Circe's Recruits 3: Derrick by Marie Harte Page B

question,” Hale asked. “How did she take advantage of you? She’s no Circ.” Hale glanced from the fading fingerprint marks at Caitlyn’s throat to Doc. His eyes narrowed. “Or is she?”
    Derrick didn’t want to hear any more. His beast was clawing at him to find the female.
    “I’ll bring her back.”
    “In one piece,” he heard Doc shout as he raced down the hallway. Once again, he’d shredded through everything but his pants, which wouldn’t be a problem. He’d rip them off in seconds before fucking the female into submission. Derrick didn’t plan on waiting any longer to satisfy his beast. Or himself.

    Evan sighed. “I’m sorry, Caitlyn. I would have warned you not to be alone with her if I’d realized how far she’s progressed.” He felt everyone’s eyes on him.
    “You knew she was Circ?” Roane asked as he changed back. His shirt clung to his shoulders in tatters. His pants weren’t much better.
    “Sure he did. He did her blood work,” Hale answered. “So why the secrecy, Doc?” Evan had been shocked to learn about Sabrina, especially considering the odd mutations in her blood that hinted at, but didn’t confirm, her status as a Circ. “Honestly, I’m still not one hundred percent sure she is Circ, but watching Derrick interact with her is giving me ideas,” he answered. To his surprise, he saw immediate understanding on Hale’s face.
    “Huh?” Roane sat on the exam table, picked Caitlyn up, and set her in his lap. “Explain that one, Doc.”
    Hale gave a harsh laugh. “Oh, this is perfect. Doc’s setting up our resident hard-ass with a woman as devious and stubborn as he is. Only problem is, we don’t quite know whose side she’s on.”
    “I do.” Doc’s quiet words sobered the others. “I knew her when she worked for the original project. She never handled your team’s blood tests, which is why you never knew her. But she was hardworking. She treated the men in the project like heroes, with respect. I liked what I saw -- an ethical young woman trying to do good. Like so many of us,” he said, aware of his deception now more than ever. Secrets always had a way of coming to the surface.
    Roane kissed the top of Caitlyn’s head. “I don’t know, Doc. I still want to break her in half for hurting Caitlyn. Either you’re taking an awful lot for granted, or there’s more shit you aren’t telling us. Wanna share?”
    Evan wondered if now wasn’t the time.
    “Doc?” Roane’s deep voice urged him to let it out.
    “What I have to say has nothing to do with Sabrina.” Better to tell Roane with Caitlyn there to soothe him. Evan could also trust Hale, the most temperate of the men, to listen with an open mind. He hoped.
    “Doc,” Hale prodded. “Come on. How bad can it be?”
    “Doc, spit it out,” Roane growled. “Tell us.” Evan sighed. Do-or-die time. “My father had two sons. But he only claimed one.”
    “O-kay,” Roane said slowly, looking as confused as the others at the change in subject.
    “So?”

    “So,” Evan paused to take a deep breath. “Elliot Pearl is my half brother.”

    * * * * *
    Sabrina ran as if her life depended on it. Finally releasing the beast living inside her, she gloried in her speed as she flew so fast, the trees appeared a blur. The rest of her body remained normal, but her senses amped tenfold. Sights and sounds were sharp. Her skin felt extra sensitive, attuned to the changes in wind and pressure around her. She nearly ran over a group of startled deer that scattered at her intrusion.
    The night sky became a treat, providing a canvas of heat and color, illuminating the night in soft images that were almost too magical to be real. Caught up in her newfound abilities, she examined a squirrel perched high in a tree. Though naturally camouflaged in its dark environment, Sabrina could see a faint outline of orange around the creature, like a heat signature. Incredible.
    She’d never been able to talk with the Circs she’d