Page 16 of Honoring Lena

“Because I need you on our team, Rebel. You’re family.” Zeke’s voice dropped. “Besides, you’re much too emotional about it, and emotions have no place in war.”

“Or I’m exactly what his team needs.” Besides, she could control her emotions. No one knew just how much pain and anger she kept locked within.

Marshall shifted, drawing her gaze to him. He stared at her, his eyes skimming over her face like he was trying to figure her out. She turned her head, shuttered her expression, and looked across the room toward the closed blinds. He could search all he wanted, but all he’d find was the shield she wore to protect herself.

“We used the fake passports Rafe made for the Rands to get into Canada. Have him double-check that those are still good.” She wanted off this call.

“I’ll send someone up to help.” Zeke’s words sent panic rising up her throat.

“No,” she practically shouted, and Carter shifted where he slept on the opposite bed. She lowered her voice. “I don’t want to risk that they’re watching Stryker, and we lead them right to us.”

She also didn’t want to risk any more of her team getting hurt by these guys. Zeke would flip a brick if he knew, but she was already putting her family at risk. She didn’t want to take any more chances than she had to. Once they made it to the mountains, everyone would be secure, so anyone Zeke sent up would be bored out of their minds.

“Lena.”

“Zeke, we’ll only be at my parents’ long enough to get supplies, then we’re heading to the mountains.” Lena huffed out a sigh, wishing they could be there now. “The cabin is small, off-grid, and no one knows it’s there.”

“All right.” Doubt was thick in his voice. “But you call if anything happens, and make sure Bjørn is close to help if needed.”

“Copy that.” She rubbed her temple at the headache building. “I’ll check in when I can.”

“Stay alert,” Zeke commanded.

“Stay safe,” she replied with the rest of the army saying.

The call ended, and her screen went black. Had she made the right decision in not having Zeke send someone up? Doubt clawed up her chest, making it hard to breathe.

“What’s this team you’re talking about?” Marshall pulled his foot up onto the bed, making himself comfortable when she wanted him to leave. “The one connected to General Paxton?”

“It’s classified.” Lena set her phone on the nightstand.

“Lena.” Marshall’s eyes begged her to tell him.

“It’s late. I’m exhausted, and we’re leaving early.” She scooted on the bed and got under the covers.

He stared her down, his face hardening to a stubborn look her brothers often got. Too bad for him that she could be just as stubborn, maybe more. She motioned to the other bed with her head and stretched out on the far side of her bed, away from him.

He didn’t move, and Lena closed her eyes and willed herself not to roll over. His harsh breathing behind her voiced his displeasure and possibly shock. Did anyone ever go against his orders? Probably not to his face. A hard huff was followed by the shifting of him getting off the bed.

He deserved to know, especially with what happened to his wife. She didn’t think she could explain right now, with her emotions frayed and so close to the surface. Once she got some sleep and some distance from the stress of the day, she’d be able to give a report to him—a clinically detailed report. No grief tainting her words. No fear clouding her thoughts. She could bring him up to speed without giving all the information.

Just who was she protecting, Marshall or herself? A chill froze her core, and she tightened the blanket around her. The light clicked off and plunged the room into darkness, but her mind raced long into the night.

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