Hostile Ground (The Arsenal #7) - Cara Carnes Page 0,106
didn’t make him a “good” person, but Addy didn’t think there was such a thing. Everyone was alternating shades of black and white with a whole ton of gray in the middle. No one was perfect. Sometimes the strife for perfection simply tarnished a person even more.
She finished off the last bite of her food and wiped her mouth. Kristof reached over and put more on her plate. She swatted his hand.
“Stop. I’m full.”
“You need to eat more,” he admonished. “You need your energy.”
She silently cursed when her team started laughing. “Seriously, guys? We aren’t in kindergarten. Grow up. I had sex. Great sex.”
“TMI,” Shep commented. “I for one am glad to see you doing something other than work.”
“Or someone,” Johnny whispered.
Cracker shook his head. Beast glared at Johnny.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” Kristof growled. “I was thinking we could go fishing for a few hours. It’s not the optimal time of the day, but the water will be pleasant.”
“I used to.” She set her silverware down. “Kristof and I would sneak out sometimes, before dawn broke. There was this river not too far from the camp. We’d take our hooks and our line and go into the woods and find some worms. Then we’d go down there and sit.”
“Not sure we ever caught a fish,” Kristof said with a laugh.
“We always released what we caught,” she whispered. Killing animals hadn’t ever been a line she’d crossed willingly in the camp. Freeing the rabbit the first night she’d met Kristof had cemented an affirmation of life she hadn’t betrayed during her time there.
“Better not mention that to Nolan,” Shep said with a chuckle.
“He’s against fishing?” Gavriil asked.
“He’s got a problem with worms.”
“Maggots,” Addy corrected. “Slight difference.” Mary had led his team out of a harrowing jungle ordeal when their team found themselves stuck between two warring drug cartels without a viable extraction. He’d shared enough of what’d happened when she and the other girls had arrived at The Arsenal for Addy to know she wouldn’t care for maggots either if she was him.
“Thinking he wouldn’t see that,” Johnny said. “Is this a group fishing trip, or just you two?”
Addy looked at Kristof. Although she wanted to spend more time alone with him, she could tell her team wanted to go. And she really wanted them to get to know Kristof better. More importantly, she wanted time with him outside of missions.
“The yacht is a distance away, but we could all drive there,” Kristof said.
“Or you could use mine,” Gavriil offered.
“I’d appreciate that.” Kristof looked at Beast. “You should invite the others.”
“Not sure they’d be okay with everyone taking time off at once,” Addy said. “But it’s worth a shot.”
“I’ll text you the location and information,” Gavriil said. “You can forward to whomever needs it.”
“Thanks,” Kristof said. “You should come with us.”
“I’ll try to join you later if possible. I’ve got a few meetings to deal with later that can’t wait.”
“Anything we can help with?” Addy offered. She wanted Kristof to have time with his friend, and she wanted to get to know Gavriil better. He was clearly an important person in Kristof’s life.
“No, but thank you. I’d rather you and Kristof rest while you can.”
Beast shook his head when his phone chimed. “Nolan thinks we’re nuts. Marshall and Gage and their teams are in, though. Nolan’s crew will take point at the house.”
“We should bring Olaf with us,” Addy said. “I know he needs rest, but the sunshine would be good for him. He can rest below when he gets tired.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Kristof said.
Olaf’s transition to a normal life wouldn’t be easy, but she’d learned a few things while at The Arsenal. Recovery wasn’t about coddling the person. It was about ensuring they felt safe enough to heal.
“She’s right. There are plenty of us to help get him from one place to another if needed, but he was walking around the hallway early this morning, so he’s ambulatory enough to get out a bit,” Thunder said. “I wouldn’t want to be cooped up if I was him.”
“Treat him like an invalid and he’ll act like one,” Shep said. “He can sit on a boat just as easily as he can sit in a house.”
The man crossed his arms and winked at Addy. She smiled. Shep always read her easily, often better than the rest of the team. Whenever he weighed in on her side, the others typically followed.