Victoria Sue's here today with an excerpt of her latest, Who We Truly Are, the second in her Enhanced series!
Talon brushed a kiss on his lips as Finn snuggled into his
side. “I hated being gone. I always loathed Washington. I also hate you going
back into the home. I told Gregory I didn’t like it.”
Finn stilled and then raised himself up on one elbow. He
frowned slightly. “It’s my job.”
“I can’t see you being there long, though. The case isn’t
going anywhere, and if Swann gets his way,
he’ll break ground on the school soon.”
Finn blinked. “When did you last speak to Gregory?”
“First thing this morning.” Talon heaved a sigh. They had
been upstairs too long. He got up reluctantly and passed Finn his clothes, then
started getting dressed himself. “I had a
conference call with Assistant Director Manning and Gregory at eight.” He looked
up when Finn didn’t answer. “Why?” He didn’t like the way Finn’s gaze was lowered.
Finn fastened his jeans and let out a long breath, then
looked up. “Alan Swann came to visit me at the
home this morning.”
“What?” Talon’s heart crashed against his ribs.
“He has a friend who owns a boarding school near
Jacksonville. He’s converted a new eight-bed
unit, and he’s got the go-ahead to take
enhanced. He offered me a place.”
“No fucking way.” Talon took a step and grabbed Finn’s arms.
Finn’s gaze was steady. “He told me he already has four kids
going.” He hesitated and looked beseechingly at Talon. “T—”
“No.” Talon cut him off. “No way. You’re not ready for
this.”
“Not ready?” Finn echoed hollowly. “You mean, not capable?”
“No, that’s not what I said. I meant not ready.”
“So when, Talon? When do you think I would be ready?”
Never. Talon thought hard. “Agents don’t get sent undercover when
they haven’t even completed basic training.” There, that was reasonable. “This
isn’t some James Bond shit, Finn. This is
real life.” As soon as the words were out of Talon’s mouth, he knew they were a mistake.
The deep green eyes he loved narrowed. “James Bond? You think I’m treating this as some sort of joke? Like I’m doing this just for
ego?” Finn sounded appalled, and Talon tried
to backtrack. He took a step toward Finn, but Finn took a step backward.
“No. I get you’re trying to help—”
“Trying to help?” Finn interrupted. “I’m doing as I’m told. Did you forget A-SAC Gregory
instructed me to do this?”
“No, I know,” Talon said quickly. “But
that was a mistake—”
“Because I’m not enhanced?” Finn said incredulously.
“Because I’m not as perfect as you? Because an ordinary human can’t match up to
your exacting standards, or because I can’t kill people just by thinking about
it?”
Talon hissed in a breath. “I didn’t mean—” Shit, he just
wanted Finn safe. “Finn,” he took hold of his arms. “Babe, please.”
Finn tried to pull away,
but Talon had him in a viselike grip.
Finn stilled. “Let me go,” he said woodenly.
Talon ignored him. “Finn—”
“I said, let me the fuck go!” Finn snapped. “This isn’t
gonna work, Talon. All those weeks ago, I told you I would leave if you
couldn’t work with me. Things have changed now. The team needs me, and the kids need me even more, and I’m not
giving that up—”
“What are you saying?” Talon interrupted. “That the team is
more important than our relationship?”
“No—”
“Maybe you’re right,” Talon said bluntly, ignoring the quick
indrawn breath from Finn. “Maybe I should just be your work partner. It’s not
like I need any more problems in my life.” The words were spilling from Talon’s
lips as if it wasn’t him saying them, as
if he had no control. He was being an ass, but he couldn’t stop.
“Is that what I am… a problem?” Finn’s voice was so hurt and raw, the words almost bled from his mouth.
“No,” Talon ground out. He hadn’t meant that. It was just…. He let go of Finn’s arms.
Finn took a step backward.
“I’ll see you downstairs.”
Talon hesitated. He didn’t know what to say. How had it gone
so badly wrong in the space of a few seconds? He gazed at Finn but was almost relieved Finn had his head
lowered. The catch in Finn’s voice told him what the hurt would look like in
those eyes. He didn’t need to see for himself what he had put there.
“Finn?” He reached out for Finn’s hand, but Finn snatched it
away. “I’ll see you downstairs,” Talon echoed, then unlocked the door and
walked through. He didn’t look back.
Blurb:
Talon’s deadly abilities are spiraling
out of control. Desperate to keep Finn safe, Talon struggles to protect the man
he loves with all his heart, and not become the greatest risk to Finn’s life.
Finn has no choice but to offer
himself as bait for the evil forces kidnapping enhanced children, facing
danger he is untrained and unprepared for, and he is having to do it alone.
Does Talon have one last fight in him?
Will he slay everyone who wants to destroy Finn and the team, or will he
finally discover that to defeat their enemy and the ultimate threat, the
biggest battle he has to face is one with himself?
BUY LINKS – Who We
Truly Are
Bio and links
Wrote her first
book on a dare from her hubby two years ago and he says he has regretted it
every day since. Loves writing about gorgeous boys loving each other the best,
and especially with either a paranormal or a historical twist. Had a try at
writing contemporary but failed spectacularly
when it grew four legs and a tail.
Is an English northern lass but is currently serving
twenty to life in Florida – unfortunately,
she spends more time chained at her computer than on a beach.
Loves to hear
from her readers and can be found most days lurking on facebook.
@vickysuewrites
https://www.facebook.com/victoriasueauthor/–
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