Edge of Obsession (SKALS #3) by Adriana Noir

you’re not. Something you will never be.”
    “And what would that be?” he asked, returning his phone to his front pocket.
    “Human. Shut yourself down and pull back from the girl or I will do it for you. I guarantee that experience is something neither of you will find pleasant.”
    Sebastian stiffened. As much as he hated having to swallow the thinly veiled threats there were too many witnesses, too many unknown factors to go after the man now. He needed proof, something tangible he could use to tie the commander not just to the set-up, but to exchanging information with Laychee as well. If he was ever going to have a shot at taking the bastard down, he needed to prove their director had crawled into bed with the enemy. Otherwise, he risked certain death and the charge of treason.
    Giving a stiff nod, he turned back to his desk. The moment Marx left, he released the breath he’d been holding with a low growl. His body shook with unspent anger and his eyes watered with soul numbing rage. Big changes were coming indeed. He’d go down fighting before he watched the world burn. He knew the truth.
    When it came to men like Marx and power, a simple saying applied . Once a whore, always a whore, and with that in mind, he had a very sick feeling they were all about to get screwed.
     
     
    Taylor’s jaw dropped as she regarded the hulking security guard and the assault rifle cradled in the hard curve of his bicep. Snapping her mouth shut, she gave an adamant shake of her head.
    “ Uh-uh. No. Just no. Really , Rupert?” Seeing his baffled expression, she gaped at him in disbelief. “I don’t think they are going to let you into the grocery store with that thing, much less the mall.”
    The jagged scar etching the side of his face stood out even brighter as his skin colored. Shifting uncomfortably, the Cajun dropped his gaze to the weapon in question. “I was told to bring a gun, Miss Taylor. That’s what this is. It’s a damn good one, too. Military issued with a high precision scope.”
    “ I can see that, Rupert. Don’t you have anything else you could bring?” she asked, propping her hands on her hips. “Something—I don’t know—a little more discreet ?”
    “ No, Ma’am. Agent Baas called and promised he would make me beg for death should any harm come to you. Given his track record in that department, this seemed like the safest choice.”
    Her lips flattened. There was no arguing with that logic. However, she wasn’t about to have her entire day ruined because Sebastian felt the need to be vastly overprotective and encourage the same paranoia in their employees. When it came to the weapon caliber both men bolstered, a bullet was a bullet and dead was dead. Reaching over. She patted the outside of the head of security’s arm.
    “We’re going shopping in Flagstaff not Bosnia, Rupert. Go grab a handgun.”
    A short while later, t he warm spring breeze poured through the open windows, and the radio blared a mix of upbeat songs from Monique’s mp3 player. The blonde sat semi-reclined in the seat beside her, one slender foot propped on the dashboard, charms on her ankle bracelet jangling as she tapped along to the music. Glancing in the review mirror, Taylor grinned. Irene sat nestled in the backseat, her ample bosom pressed against Rupert, much to the guard’s chagrin. His poor face had already run a rapid gambit of colors, and the lusty waitress hadn’t even gotten started yet.
    “Hell, baby cakes. Maybe this having a bodyguard thing isn’t so bad after all,” the redhead teased as she traced a bright pink nail over the solid outline of his chest. “If they all look like this one, go ahead and sign me up.”
    Monique roll ed her eyes heavenward while Taylor shook with silent laughter.
    “ I know what you’re thinking right now, but she’s not so bad. You just have to get to know her.”
    “I think I have the wrong parts for that. Women like her have a one-track mind, Tay. If there’s no ‘