The Omega Team: Death Sentence (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Tina Donahue

their environment, including their wives or girlfriends, calms them until they need more and more mastery of their situation, which they never achieve. Thus, their violence escalates.”
    Her face turned deep red. “How do you know so much about abusers?”
    “Met enough in the service. That field, like police work, tends to draw in men who feel inadequate and need a weapon and authority to make them think better of themselves.”
    “Like Edward and Dick.”
    “Classic examples.”
    Embarrassment swept her features.
    Hardly the reaction Chase had expected. “You don’t agree with my assessment?”
    “Completely and more so. I think they’re worse than you probably do. It’s just that I…. You….”
    Chase let her flounder for a moment then kissed her toes. “It’s okay to say whatever you want. I won’t judge.” He’d die a little if she didn’t want a relationship.
    She curled her toes on his pecs. “You’re a good guy. I realize that now. And I’m trying really hard at this. Us.”
    “I know.” His heart soared. “You’re still here and fondling me with your feet.”
    Her laughter broke the tension. “Speaking of Dick and Edward.”
    “Were we?”
    “Yeah.” She brought her legs down and leaned toward him. “Patricia kinda sorta let stuff slip today while I was taking her sample.”
    “Kinda sorta?”
    Hallie told him what Patricia had said, which sounded long on attitude and short on specifics. “We’ll need more than that to nab the Terrible Two. She didn’t even give you a name.”
    “She will. I sense she wants to unload or maybe bitch. Whatever it is, she’ll tell me what’s been going on with Dick and Edward as long as I keep talking to her.”
    “Won’t she wonder why you’re repeatedly asking for urine samples?
    “I have a better way to keep her nearby. From what I’ve heard, working in the kitchen, as she does, is right up there with being in Hell, or maybe down there with it. Even in the winter, the room’s unbearably hot. Then there are the bugs and rats.”
    “Are you serious?”
    “Gatekeeper won’t spring for exterminators. The kitchen staff does what they can. I’ll offer her a job working in the infirmary like Kim used to do. I’ve never replaced her.”
    “What if Patricia’s carved out a kingdom in the kitchen and doesn’t want to lose it for what you’re offering?”
    “You mean working in one of the few air-conditioned spaces in the prison, an area that’s clean, bug and rodent free, and having me for a boss? Granted, there are downsides from sickness, blood, and the long-term ill to contend with. But still, I don’t think anything she has going on in the kitchen could compete with the good parts in my space.”
    She had a point. “Great idea. You deserve a reward.” He helped her from the tub and carried her to his office.
    She clung to him and planted kisses on his neck and cheek. “Wouldn’t your bedroom be better?”
    “Rubbers are in here.” He broke out two. One to sheath himself and the other to lubricate her tightest opening. Hotter than the sun. So snug, the fit around his finger stole his breath. “You’re sure about this?”
    She snatched air and moaned it out. “Stop now and I will leave.”
    A threat he wouldn’t risk. “I won’t stop.” From the moment they’d met, they’d careened toward each other, an overpowering force drawing them together. Most would have called it lust. If this wasn’t beginning love, nothing was.
    Positioned between her legs, he guided his crown into her pink ring.
    She shifted.
    He stopped. “Doing okay?”
    “Yeah. I’m relaxing so you’ll stop feeling so guilty. You’re not hurting me.”
    And here he’d accused her of having trust issues when he had trouble believing in himself. At least with this. “Good. Here we go.”
    He entered her carefully and took his time to plow inside. At last, he reached her core. His head fell down.
    She sucked air. “Wow.”
    Her delight was the only