Page 66 of Dash

“Sorry about this, boss,” King whispered, keeping his eyes on his scope. “We were cleared to go all the way to the airfield. The spikes came out of nowhere.”

“Good driving back there.” I landed a silent slap on his back. “You bought us some time. I bet they thought we’d go into the river and were waiting to finish us off over there.”

“Nah.” King kept a grin pasted on his face. “I was never gonna let Goddess get wet.”

My lips twitched. King was keeping us light. When traps snapped, humor mattered.

“Okay, here’s the deal,” I whispered. “Head on a swivel. Eyes in search and destroy mode. These tangos didn’t go to all this trouble to assume we’re dead. They’ll want to make sure.”

“Let the fuckers come,” Bozeman muttered in his grave voice. “We’ll teach them not to mess with their betters.”

I shifted my gaze to Thena. “Do you mind if I rip off your dress?”

“Right here?” Her gaze bounced between Bozeman and King.

“I like the way your mind works.” I winked at her, hoping to soothe the fear in her eyes. “For now, I only need a portion of your dress, not the whole thing.”

“Oh.” Understanding dawned in her gaze. She picked up the train of her skirt and stretched it before me. “Rip away.”

I took the cane from her, pressed a button, and popped the knob. It opened to one side, revealing the hilt of the stiletto hidden inside.

Thena drew back. “So this is where your dagger lives these days.”

“The guys at Elite gifted me the cane. They came up with the idea.” I slid my blade out and considered it in my hand. “I liked it, so I kept it there.”

The slim blade glinted, reflecting the flames. I shut the knob, and after returning the cane to Thena, I cut out the train and the lower half of her dress.

“You best buy Goddess another dress soon,” King whispered. “Before you get struck by a lightning bolt.”

I smirked, folded the fabric, and stuck it in my belt, along with the dagger. “Been looking up Greek goddesses in Wikipedia, King?”

“No need,” he said. “Mina briefed us on the Greek goddess Athena. She’s pretty cool.”

Mina. Of course. I should’ve known. She loved mythology and was not about to waste a chance to share her enthusiasm with the guys.

“Is she also the one that has you calling me boss?” I askedas I checked the mag on my Glock one more time.

“She might’ve suggested it,” King admitted. “We’re a civilian outfit now. We can’t go around calling you Major, can we?”

I guess it was better than some of the alternatives.

“Thena, I want you to keep low to the ground and do what King tells you,” I whispered. “Follow his instructions. Bozeman, you’re with me. King, you’re up. I wantmygoddess intact when I next see her. You don’t wanna get your ass singed bymylightning bolts.”

“You got it, boss.”

“Where are you going?” Thena asked.

“To take out the garbage.”

“No plate armor.” Her gaze slid over me, sparkling with worry. “You’re both over and underdressed for battle.”

“I’m in black from head to toe, so I blend in.” I tried some battlefield humor. “I’m so stylish, I fight in formal attire.”

She flashed me a crooked smile and offered me the cane. “Do you need this?”

“Not right now.” I was gonna need both hands. This meant that ready or not, I was gonna have to force my leg to perform to standard. “Hold onto it for me, will you?”

“Okay,” she squeaked then firmed up her voice. “Don’t be gone too long.”

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