Her Wild Hero - Paige Tyler Page 0,28

team hadn’t been thrilled to see Landon and Ivy show up with the rest of them in tow. Angelo supposed he could understand their reluctance. Going into hostile territory with people you didn’t know and didn’t trust would make anyone uncomfortable.

Angelo still wasn’t sure when Landon had found a chance to slip away and call in a favor, but when they’d touched down in Costa Rica, there were two other Special Forces operators already waiting for them—Sergeant First Class Nik Carter and Lieutenant Zane Butler, both out of the 7th Special Forces Group from Florida. They’d been down in Panama training antinarcotic forces when Landon reached out to them. Angelo didn’t know them personally, but they’d put their own mission on hold to help Landon, and that told him everything he needed to know. Special Forces was one big family. When family called and needed help, you dropped what you were doing and went to help.

“These guys don’t even know Declan and Kendra, and you expect them to risk their lives to save them?” Tate demanded.

“They risk their lives every day for people they’ve never met,” Landon shot back. “You asked me to handpick a team and that’s what I did. They wouldn’t be here if I didn’t trust them with my life, with Ivy’s life, and with Declan’s and Kendra’s lives.”

Angelo saw Derek’s mouth tighten. No doubt the medic wanted to point out that both he and Angelo knew Kendra, but admitting that would mean mentioning what happened out in Washington State, and that was classified.

“Do they know what we’re going up against?” Tate asked.

“Some of them do,” Landon told him. “Angelo and Derek have fought hybrids before. Carter and Butler will keep it together once they find out.”

Tate considered that. “Okay, I get that you’re comfortable working with guys from Special Forces. But Tanner? Shit, Landon. Why the hell would you bring him?”

Angelo grimaced—not only because Tanner was standing right there, but also because he wasn’t exactly sure why Landon had insisted on bringing the DCO’s pet hybrid, either. Putting a guy with a short fuse on the team didn’t seem like a good idea. But Landon and Clayne insisted the former Army Ranger could do the job. More importantly, the team needed him.

Behind Tate, Gavin and Brent looked like they’d rather go out in the jungle again without their weapons than fight alongside Tanner.

“If we’re going up against as many hybrids as you think, we’ll need Tanner,” Landon said. “He could be the difference maker for us.”

“More like the straw that breaks the camel’s back,” Tate muttered. “I’ve seen how he reacts in stressful situations. He can’t be trusted out here.”

“I trust him,” Landon said softly.

Angelo knew that tone. His former commanding officer was about to get seriously pissed. Angelo was getting pissed, too. They should be looking for their missing teammates, not arguing about who was going to be included in the rescue party.

“Well, I don’t trust him,” Tate said. “He’s not going with us.”

“Then you’re going on your own,” Landon said.

Tate frowned, wondering if Landon was bluffing. Angelo could have told the man he wasn’t. Landon never had a problem standing his ground. Angelo had learned that the first day of basic training. Tate must have figured that out, too, because he turned to Ivy.

“This is your best friend we’re talking about, and mine. Are you honestly telling me you’re okay with putting their lives in Tanner’s hands?” Tate asked.

Ivy nodded. “I am. Landon is right, Tate. We need Tanner. I wouldn’t have agreed to bring him if he wasn’t ready.”

Tate looked at Gavin and Brent. Both men shrugged.

“Fine, we’ll do it your way,” Tate told Landon. “But if things go south, it’s on you, and I’ll be coming for payback.” He turned and strode off toward the big tent they were using as a makeshift headquarters, but stopped and glared at Landon again. “Keeping Tanner under control is your problem. Don’t expect any help when he loses it. And if he takes off, you’re going after him this time.”

With that, he ducked inside, Gavin and Brent on his heels.

“Don’t pay any attention to Tate,” Ivy told Landon. “He’s just worried.”

“Not to mention pissed that Tanner ran his whole team ragged for weeks before they brought him in,” Clayne added.

Landon didn’t say anything. If Angelo knew his friend, Landon had already dismissed what Tate’d said. His mind was focused on the next problem.

“So, why don’t they want to work with you?”

Angelo turned to see Carter