Page 46 of The Soldier

Which is why I wasn’t thrilled that he was here.

I wanted to get in and out, then home.

Hell, I might’ve even put up with a TikTok influencer in exchange for never seeing the guy’s face again.

“The only information you need right to know is that Sergeant Adams is joining you on the mission to the Jahra region.” The colonel had glanced at me once more. “Remember the threat from landmines is still high.”

I’d nodded.

I didn’t need to be reminded but I appreciated him being thorough. I’d previously seen two of my men blown to pieces a couple of years back.

It’s not something you forget.

After that, I’d paid attention to the broader briefing and made notes on how I’d adapt my mission around it. And who was doing what. Some of it was humanitarian based, with some reconnaissance to find some known terrorists that have been identified in the area. Ground crew had been requested by command to go in and confirm, so we were looking at a multi-focused mission.

The fact Delta Force had been called in told me they were confident the terrorists would be there.

“Sergeant Adams, you’ll join the team in the Black Hawk with a drop near the Iraq border. Then you’ll be on foot and meet up with Delta Force.”

“Yes, sir.”

That was aligned with what Josh had shared in the briefing document from higher ups.

No surprises so far.

“If you need any supplies, grab them now.” The colonel tells me, then glances around the room. “Wheels up in thirty.”

“Hooah,” a bunch call out—the army war cry—as bodies start to move out of their chairs that scrape the floor.

The colonel adds, “Rogers, I hear you were previously stationed with Adams. How about you shadow him until he connects with Lieutenant Rodriques and the Delta team.”

Fuck.

“Is that what we do with private consultants? Babysit them?” Rogers scowls, although I think he was aiming for a laugh.

Trust me, I was as un-fucking-happy as he was.

I held my tongue—just—but the astute leader was watching me long enough to pick up my reaction.

“You’ll be rid of him in a few hours.” The colonel assured me, slapping me on the shoulder as he passed.

Unfortunately, he’d been wrong.

With a fresh pair of socks, my boots tied tightly, and my black tactical gear packed with weapons, night eyewear, and a rifle I slid my pack onto my back and ran toward the Black Hawk.

Chop, chop, chop.

The sound pumped through my body as adrenaline filled me. A mix of anticipation and excitement. It was like this every time.

Then, after cramming into the craft, we’d lifted into the air and flew across the enemy terrain.

After repelling near the border, we made our way through the dark, almost abandoned, port city until we stopped near a warehouse. There the Delta Force team appeared.

A huge copper-haired guy held out his weapon hand after swapping his gun. “Sergeant Adams?”

I was clearly identifiable given I wasn’t in a US military-issued uniform.

“Rodriques?”

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