“Bitch all you want, brother,” Pid kept on. “At least you’re not tied down by Uncle Sam’s wallet.” He motioned toward Beckett’s state-of-the-art dive watch.
“No shit,” Midas agreed. “Sure would be nice if Command would authorizeusto use civi gear in the field.”
Beckett shifted his rifle back around to his front, the weapon hanging securely from its wide, drenched strap. “Don’t get me wrong, active duty was definitely a helluva ride.” He referenced his own time as a military man. “But I can’t deny, there are definite perks to working on the other side.”
The conversation died down as the two groups finished their preparations. A moment later, both teams were ready to roll.
“Everyone commed up?” Dig asked, referring to the earbud communication system they’d gone with for this op.
“We’re good to go on our end,” Mustang announced after checking with his men. His dark beard made the government-trained killer look even more dangerous as they stood in the shadows of the night. “Since this guy’s your client, Command gave the green light for your team to run point. But as far as we’re concerned, for tonight, we’re all one team.”
“So what you’re saying is you’ve got our backs?”
Falcon’s question had Beckett and the rest of Tac-Ops watching Mustang closely as they waited for his response. The leader of the decorated group of SEALs turned his dark gaze in Falcon’s direction as he rumbled a low, “As much as you have ours.”
“Then we’re agreed,” Digger spoke up again. “Stick to the plan, and we all make it back home.”
As far as inspirational speeches went, Dig’s was a bit lackluster. But the fact that the man had even attempted to rally the troops made Beckett think there may still be hope for the surly bastard yet.
Maybe.
“Well, then…” Beckett shifted his hold on his MP5 while giving the other nine men a sweeping glance. “What do you gentlemen say we quit standin’ around and get our asses to work?”
Because the sooner they rescued Rahal, the sooner he’d be back with Evie.
He and the other nine highly trained men began to move up the beach.Damn.He’d been doingsucha good job not thinking about her since reaching the shore. But now…
Now all I think about is the way her dimples deepen with her smile and the soft, silky feel of her hair against my palms. Or the way my body fit perfectly with hers as I pumped my greedy cock in and out of her hot, wet?—
“Bones!” Digger’s deep voice pulled Beckett from his recent, erotic memories as the former SEAL walked beside him as they left the soft, open sand for the thick cover of trees. “Did you hear what I said?”
“Sorry, what?”
The other man’s dark eyes bore into his. “Thought you said you were ready.”
“Iamready,” he challenged back.
“Are you?”
“The hell is that supposed to mean?” Beckett frowned, confused by Dig’s concern.
“It means I need you focused and on-point. Christ, Bones. We talked about this shit that day at the range.” His team leader shook his head with frustration. “Ithoughtyou and Evie getting together would take care of the issue, but?—”
“I’m good, Dig.” Beckett fixed his gaze on the other man’s as they walked side-by-side. “Really. Just ready to kick some pirate ass so we can all get the hell back home.”
To say the other man was a hard man to read would be a massive understatement. Hell, most days, it was damn near impossible. But while it wasn’t clear whether Digger believed Beckett’s claim, the man didn’t continue pressing the issue.
“So that’s it.” Dig sounded more annoyed than pissed.
“What’s what?”
“I finally figured out what’s pulling you away this time.”
“There’s nothin’ pulling me awa?—”
“Bullshit,” Digger growled. “Your head’s filled with thoughts of getting back home to your woman, just like Falcon’s and Apollo’s were the first mission they took after getting with theirs.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” Beckett smirked.