Cruz: Scifi Alien Invasion Romance (Hell Squad Book 2) by Anna Hackett Page B

moving, but Cruz grabbed her. She struggled in his hold. “No more resting or waiting. We need to get them out.”
    “We will,” Cruz whispered in her ear.
    “We’ll get them out,” Holmes reiterated. “But we won’t go in half-cocked and risk our best fighters.”
    Santha twisted and Cruz had to tighten his grip to keep hold of her. “They’re opening them up, drilling into their heads—”
    “I know.” Something flashed in Holmes’ eyes. “I know. But you risked yourself and Cruz’s life today. I don’t have that luxury. I have to think of everyone, not just those poor people.”
    “I—”
    But Holmes wasn’t finished. His gaze pinned Cruz. “And if you ever turn your comms off and go rogue again, there will be consequences.”
    “Coward,” Santha bit out.
    “Enough.” Marcus’ voice was a deep rasp. His gaze met Cruz’s.
    They’d been friends long enough that Marcus didn’t have to use any words.
    “Come on.” Cruz swung Santha around, fighting to keep her contained. “We’ll meet back here at 0800 for the planning session?”
    “Yeah,” Marcus said.
    Cruz got Santha outside the room and let her go. She rounded on him, her eyes spitting fire. “What the hell—?”
    He held up his hands. “I know you’re angry.”
    “I’m leaving.”
    Those two words make his spine stiffen. “No, you’re not.”
    “You don’t get to give me orders, Ramos, I—”
    “Come on.” He gripped her arm and towed her down the tunnel.
    She surprised him by not fighting him. But a terrible tension radiated off her. She was either going to break or explode.
    There was one place he went when he needed to burn off the darkness.
    He led her into the gym.
    A few soldiers were using the treadmills and all lifted a hand in greeting, curious gazes tracing over Santha’s long form. Cruz nodded at them and pulled her over to a doorway on the far side the gym. He nudged her inside, closed the door behind them, and locked it.
    She studied the open space—covered in rubber mats and ringed with mirrors—with a narrow gaze. “What’s this?”
    “Private sparring room.” Cruz kicked off his boots and then yanked his shirt over his head. He stepped out onto the mats, noted Santha’s gaze tracing over his chest and tattoos. “Come on.” He made a “come here” gesture with his hand.
    “You want to fight?” She raised a dark brow but a light had gone on in her eyes.
    “I want you to work off some of that tension before you crack.”
    Santha toed off her shoes, then moved onto the mats, circling him. “I’m pissed off.”
    “I got that.”
    “I really want to be kicking some raptor butt.”
    He watched her move that long, limber body of hers. “Me, too. But for now, we’re grounded until we can recharge and hammer out a plan.”
    “I could leave,” she said again.
    Cruz flexed his hands. “You could try.”
    Her green eyes turned to slits. She sank into a fighting stance, knees loose, arms raised. “You need a reminder that you aren’t in charge of me, soldier.”
    He smiled, anticipation licking his insides. “Bring it.”
     

Chapter Ten
    Santha launched herself at Cruz.
    She was fueled by all the pent-up emotions swirling inside her, eating at her. She aimed a roundhouse kick at his head. He blocked her and ducked to the side.
    She landed, turning as she went, lining up her next kick. He was clearly more powerful than she was, so she needed to use her speed to her advantage.
    She landed a chop to his arm, was gratified to hear a grunt, then she aimed a side kick at his knee.
    But he was quicker than she’d guessed. He dodged out of her range, grabbed her ankle and twisted.
    Santha spun with the move and jerked free. Next, she went in with a punch, feinted and ducked down to swipe at him with her leg.
    He was ready though. He leaned forward and grabbed her T-shirt.
    She jammed her arms up and broke his hold. When he reached for her again, she let him grab her arm. Then she gripped his thick