Chapter 2 #2
She would give anything to be able to slap him, just once.
She pushes the feeling out of her mind, replacing it with the burn in her chest when she sees Riley.
Solely focused on getting him home, she turns, smiling wide, “Oh, the footage from the bar. You did know there were cameras everywhere, right?” Her smile turns genuine when the color drains from the general’s face.
Mikey, Tyler, and Alex exchange confused glances, looking between the general and each other, hoping someone has answers.
“They might not have seen you that day, but I did. While I was screaming for help, willing to sacrifice myself to keep Riley safe, you were aiming a fucking RPG at him, weren’t you?
” she shrieks. “No one believed me, but Riley’s truck has a dash cam, and Mitch has cameras all over the bar.
Your own fucking soldiers had cameras on their helmets.
It was simple enough to go back and get the footage.
” His eyes dart between Liz and the men surrounding her.
He tries to form words, but Liz cuts him off.
“Now, you can either sign those fucking papers and give us permission to go find him, or we will release those videos and turn you into a pariah. I will make sure your career and credibility die with Riley.”
The general stammers, quickly realizing he is losing control over the situation.
Liz has run out of fucks to give. The guys may not know it, but she knows without a doubt that the general wants Riley dead.
His actions directly led to Riley being captured, and there is nothing in this world that is going to stop her from getting him back.
“No such video exists—” the general is cut off by Liz, growing more inpatient by the second.
“Then why do you look like you’ve been caught?
If you have nothing to hide, you would have told me to release it, called my bluff, but you didn’t.
Approve what Alex asked for, and we will be on our way.
You can look like a hero when Riley returns home safe, or don’t, and the world will know you’re a traitor and a coward. ”
“I will be keeping you all on a short leash.” he chokes out, reaching for the crumpled list of demands.
“We will meet at the bunker before and after each mission. I will expect a full report the moment you return, and, since you are down a man, I have someone joining the unit.” he states, looking directly at Alex, clearly expecting him to nod dutifully and go along with whatever he says.
“With all due respect, sir, their home is off limits,” he says quickly, glancing over to Liz. Only able to put out one fire at a time, he continues, “We will come here for our meetings. That bunker belongs to Riley, and it is not my place to bring you there without him.”
“Fine,” the general says through gritted teeth.
“If you insist on doing things here, I am going to insist on seeing you work here, too. You do not get to hide away, working from that hole, only setting foot on this base when you need something. You are soldiers for god’s sake.
You may be a special operations unit with your own set of rules, but this is still your job! ”
Alex gives him a slight nod and steps back into formation, placing his hands behind his back, waiting to be dismissed.
The four of them exchange glances, unsure of what else is to be said.
They did it, they got what they needed, and they are free to gather their resources and pile into the next plane to Russia.
“Now, who exactly is joining us? How much training do they have? I need to know everything about them before I can re-work the plans, and we can’t leave until I get that done.” The questions pour out of Tyler.
Liz steps away from the desk, striding back to Mikey’s side. Her anxiety spikes. There is no telling what she will do if she is not near someone who will stop her from ruining everything.
“I’m glad you asked,” he says with a sneer.
“Matt, come in and meet your new team,” he shouts toward the door.
Nausea rises as the handsome man standing outside strides in.
This answers all the questions she had when she first saw him.
If he is hand picked to join the team, there is no doubt in her mind he knows exactly what kind of man the general is.
Now, this mystery man is on their team, and she is expected to just trust that he won’t kill her the first chance he gets.
“Meet Matthew Solano. He just returned from a mission along the border of Kazakhstan and Russia. He has outgrown his current unit, and I believe he will make a good addition to this one. Matt will be an asset to you, and you will show him the same respect you have shown Riley’s little stray,” he says, sneering at Liz, smiling to himself as his insult lands.
Anticipating her next move, two strong arms wrap around her waist, pulling her back and pinning her against a hard body. Mikey leans down and whispers, “Think of Ry, darlin. If you do anything right now, he will back out.”
She relaxes slightly, furious how he’s right.
“That was uncalled for, sir,” Matt says, winking at Liz as he steps further into the room.
“I think it’s honorable that she is so willing to fight to find her commanding officer.
Especially after he publicly rejected her in front of all the men and women she now has to work with. That takes a strength not many have.”
Liz seethes at the backhanded compliment, ready to turn her anger on him. The loosened grip retightens. Mikey knew the moment her body went rigid things were about to turn explosive.
“Well, thanks for this. I’m going to take this one and start gathering supplies. Alex, text as soon as plans are set and we will meet you on the runway.” With that, he pulls her out the door, steering her back down the hall before dropping his hands.