Page 22 of The Team (The Milvus Files #3)

“Zihao, on the other hand,” Yunho added, “has a reputation as a hard ass, even by PLA standards. But...” Yunho sighed. “His record is...”

“Let me guess,” Rhett deadpanned. “Exemplary.”

“They sent their best, and it was all legit. They sent expressions of interest through the proper channels. Everything appears to be above board.”

“Who approved their application to join?” Rhett asked.

“It went to a vote. Director Depraz gave the deciding yes.”

“And that Chinese kid? Yixing?”

“I cannot find a connection.”

“Fuck.”

“I know what Harry said,” Yunho added. “I know he doesn’t think it’s a coincidence, but I cannot find any link between the two.”

“But Yin did request this post, right?”

“Yes. His reasons for that, you’d need to ask him.”

Rhett sighed.

“You still trust him.”

It wasn’t a question. “I do. I dunno why.” Then Rhett thought back to the moment when Gordian had threatened him with one of those canisters, and Yin was quick to protect Rhett.

And the time in Baku when they’d snuck over to the abandoned apartment, it was Yin who stopped Rhett from being discovered.

“He’s proved himself,” he offered weakly.

“He’s covered in scars. Big ones. Like he almost got ripped apart.

For him to survive that and still want to do this job.

.. He reminds me of Harrigan in that regard. ”

“Ah,” Yunho said fondly. “That would be from his time in South Sudan. Medical records say it was an explosion.”

“He mentioned South Sudan,” Rhett murmured.

Yunho hummed. “Yin saved his entire squad, but it was Chen who saved him. Carried him for over a mile.”

Jesus Christ.

Knowing that just confused Rhett even more.

“For what it’s worth, Rhett,” Yunho said, “I don’t believe the mole is in your team.”

“Someone on the council.”

“Or HQ. I’m looking, believe me. But they’re all digitally locked down pretty tight. We are running tracers and cameras on everything. If it’s there, I will find it. I’m hoping to have answers for you by the time you land in London.”

“Into the lion’s den,” Rhett murmured, repeating what Giardello had said before. He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Any word on Kowalski and Myles?”

Yunho’s voice was quiet, sorry. “Yes. You should know Kowalski’s prognosis isn’t good. Myles has fared better but is still critical.”

Rhett closed his eyes and hung his head. “Thank you.”

“I will be in touch. The minute you touch down.”

“Thank you,” he said again. The truth was, if it wasn’t for Yunho, and for Asher and Harry, it was likely Rhett’s entire team would be dead by now. “Next time we’re home, we’ll come say hi.”

“Please do,” Yunho said. “Lucas said to say hello.”

“How’s he doing?”

“He’s well. Says he’ll keep one eye on you.”

Rhett chuckled at that, now that Lucas only had one eye. “I’m grateful.”

“And send our regards to that darling little medic of yours.”

That made Rhett automatically turn and search for Jay. He smiled when he saw him. “I will.”

“Be careful, darling,” Yunho said.

“Always am.”

The call disconnected, and Rhett felt both better and worse after that conversation.

He wasn’t sure what to make of anything, and he hated the feeling of uncertainty.

He found King talking to Giardello and his team, and they all stopped when Rhett approached.

“I was just relaying the news about Kowalski and Myles,” King said. “I assume you were told?”

Rhett gave a nod and handed King back his phone. “And that the mole isn’t on my team,” Rhett said, making sure to stare at Bisgaard while he said it. “But I already knew that.”

King looked unimpressed, in a don’t-start-fighting-again kind of way. But Rhett wasn’t even one bit sorry because, honestly, fuck them.

Rhett was sick of the bullshit.

He just wanted to get his team home safe. He wanted to find out who betrayed them, and he wanted to make them pay.

And he wanted just ten minutes alone with Jay.

Just to fucking hold him, to be held by him. That familiar feeling of home, of love, of being connected and tethered and not floating adrift.

“We’ll be on the plane,” Rhett said before taking his leave. He went back to his team, Jay’s eyes searching his, and he tried to smile for him.

My god, he needed him.

But he needed to set the record straight first. “You should know the prognosis for Kowalski doesn’t look good.

Myles is still critical but stable.” He paused for a moment to let them absorb that.

“And regarding who betrayed us, our intel has not changed. The threat to this team comes from somewhere within HQ. Not one of us. Are we clear?”

He looked at Az, Echo, Coyote, and lastly at Sid. They all nodded.

But then he met Yin’s sad eyes. “We all good?”

Yin held his gaze and gave a grateful nod, which Rhett realised may have actually been a bow. Did he just fucking bow to him?

“All good,” Chen said, smiling again.

“Excellent,” Rhett said. “Let’s get back on the plane and get the fuck out of here.”

They filed aboard, King following, limping slowly with his cane. Rhett couldn’t have cared less if Alpha Two stayed behind, but they eventually boarded and took their seats.

Rhett liked Giardello. Had a lot of respect for him as a soldier, a leader, and as a man.

But Bisgaard was now on his shit list. Rhett only had to remember the way he’d snarled at Jay, and Rhett wanted to crush his windpipe...

Rhett had often wondered what could possess Harry to do that to another person. But that guy had beaten and tortured Asher.

Bisgaard had only snarled at Jay, and Rhett wanted to squeeze his neck.

He tried to imagine someone actually hurting Jay, and yeah... Rhett didn’t have to wonder anymore. If Bisgaard, or anyone for that matter—on Alpha Two, someone from HQ, or a total stranger—hurt Jay, Rhett crushing their windpipe would be the least of their worries.

“You okay?” Jay asked quietly beside him when they were in the air.

Rhett turned his head so he could stare at Jay for a long moment and sigh. “Yeah. Can’t wait to get home. I need you so fucking much.”

Jay smiled at him, eyes soft. “Oh, believe me, you’re gonna have me.” Then he made a point of looking toward the bathrooms. “I mean, we could join the mile-high club.”

“I heard that,” Echo grumbled from his seat.

Jay laughed. “Wanna hear us actually?—”

“Absolutely not,” Echo replied .

Az chuckled, her eyes closed. “Me either. For the love of all that is holy.”

Jay sighed happily, and Rhett couldn’t help but smile. But he was so freaking tired. He wanted a proper feed, a hot shower, and Jay in their bed for two full days of nothing but sleep and sex.

“Get some sleep,” Jay whispered, giving Rhett’s hand a quick squeeze. The warmth was heavenly and far too brief. “I’ll keep an eye on things.”

Rhett slid his hand into Jay’s—something he didn’t do when they were on the job— and threaded their fingers. He was all out of fucks for rules. He would dare anyone say a fucking word to him about it.

Knowing they had a bigger battle to fight all too soon, he closed his eyes and slept.