Page 57 of Coming Home

“You’re telling me that your team leader is also a shifter?”

I nodded. “My entire team is, well, except for Jake, but who would have ever guessed that kid was human?”

“The U.S. Army has an elite Rangers team of all shifters?” Elise asked.

I nodded. “I’m actually surprised you don’t know that already. Walker said you were looking to recruit from the elite teams.”

“Honestly thought I’d have to bring in humans for that, and I’ve been on the fence about it,” Patrick said. “This opens all new doors. Silas was a Seal, but his unit was not comprised of shifters.”

“Best of the best,” I assured him. I took a deep breath. “You hear of the Ghosts?”

“No fecking way!” Patrick exclaimed.

“What’s the Ghosts?” Shelby asked quietly.

“That’s the unofficial name my unit goes by. We’re often called in for cleanups, in and out, undetected.”

“Like ghosts,” she whispered.

“Exactly.”

“You’re fecking telling me that the Ghosts are an all-shifter unit?”

“Always has been as far as I know, or at least since World War II, from what the major says.”

“This is brilliant! Archie’s gonna shit himself when I tell him this.”

“We said confidential,” I reminded him. “I have to protect my guys, too.”

“I can appreciate that, but you don’t understand. This guy prides himself on knowing everything, and I do mean everything, where shifters are concerned, and he has no idea there’s an elite shifter team in the Rangers.”

I laughed. “Fair enough, but no details, and I’m not giving up our actual unit name. You want an in to recruit from the Ghosts, I’ll help you, but no names and no questions.”

“Deal,” Patrick said a little too quickly.

“And if Shelby and I decide this is the right path for us, then I want a trial period with the team.”

“Can’t do that, Ben. You’re either in or you’re not. Besides, I haven’t even offered you a job yet,” Patrick reminded me.

“No, but you will,” I said confidently. “I am going to insist on a trial period. I’m not signing our lives away blindly ever again.” I had done that once with the army and managed to lose nine years with Shelby. I wanted a feel of exactly what I was getting myself into before committing long term.

Patrick shook his head. “Sorry, but that’s just not possible. We take pride in the secrecy of Westin Force. You would learn too much, even on a trial basis. I can’t afford that. You’ll have to decide if you want this or not. No hard feelings.”

“That’s bullshit, and you know it. An organization like you’re alluding to has to know of the Verndari.”

Patrick’s eyes widened with interest and he scooted forward a little in his seat. I knew I had his interest now and wondered if they weren’t the real threat that led to this paramilitary unit he had created.

“What do you know about the Verndari?” Patrick asked.

“A hell of a lot, including the fact that they’ve developed a successful memory serum that will erase certain memories. If you don’t have access to that already, I’ll make certain I have some appropriated before leaving the army. If the trial doesn’t go well and I decide I’m out, I’ll take it and everything I’ve learned will simply disappear.”

“It’s not safe. I can’t ask you to do that.”

“It’s safe enough, especially their latest version. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve had to erase a mission,” I told him.

“They’re using that shit on soldiers?” he asked.

“Only when absolutely necessary,” I assured him. “The current batch only erases short term memories. I can remember being there, just none of the details. If I were ever called to testify, there would be no way for me to give away anything top secret. It would be the same in this case. I’d remember trialing the team, but unable to remember any details about it or what we did during my time with you. So do we have a deal or not?”

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