Page 69 of Love Me Knot

PT is too damned quiet. This group of assholes is normally loud enough to disturb the ghosts on this island, but today, everyone is too afraid to speak. I know why. It’s because of my very public display with Chelsea yesterday. I’m sure there was a better way to handle it, at least without the audience.

My platoon finishes our run, and I linger on the beach, hoping for a few minutes of solitude before facing the firing squad. O’Reilly left me alone yesterday after returning to base, but I don’t for a second believe that he won’t bust my ass eventually. I wouldn’t even be surprised if he demoted me. It’s no less than I deserve.

Most of my squad heads toward HQ, but Duck sticks around, as do Fish and his men. “Guys, isn’t it bad enough that I’ll get reamed by O’Reilly? Can’t you cut me a break?”

“We’re not looking to bust your balls, man,” Fish says. “Hell, if Willa were offering to do what Chelsea is, I would have already killed Harding.”

“What are you gonna do?” Duck asks. “She won’t go against Knot, so there shouldn’t be anything to worry about.”

Placing a hand on Duck’s shoulder, I shake my head. “I know she won’t, but that’s not the problem.”

Being the coolest head in the bunch, Judge asks, “Then, what is the problem?”

I’m off the hook for an answer when a loud command booms from farther inland. “Bennett, report in!”

Looking back at my team, I shake my head again. “Later, guys… If I’m still breathing.”

I jog toward HQ, wondering how low the commander will bust me. The man isn’t in the lobby, so my imagination runs wild a little longer on my way to his office.

“Shut the door,” he barks as soon as I step inside.

I do, and then I’m commanded to take a seat. “Knot’s people are planning to take another run at Harding.”

I snicker and self-correct quickly. “Yes, sir. I’m well aware.”

Cocking an eyebrow, he says, “It’s a good move.”

“If you say so.”

“You don’t agree?” he asks to provoke me.

“You know damn well what I think… Sir.”

O’Reilly steeples his fingers and leans back in his chair. “Pretend I don’t, Lieutenant.”

His tone left no room for disobedience, so I answer the man despite how stupid it seems. “Harding won’t tell her shit. He wants to fuck her and use her as an ATM. He’ll string her along, and Chelsea will let him.”

“You have that little faith in Danforth?”

“No. I believe it because I have too much. The woman would die to save a stranger. Giving up her dignity to save the livelihoods of thousands of people is a no-brainer.”

O’Reilly drops his hands and leans forward. “I agree. And so does Knot. He wants assurances Danforth won’t go through with it.”

I look past my commander to the pictures on his wall. “Knot’s got a whole company of assurances.”

“We want you.”

I don’t hold in my bitter laugh. “Well, that’s too bad because Chelsea doesn’t.”

“Well, Chelsea’s not in charge here.”

“Sir, with all due respect, you know that’s not what this is about. Why don’t you cut the bullshit and tell me why I’m here.”

The commander turns to stare out the window overlooking the ocean. “Knot says something’s happening with Danforth. She’s not herself.”

“I happened to her,” I mumble.

“What was that?”

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