warm and cuddly sort,” Sebastian quipped, his patience starting to waver. “All those years spent as my partner have sucked the joy right out of him.”
    “Understandable, sir.”
    Sebastian’s head snapped up. A heavy flush settled over Vince’s cheeks and his pained expression said he immediately wished he could take the words back. Feeling generous, he decided to let the small quip slide with a warning.
    “We aren’t here to make friends, Vincent. If that’s what you are looking for I suggest you reevaluate the situation and take a good look around. I’ve discussed my suspicions with Josh before and it’s my impression that he’s not ready to hear how far this has gone. Not yet. When it’s time, I will let him know. We can’t afford to lose him or anyone else for that matter.”
    “And if he does switch sides, sir? What then?”
    Sebastian’s jaw jutted as he pursed his lips and cocked his head with a grim shake.