Chapter 2 #3
She’s not wrong. This is not who I am. I am a leader and I need to act like one.
“I think Angry Bones just gets a little too excited sometimes Ana. You have to admit it was flawless,” Nyx says with a polite smile.
My nails dig into my palms under the table at the nickname, but I admit he at least attempted to lighten the mood.
Ana’s gaze lingers on me as if she can sense my tension and offers a chuckle in agreement.
“I hope you two are also working well together. Teamwork requires communication and not just on the field. I think it would be best for the group to start combining outside of missions. Maybe a team meal every now and then, some training sessions. A group bond would certainly benefit the team.”
I snort; has she lost her mind? Bear is enough as it is. Let alone everyone else colliding. We’re flawless because we do what we do best: move in silence and stick to our positions. This is just unnecessary.
Before I can object, Nyx clears his throat.
“We can do that.” Says the man who doesn’t speak to any of us unless it involves a violent setting.
Am I hallucinating? Nyx doesn’t even sit in the back of the van; his designated spot is up front with Matt, leaving me to wrangle our so-called pack by myself.
Ana clasps her hands together. “Wonderful.” She swiftly rises from her chair, opens a file in front of her, and slides it gently across the table.
The air in the room immediately darkens as Ana begins to fidget.
“This is currently being discussed with the others, with minor details. Any information you read here, stays here.”
She swallows weakly, darting her gaze between me and Nyx. “The Red Earth Directive unit has gone MIA.”
An Australian team? My mouth drops as I skim the paper, while Nyx lifts sheet after sheet to each member’s profile with the description of how they were brutally captured from their headquarters.
I clear my throat. “Do we have any leads?”
Ana shakes her head as her eye lids lower. “No.”
Nyx’s jaw tightens, a low growl rumbling from his chest. “What can we do?” he asks.
Ana gathers the files securely in her arms, her heels clicking across the marble as she stashes them away.
“Nothing yet. It’s not our jurisdiction until there’s evidence of a connection here.
Until then, be cautious and be on standby.
Other than that, keep doing what you’re doing.
” She manages a thin smile, waving a hand to dismiss us.
Nyx stands, turning to open the door when Ana tugs on my shirt from behind me. “Go ahead. Nyx, I need to speak with Florence for a moment—thank you for your time.”
I pause, waiting for the click of the door, “Ana I can explain—” Whirling to face her, I find her already halting me with her palm, a tender smile on her lips.
“Flossie there’s no need to explain, just come sit— I’ve missed you.”
We walk to the solid white couch, curling up to face each other.
Ana reaches for my hands but quickly retracts from memory.
It’s the therapist inside her not wanting to force any physical touch with an abuse survivor.
“You and I both know what was happening in those two minutes, but Florence, you know you’re under surveillance by Scott.
I can only keep him from noticing so much, and at the end of the day I still take my orders from him.
He worries, you know.” She pauses. “As much as I know how you love the idea of friendship and social gatherings, it was the only card I had to pull to help you.”
I slouch, trying to absorb her care. “Ana, you know I didn’t purposely mean to leave them. I accept responsibility for my mistake. Punish me if you have to, I’ll even speak to Scott, but team bonding, Ana? Really?”
I feel a pat on my knee and lift my chin as agony stitches itself into my skin from the idea of it.
Ana chuckles. “It will show Scott that you all are working hard to prove yourselves. He’s not happy that the wolves haven’t been spotted in three months.
I say this with all the love in my heart… suck it up buttercup.”
Before Ana can react, I snatch the pillow from behind me and side swipe her with it.
“Ow! Was that necessary?”
My mask slides from my face. “If I have to feel the unsufferable pain of this, Ana, then you do too!”
Laughing, she reaches for the pillow and tucks it underneath her chin. “I’ve been worried about you. And before you dismiss me, people are allowed to care for you, Florence. It’s not a weakness.”
Ouch. My second skin trickles back down into place.
“Ana, I love you and your spectacular speeches, but I kicked a lot of ass tonight—” She winces at my language.
“Sorry, I’m still working on that, but we did beat a record and my hair is going to mold on my head if I don’t get back to my room to do something about it. I love you, to the kingdom friend.”
Defeated, Ana nods her head. “I love you to the kingdom, Flossie.”
I softly squeeze her shoulder, standing to exit. “I’ve got it all under control, Ana, I promise.”