Page 10 of SEAL's Tempest
“Less hiking through the mountains works for me.” Lucky grinned.
“You’re just a lazy fuck.” Josh laughed. “Whatever you say, boss.”
Doc and Ry nodded.
“Tempest?”
She didn’t think she should have a say, but apparently, Quinn thought otherwise.
“You’re part of this team. Do you have any concerns about the location change?” Quinn asked.
“None at all. It will save us some time, and I’m all for getting to the aid workers as soon as possible.”
“My thoughts exactly. We’ll be making the jump here.” Quinn pointed to a spot on the map. It was barely inside the Lithuanian border and would eliminate most of the mountainous terrain.
“It will cut off about ten klicks. Without having to go through the mountains, it will more than half the time to get into Zdolnihiv. Make sure you add the vest and helmets to your packs. Tempest, Doc packed your chute for you. Make sure you double-check it. Any questions? Concerns?” Quinn asked.
Tempest liked how Quinn interacted with the rest of the team. Some of the teams weren’t this easy going, but it was clear that these guys really cared about each other.
“Thank you, Doc. I should have thought about that earlier,” Tempest said.
She took a deep breath. It was like being on a blind date with five devastatingly handsome guys who believed the worst before they’d met her. She needed to clear the air.
“I was used to working with the SEAL teams in Coronado. But even then, I never deployed on a mission the same day I met the team. I understand how the teams train. You’ve planned every minute with contingencies, and I’m an unknown entity.”
She glanced at Josh and shrugged. “Or maybe not. But I promise I won’t be a liability to your team. I hope that you’ll give me a chance to prove myself.”
There.She’d said her piece, and now, she hoped that they’d give her a chance. If not, she’d have a hell of a time trying to ditch them later. Ironic? Sure, but JSOC didn’t leave her with any other option. They’d put her in an untenable position, and chances were these men would never trust her again. Or maybe, they’d understand. They were all under orders—just not the same ones.
Quinn nodded. “I have no doubt you’re trained. JSOC wouldn’t have assigned you to the team otherwise. But what you’re trained for is what concerns me. As you said, you haven’t trained with us and don’t have a specific role in the rescue other than translator. Since the aid workers all speak English, and most of the Marikistani speak Lithuanian, it seems an unnecessary risk to have you along.”
Tempest struggled not to squirm under Quinn’s gaze, and she couldn’t stop the heat from flooding her cheeks. Damn her fair skin. But what could she do other than acknowledge his concerns?
“I understand your concerns,” she said carefully. “But we’re all under orders to do what needs to be done. I will not do anything to hinder the outcome of the mission.”
Tempest took a chance even saying that much, but none of these men were stupid and all were well trained. It was an insult to continue with the farce of needing her to interpret, and they all knew it.
Quinn nodded as he considered her words, and Tempest’s need to squirm dissipated.
“Okay, get some rest.” Quinn walked to the front of the plane.
Tempest grabbed her UN gear and stuffed it into her pack, then went over her chute and checked the oxygen tank and mask to make sure it was ready for the jump.
“Tempest?” Josh asked.
“Prakeiktas.You startled me.” Tempest turned to find him standing right behind her.
“Sorry. Hazard of the job,” he answered with a grin.
She nodded.Of course it was. “Did you need something?”
“No, but I wanted to thank you for leveling with the team.” Josh winced. “I may have complained about you a little.”
“Just a little?” Tempest laughed. If she had to guess, she’d been the subject of more than one bitch session especially with how often she’d made him late. “I understand, and I earned it. But we have this truce, right? As you said, we need to work as a team.”
Josh nodded. “Right. And we figured you have separate orders. None of us like that we’re in the dark. It never bodes well behind the wire. Just know that if you need backup, you’ve got it. You just have to ask.”
Tempest wasn’t sure what to say. Considering how she’d treated him for months and what they must all think of her, this was more than she could have expected.
