by Lauren Dane
She nodded as he cleaned up and they got dressed.
“And I want you to know I will die before I let that tragedy be you. You will not argue your way out of it. You will not. Not on this point. I will protect you, and since you put yourself right in the line of fire, I’m in charge. I am your man and your superior officer. Oh, and your trainer. So your ass is mine in every way. Do not get it hurt, or I will toss you in the brig until the war is over.”
She cupped his cheek. “I’m going to agree, and you’re not going to believe me.”
“Because you’re stubborn.”
“Ha! I’m tenacious.”
Chapter 21
The room was full when they arrived. Andrei inclined his head toward Ellis as he and Piper found a seat near Daniel and Vincenz. He’d read the briefing update as they made their way back and had commed with Daniel to firm up their understanding so they were all on the same page.
“As you all know, we are at war. Our job is different than that of the great majority of those in the military corps. We are the special teams. We will coordinate with the other branches and continue to keep up our operations.”
Daniel stood. “We have intel that the Imperium had only one device ready, and we now have it. Foolishly, their troops left it behind when we used our own device to stop the damage and reopen the Portal. We have reason to believe the Imperialists have set up a lab to attempt to clone the materials they have been stealing from us.”
Ellis took over again. “Julian has been running the interrogations of those prisoners we’ve taken on Ceres. As expected, we were able to beat them back within hours. Our troops will stay on the Edge. A buildup is necessary, and we will meet any aggression with a bounty of pain and retribution.”
“For the time being, Andrei Solace will work from Ravena. All intel you gather goes through him, and he’ll take it to me or the Comandante when he deems it necessary. Nothing is insignificant. We found the processing plant because Piper Roundtree, our newest operative, refused to let go of a feeling she had about Parron. That gut feeling, backed by a very persuasive argument, may have sped the end to this war.”
Andrei barely resisted a look in her direction. He needed to keep his work face, but he’d tell her how proud of her he was when they were alone.
He stood. “Each of you will find your roster updated. Be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. I’d also urge everyone to be in some sort of physical training every day. You’ll need to be at your absolute best. The Skorpios Fardelle uses are pumped full of stims and narcotics to keep them ready to kill. We need to be better.”
And he did not want to have any more memorial services.
Everyone filed out, leaving him there with Ellis and Daniel. Piper squeezed his hand. “I’m going to find Taryn and give him the good news.”
She sauntered off and he didn’t even try not to watch.
Roman walked past her into the room and sent a raised brow his way. “Are you objectifying one of your charges?”
He blushed, and Daniel burst out laughing.
“I filed marital papers. She and I are going to have a small ceremony in a few days. You’re all invited, of course. Daniel, I’d be honored if you’d stand for me.”
“Of course. You just did me the same honor. Carina has been at me to bring Piper around. Of course I admit I’m concerned that my lovely wife will think she should be able to be an operative now.”
“Congratulations, Andrei. I quite like your Piper. She’s a good match for you. And permit me to offer our gardens as a place for the ceremony. I feel as if there has been so much negative, so much pain, a little celebration would be a good thing.”
“I appreciate that more than you know.” Not having any blood family he was in contact with, the others in the Phantom Corps were his family in every way that counted. This outpouring of well wishes was important to him. “But you have a baby due any time and a war to manage. Really, I don’t want to add to your list of concerns.”
Roman laughed. “The best thing about being the boss of everything is how many people I have working for me who handle these details. Please let us do this for you. You’ve done this government a great honor, risking your life over and over. Abbie and I respect you and enjoy your company a great deal. Especially Abbie, because you so rarely speak and she can talk and talk without being interrupted.”
“All right. Thank you. We appreciate it.” He inclined his head. “And your wife is lovely. I trust she’s well? The babe?”
“Annoyed that she’s hot all the time. But the boys dote on her, Mercy spoils her rotten and of course, I do my best.”
Andrei snorted a laugh, knowing just how much Roman Lyons spoiled his wife.
“Go to her. I can see you’re antsy.” Ellis nodded his head toward the door. “We’ll have twice daily briefings. The first is an all-corps meeting with all branches represented. The second is all special teams.”
Ellis walked out with Andrei, pausing when they’d gotten far enough away from everyone. “I wanted to apologize to you for putting you in the position I did by sending Piper’s brother on the op. I should have shared the promise I made with you, but the comm exchange had several other people online, and I didn’t want any of them to doubt his ability.”
“We’re facing times filled with all sorts of decisions that will be made that we won’t agree with. I want you to know I have every confidence you will continue to excel at your job.”
Andrei walked toward Piper, who turned to him, a smile of greeting on her face. Things were indeed dark, but the woman he’d joined his life with would continue to be his light and his heart.
Berkley Heat titles by Lauren Dane
MESMERIZED
INSIDE OUT
INSATIABLE
COMING UNDONE
LAID BARE
RELENTLESS
UNDERCOVER