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When he did, Seth’s eyebrows rose. “Brent, Zane, you, your teammates, and Noah.”
“First names only to protect you and the rest of our support group.”
“While I appreciate the cell, it might not help if The Brotherhood compound is off the grid far enough to not have a cell tower within range.”
Teagan tapped a button on the side of the phone. “Push this, and your cell phone switches modes to a satellite phone. It’s the only way we’ll be able to communicate while I’m deployed with Artemis. The phone is encrypted so no one will intercept messages or calls that compromise either of us.”
His hand closed around the phone. “It’s mine?”
“As long as we’re together.”
Seth’s gaze locked with hers. “If I have my way, Fortress won’t get the phone back.”
The remaining members of Artemis joined them in the garage with their bags replenished with supplies.
Noah picked up Violet’s bag. “Let’s get going. Violet and I will lead the way to the restaurant. After that, we’ll regroup andset things in motion at The Ranch.” He escorted Violet to her SUV and opened her door before circling to the back to store her gear in the storage area.
Noah might not realize it yet, but he was already laying groundwork with the medic. Letting anyone, especially a man, touch her was unusual for Violet. Maybe she was practicing, considering the mission going green as soon as they returned to Ardmore. Then again, maybe not.
“You and Seth follow behind Noah and Violet,” Iona said. “The rest of us will bring up the rear. Although I don’t expect trouble this early, keep an eye out anyway.”
“Copy that.” Teagan headed for the driver’s side of her SUV. After Seth buckled himself into the passenger seat, she said, “If your headache is gone and Violet approves, you can drive tonight. I have a feeling you’re one of those guys who prefers to drive.”
“I freely admit I’m a control freak. Sue me.”
She laughed as she fell into line behind Violet’s SUV. “Figured as much. Do you have combat driving training, Seth?”
“Part of my military training.”
Teagan thought about that as their caravan headed toward the interstate. “What branch of the military were in you?”
“Army.”
“You weren’t just an Army grunt, were you?”
“No.”
“Let me guess. You were a Ranger?”
“Yeah.”
Of course he was. She should have known. “That made this concussion doubly difficult for you to handle.”
“I won’t be concussed forever, Teagan.”
“Not much longer.” She drove in silence for a few miles. “Wonder how long it will take The Brotherhood to approve or reject us as membership candidates.”
“With the way this is bound to play out in the press, it won’t take long. A week, two at the most.” His lips curved. “How can they resist the chance to use me against the establishment?”
She threaded her fingers through his. “Are you sure you want to do this, Seth? It’s not too late to back out.”
“Yeah, baby, it is. I have to do this. They killed my CI. I’m not letting them get by with it. Not only that, if we don’t figure out what they’re up to and stop them, they’ll kill many more innocent civilians. I can’t let them get away with that.”
She squeezed his fingers. “I understand. We’ll stop them. Together.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
SETH WAITED INhis living room, doing his best not to pace a hole in the carpet. After stopping by Teagan’s home to pick up what she needed following lunch today, he agreed to take a nap like some two-year-old kid. Much as he hated to admit it, the nap did him good. That aggravating headache he’d had since getting conked on the head at the running trail was finally gone, and he could think clearly again.