Take (Fury Brothers #4)

“Fine.” Then I turned and walked out.

But as I headed down the hall, I felt unsettled. It was an unfamiliar feeling, and one I didn’t like.

I should be happy. Steering clear of Jack’s little sister was the best thing for everyone.

Frankie Parker was bad for my nerves.

4

FRANKIE

Isagged against the bench.

He was gone.

Rubbing my hands down my lab coat, I stared at the empty doorway he’d just strode out of. Even in jeans and a button-down shirt, Reath Fury still raised a girl’s pulse.

I blew out a breath. I knew we’d have to face off eventually. It was done now. I was unlikely to see him again.

He’d walked away pretty easily. It pricked at my confidence a little.

It had been a hell of a kiss, though.

I reached up and touched my lips.

No, Frankie. No man. You have work to do.

Besides, I knew Reath was the kind of man who wouldn’t get involved with his best friend’s sister on principle. I bet he lived and breathed the bro code.

I shook my head. Work. I had work to do.

I had a very important project, one being funded by the military, that needed all my attention. DARPA—the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency—was the research and development agency of the United States Department of Defense. They were funding a large part of my research.

Excitement lit inside me.

My ADAPT project could change everything for soldiers. The Advanced Acclimation and Protection Treatment was essentially an implant filled with bacteria. An inbuilt pharmacy that could generate required medicines to help with unsafe food or water, as well as jet lag, and sleep disruption.

Soldiers would signal their implant to create antibiotics to combat diarrhea, or release substances like melatonin to regulate sleep patterns. People wouldn’t need to carry different medications with them, or remember to take them. It would be done automatically via the ADAPT implant.

And the military applications were only the beginning. In the future, it could be modified to help so many others.

So focus on the work, Frankie, and not on soulful brown eyes filled with secrets.

5

REATH

Ifound myself at my desk, staring blankly at my computer screen.

Muttering a curse, I tapped the keyboard. I was not thinking about Frankie Parker.

There was a rap on my door.

“Come in,” I called out.

One of my team, Keiko, entered. “Hey, boss. I wanted to upgrade the servers. I sent you the authorization to approve.”

I nodded. “I’ll do it.”