Page 6 of Mated to Team Shadow

"Thirty minutes, boss. At least we are on schedule."

That didn't do us a damn bit of good given we'd muffed the mission.

"Okay, go below deck and find a pair of shorts on this tub."

"Sure, boss," smirked Kane.

"And Gunner, turn your head."

"Why?"

"Just do it."

He turned his head to the sea, and I pounced on our passenger. I yanked the straps of her dress down and fished the phone and jump drives from her bra.

"What the hell?" she yelled. "Get away from me." She squirmed seeking escape, but in a boat bouncing on the surface of the sea, there were few places to go.

"Sorry, ma'am, but you can't keep pieces of evidence."

"Who the fuck are you," she snapped, "to be fishing around in my bra?"

"For today—the United States Government. That's all I can say about the matter."

Gunner

When Jeanine screamed, I wanted to grab Ryker and throw the fucker off the boat.

He was our team leader and a damned good one. Ryker saved our raggedy asses more than once, but I disliked him pawing the poor woman who had no choice in traveling with us.

"Hey!" I said.

"Stand down, Gunner," warned Ryker.

One did not mess with the Chief, but the look of shock and fright on our rescue's face clenched my gut. The need to protect her overwhelmed me, and if that meant against my teammates and closest buddies, I would.

"You know, you could have asked before you manhandled her."

Ryker's eyes flew open at my insubordinate words.But hell, he was out of line.

I knelt before Jeanine because I wanted to get eye level with her, and you can't stand on a smallish boat clipping the water at high speed.

"Don't mind him. He's forgotten what women look like."

"Gunner," growled Ryker in warning. But I ignored him.

"What's your name?"

"Jeanine Lee."

"Okay, Jeanine. We will meet up with Coast Guard cutter soon, and it will take us back to the U.S., probably Miami. Is that right, Ryker?"

"Yeah. Miami," Ryker grunted.

"Then you can go where you want."

"Easy for you to say. I've locked my credit cards, ID, and passport in my hotel room in St. Lucia."

"Damon will arrange transportation to your home base. He's our logistics man."

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