Read Circe's Recruits 1: Roane for Free Online Page B

phone?” Kelly held out her hand like a princess demanding obedience.
    To Roane’s amusement, Zack and Ace grumbled their dislike of the entire situation while Zack handed it back. They stuffed their hands in their pockets and returned to the sofa, glaring between each other and Kelly all the while.
    Watching the local news with the rest of the squad, they all perked up when someone reported a hit-and-run on Beach Avenue in Cape May.

    “That was me,” Ace said proudly. “Fucker was so busy watching Caitlyn’s legs, he slammed into me, not the other way around. ’Course, I was a bit over the yellow lines when we hit, but the distraction worked like a charm.”
    “Watch your language.” Zack smacked him in the back of the head.
    Roane saw Kelly smother a grin before she turned back to the stove.
    “Sorry,” Ace apologized. “Speaking of Caitlyn, where is she?”
    “With Doc,” Hale answered. “He’s running tests and answering her bazillion questions.” He glanced at Kelly and leaned in toward the others. “I don’t think it needs repeating, but Caitlyn’s unaware of what went down today. So shut the hell up about it, all right?” Everyone stared at Derrick.
    “Shit. Okay. Sorry, I was just surprised earlier.”
    “About what?” Kelly said from behind Roane.
    Damn, she was getting better at that. Sneaking around like a cat. Roane sent Derrick a warning glare.
    “Ah, nothing, Kelly. Just a mix-up when we took Caitlyn in.”
    “Forget about it,” Ace agreed. “Nothing for you to worry about, sweetness.” Ace gave her a lingering once-over.
    “Yeah. Roane took care of her -- it. The situation,” Zack amended lamely, his gaze also trapped on her body. “Hale and Derrick helped settle her down is all.”
    “Hmm,” was all Kelly said, but the tension in her slight frame eased. “Whatever.
    Dinner will be ready in a few, so you might want to wash up.” When no one moved, she cleared her throat. “If you want to eat, you might want to wash up.” Growling at the pigheaded woman Roane considered an aggravating part of his little family, he waited for the others before he took his turn. His thoughts were on Caitlyn, as they’d been since he’d first spotted her in that alleyway. She’d been through a lot today. First the PPA, changing , taking him, Hale, and Derrick to bliss. Frankly, he was glad she didn’t remember it. He wanted to forget it as well. No one but Roane would touch her again, dammit. She belonged to him.
    “Roane, you need to relax,” Hale murmured and nudged him aside. “Your eyes aren’t right, man. I know the female freaks you out, but hold it together, at least through dinner.” Roane gritted his teeth, not as amused as Hale seemed to be. “What the fuck’s so funny?”
    “Not a thing, man. Nothing to laugh about when a tough-ass Circ gets his wires fried by a woman. No sirree.”
    “Asshole.” Roane pushed past him and cleaned up. When he returned to the kitchen, he found it empty. Everyone was seated in the large dining room, including Doc and Caitlyn.
    She looked worn out, though she put on a smiling face.
    “Hi, Kelly. Nice to meet you.” Caitlyn shook Kelly’s hand.
    Kelly sat on one side of her, Doc on the other. The jealous beast inside Roane eased as he sat at the foot of the table with the others.
    “It’s been a long day. We’ll postpone a full debrief until tomorrow,” Doc said before turning to Caitlyn. “After dinner, Kelly will show you to your room.” Caitlyn put up no protest and shoved a fork into the salad Kelly had prepared. Which made Roane wonder where the cook had gone.
    “Doc, what happened to Diego?”
    “Family emergency. It checked out.”
    Yet Roane sensed the same unease the rest of the men felt. They all stared at Doc until he relented.
    “He’s working on something I assigned him. When I’m ready to tell you about it, I will,” he finished coolly.

    Roane grinned. “Sure thing, Doc.” Irritating the boss always pleased