the senator.”
“She’s already been informed you’re in lockdown after the attack. She was not informed of your plan to post about what happened. Senator Holden doesn’t expect to hear from you anytime soon.” Deke moved toward the stairs. “Fuse and Mitch will be guarding you in shifts.” He started to head up the stairs.
“Wait. For how long will I have guards?”
Deke looked back at her. “I don’t know.”
Mitch took the first watch, giving Fuse time to cool down while working with Wrath and the others on the final plan. Every detail had been discussed over and over, the men memorizing their part. All that remained were a few important bits of Intel.
Checking Brittany’s room before allowing her inside, he picked up her computer before holding out his hand for the phone.
“I can’t believe Deke is taking everything away from me, Mitch.”
“It wasn’t his decision. What you need to know is all of us agreed with the order. We care about you, Brittany, but we can’t allow anyone to put us and our goals in great danger.” He ignored her flinch at his accusation. “I’ll give these to Fuse, then be back. Don’t consider leaving this room or escaping through the patio doors. We’ve added men outside. Men pulled from other assignments. If you do anything foolish, I promise you won’t like what will happen.”
Leaving the room, he locked the door from the hall, confirming for Brittany she’d become a true prisoner. Wanting to scream, she paced around the bedroom, cussing under her breath. They’d cut her off from the outside world, the same as her father had done many times when she still lived at home.
Brittany understood she’d done something incredibly stupid in the belief she was helping the cause. Now she was persona non grata, a woman no one trusted, including Fuse.
“What the fuck did she think she was doing?” Fuse’s fingers pounded on the keys, his anger subsiding in microscopic increments. “We had to bring other men in because of her actions. Men who should be on other missions. Damn that woman.”
The other men let him rant, agreeing with every word. Mitch and Wrath had already sent a total of five more men. They’d all be involved in their plan to shut down the Russians and Devils anyway, although their expertise would’ve been better utilized on critical ops while waiting.
Wrangler took the chair next to him. “Hey, man. Why don’t you get a beer and let me take over for a while? Maybe do a perimeter check before your head explodes.”
Until Petty Officer 2nd Class Penelope Lane had been assigned to the Brethren, Wrangler had often worked the computers and comms with Raider. He’d been a decent hacker, but nothing compared to Penny. She’d taken some vacation days, returning in a couple days. It couldn’t come soon enough. They needed Raider in the field when the deal went down.
Pressing his thumbs into his eyes, he stood. “Yeah, maybe you’re right.”
Mitch joined them, setting the computer and phone on the counter. “Girl’s not happy.”
“That’s on her. I’m heading outside. Grab me if you hear anymore from Wrath.” Fuse checked his weapons, grabbing a Diamond Backs baseball cap, and stomping away.
Ghost waited to grin until Fuse was out of earshot. “Poor guy’s got it bad.”
“Might have a heart attack before this is over,” Mitch chuckled.
Gunner didn’t engage. He knew all about the hell Fuse had gone through after Brittany dumped him. He also knew how she’d tried to get him to forgive her. The idiot’s ego had stopped him from giving her even a minute of time.
This time, he felt certain his best friend was weakening. Her coming up with such a harebrained idea might set them back a little, but in the end, Gunner had a gut feeling they had a decent chance of ending up together. Assuming they didn’t kill each other in the process.
Deke watched Wrangler, impressed with his work. “We’re going to have to find something for her to do. She can’t sit in her room twenty-four/seven twiddling her thumbs.”
“Or babbling obscenities about us,” Rock joked.
“Wish I had a clue how long until we get the Intel and orders.” Ghost tossed a ball in the air, already bored. “If you folks don’t need me, I’m going to head downstairs to the gym.”
Deke stretched his arms above his head, letting out a groan. “Great idea. Let’s rotate, one of us down there at a time. Ghost first. I’m going to join the men outside.”
Before either he or