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“We all have work to do. Let’s get it. Stryker and Wolf, hit the sack.”
Putting his arm around Fleur, he walked with her outside the tent. “Miller was with us when Jugsuggested tossing tents to find out who had a cutter this morning.”
She sighed and looked down at the hard-packed ground under her feet. “I just …” There was a sense of desolation in the pit of her gut. “I’ll watch, and I’ll be careful.”
“That’s all I can ask.” He tipped her chin up. “We’ll know soon enough.”
“Yeah, Tuesday is the day after tomorrow.”
He nodded, and they stared out over the camp. She hoped she was right, but …
CHAPTER 21
Ronan watched the two Jeeps come over the ridge into the valley where the IDP camp was. Deacon, Ranger, Ace, Bandit, and Rip were a hell of a team, and since they’d done more than their fair share of missions together, they were all damn good friends. He crossed his arms over his chest and waited for the Jeeps. As soon as Deacon saw him, a wide smile spread across both of their faces. Fuck, it had been almost eight months since he’d seen his brother in person.
As soon as the Jeep stopped, he grabbed his brother and pulled him in for a hug. “About time,” he said as they hugged.
“Damn straight,” Deacon agreed.
When they released, Deacon looked around. “So, this is home sweet home?”
“Not so sweet, but home base for now. Our tent has room for everyone’s gear until you get set up.”
“Perfect, we brought some noise makers and another fifty cal.” Deacon nodded toward the small trailer the second Jeep was pulling behind it.
“Another fifty is always welcome. How much do you know about what’s going on?”
“I had a long discussion with Gabby and Charley in the torture chamber they call a SCIF at Al-Tanf.”
“The broom closet?” Ronan laughed.
“Is that what it was? Holy hell, man, I’m not claustrophobic, but that booth tried to make me one.”
“I know. Unwedging my ass and falling out of that thing made me second-guess my physical fitness.”
“Right? Do we need to stop eating?”
“Either that or finish the fucking mission and never have to use the closet torture communication system again.”
“Exactly. You know Gabby and Charley were both put out about different things and chomping at the bit to find answers.”
Ronan narrowed his eyes. “Let me guess, Charleywants to find the bastard inside, and Gabby wants to know why the camp is closing.”
“You got it. Gabby’s working on it and calling in favors to get to the bottom of the closure. She seems to think it could fall under UN protection. Smoke has Charley busy, so she should stay out of your operator’s business. But you know her. She can’t drop something once she gets it in her brain.”
Ronan chuckled. “So, what you're saying is we could have another visitor?”
“Wouldn’t put it past her.” Deacon shrugged. “Smoke tries, but no one can control that woman.”
“Well, hopefully, we can figure it out before she commandeers an aircraft and jets her ass over here. Dude is working on the financials. He’s combed through all the staff and, as of now, hasn’t found anything. He contacted me about an hour ago. He wants to try one more thing in the morning, his time, and then he's hitting up Jewell if he doesn’t get anything.”
“If she can’t find it, no one can,” Deacon said, looking around. His men were unloading. “Where’re the guys?”
“Stryker and Wolf are sacked out in the tent. They’re pulling mids. Jug is on swings, and Wraith and I are days. Wraith and Jug are in the compoundor checking on the militia posts. Come with me over to the anti-trafficking tent. I’d like to introduce you to someone.”
Deacon nodded. “Ranger, two are sacked out. Keep it down around the tent.”
“Roger,” Ranger said and lifted a hand to Ronan, who returned the gesture.