Page 18

CHAPTER 18

“ I s it cabled down?” Ronan asked Wraith, who was helping Wolf secure the canvas to the deuce and a half.

“Yep. They'll have to slice through the canvas if they want to see what’s in it,” Wolf said.

“Next to our tent,” Wraith added, which was the ultimate detractor in Ronan’s opinion. He and Jug had set up the women’s tents. Shelly’s was on the right of the men’s tents, Fleur’s on the left. Both were an acceptable distance away for privacy.

“The big tents are going up.” Wolf nodded toward the main camp. The structures team didn’t waste any time. The excitement of the convoy's supplies was contagious.

“They didn’t waste any time,” Jug said. “I’m officially on the clock. I’ll go make the rounds of the militia posts.”

“Good idea. Wolf, rack out. You have a mid to turn with Stryker.”

“Sounds good.” Wolf picked up his uniform shirt and weapon, which was within easy reach. “Night.”

Ronan nodded in acknowledgment as he stared at Jug. “What the hell is going on with him?”

“Love,” Wraith said as he moved to stand next to Ronan.

Ronan slowly turned to look at Wraith. “If love makes him a grumpy motherfucker, we need to break up that romance.”

Wraith shook his head. “He hasn’t made a move.”

Ronan did a double-take at his second in command. “How the hell do you know?”

Wraith lifted an eyebrow. “Frustration on both ends.”

“Oh.” Well, that would lead him to believe Wraith’s assumption. “Fuck, what’s he waiting for?”

Wraith shrugged. “Not my place.”

“If it affects us working with him, it is our place.” Ronan sighed. “Cobra team is on its way.”

A huge smile spread across Wraith’s face. “Yeah?”

Ronan laughed. “Yeah. It will be good to see them again. ”

“Damn straight.” Wraith slapped him on the back. “Best news ever.”

“Thought you’d think so,” Ronan said to the man’s back. Wraith had a handful of friends, and his best friend from his childhood was assigned to Cobra team. When he was with Ranger, Wraith was a different person. He talked and laughed without being guarded. The transformation was remarkable. But Ronan got it. Deacon was his best friend, and relationships grounded in a lifetime of experiences were easy to slip back into.

Ronan glanced after Jug, who was at the first checkpoint. He grabbed his uniform shirt and put it on before grabbing his M-4 and tracking after Jug. He caught up with him at the second checkpoint. Jug’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t say a word until they were done talking to the militia and heading to the next post.

Jug grunted, “I’m fine.”

“You don’t seem like it. Talk to me.”

“Nope. Thanks.” Jug declined his invitation.

Ronan sighed. “Look, I don’t want to push my advice on you.”

“Good! Hey, see, we’re on the same page.”

Ronan snorted, “Your sarcasm is not lost on me. ”

“Damn, that’s too bad.” Jug laughed, but it was bitter and forced.

Ronan stopped and put a hand on Jug’s arm. He would try one more time. “What’s going on, man? You know you can talk to me.”

Jug stopped and crossed his arms over his chest. “She deserves better.”

“Excuse me? Didn’t we have this conversation? She isn’t settling, asshole. You’re an elite warfighter with exceptional skills. You make more money than most people I know. True, you have your faults. I mean, you can’t run worth a shit.” Jug busted out a laugh, and they started walking again. “You need to stop tearing yourself down, Colt. You aren’t what they said you were. I wouldn’t have you on my team if you were.” Colt’s life growing up had been one tragedy after another. He joined the Marines to escape and then joined Guardian to have a better career, and he was exceptional. The bastards who’d torn him down had done a fucking job on his self-esteem, though. Most of the time, it wasn’t an issue, but when it came to relationships, the man’s self-esteem was in a deep pit.

“Wraith said that, too.”

Ronan elbowed him. “What? That you can’t run?”

Jug laughed. “It’s just hard to believe. ”

“Have I ever led you down the wrong path?”

Jug shook his head. “No, Skipper, you haven’t.”

“And I never will. Shelly’s special. Don’t let this slip past you, my man. You might not have another chance at the real thing.”

“Are you taking that step with Fleur?” Jug asked.

“I am. I haven’t told anyone else yet, but I’m considering taking a desk at headquarters.”

Jug stopped. “What?”

“It was supposed to happen soon anyway, but to be with her, I think I could do it.”

“Wraith would take us on, right?”

“Hell, yeah. He’s ready.” They started walking again.

“He gets me.” Jug nodded. “I don’t want to see you go, Skipper, but I get it.”

