Page 33 of The Team

Rhett gave a nod like he understood every word Jay didn’t say out loud.

Jay hoped it would be enough.

Then Rhett held his finger to his earpiece and gave a nod. “Okay, let’s roll out.” They collected their gear, and as everyone filed out, Rhett grabbed Jay’s arm. “Thank you,” he whispered.

Jay smiled at him. “When this assignment is over, you’re gonna rail me so hard.”

Rhett smirked, fixed the strap on Jay’s gear, then shoved him toward the door. “Fall out, soldier.”

With that, they left the apartment as they found it—empty—and went downstairs to the waiting van.

The ride out of Baku was quieter. Jay guessed everyone was clearing their minds, focusing, and preparing mentally for what they were about to do.

Eventually, the quiet got the better of Jay.

Totoro was sitting across from him, and when Jay’s eyes met his, the big guy smiled.

Jay liked him. He wasn’t entirely sure what to make of Yin. He was serious, quiet, and he reminded Jay a lot of Rhett. They were so alike.

And Chen was more like Jay.

“Ever been to Tehran before?” Jay asked him.

Totoro shook his head. “No.”

“It’s a beautiful city,” Jay added.

“Not Iran, but did training with Saudi National Guard two years ago,” Totoro said, and everyone turned to watch him. Except Yin. He kept his gaze straight ahead.

They’d done training with the Saudis?

That was . . . unexpected.

“Oh?” Jay asked. “And how was that?”

“Hot,” Chen replied. “We Sea Dragons like water. Desert no good.”

Jay chuckled. “I get that.”

“Where else have you done training?” Rhett asked. He was still looking at Yin, so everyone waited for Yin to answer.

Yin stared back at him for a long few beats before his lips twitched in what might have been a smirk. “Officially or unofficially?”

Rhett laughed. “Does it make any difference?”

Yin shrugged. “Not at all. My answer is the same.”

“It’s classified,” Sid said with a wry smile.

“Every job we’ve ever done has been classified,” Coyote added.

“I’ve never set foot outside of France,” Azrael said, her grin wide.

Jay laughed and raised his hand. “Never left Australia.”

“Me either,” Rhett said.

Yin smiled. He actually smiled.

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