“You’ll teach her, for one thing.” CJ chews at his lower lip.
“I’m a fighter, not a teacher.” I defend my position, already aware I wage a losing battle.
“One of the biggest parts of being an operator is teaching those who are new to the team. You’re an excellent instructor, and need I remind you that we have no one else who can do this?” That’s CJ’s way of telling me to fall in line.
“But …” I run my hand through my hair, frustrated. I’m not getting out of this.
“Look …” CJ places a hand on my shoulder. “I get you want to stay with your team. After this operation, we’ll be packing it up here in NOLA and returning to California.”
“Exactly. I need to be with Alpha, not left behind in New Orleans. Bravo is still operating short. Delta is busy as fuck. Charlie is your only team operating at full strength.”
“We’ll pull from Bravo like we’ve done in the past.” CJ doesn’t mince words.
Bravo’s had it rough. They walked into a shitstorm in Cancun. No one died, but the injuries they sustained are not insignificant. Since then, they’ve supplemented our team when we’ve had men out with injuries, like Griff when he got shot in the leg.
“Not if I’m with my team.” My case is lost, but I’m not ready to accept defeat.
“You are the one Maria’s security team saw pulling her into the van.” Sam states all the reasons why it must be me, and I hate that he’s right. “The only person it can be is you. Fortunately, we’ve been blessed.”
“How’s that?”
“Previous pattern of behavior.” Sam shrugs. Neither he, nor CJ, will force me if I absolutely put my foot down.
Sending me on a mission I can’t get behind is a recipe for disaster, but they both know I’ll obey the chain of command. My ego is not that big, and there’s no argument left to be made.
“Exactly.” CJ stands with Sam. “You’re it.”
“It’s a shit assignment.”
“What’s a shit assignment?” Maria’s soft voice makes me palm my face. Of all the things she could overhear, why did it have to be that?
“Nothing.” I spin around and fix a fake smile on my face. “Just talking about Guardian stuff.”
“By stuff you mean getting stuck with me?” Her left brow arches as fires swirl in those sapphire eyes of hers. “For the record, Hollywood, I’m not happy about it either.”
Behind me, CJ and Sam snicker.
“Now wait a second. That’s not what I said.”
It’s a no-go getting out of this. Best to put on a smile and do my damn job.
Grin and bear the suckage.
It’s a saying a few of us had during BUDS. We did whatever we had to and made it to the end of another horrible day with a smile on our faces. We did that because we didn’t ring the bell. Each day we didn’t ring out was one day closer to joining the ranks of the most elite warriors in the world.
“You said, and I quote.” She lifts up her fingers and hooks them in the air. “It’s a shit assignment. Shit meaning me.” Maria glares at me. Arms crossed. Lips pressed together. There’s a storm brewing in her eyes.
“Hey, I never said it was you.” I hold up my hands in surrender. She’s nearly a foot shorter than me, but damn, what a tempest when mad.
“Did too.” She doesn’t back down.
“Did not.” Can’t help but fire one back at her.
I blow out a frustrated breath, very much aware Maria dresses me down in full view of not only Sam and CJ, but Forest and Skye as well. They join us in the foyer and listen to every word.
“You’re in for a rough go, lover boy.” Forest huffs a laugh, but fatigue pulls at his shoulders and makes his smile sag.
“Come on Bean, you should get some rest.” Skye places her hand on Forest’s arm. “We’ve got it from here.”
“I’m not sitting this one out. If we don’t get those girls …” His gaze cuts to Maria.
It takes a second for it to sink in, but Maria gets it. Like watching a wreck in slow motion, she gets it.
“Is there a problem with the rescue?” She grasps my arm for support.
I think she forgets she was dressing me down not two seconds previously.
“No problem. Just more moving parts than the Belvedere operation.” Forest points between me and Maria. “The two of you need to hurry up and start date night. We need lots of smiling pictures of the happy couple.”
“Do we have to fake an engagement?” I look to Skye for support.
“A fiancé will be given more leeway to move freely.” She crushes any hope I have left.
Shoot me dead.
Maria gives me the eye, then takes me in from head to toe. I wear the black suit from earlier in the evening when I escorted Lily into the Belvedere as my date. I know exactly what she’s thinking.
“Uh-oh.” I smack my hand over my forehead. “Houston, we have a problem.”
“What’s that?” Skye keeps hold of Forest, grasping his arm with a delicate touch.
“They have me on camera with Lily when we entered earlier.”
“That’s no problem.” Forest’s rumbly words end in a cough.
“How’s that. It’s all captured on their security feeds.”
“I know Knox and there’s no way you did anything but hug Lily. Figure something out. She’s your sister, or a cousin.” Forest looks between me and Maria. “Play nice.”
“Can’t make any promises.” Maria’s stormy expression shifts to me. “Remember, lover boy, I’m doing the Guardians a favor.”
“Don’t you dare start with that.” I’ve descended into some kind of personal hell.
“Fine. Hollywood it is.” Maria’s gaze cuts to Skye. “How are we getting back? Anything specific you want us to do?”
“Just look like a couple having fun. I’m sure Hollywood can figure out the rest.” Skye winks.
Figure it out?
I can do that and more. It’s time to have a little fun at Maria’s expense, and it’s always best to just dive in.
20
MARIA
The past few hours have been a complete whirlwind. I’m dizzy with the sudden changes in my life; a victim of whiplash as I go from loyal Rossi family member to Guardian conspirator, all within the span of a few hours.
I fear what happens next.
That sinking sensation in my gut doesn’t look like it’s going away anytime soon. If anything, that twisting, gnawing apprehension builds and builds until I feel like I’m going to be physically sick.
Again.
My hand sits over my belly, pressing in. It does nothing to ease the sinking sense of dread swirling in my gut.
I’m going to lie to my family.
I’ve never lied to them before, not about something this big. Not only that, but I’m going to cover up the rescue of three women. I mean, that’s a good thing—rescuing others—but I don’t like this new world I find myself in.
“What happens now?” I look to Liam for guidance.