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I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. I was at a loss—stuck. Because I had no defense, no logical reasoning I could offer these people. Just my own lack of trust and my own secret motives to be on this mission. But I couldn’t share that with them. Sharing that would prove their greatest suspicions—that I couldn’t be trusted either. And that realization had me closing my mouth as my stomach bubbled.

Giza cleared his throat. “I will share your concern with President De’vor, but I believe—”

“No need, Sergeant Major,” Wes cut in. This time, he sat up, the laziness gone from his posture and the stoic, firm expression that I knew so well was back. Wes cracked his neck, confidence oozing from every pore of his body. And frankly, it made him sexy as hell. I mean, how did he do it? How did he walk around like he was the best thing on earth, taking shit from no one, and owning space like it was his private chamber pot? Truthfully, I was in awe of how Wes, as broken as I knew he was on the inside, could just badass it like nobody’s business.

“Sir?” Giza shifted his attention to Wes.

Wes stood up, assuming his full height. “There’s no need to speak to Sasha about Lieutenant General Krous’s concerns.”

“Mr. Calvernon,” Bynes interjected. Her tone was on-edge, but she kept her attitude in check this time. “Lieutenant General Krous is correct. Regardless of my opposition to the objective of this mission, the choice of making Miss de la Puente point in this operation is absurd. You are asking us to risk valuable resources and to sacrificelives,” she emphasized. “Your men need to know that, as leaders of this army, they can trust us to make decisions that are in the best interest of this region, with as little risk to them and their lives as possible.”

Bynes stood, rolling her shoulders back. “Sir, I cannot endorse this operation. Not in good conscience. You want me to risk our people to rescue a criminal of war? Fine. I’ll follow your orders. But I will not do so under the leadership of an inexperienced Telvianbrat,” she pushed out through gritted teeth.

“Hey!” I objected as I stood, but Wes’s arm flew out, pushing me back into my seat.

“Understood, General,” Wes began. His voice rose only a decibel or two, barely noticeable, but boy, did those eyes burn hot and bright. “I understand your predicament loud and clear.” He leaned forward, extending his arms out in front of him on the table, supporting his weight. “Now allow me to make myself equally clear. Youwillbe mindful of how you address the Telvianbratsince that Telvian brat is my promised.”

My breath hitched. It was the first time anyone had spoken of our betrothal in public—certainly the first time Wes had announced it out loud—and it made me…it made me feel… I blinked, trying my best to inhale oxygen into my deprived lungs.

Bynes’s face dropped, the shock displayed across her features as her eyes flicked to me. Clearly, the news was abigsurprise to her. Her gaze shifted back to Wes as he continued to speak.

“Furthermore, you can lay your objections to rest. Jacob de la Puente may very well be a war criminal, but heismy soon-to-be brother-in-law. And that,” Wes said with a cocky smile, “well, it makes him family, now doesn’t it?” The laughter slipped from his expression, and he was back to cool, calm, and badass. “So I’d like to see more enthusiasm with the objective of the mission, all right?” It was a rhetorical question. Wes was on a roll, and he didn’t wait for her response. “Finally, you can inform thePresidentthat he should feel very motivated to support this operation and to spare no expense on ensuring its success. If you’re truly concerned about our troops, General, and their confidence in Mara’s ability to lead them, then you can reassure them as well that there is nothing to worry about—”

“But, sir—” Bynes tried to interject, but Wes lifted a hand, effectively shutting her up.

“Tell them,” Wes began, his tone icy, “that there is nothing for them to worry about. Marawillbe ready for this mission. I can guarantee it becauseI’llmake sure she’s ready for it. And if there’s any remaining doubt at all, you can tell them Mara won’t lead this operation alone.”

Giza spoke up this time. “Sir?”

Wes ignored him and continued to face Bynes head on. “BecauseI’mgoing to lead it with her.”

And then all hell broke loose.

31: Two Can Play that Game

Iwas shocked, sitting with a mixture of thoughts and feelings that I was struggling to sift through while everyone else at the table argued. Every commander was talking over the other while Wes looked bored at the onslaught. If there was one thing I got from all the shouting and snarled faces, it was that absolutely no one thought this was a good idea. In fact, Giza, Bynes, and Krous all seemed to be on the same side, trying to convince Wes that he couldn’t go on the mission.

I had feelings about it too, of course, but I was too dumbstruck to even sort through them. In fact, I was still trying to figure out if Wes had even been invited to the meeting in the first place. And why? Why was he volunteering himself to go and co-lead this thing? Did he think I couldn’t do it either? Did he think I was going to end up getting myself killed, along with my entire team? That would mean no obligation to marry me. Did thatbotherhim? Did he…did he actuallywantto…? I shook my head. I couldn’t finish the thought.

Wes and I weren’t like that. We were never like that. Sure, we had some interesting, heated moments in our past, but I was convinced ninety-nine percent of those were my fault, caused by my stupid brain getting confused and thinking Wes was Chase. But that hadn’t been the case for a while now. So how did I explain this morning? I couldn’t…not with an explanation that made sense to me.

Maybe Wes wanted to do what was best for his faction and make sure the North gained something from our marriage? Maybe he was tired of always being the black sheepof the family and wanted to prove to his father that he could fulfill his role as the First Son just as well as his brother did? Maybe he was on his own mission. A mission to prove to his family that he was just as good, just as worthy, as his brother?

Now that…that made sense to me. Wes feared his role, ran from it, detested it. But he hated it because he was always the next in line…like me. Never the favorite and always the disappointment. But with Chase gone, Wes was expected to assume all those responsibilities. And sure, maybe he bucked at those expectations at first, but if you had the chance to finally prove to your parents that you were just as great, just as worthy, just as deserving as your sibling…wouldn’t you?

And just like before, the puzzle pieces clicked into place for me, and I finally understood Wes Calvernon. He was going to play the part of a doting fiancé, sweep me off my feet if he could, and marry me, securing a whole lot of wealth and power for his father. And, most importantly, he was going to prove his father wrong. Because there was no greater revenge than success, baby, and Wes was going to flip his dad the biggest middle finger by securing the biggest increase in power for the North. But to do that, he needed me alive. And if there was one thing I knew deeply about Wes, it was that he didn’t trust anyone with a job hedeemed important. If he needed me alive,hewas going to keep me alive.

Wealth.

Power.

Survival.

Revenge.

It was amazing how much people made sense once you understood that everything boiled down to those four things.

“Thanks for all of your concerns,” Wes spoke with such patronizing calm that it was clear he was communicating to everyone that they could shove their concerns up their butts. “But frankly, I’m tired of this meeting and I’m kind of hungry,” he added as he patted his belly lightly. “So, here’s what you’re all going to do. I want a meeting hosted tomorrow to discuss mission parameters and to select the team. Mara and I will both be there. And then I want training to begin immediately.” The lazy look in his eyes slowly slipped, replaced by furrowed brows, thin lips, and a nasty stare. “The time you spend arguing with me is time you could spend ensuring that this mission is a success with minimal casualties. Do your jobs, and let’s get this shitshow going instead of wasting time.”