Chapter 1

The darkness of the barracks room was a heavy blanket, thick with the smell of sweat and old wood. It was my only cover.

"You know, Johns," a voice whispered, too close to my ear. "I could end this for you right now."

I flinched, my back pressing against the cold metal frame of my bunk. Caleb Blakely leaned over me, his shadow swallowing what little moonlight crept through the window. He was my squad leader, a Cadet Captain, and the only person at West Point who knew I was a woman.

"One word to the TAC officer," he continued, his voice a low murmur that sent a chill down my spine despite the humid Texas heat. "Just one word, and your little game is over."

His hand brushed against my arm, and I recoiled like I'd been burned. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat in the suffocating silence.

"Please," I rasped, my throat raw from shouting drills all day. My voice was a broken imitation of my brother's.

"Please what?" Caleb' s lips were almost touching my ear. He found my fear amusing. I could feel the smirk in his voice.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, flooding the entrance with light from the hallway.

"Man, I'm beat," a loud voice boomed. "I could sleep for a week."

It was Andy Scott, my roommate. He was a giant from California, friendly and completely oblivious. Caleb straightened up instantly, melting back into the shadows near the lockers. I scrambled to sit up, pulling the thin wool blanket up to my chin, trying to look like I'd just been woken up.

"You guys already in bed?" Andy asked, dropping his duffel bag with a heavy thud.

Before I could answer, Caleb' s voice cut through the dark, smooth and authoritative again.

"Lights out was five minutes ago, Scott. You're late."

Andy just laughed, a deep, easy sound. "Come on, Blakely. Give a guy a break. They had us polishing brass until my fingers bled."

Caleb didn't respond. He just stood there, a silent, menacing presence. I knew he was watching me, enjoying my terror. He was waiting for me to slip up, to give something away.

Then, the other roommate, Brian Hughes, slipped in behind Andy. He was quieter, more observant. His eyes scanned the room, and for a terrifying second, I thought he noticed the tension. He glanced from me, huddled in my bunk, to Caleb, standing unnaturally still by the lockers.

"Everything okay, Matthew?" Brian asked, his voice soft.

I had to force my own voice out, pitching it as low as I could. "Yeah. Fine. Just tired."

Caleb took a step forward, back into the sliver of light. He was looking right at me, a cruel smile playing on his lips. He picked up a small, folded piece of pink fabric from the floor by my bunk-my underwear, the one he'd found. He held it up between his thumb and forefinger as if it were something dirty.

"Don't forget your girlfriend's laundry, Johns," he said, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear.

Then he tossed it onto my chest and walked out of the room without another word.

Andy just looked confused. "Girlfriend? You got a girl, Matt? You dog!"

But Brian was silent, his eyes fixed on my face. I felt my blood run cold. He knew something was wrong. And I was trapped.