Storm Warning by Kadi Dillon

awful voice , “is not over.”
    “No,” s he agreed cautiously . “It isn’t. But y ou need to leave now.” Her voice was surprisingly stronger now and she forced herself to stand up straight. She met his gaze.
    “You want this as much as I do,” h e accused , shoving his balled fists in his pockets.
    “You need to go,” s he repeated and pointed to the door.
    “Another time, Tory,” h e warned silkily. He jerked his body toward the door and stormed out of her room. Only when she heard the door to the room next to her s slam shut did she sink to the floor.

 
     
    Chapter Five
     
    Donning a grey sweat suit and a pair of dark sunglasses, Tory made her way to the SUV’s. The sleepless night before did nothing for Tory’s complexion, hence the dark glasses to hide the shadows under her eyes. If anyone noticed, they didn’t comment. Everyone was s tanding by the trucks waiting—e veryone except Gabe.
    “Morning, ” Billy said to her as she approached.
    “Good morning.”
    “Where’s Gabe?” Adam asked after slamming the back doors shut.
    “He isn’t here already?” Tory scanned the parking lot. Why did she all of a sudden feel the slight pang of panic? He may have been angry enough at her to leave, she thought anxiously.
    “No, he isn’t in his room either.” Adam shrug ged . “I told him nine so he still has about ten minutes.” He turned to the rest of the team . “You guys head out and we’ll wait for him .”
    When both of the other trucks left the parking lot Adam waited for the dust to settle , then turned sharp green eyes on Tory.
    “What happened last night?” h e asked bluntly.
    “I don’t know what you mean.”
    “The hell you don’t. How bad did you piss him off?” He pulled out his cell phone and dialed Gabe’s number.
    “Why does it always have to be my fault?” She stomped her foot. “Screw you, Adam. I didn’t do anything.”
    Adam slapped his phone closed and shoved it back into his pocket. “A ll I know is I heard his door slam last night and h e isn’t here this morning. You’ re the only other nocturnal person I know so I’ll ask you again. What did you say to him?”
    “Nothing!” s he shouted. “I didn’t say anything to him, Adam.” She whirled around at a shadow on the ground and looked up into a pair of stee l, grey eyes. “There, you see! He’s here now. Can we go?”
    Gabe lifted a brow and said nothing.
    “You can sit up front with him ,” she clipped. “ You two are perfect for each other.” Tory climbed in the back seat.
    “Bastards,” s he muttered before slamming her door.
    After starting the truck, Adam turned the radio on and pressed the call button.
    “On the road yet, Captain?” Billy’s voice boomed over the speakers.
    “On our way. And you’re supposed to say ‘over.’ Over.”
    “We got an hour before she gets here. Clouds look promising. Already a funnel sighting out of her before she got here.” When Adam waited, whistling, Billy shouted, “over!”
    “Good. Get started set ting up. Be there in five. Over.”
    “ Tory, you there ? Over.”
    Adam handed the microphone back to Tory. “What , Frankie ?”
    “Just thought you’d like to know. Vikings are in and at our hotel as of six a.m. this morning. Over.”
    She growled. “ Well, that’s just fucking great . Thanks ”
    She handed the microphone back to Adam. Adam let out a creative round of profanity before replacing it in the cradle. Tory rested her head on the side window.
    “Vikings are our rivals. They, of course, have better equipment, more scientists, more money. So natural ly we’re always in their shadow, ” she heard Adam explain . “They’ll probably be set up a hundred yards from us and still get better readings, better pictures, and better publicity.”
    “Vikings and Pirates, eh? Well, they won ’t get better pictures.”
    Tory closed her eyes to bloc k out the drumming headache. Charlie Johnson was at their hotel, which meant Vance very