Page 38 of Edge of Desperation

Carver sniffs the air. “I smell coffee.”

Bennett and Thomas push past me into the kitchen, with Carver right behind them.

“Can we come in?” At least Hudson has the decency to ask.

I throw up my hands. “Might as fucking well.”

Thomas throws a bag at me. “What crawled up your ass?”

I open the bag, and saliva pools in my mouth. Inside are two warm, freshly baked honey croissants. As Bennett passes out cups of coffee, I take a big bite and moan a little.

“Awe, is the Captain hangry this morning?” Carver teases.

“Fuck off,” I say without any heat.

“Any word from the general?” Hudson asks casually.

I swallow hard. I was hoping to talk to Aurora without telling the team to find out what she wants first, but I should’ve known one of them would ask. We all hate seeing her deteriorate.

“Just got off the phone with him,” I answer.

Thomas’ head snaps up. “When were you gonna fucking tell us?”

Felix Thomas is one helluva Marine, but he sometimes lets his emotions get the best of him. Normally, he can keep themin check. However, this assignment has him twisted inside. His sister was kidnapped by a close family friend when they were kids, and even though they eventually found her, she was never the same.

“Settle the fuck down,” I command. “I literally hung up with him right before you degenerates shoved your way in here.”

“Sorry,” he mutters.

“What’d he want?” Bennett asks. “Is there a lead on the Krukov family?”

I shrug. “He called on Aurora’s behalf.” I hold up my hand to keep them from interrupting. “He doesn’t know why, but she wants to see me.”

Hudson's brows furrow. “Do you think she wants you to take Lykos back?”

All eyes land on me. We were all a bit worried when we picked up the Wolamute. His size alone was enough to intimidate anyone, let alone Aurora.

I shake my head. “The general said that, and I quote, ‘She ate breakfast and smiled for the first time in weeks.’”

“Hell yeah!” Carver cheers. “I wonder what she wants.”

“No clue.” I finish off my pastry. “Will you dickheads get out of here so I can get ready to go? I need to stop for pizza on my way there, too.”

“Pizza?” Bennett asks, hopefully.

“No… No way,” I chastise. “I’m going alone. I’ll fill you all in later.”

“Roger that,” they say in unison.

Fifteen minutes later, they finish their breakfast and coffee. Hudson hangs back as the others head out. “Be careful.”

I clench my fists at my side. “Excuse me?”

Hudson rolls his eyes. “You’re falling for her.”

“Fuck.” I run a hand through my hair. “Is it that obvious?”

He chuckles. “Remember, I see what others might not. Aurora’s fragile, she’s still healing.”

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