“And let me tell you this: when you, Wraith, Stryker, and Wolf are ready to quit the field, I’ll have a place for each of you. Guardian will always be your home.”

Jug nodded. “That helps. I’ll admit, I worry about what will happen when I can’t do this anymore.”

“You’ll work for me. End of statement. Period. And that’s because you’re too fucking valuable to this organization to lose.”

“Thanks, Skipper. ”

“For what? Telling the truth?” He nodded to the camp entrance. “I’ll finish the round. Go find that woman and let her know you’re all in.”

Jug looked at the gate and then back at him. “Probably should.”

“Ya think?” Ronan shook his head when Jug didn’t move. “Do you need my size twelve up your ass?”

“I’m going, I’m going. Fucking bossy.”

“That’s because I am your boss!” Ronan lifted his hands in the air.

“Oh, right.” Jug laughed and started to run toward the gate. Holy hell, the man could run. He’d have to remember to tell Wraith that.

It took him about two hours to complete the walk around. He visited with the posted militia, and the fact that he spoke their language fluently was helpful. He heard stories of how each man had ended up working with the militia. For most, it was the only thing they could do to make money. Survival made a man do things he normally wouldn’t. It was almost dark when he made it back to the camp, and he saw a lantern on in Fleur’s tent. Going to the flap, he called her name, and she pushed the flap back and smiled in greeting. “Come in! I love the space! ”

He slipped through the canvas. “I took a chance that maybe the cot wasn’t the most comfortable for both of us.” She rolled her bottom lip with her teeth and stepped out of his way. She’d made a bed on the ground. There was a tarp on the bottom, and on top were two sleeping bags zipped together. Her small suitcase was on the cot she’d brought from her small tent, and the lamp sat on a box she’d turned over near the bed she’d made. “It’s not much.”

He pulled her close with one arm and kissed her upturned lips. “This is perfect. Have you eaten?”

She smiled and pointed at a box in the other corner of the tent. “Wraith gave me a case of MREs. We can eat here.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do. I need to check in and make sure everything is handled. I’ll be right back.” He kissed her again, this time a bit deeper. Damn, what this woman did to him should be illegal. He pulled himself away from her finally and headed to his tent. Wraith was out front at a fire pit the men had dug while he was gone. “Status?” Ronan said as he sat down beside him.

“Stryker and Wolf are sleeping. I’ll wake them when I hit the hay. Jug’s in the camp.” Wraith glanced at him. “What you said to him worked.”

“Thank God,” Ronan said, and they both laughed .

“Jug said you’re thinking about a desk.”

Well, that news traveled fast. He nodded. “I am. No decisions yet. A lot has to be settled. You’re ready to lead this team.”

Wraith was quiet for a long time before nodding. “I am. Don’t mean I’m happy about you leaving.”

“Don’t push me out the fucking door, man. I’m not leaving yet.” Ronan chuckled. “Just thinking about it. Thinking about the future.”

Wraith nodded toward Fleur’s tent. “The future is over there. Not here.”

Ronan gazed at the fire. Something he wouldn’t do if he weren’t shutting down for the night. “Somehow, I can’t help but think my future is tethered to both places. We both know what’s expected.”

Wraith nodded. “But we make our way forward.”

Ronan glanced at Wraith. “Damn straight. The footsteps that built Guardian don’t fit me, and I can’t walk in anyone else’s shoes. Know what I mean?”

“You know I do.” Wraith stood up and slung his M4 over his shoulder. “Do whatever it takes, Skipper. This life is all we have.”

“For as long as it takes.” He watched Wraith walk into the camp. Wraith was a couple of years younger than his other men, but he had a soul that was fucking ancient .

Ronan stood and slung his weapon then walked over to Shelly’s tent and called her name. She popped out of the tent with a huge smile on her face. “Thank you so much for the tent. Fleur said you were behind bringing more in.”

“You’re welcome. Do you have everything you need?”

“I do, thank you. Jug is going to stop by after he finishes his shift, and we’ll have a late dinner. Wraith brought me an entire case of MREs. I’m being spoiled.”

Ronan laughed. “Spoiled by MREs? That is a low standard.”

She made a face. “Right? Oh, well, I am what I am.”

“And that is enough. Enjoy your tent and evening.”

“Thank you. I know you’ll enjoy yours.” She slipped back into her tent before Ronan could even laugh. Yeah, he would enjoy his evening and hopefully every evening for a long, long time.