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Miller said nothing for a long time then shook his head. “I have no idea. I just got the orders to send them out and shutter it.”
“From who?” Deacon asked.
“Shit, that was almost a year and a half ago. I’d have to find the paperwork.” Miller rubbed the back of his neck again. “I can look for it for you.”
“I’d appreciate it,” Ronan said.
“Yeah.” Miller nodded. He looked at Deacon. “Good to meet you.”
“And you,” Deacon said, and they watched as Miller headed back toward his tent. “I can’t read him.”
“Exactly. I want to believe he’s innocent, but …”
“There’s a niggling in your gut. Mine, too,” Deacon finished.
“Exactly.”
CHAPTER 22
Ronan held Fleur last night as she slept. He was fully clothed and caught a couple of hours before getting up at four-thirty in the morning. Stryker and Wolf had been relieved by Ace and Rip so they could grab some shuteye before the convoy left. Ronan checked his weapon, ammo, and the fifty in the back of the truck and positioned the SMAWs in the lead and trail Jeeps before Deacon exited his team’s tent. “Sorry, man, jet lag.”
His team came out after him. Wraith laughed. “Y’all look like you partied too hard.”
Ranger groaned. “Jet lag is worse than a hangover. Where’s the food?”
“Got some breakfast MREs over here and somenot-so-great coffee, come on,” Wraith called them over.
Deacon made his way over to him. “Sorry, man, jet lag.”
“No worries. I’d rather you get some shuteye and be alert.” Ronan glanced at the IDP camp. People were up and moving. “We’ll move the trucks into position after you get some food. I’ll inform Miller before we move the vehicles and let him know what we’re doing.”
“Noticed he didn’t bring us the documentation yesterday.” Deacon yawned and stretched. “Doesn’t seem to be in a hurry, does he?”
Ronan shook his head, staring at Miller’s tent. “Nope, and that’s another strike against him.”
“Make sure Fleur knows to be careful,” Deacon said. “Let’s grab some of that not-so-good coffee.”
Ronan moved with his brother. “We talked about it again last night before we went to sleep. She knows, and she promised to be careful around him.”
“Good.” He took a cup of coffee from Wraith. “You should come to my team and cook for us.”
Wraith laughed. “Not a chance in hell. I like it here. No offense.”
“None taken.” Deacon smiled and took a sip ofthe coffee. “This is better than the swill Ranger makes.”
“Ah, screw you, Cap. I messed up once, which had its benefits. No one asks me to make coffee anymore.”
All of Deacon’s team laughed at Ranger. As all the team members settled around the fire pit and ate, Ronan addressed them. “We aren’t expecting to be hit today, but we aren’t letting our guard down. Jug has the fifty and ammo in his truck. I want him in the middle of the convoy, and everyone is nose to tail. No room for any daydreaming. They want these people on the way to camp and any supplies or resources we have on the way back. Seven staff members have been killed on recent convoys.”
“Were they armed?” Ace asked.
“No,” Deacon answered for Ronan.
“What about the militia?” Bandit asked. “Aren’t they supposed to protect the convoys?”
“They were paid as escorts. When the shooting started, they bailed.”
“Fucking cowards,” Ranger ground out.