Page 4 of SEAL's Tempest
Tempest hadn’t understood the need for secrecy, but disobeying a direct order wasn’t happening. JSOC had decided that the team didn’t need to know. She wouldn’t be the one to tell them unless, as she was instructed, “that it became critical to completing her assignment.”
The SEALs were to rescue the aid workers, and Tempest’s mission was to find the computer lab that had been developing new top-secret chips for the DOD. They needed her retrieve any records and chips, then destroy the lab. She hadn’t figured out how she’d be able to get away from the team yet, and she hoped Knox would have some insight.
Knox’s lips thinned, and even though Tempest didn’t know him, it was obvious he wasn’t happy. “We have our orders from JSOC, and they include Petty Officer Miller, who was born in Marikistan. I’m sure she will be value added. Now let’s focus on how we’re going to get in and out without getting involved in the conflict.”
She hadn’t been trying to hide her original nationality, but she and her family were all naturalized citizens and had been for years. If she hadn’t been, she’d never qualified for the CTI program or the top-secret clearance she’d needed for this mission.
After a few hours of examining every aspect of the current satellite images and then comparing them to the new ones, they had a Plan A, B, and C. Quinn had asked for her input on the layout of the city before it was decimated by the rebel fighters.
It had been over fifteen years since Tempest had been in Marikistan or her hometown Zdolnihiv, but she knew nothing much had changed since she’d left. She was able to point out the location of the hospital and the hotels where the aid workers had been staying.
Their plan was to split into two groups and search both places at the same time in case the team had separated. Still, she hadn’t told them she was related to one of the people they were rescuing. Instead, she’d pack her sister’s sweatshirt for Whiskey to get a scent from. She’d tell everyone when they were air born.
It was a good plan if they were able to stay with Plan A. Even Plan B would give her the chance to slip away and get to the computer lab. But ditching the SEALs wouldn’t be easy.
By the time Knox dismissed the team, it was already fourteen hundred. They’d spent the entire day in the conference room, going over every possible scenario. At twenty-one hundred hours, they’d reconvene in the briefing room to receive their go/no go for the mission and get their final orders. Tempest hoped they’d be cleared for the helo landing in Zdolnihiv because of the need for a quick turnaround, but nothing would stop her from making the HALO jump if necessary.
Once they were in the air, she’d have about nine hours to figure out how to separate from the team and accomplish her mission. If JSOC had agreed to share her assignment, it would have been so much easier. Instead, she’d probably end up pissing the team when they realized she’d ditched them.
Tempest watched from her seat as the team filed out as she waited for a moment alone with Knox. As the K9 named Whiskey followed his handler, Ryder, she grinned. The German Shepherd was so quiet during the briefing she’d forgotten he was in the room. Nothing like her father’s little yorkie-poo who would have made the rounds several times seeking out pets from everyone.
“Everything okay, Tempest?” Knox asked as he gathered his papers from the table and shut down his laptop.
If she didn’t know better, she’d swear he could read her mind. “Yes, of course, sir. It’s just I don’t like keeping the team in the dark about my ‘extra’ assignment. Is there any way you can get JSOC to reconsider their decision?”
“I know you’re new to JEB. But I doubt they do anything differently in Coronado. We don’t question orders received from JSOC. I’m not privy to their reasoning but it’s an order. The only reason to share your assignment will be if it is the only way you can complete your mission. Is that understood, Petty Officer?”
“Yes, sir.”
Knox nodded. “Are you worried how the team will react?”
Without waiting for her answer, he continued, “Don’t be. They are skilled operators who can handle anything they come up against.” Knox’s stern expression softened as he grinned.
“Thank you, sir.”
There was nothing else for her to say. He was right. Tempest didn’t know this team, but Knox did. She’d have to hope he was correct in his assessment, or any further missions with this team would suck donkey balls.
ChapterThree
Josh leaned against the side of his maroon truck in the parking lot outside the HQ building and chatted with Ry and Whiskey as he waited for Tempest to come out.
“Are you trying to poke the bear,” Ry asked as he rubbed Whiskey’s ear.
“No, that’s the last thing I want. But if we’re going to be working together, we need to call a truce. We have a mission to complete, I’ll be damned if I’m going to argue every point with her,” Josh said as he crossed his arms over his chest.
What was keeping her? Was she admitting to their CO that she really wasn’t qualified after all? Or was it something else? He couldn’t shake the feeling that she was withholding information they needed. Except Knox wouldn’t let her get away with that, not if it would impact mission success.
“What are you going to do? Offer her your first born?” Ry grinned.
“Fuck no. I’m going to try to reason with her. She’s Navy and has to understand how this works.” Josh ran his hand through his hair in frustration. “I can’t believe I didn’t know that she was Navy until she walked in today. How did I miss that?”
“I guess you’re not as observant as you’d like to believe, Heartbreaker.” Ry winked and then lifted his chin toward the front door of HQ.
Josh turned. Tempest exited the building. He took a deep breath and told his wayward cock to settle down. What was it about this woman? From the moment he introduced himself to her, she’d done everything she could to piss him off, but his body responded to her like she was his catnip. They needed to come to a truce before this mission turned into a living hell for everyone.
“Well, that’s my que to take off, Ry said. “See you later. Call if you need someone to bandage your wounds.” Ry and Whiskey headed to his truck.
Josh shook his head at his best friend and still wanted to tell him to fuck off, but that would probably only trigger Tempest, and he needed her reasonable.
