Page 68 of Commander

“Are you kidding me? We’ve handled bigger situations than this.”

“Yes.” He sighed. “But circumstances are different. Your value as a hostage is a hundred times greater than Ameera’s.”

“This isn’t your call.” I grabbed the rifle from the storage case. I would snipe every one of the motherfuckers before they got past us with Ameera. I will not let the sister of my heart live another day as a prisoner.

“But it’s mine.” Tyler’s very pissed-off voice came over the communications speaker.

“Not on your life.” I gathered my pack and slung it over my shoulder as I moved to climb on top of the truck. “Shouldn’t you be at an important meeting or something? I’m busy right now, Tyler. Get lost.”

“I would be at a meeting, but my hard-headed director decided to play vigilante and leave the country without telling anyone. I had to find out from the board. Are you fucking crazy?”

“I don’t have time for this. I have a convoy coming toward us and a mission to lead.”

“Negative, ghost rider. Your ass should be on American soil instead of in Asia. I’d order you home if I thought there was any chance you’d listen.”

“I don’t take orders from you, so can it. I outrank you.”

“Not for this one.”

“You don’t.”

“I do.”

My heart stopped. The only way he’d have rank on me was if the board assigned him the lead.

“Dammit, Tyler. I will get her back.”

“Not at the cost of your life. The report says there are five armed trucks. Even if you went G.I. Jane, you wouldn’t be able to win.”

“I can snipe each of them before they know what happened. If you remember, I’m a ten times better shot than you.” As I turned, Kade blocked my way to the door, crossing his tree-trunk arms.

“Sorry, Commander.” I tried to shove him, but he barely budged. “I have orders. Including the use of force to keep you safe.”

“Tyler, tell Kade to move or I won’t hesitate to shoot him.”

“Not going to happen. You aren’t thinking straight, and that is a surefire way to endanger Ameera’s life. Do you think they’ll hand her over without a fight? They’d put a bullet in her head before we even get within yards of her. What would you do if it were any other agent in your situation?”

The fight left my body. I wasn’t calm enough to handle this. I was too close to the situation. I’d pull anyone else from the assignment if they had a personal connection to the target.

“What am I supposed to do here, Tyler?” I kept the quiver from my voice, but barely. “She’s within reach.”

“Exactly what you told me when she went missing. You said I had to think logically. Any wrong move could mean her life.”

I had used those words to keep Tyler from resigning from his role in Ashur’s administration. Now I heard the same words.

Think, Tara. This isn’t only about Ameera. It is about Ashur and you too.

“I hate it when you’re right. I’ll wait for backup.”

“No, Tara. You are not part of this at all.”

“Dammit, Tyler. I will not sit by and let the men save the fucking day.”

“This has nothing to do with men and women. Hell, the team is half female. This has to do with the fact you are the first lady and you have a duty to our country, whether you like it or not.”

“I hate you so much right now.” I let my shoulders sag.

I’d wait until the team arrived and then make the call whether I was part of the operation or not.

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