Page 8 of The Team

In other words, reinforce everything she’d just said.

“Thank you, Director,” Rhett said. He faced his team. “My expectations remain unchanged. I expect no issues because there will be no issues.”

Every member of his team gave a nod. Even Jay.

And Rhett knew Jay’s opinions on this. He wasn’tthrilled, but Rhett knew Jay would just roll with it, adapt, and push on.

“Right, then,” Director King said, walking forward, using his cane a little heavier than normal. His lack of sleep from having to extract Rhett and Jay from the Met at two o’clock in the morning, no doubt.

It reminded Rhett to tread carefully around King today, and probably for the foreseeable future.

“You’ve got thirty minutes to get acquainted,” King said, “before I want to see Ouston and Lin, and Yin and Chen in my office.”

Another ass-kicking, no doubt.

“Understood,” Rhett said with a nod.

The directors filed out, leaving Yin and Chen still standing at attention at the front of the room.

“So,” Azrael said, smiling. Then she gestured to her face, then to Rhett and Jay, then to Yin and Chen and their busted-up faces. “You boys all get your make-up done at the same place?”

The others laughed, but all looked at Rhett to answer. “We may have had a misunderstanding,” he said.

“We saw,” Coyote said, pulling out his phone. He held up the YouTube video. “The view count is crazy. Tech’s gonna have a lot of fun trying to scrub this video.”

Rhett sighed.

“You got your ass kicked,” Sid said with a laugh.

Chen’s big smile broke out at that, and even Yin’s lips twitched.

“Hey,” Jay said defensively, both hands up. “I was well out of my weight division. We can all see that, right?”

“You fight well,” Chen said, still smiling. “For a little man.”

Yin’s gaze went to Rhett’s, stoic as ever. He wasn’t waiting for a comment on the fighting. He was waiting for Rhett to take charge of this meeting.

Rhett hated that he was right.

“Introductions,” Rhett said. He was sure Yin and Chen had full intel, but he was doing this anyway. “Name’s Ouston, call sign is Captain. Australian, SAS.”

“You’ve met Agent Lin,” Rhett said, gesturing to Jay. “Call sign Medic. Australian, SAS.”

“Agent John Ritchie,” Rhett said, and Sid gave a wave. “Call sign Sid. English, MI6. He’s our ops and intel officer.”

“Agent Sahni,” Rhett said, and Tarak gave a nod. “Call sign Echo. He’s our comms sergeant. India’s 1B.”

“Agent Cantrell,” Rhett said, gesturing to Damian. He gave a nod. “Call sign Coyote. He’s our weapons and demolitions sergeant. American Navy SEAL.”

Coyote thumped his chest. “Hooyah!”

Chen smiled. Yin did not.

“Agent Masson,” Rhett said, gesturing to Anna, the only woman on their team. “Call sign Azrael. French BFST.”

Yin’s gaze went to Rhett’s. “Azrael?”

Rhett gave a nod. “Angel of death.”

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