Page 18 of Surge

She was a massive recipe for trouble in his book, and he did not want to work with her. Period.

“You were comfortable around Surge,” Daniels said as he started toward the gate and motioned him to follow.

Garrett hooked his thumbs in the back pockets of his jeans. “Spending time on ops with Sam and Tsunami taught me a lot. I loved tossing her the KONG while Samwise grilled for the team when we were back inside the wire.”

Daniels’s deep laugh radiated across the field, then he sobered. “How’re you since Sam’s death?”

How best to answer that?“Being strong.”

“Staying strong in the faith?”

Of course. Yeah. Except . . . no. He looked down. “It was good to see you at Sam’s funeral.”

The bypass of answering didn’t get past Daniels. “Sam was a good person and a skilled handler. I appreciated how he integrated Delaney’s work to develop the necessary skillset as he prepped for a mission. She went several times.” No doubt another warning to not discount her because she was a woman. “Clear?”

“We are.” He’d muffed that one up. “Look—it just caught me off guard that she was Maverick. I’d expected a guy, someone with training, ya know? Not a . . . newb who doesn’t even have basic training under her belt.”

Definitely making a point about Delaney, wasn’t he?

Daniels stopped and angled toward him, a fist against Garrett’s shoulder. “When I contract out our dogs, I meet what’s requested—bomb, patrol, scent.” He dipped his chin and glared from beneath his ball cap. “But you don’t get a say over the handler. That’s my job. End of story.” He gave a nod. “We clear?”

“Crystal.”

“Good. You’re not the first to make the mistake.” Daniels started walking again and eyed him. “What have you been up to since you got out?”

“My former warrant officer contracted me some freelance jobs.” He shrugged as they headed back to the main building. “I’m making rent.”

“Barely?”

He pushed up one sleeve, then the other. “It’s not the same kind of teamwork as SEALs, but it pays the bills.”

Daniels nodded. “I hear that.”

“I got to see Rocca Guaita in San Marino last month. I’d never seen it before that mission. What’s been going on with you?”

“Besides Surge, Crew obtained a few dogs that are taking my time. Delaney’s too. Going to be a dad soon.”

Surprise made Walker jerk. “That’s great.”

“Yeah . . . if Darc doesn’t kill me first. Nothing like a mama protecting her pup.” He chuckled.

Garrett’s thoughts ricocheted to his complete failure in getting Surge through that tunnel and tire. “How’d Thompson get him to do the tire side, not the window side?”

Daniels shrugged. “She’s good at what she does. The window is his running fave, so diverting him was a challenge. But he listens to her.” His gaze bored into Garrett.

“You made your point—very well. I’m not sure I’ll get my man card back after that.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t.”

Garrett felt the lipid scent tin in his pocket and pulled it out. His gaze shifted to the legend in tac pants and a black shirt.

Son of a gun . . . “This was more than a lipid scent test.”

Daniels held his gaze, resolute, silent.

“You were testing her—and me.”

Daniels pulled his ballcap low over disapproving eyes. “Wasn’t testing her at all. I know what she can do.”

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