Page 30 of Enemy of My Enemy

Another slap of disrespect. Ethan’s lips tightened. “As am I, General.”

“Yes.” The general leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking as the ribbons and insignia on his chest rose with a heavy inhale. “Settling into the White House. What is it that the first gentleman does again? Social events? Planting a White House garden? And delivery boy, apparently.”

Across the room, Ethan heard Daniels’s knuckles crack in the silence that followed the general’s words.

“These orders come from the president of the United States, General.”

“I don’t see the president here.”

Ethan’s jaw clenched. “You have already received detailed orders regarding the formation of a clandestine strike team tasked to the command authority of the president. And, as part of those orders, you’ve received explicit instructions as to my position within this new force’s chain of command.” He pulled out a copy of Bell’s orders, hand-signed by Jack, and slid it across the general’s desk. “In case you’ve forgotten any of the details.”

The general didn’t move. He didn’t reach for the orders. He kept staring at Ethan, holding his gaze.

“I’m not convinced of the legality of this tasking. Or of your part in all this. Your character is questionable.” Bell’s eyes flicked to the folded newspaper sitting on the table next to Ethan’s chair.

It was the Washington Eagle. And, right across the top, the article that ripped him and Jack to shreds.

So it was personal. A fuse lit deep within his belly, rage burning slowly as his teeth ground together.

Another thought blindsided him. Was itjustpersonal? Madigan had been a part of SOCOM for years. General Bell had been quietly investigated, as had every commander in SOCOM… but what if?

Ethan leaned back, leveling his gaze as his expression hardened. “In conjunction with the attorney general and congressional leadership’s directive to take out this imminent threat, and working within the legal framework established delineating executive powers, a judicial review will find that we are on excellent legal ground.” A pause. “Which is more than you can say right now, General.”

Silence.

“As the representative of the president of the United States, and as the director of this operation, I will ask you once—are you prepared to execute your orders, General? Or should I call the president, your commander in chief, and have him relieve you of your command? I can wait for your replacement to carry out these orders.”

General Bell’s nostrils flared and his face turned purple. His fingers clenched down on his chair arms. Leather squeaked under pressure.

“We could also discuss the transfer of a team of operators to my command with orders and authorization for them to train and act solely at the discretion of the president of the United States.”

The silence in the general’s office was oppressive, weighted down with unshed rage and the boxed-in general.What will it be, General?Ethan held his glare, watching as the older man’s hands trembled where they clenched his chair.

“I came here to workwithyou.” Ethan softened his tone.

General Bell’s eyes narrowed as he leaned forward. Snarling, Bell snatched up the orders Ethan had slid over his desk. He read through them, twice, and then glared over the top of the sheet at Ethan.

Ethan spoke first. “I have a specific team in mind. Lieutenant Adam Cooper and his Raiders.”

A snort burst from the general. He laughed out loud as he shook his head. “Cooper? He’s a train wreck. I’ll be chaptering him out of the Corps by the end of the week. You want him forthis?” Bell waved toward the sheet, lying on his desk again.

“I’ve worked with him personally.” Ethan frowned. The Lieutenant Cooper he’d known had been a man of competence and quiet confidence, a man who had built a breach plan with him for the White House, no questions asked. A man of conviction and loyalty.

General Bell smirked. “Tell you what.” He grabbed the orders in one hand. “You’ll get what you want. Lieutenant Cooper and his team tasked to you.” Standing, the general crumpled Jack’s orders, balling the paper up before chucking it into his garbage. “Two less problems I have to deal with.”

Ethan stood and stared.

Bell shook his head, glared at Ethan up and down, dismissing everything about him, and walked out.

* * *

Daniels was a ball of frustrated,shaking fury as they exited the office, but he kept his mouth shut as they clambered back into their Humvee.

“I have orders to take you to Lieutenant Cooper, Mr. First Gentleman.” The driver, a sergeant, turned in his seat, questioning.

“Please.” Ethan stayed quiet, holding a silent conversation with Daniels through shakes of the head as they drove across the base.

Finally, the driver pulled the Humvee up to a large brick building and stopped. Ethan looked out the window and blinked when he saw the building’s signage.MacDill Stockade.The base’s equivalent of a jail.