Chapter 36
Liz and Riley walk out together and take their seats at the table, all eyes on them as they do.
Liz quickly looks around, eyes lingering on the general.
She can’t help but smile at the sight of his black eyes and bandaged nose.
The general just glares at her, clearly holding back from saying what he wants to.
Alex clears his throat and starts. “We have intercepted intel by Dmitri’s men.
Mikey was right, they took a big hit when they attacked Stryker.
It’s going to take weeks for them to execute another attack, but they are definitely looking for Liz, although we still don’t know why.
The good news is, we were finally able to confirm your story entirely.
” Alex looks at Liz, his eyes soft and caring for the first time since they met.
Liz wonders if he feels bad for the way he treated her, now understanding none of it is her fault, or if he simply pities her after everything she shared about what she endured at Dmitri’s hand.
“None of this would matter if we just handed her over!” the general snaps, adding, “Dmitri wouldn’t have a reason to attack.”
Liz stares, green eyes boring into him as she seethes with anger.
Her body starts to shake. Riley, still not the best at reading her emotions, confuses her shaking for fear, and reaches his hand over, placing it on her leg, slowly rubbing up and down.
It’s a small gesture, but the only one he can do.
He’s learned physical touch is the best way to ground her.
“General,” Riley says in a deathly calm that is more Reaper than Riley. “Did you already forget what got you that broken nose?”
The general’s face turns red, and he starts to mutter before snapping his mouth shut when he sees the violence churning in Riley’s eyes.
“And let’s not forget, if it wasn’t for Liz we never would have known about her brother. He would still be out there aiding Dmitri,” Tyler adds, giving Liz a small smile that she returns.
“So what is your plan… Reaper?” The general asks through gritted teeth.
“They already know where she is. A man was following her today, taking pictures. He only stopped when he spotted me, so we know the tracker is active. I think we keep going. Every few days I’ll take her out, start building a pattern for him to plan his attack around,” Riley says.
“And you think that will work?” The general snaps.
“We have been watching him for years. You yourself know how he treats things he believes are his. He thinks he has a right to Liz, thinks he owns her. We all know it’s not just about her, it’s about us taking her, stealing what he claims is his property…
In no world would he just let that insult go,” Riley says to the general.
He thinks on it for a minute. The silence draws Liz’s attention back to the large hand currently rubbing her leg, getting dangerously close to the apex of her thigh.
Liz can’t help it, a breathy little noise escapes her.
Riley stops and grips her leg, strong fingers digging in.
It doesn’t take long for him to start again, trying to drag that sound from her.
“I want Bert and Ernie to stay here, track his movements, and Tank, you need to get started on a plan of attack for when he finally comes out of hiding.” The general says, using the call signs he only uses in anger. He quickly stands and marches to the elevator, leaving without another word.
Alex and Tyler excuse themselves to follow the general out and return him to the base. As soon as the three of them are piled into the elevator and out of earshot Liz whirls on Riley, a thousand questions bouncing around her head.
“Who the fuck is Tank? And Bert and Ernie? Who’s who?” she shrieks, excited by the new information.
“Tyler’s Bert and Alex is Ernie,” Riley tells her.
“Are they…. ya know?” she says, making a little gesture with her hand. Mikey laughs and gets up, grabbing two beers from the fridge before walking back and handing one to Riley.
“Yeah, they are,” Mikey says.
“General doesn’t really agree with the whole equality thing, especially in the military, so he gave them the shittiest call signs he could think of. Dude wants to shame them every chance he gets,” he adds, sad for his friends, for the bigotry they have to deal with every day.
“Now I get why Alex hates me. I caused all the shit that’s putting someone he cares about at risk,” Liz says.
“You didn’t cause anything, darlin, and Alex doesn’t hate you, he just takes some time to warm up to people.” Mikey tries to reassure her.
“So… your nickname is Tank? I didn’t think you would have one so… cool,” she says to him, struggling to find the right words.
“Want to know how I got the name?” Mikey asks, preparing to tell her the most extravagantly wild story he can come up with.
“Dumbass drove a tank into a building after he convinced everyone he knew what he was doing,” Riley says laughing.
Liz looks at him, not sure if she should believe Riley or not, but the look on Mikey's face is proof enough that Riley is telling the truth. Before she can question it, Mikey blurts, “It was one time.”
“Because you got banned from driving them again,” Riley responds without missing a beat.
That’s all it takes, Liz bursts out laughing, deep and true, causing the guys to laugh along with her. After a moment, she pulls herself together, stomach hurting from not laughing in so long.
Riley looks at her, reaching over and taking her hand in his, the happiness shining in her eyes mirrored in his own. She rests her head on his shoulder and closes her eyes. The excitement from the day mixed with the contentment she’s feeling makes her very tired, very fast.
“You should get some rest, darlin. We’re meeting in the gym at 0500,” Mikey tells her.
She nods her head and gives Riley a small squeeze before dropping his hand and standing. She tells them goodnight and heads to her room. Shoving everything off her bed and onto the floor, she climbs up and gets snuggled in, wishing she dragged Riley with her.
Liz pulls out her phone, having the perfect response for Mikey.
What’s a tank’s favorite holiday?
Tanksgiving
She sends the text, listening intently to hear if he gets it. Liz smiles to herself when she hears the two of them outside start laughing. She puts the phone down, snuggles into the plush mattress, and lets herself drift off.