Page 149 of Red Marked

“I did.” I sit. “Her name is Pearl. She’s thirty-five, with seven years in private security on the harbor. She handled cargo escorts and night patrols. Pearl ran her own shift for the last two, so she’s highly qualified.”

“You’re sure she’ll handle herself when it comes to ferals?”

“I wouldn’t have hired her otherwise.”

“A female?”

“We don’t discriminate, sir.” I hold his gaze.

It falters. “Of course not. I take it that you checked her references?”

“Absolutely. I did that in advance. I don’t even entertain a final interview unless I’ve checked references. They’re all in her file. Admin has it.”

“Good. Good.” He opens a drawer and takes out a stapled document. “Now, about these new flight protocols of yours. I⁠—”

Someone knocks.

Rift leans in. “Morning, Dr. Pryce. You too, Flint. I have Pearl here for you.” She moves back out of the doorway.

Star walks in.

She’s in the center’s gray uniform, shirt tucked in, boots laced. Her hair is tied back in a ponytail.

She’s even beautiful in our shapeless, shitty uniform.

I keep my eyes on hers even though I want to eyeball the fuck out of her.

Pryce gets to his feet, so I do too. I give her the same nod I give any new hire.

“Hi, Pearl. Did you sleep okay?”

“I did. Thank you, sir.”

Sir.

The last time she called me that, she was on her knees about to deep-throat my cock. I take an interest in the framed diploma on Pryce’s wall so that my cock behaves.

“Pearl, I’m Dr. Alastair Pryce. I’m the director here.” He comes around the desk with his hand out. “Welcome to the program.”

“Thank you, Dr. Pryce. It’s an honor.” She shakes his hand, waits for him to gesture at the second chair, and sits with her back straight, her hands in her lap.

I catch her scent.

I love honey. I must remember to buy some when I place my next order.

“So.” He lowers himself behind the desk and laces his fingers. “Flint tells me you were in harbor security. Why leave that for this?”

“Firstly, for the money, but then, more importantly, because I want to make a difference. What you and your team are doing out here is nothing short of amazing. You’re making history, and I want to be a part of that. I want to help those males. Many of them deserve a second chance.”

Pryce sits up. That’s his own speech, and she’s giving it better than he does.

“That is exactly the spirit of this program.” He nods several times. “Have you dealt with an aggressive male before? The ferals are a very different animal from a dock thief.”

“It was mostly drunk sailors. There were also a few smugglers who didn’t want their cargo opened. One of them came at me with a crowbar once. He was twice my size. I have a number of similar stories. Yes, I can absolutely handle myself.”

“You do understand that you’ll live on site? It’s ten days on and three off. There’s no mate at home who might object? What about your family?”

“No mate, no.” Her smile doesn’t move. Her thumb presses into the seam of her pants, once. “My family is used to not seeing much of me. I happen to think that your roster is highly accommodating. I’m used to twelve on and two off.”