Read Online Retribution (SSU Trilogy Book 3) (The Surgical Strike Unit) by Vanessa Kier - Free Book Online

suspicion that her research had contributed to the men’s deaths.
    She shook her head. No time to worry about that now. Or to wallow in guilt. She had to make certain the same fate didn’t await the survivors.
    Particularly not to Rafe’s friend, Nate.
    “These men aren’t sane,” she warned the short, muscular man with a stethoscope around his neck who was examining one of the survivors. The doctor looked up at her with compassionate eyes refreshingly different from the brusque medic onboard the truck. “And their physical strength is above normal. Ordinary restraints won’t hold them. Sedate them like you would an elephant. They need—”
    “You can finish giving Dr. Smith instructions later,” Rafe interrupted, grabbing her arm. “The director wants to talk to you.”
    “But—”
    “Now, doctor.” Rafe pulled her away from the truck.
    Gabby scowled at him, then turned her head back toward the medical team.
    “It’s okay,” Dr. Smith assured her. “We’ll be careful with the men.”
    Gabby searched his face and saw nothing but genuine concern. Maybe these really were good people who’d treat the men with the decency they deserved instead of like disposable lab rats.
    She nodded and let Rafe guide her across the tarmac.
    “What’s the hurry?” she snapped.
    “You’ve got information the director needs,” Rafe replied. Then he grinned at her. “And I want a hot shower.”
    “Oh, well then,” she answered drily. “Maybe we should run?”
    “Nah, we’re almost there.” The glint of laughter in his eye emphasized the difference between Rafe the deadly soldier w ho’d terrorized her during his mission to rescue Nate, a nd Rafe the man who flirted as easily as other men breathed. Still reeling from the night’s events, Gabby let Rafe’s good humor surround her, further soothing her overloaded nerves.
    Minutes later, Rafe led her through the stained glass door of a stately Victorian mansion. “This is the administration building.”
    Gabby gaped. The exterior might be pure 1800s, but although the interior retained the charming molding and scrollwork on the ceiling, it had been modernized into a high-tech office complex complete with palm readers at the doors and security cameras in the corners.
    A sharp-eyed young man with auburn hair stepped out from a room to the right of the foyer.
    “McDermott, this is Dr. Montague. Director Ryker is waiting for her.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    Rafe turned to Gabby. Before she knew what he was about, he took her hand and raised it to his mouth, placing a kiss on the back.
    “I’ll catch up with you later, doctor.”
    Gabby shivered at the warm press of his lips. She sincerely hoped she didn’t meet this sexy, deadly man again. Her equilibrium was unsettled enough as it was. “Good- bye , Mr. Andros.”
    Rafe shot her a devil’s grin, then slowly released her hand, letting his fingers stroke her palm as he pulled free.
    She had to grit her teeth against the urge to keep her skin touching his, to absorb his warmth and strength. She refused to give him the advantage by showing him how he affected her. At least he’d never know that even when he’d threatened her back at the cabin she’d been aroused by his touch. Just thinking about her reaction made her cheeks heat. Luckily, Rafe took her blush as a positive reaction to his kiss on her hand.
    With a wink, Rafe turned to her escort. “Be nice to her, McDermott. She’s had a hard night.”
    Then he was gone.
    “Right this way, doctor,” the young man said. He led her through a secure door and down a long corridor toward the back of the house.
    As she walked, she realized she’d made a mistake in trying to brush Rafe off. An alpha male bent on flirtation would only take it as a challenge.
    Tough. She had no idea where she was, or even if Rafe and his men really were the good guys. She wasn’t going to waste her energy flirting with him when he might have orders to kill her the next time they