Spiral of Need (The Mercury Pack, #1)

by Suzanne Wright

Derren disliked responsibilities. Why? Because responsibilities meant being committed to something, and being committed to something meant losing freedom and choices. If there was one thing that Derren wasn’t good with—thanks to spending much of his youth in juvie—it was being trapped or hemmed in. And that was exactly how his position made him feel.

Staring down at Nick, arms folded, Shaya frowned. “It is your business if Cain is your friend.” “I don’t have friends.” She rolled her eyes. “Of course, my mistake: you have ‘contacts,’” she said dryly. “But you like Cain, right?” Nick grimaced. “I don’t dislike him.”

Totally straight-faced, Ally replied, “Sorry, I don’t take orders unless I’m naked.”

Her voice hardened. “Let me assure you that if at any point I do decide to leave here, that’s exactly what I’ll do. But I won’t run. I’ll walk right on out of here while you watch.”

By the time she was eleven, she knew how to drive, how to skin animals, how to pick a lock, and how to brew beer. She could also reel off the military alphabet and speak Russian, Spanish, Italian, German, and Mandarin. Surprisingly enough, most of it had come in handy at some point.

“Normally, I don’t give warnings. But you really don’t want to fight me, Jesse.” “Why is that?” “Because I will defeat you. I will enjoy it. And I will crush your pride, which has already taken a beating this morning.”

Miranda’s eyes narrowed. “Are you threatening me?” “I don’t make threats. They’re boring. I’m stating a fact. If you wish to challenge my belief, feel free to do so.”