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“BT and Brielle spoke highly of you and your skills,” Garcia said. “You’ll meet them both later this afternoon, after you’ve finished up with Cooper.”
“And we’ll meet too and lay out the training schedule and talk about expectations,” Madison said.
“What about my brother, Cameron?” Briana asked. “What am I supposed to tell him?”
“Nothing yet,” Shepherd said. “We’re still discussing if a job offer will be extended to him as well.”
“I have reservations about him,” Garcia said. “I’ll have a better idea once I’ve met with him.”
“Do you think your brother will accept an offer if one is made?” Shepherd asked.
“Wow, um, I’m not sure.” Her gaze went to Garcia. He wasn’t exactly mister warm and fuzzy, not the best candidate to meet with Cam. “He’s never served, and isn’t exactly military material, if that’s a prerequisite.”
Roth chuckled. “That’s one way to put it. But he is good with a keyboard and knows about us. And I assume he’ll want to know why you’re not continuing with your normal business.”
“He’s said many times since we were busted by you last month that we should lie low. I agree though, that he’ll want to know what I’m doing. And he is good with a keyboard. I wouldn’t have been able to do what I do without his help.”
“Is he into anything illegal?” Garcia asked.
“Besides what he does for me, no,” Briana said.
For the first time a small grin formed on Garcia’s face, making him look less scary. “Being prior military isn’t a prerequisite. Brielle’s never served, and she fits on the team just fine.”
“Please do not warn your brother of his visit. Garcia leaves for Iowa first thing tomorrow morning,” Shepherd said. “The oath,” he prompted coming to his feet.
Cooper also stood. “Ah-ten-hut!”
Everyone else stood. Briana was surprised how ingrained it still was in her after all these years to immediately come to attention when prompted. Shepherd handed her a slip of paper with ‘The Oath’ written on it. She smiled as she viewed it. She didn’t need to read it. She knew it well enough.
She raised her right hand to shoulder level. “I Briana Woods, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice, so help me God.”
“Okay, get her situated, and make sure she meets with Garcia to be issued her phone and computer before you leave tonight. She is welcome to stay in the apartment on nine. And make sure you introduce her to Angel,” Shepherd said. He then headed for the door.
After he’d left, Garcia stepped towards it as well. “I’m here until about eighteen hundred but would like to meet with her after lunch, if that works,” he said.
“Yes, I’ll bring her up as soon as we complete the onboarding,” Cooper said. His gaze then went to Roth. “I assume she’ll be staying at your place and won’t need the apartment?” His lips tipped into a grin.
A smile spread over Roth’s face. “She and I haven’t had the conversation yet. Can you give us a few minutes alone? I’ll bring her to your office in a few.”
Cooper nodded. “And introduce her to Angel on your way,” Cooper said. He closed the door after he and Madison had stepped from the room, leaving the two of them in there alone.
Roth wrapped his arms around her. “Are you happy about this?”
She smiled a huge grin. “I was shocked when Shepherd offered me a position and the agency’s help to continue my work. Yes, I’m thrilled with everything.”
“I’ll be assigned to work with you about fifty percent of the time. I’m very happy about that.”
She pressed a kiss to his lips. Then she embraced him, dropping her head against his chest. “So, we can have a relationship and work together? Isn’t that usually against the rules?”
“Usually, but we’re not a conventional unit. Cooper and Madison are married,” he said.
That statement surprised her. She’d never have guessed.
“As are Jackson and Angel. And Brielle is the wife of one of the other Operators. As long as the relationship doesn’t interfere with business, it’s not a problem. So, you do want to explore a relationship with me?”
Briana laughed, feeling relaxed for the first time since they’d arrived in Chicago. “Yes, Sebastian, I very much would like to explore a relationship with you. And if it’s okay with you, I’d love to stay at your place.”
Roth kissed her forehead. “And we’ll explore more of that naked time later tonight when we get back to my place. I’m looking forward to that.”
“I’m looking forward to everything this new life holds for me, including more naked time with you. I never thought getting busted by federal authorities would have been the best thing that has ever happened to me, but it was.”
Roth chuckled. “Remind me to tell you about the injury that was the official end of my SEAL career and how that was the best thing that could ever have happened to me because I got recruited into this unit because of it.” He kissed her again. “I better bring you to Cooper’s office so you can get onboarded. The next time I kiss you, I’ll be kissing a coworker.”
She laughed too. “I can’t wait for that kiss.”
“And more,” he said.
“And more,” she echoed.
Their Beginning