Chapter 3
Maddox turned his head slightly, making sure the entire room could hear him.
“Maybe someone should walk you out before you embarrass yourself.”
A few soldiers shifted in their seats.
Rachel slowly crouched.
Not to apologize.
Not to cry.
She reached for the plastic spoon on the floor.
That was when Maddox lifted his boot.
And stomped down on it.
The spoon cracked inches from her fingers.
The sound snapped through the cafeteria like a gunshot.
Rachel froze with one hand still near the floor.
Maddox bent over her.
“I said get out.”
For the first time, Rachel looked up at him with no softness left in her eyes.
“You sure you want to say that in front of a camera?”
The room changed.
Just a little.
A breath caught somewhere.
A chair creaked.
Maddox’s smile flickered.
“What did you say?”
Rachel stood slowly.
Not scared.
Not rushed.
She brushed one drop of gravy from her sleeve.
“I asked if you’re sure.”
Maddox glanced around.
There were no phones out.
No obvious camera.
No journalist.
No officer with a clipboard.
Just soldiers pretending not to watch.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
But the anger in it was still loud enough to carry.
“You think you can threaten me on my base?”
Rachel tilted her head.
May you like
“Your base?”
Read Part 4 to find out why those two words made Maddox lose control.
