Perfect Soldiers

The silence that filled the street was crushing.Renn rose from her position, dusting off her clothes nonchalantly.Bastian had to give it to her: if she feared the murder that shone in Gabriel’s eyes, she did not show it.“Well, that worked out…” She started.“Shut up.” Gabriel snarled. His voice was low, heavy. Renn pushed her lips together. Arousal or fear? Bastian wondered. With her, it was sometimes hard to tell.“What?” She tried to sound casual. “I wasn’t going to leave you behind.”Gabriel closed the distance between them faster than Bastian had ever seen him move.Renn knew better than to try and get away from him.His hand knotted in her ponytail so roughly that she cried out. Bastian watched calmly, keeping part of his attention on their surroundings in case other attackers came after them.“If you so much as breathe without my say-so, I will pull you across my knee right fucking here and spank you so damn hard you won’t be able to walk for a week.” Gabriel promised in a low, heavy voice. Bastian glanced his way, instantly turned on.Renn swallowed whatever comment she was going to share.“Am I fucking clear?” Gabriel snarled, bringing his face dangerously close to Renn’s.She nodded. “Yes.”“Yes, what?”“Yes, sir.”Gabriel released her roughly and she stumbled back, out of breath.“Get moving.” He ordered. “Bastian, to me. Let’s get the fuck out of this mess.”