Page 96 of Dash

I paused to let that sink in. The guys were mostly staring down at the table or at their hands now, everyone but Bozeman, who was watching me closely. Thena gave me a small nod and Mina expressed her approval with a chin dip.

“There’s no magic to overcoming the trauma we survived,” I continued. “We saw our friends killed. Now we gotta deal with the shit without bickering, drinking, gambling, doing drugs, and picking fights. BB has mental health resources available for anyone who needs them. I strongly suggest you make use of them.”

“Here comes the monkey minder speech,” Guzman mumbled under his breath.

“Yeah, it’s the monkey minder speech, jackass, because apparently, we all need to hear it. Eyes on me.” I waited untilevery person met my gaze. “If you’re angry, if you’re hurting, get help. That’s an order. Understood?”

A communal groan echoed from around the table. You would’ve thought I’d sent these turds to dig latrines.

“I need strong, competent, functional people willing to deal with their shit when and as it shows up,” I said. “To be that, each of us has to face our demons. Processing your crap. It takes guts. That’s the kind of courage I’m looking for. Do you read me?”

The guys nodded.

“We’ve got a chance to start again.” I didn’t look at Thena, but I sensed her support. “Like someone very wise told me not long ago, second chances are rare and precious. We’re one team.One. If any of you has an objection to working under my terms, say it now. I’ll reassign you without penalties to another BB team.”

I waited in silence, querying each person with my glower. Nobody spoke. I guessed no one wanted to get kicked off the team. This was a good thing and the only positive piece of information I’d gotten all day.

“No one?” I cocked my eyebrows and waited for a few more seconds. “Okay. Saddle up, Marines. We’ve got a mission to accomplish and we will accomplish it. Clear?”

“Yes, sir,” they all answered in unison.

“Questions?”

No one had any, but Guzman ventured a reluctant, “I’m sorry about the Bozoman thing.”

“Apology accepted.” Granite inclined his head. “You may keep your spleen.”

It was the closest thing to an apology I’d ever heard from Bozeman. I hoped Guzman understood this.

“Back to planning our op,” I said. “Three teams will create three diversions. You’ll work in pairs. I’ll decide who works withwhom.”

“It’s a good plan.” Thena’s voice echoed in the library. “However…”

“What?” I asked and all eyes fell on her.

“Don’t you think that, if our enemy is observing us, he’ll be able to figure out the setup?”

“It’s a risk we’ll have to take.”

“I have an idea.”

“If it doesn’t involve you, let’s hear it.”

“Well…” She hesitated. “It does involve me, all of us really, but I think it provides a better distraction and increases our odds of success.”

“How so?” I asked, not a little leery.

“What if instead of creating three different distractions, we create one, a diversion that will draw our targets away from our search location, gather all the suspects in one place, and won’t arouse suspicion?”

“I freaking love what I’m hearing.” Mina made a show of gasping and covering her mouth as if she were innocent of premeditation. “Oh, sorry, boss. Your line, not mine.”

I had no doubt that the females in my team were now working in cahoots.

I let out a resigned exhale and returned my attention to Thena. “Elaborate.”

“I’m the common denominator between your suspects.” Thena pointed at herself. “I can bring them together without suspicion. I happen to have a birthday coming up.”

“Fuck, no.” This was Thena at her most reckless.

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