Page 85 of Remade

Even when we’re on our own

We will not seek glory

But we will be victorious

Because we are operators of the griffin

And what we’ve started, we shall finish

Holy fuck, this was happening right now. I locked eyes with Bo across the table, and he sent me a subtle wink.

I bit my lip.

Riggs spoke up next. “We hereby declare that the remaining recruits of this year’s training are junior operators with the Hillcroft Group, and you all have appointments with HR on Wednesday at oh-nine-hundred to get your operator numbers and sign your contracts. After that, you have two weeks off before you’re officially on active duty and can be called in for your first assignment.” He nodded for Rose to take over again.

My stomach twisted with anticipation and the feeling of accomplishment. It was a big boost to my confidence.

Operator Quinn.

“Before we dig in,” Rose said, reading from the paper he held. “Your requests for future areas of expertise have been reviewed, and I’m happy to tell Operator Travers that you’re joining our unit of operators who often get sent to Africa. Operators Ortiz, Kelley, and Quinn, you keep polishing your Spanish. You’ll be seeing a lot of South America in the future.”

I exchanged a quick smile with Bo.

“Last but not least, Operator Grey, you will join our Asia unit,” Rose said. “Congratulations, operators. May the griffin be with you always.”

“Fuck yeah!” Tanner legit fist-pumped the air.

Coach chuckled. “Just keep in mind your preferences won’t mean shit if we need you elsewhere in the world.”

Yeah, yeah, we were aware. We’d go where we were told to, whether it was the Middle East, Europe, or the continent we’dchosen. Actually, I’d chosen both South America and Europe. Bo had once picked South America and Africa, and that hadn’t stopped the operation handlers from sending him to Asia and Russia and wherever else.

“Let’s eat!” Payne said and sat down. “And let us know if any of you want to volunteer to come here next summer to place markers at the posts for future operators.”

“Not it,” I said quickly. “Too soon, sir.”

“Yeah, let our insect bites fade into hazy memories first,” Tanner agreed. “First thing I’m gonna do when I get home is kill all my plants.”

I laughed and reached for the bread basket. Man, did I feel the same way.

“Like you have plants, son,” Coach laughed.

Tanner scowled. “I have six! My mom waters them for me. I’mma tell her not to. So, yeah.”

Bo shook his head in amusement. “Eight recruits went out. Six deforesters came back.”

“Hear, hear!” I raised my empty glass. “And fuck those birds too!”

EPILOGUE

July 7th, 2025

Bo Beckett

Igrabbed on to the headboard and fucked him harder, well aware we had to get going soon. But fuck me, I wished we could stay at home all day. We met in a hungry kiss, and he dug his heels against my ass.

“Greedy boy.”

He sucked in a breath and groaned, and he raked his fingers down my shoulder blades.

---