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Sean looked toward his team. “Does this mean we’re being redeployed?”

“If there are any plans to deploy tomorrow or within a week, General Winter didn’t tell me. He told me to come over here and introduce myself. I think he wanted us to make nice since we’re going to be on the same team and all,” Aidan said, cocking a brow as he finished.

Somehow, Sean didn’t think Aidan was in the dark about the circumstances involving their lack of a fifth member. He wasn’t sure if he was an asshole or just a complete dumbass, but he found his temper steadily growing as Aidan continued to talk.

Did the guy think it would be as easy as showing up and pretending they were old friends? Sean could barely process the idea that their new member was already here without so much as a warning, let alone pretend he knew the guy and liked him. He knew he wouldn’t be doing himself or his team any favors by losing his temper, however, and he shoved it down, letting it boil away where no one else could see it.

“I think I need to speak with General Winter before we agree to anything,” Sean said.

“I mean, you’re more than free to try to get an appointment with him if you want. He called me out here and still made me sit around for almost an hour,” Aidan said with a laugh.

From behind them, Matt snorted. “Just an hour? Sounds like the general wanted to talk to you then. Last time Sean was there, he had to wait almost two.”

Sean turned to shoot Matt a mutinous glare. “He had something come up at the last second and had to deal with it before he could get around to our meeting.”

“Well, and you’d been visiting him three times a week up to that point.”

Sean turned back to Aidan, nostrils flaring. “That’s Matt. The big guy next to him is Ricardo, and the guy behind him is Nick.”

“Oh, I didn’t want to ask, but,” Aidan said, flopping his hand at the three men, who returned it with varying levels of enthusiasm.

“Either way, I’m speaking to General Winter before we do anything. I wasn’t warned about this, and we’re not ready,” Sean continued.

Aidan raised a wry brow but said nothing. Sean didn’t think he had to since he could practically hear the smart comment that was probably fighting to come out of Aidan’s mouth as he looked over the four of them. His initial assessment of Matt and Ricardo’s duel had probably been accurate, as all of them had been off their game since returning to the States.

That didn’t mean Sean wanted someone he didn’t know or trust to tell him that.

“Once I’ve spoken to him, we can reconvene and figure out what we’re going to do,” Sean informed them, looking at his team.

Ricardo shrugged. “If that’s what you wanna do, then so be it.”

With Ricardo offering no resistance, he could see Nick and Matt quickly followed suit. The four of them might be losing their way and unsure how to get back, but at least Sean could rely on them for support when needed. There was no way General Winter could think they were anywhere close to ready, especially not with Aidan. Sean couldn’t say precisely what it was, though the man’s flippant attitude was irritating, and he could feel Aidan wouldn’t be a good fit for the team.

Sean nodded. “Good, then that’s what we’ll do. I’ll let you guys know what happens.”

With only a curt nod in Aidan’s direction, Sean walked off, ending the day’s training without saying a word. He knew damn well General Winter would probably be booked for the day, as the man kept himself busier than Sean thought was possible.He suspected General Winter was expecting a visit from him, however, considering he’d sent Aidan without so much as a warning. Sean was going to speak to the older man and pray that, for once in his military career, he managed to get someone in charge to be understanding.

Walking through the trees, he heard Aidan’s wry voice again. “Not like I’m going to argue with him. I’m only supposed to be the second in command, after all.”

Sean froze, glad he was out of sight, as he stared at the nearest tree trunk, aghast.

He was supposed to be what?

AIDAN

Marching through the foliage, Aidan pushed a branch out of his way as he followed the narrow path. Normally, he took his time if there was no rush, but he had a lot of nervous energy to work off. He’d been cooling his heels for two days since introducing himself to Team Maelstrom, and he was ready to get something done.

Which was precisely why he was keen on getting back to the sparring ring where he’d originally found the team practicing. Aidan had received Sean’s short message informing him they would meet as a team at the sparring ring. Aidan hadn’t been surprised at the message since he’d known full well what the outcome of the meeting between his new team leader and General Winter would be.

And if the almost terse quality of the message, delivered by a rather haggard-looking private, was any indication, the meeting had not gone as well as Sean would have liked.

Pushing through the next line of trees, Aidan hesitated, realizing he wasn’t alone in arriving early. The man Sean had introduced as Matt sat at one edge of the circle, staring down at his phone in concentration and annoyance.

“Morning,” Aidan greeted.

He wasn’t surprised when the man’s head jerked up, eyes flashing in his direction. A moment later, the tension in Matt’s shoulders eased when recognition entered his eyes.

“Oh, hey. Aidan, right?” Matt asked.