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“I figure because Minnesota has to be about as exciting as...well, this frozen shit hole, actually,” Aidan admitted.

“True. I come from this little as hell town, Rose. Weird name since most of the year, roses aren’t growing for shit. Everyone knew everyone there, and by the time I was eighteen, I was ready to get the fuck out and find the rest of the world.”

Aidan smiled, nodding his head in understanding. The five of them had made camp against the wall of one of the nearest mountains, with a thick line of trees blocking the wind. They’d gathered what they needed for a fire, letting it build up and warm the area they’d temporarily claimed as their own.

Matt laid down the branches that would serve as their cots. “I’m a city boy. Chicago.”

“The Windy City,” Aidan mused.

“Not as windy as this,” Matt said with a chuckle.

As though Mother Nature heard him, Aidan listened as the wind howled fiercely somewhere far away. The top of the huge fir trees lining the space shook as the wind threatened to make them bow. He would give Ricardo this much, he certainly knew the places to stay safe.

“I take it you did a bit of camping when you were young,” Aidan guessed, glancing at Ricardo.

Ricardo nodded. “With my dad and brother when we were kids. Didn’t matter what time of year it was, and with hunting season, you got used to getting stuck in miserable weather every now and then.”

“Handy,” Aidan said, looking up at the miserably dark sky above.

“If you want to survive in the snow and ice. Sure,” Ricardo said with a shrug.

However, the pleased expression in his eyes wasn’t lost on Aidan, but he left it without comment. Ricardo bent down to help Matt, explaining quietly how to lay the branches so his body would be separated from the cold ground. Aidan’s attention drifted to the other side of the fire where Sean sat.

Their team leader was looking thoughtfully into the flames, and Aidan didn’t doubt the man was thinking carefully about what they were going to do next. They’d made good progress on their first day, but there were still several miles to go. With everyone working well together, Aidan wasn’t worried about how well they’d do.

He was more worried about how much the entire situation was wearing on Sean. Their team leader hadn’t said much during their trek despite the ready conversation between everyone else. As much as Aidan didn’t trust Sean’s potential mood swings when it came to him, he knew it was important to make sure Sean was at least functioning.

Heaving himself up from the fallen tree he was seated on, Aidan made his way over. Sean didn’t notice his presence until Aidan plopped down next to him. Sean’s eyes, brighter in the light of the fire, widened and flicked to him in surprise. Aidan smiled, saying nothing as he waited patiently beside him.

“Something on your mind?” Sean finally said, raising a brow.

Aidan couldn’t help but notice it wasn’t said with the same rancor and hostility Sean normally reserved for him. It was a relief, knowing they could manage at least something close to civility when it came down to it. On some level, Aidan couldn’t help feeling a little confused, wondering what had changed that Sean could look at him without wanting to strangle him.

“Doing alright?” Aidan asked casually, keeping his eyes on the fire.

Sean eyed him, letting out a huff. “I don’t need you to check up on me.”

Aidan’s nostrils flared, blowing out a cloud of mist as he tried to keep himself in check. It wasn’t until he glanced at Sean and watched him quickly avert his eyes that Aidan found the real check to his temper. Aidan bit back his response without thinking, looking down at his feet.

Now, he knew what was making Sean so awkward and wary around him.

Aidan sighed, speaking quietly. “I meant what I said.”

Sean looked up. “What?”

“Back in the barracks. That was between you and me. No one else.”

No way in hell he would ever dream of going behind Sean’s back and telling General Winter. Sean hadn’t abused his power of authority to make Aidan do what he wanted. Aidan had been a willing participant the whole way through. Nothing would ever convince him that he needed to tell anyone what had happened between them in that dark alley, no matter what.

Sean looked up, eyes darting about nervously. “I know.”

“I don’t think you do,” Aidan said.

Sean frowned. “Excuse me?”

Aidan forced himself to look Sean in the eye. “I think you heard me, but you didn’t believe me.”

“You think so, huh?”