Page 30 of Bound By Valor

“Fine,” I spat.

“Fine,” he threw his hands up in exasperation. “Jeez, chill!” He shook his head as he left the room, leaving me to stew in regret.

???

I glanced over as Logan toyed with one of the Crazons we’d snagged yesterday. Morning lightpoured into the warehouse, casting long shadows. “Looks like a disc of soap, doesn’t it?” he chuckled, tossing it lightly between his hands.

“Hey, careful with that,” Kabir warned, his eyes narrowing. “I’ve shut off any external tracking they might’ve placed on it, but who knows if it’s got some sort of beacon we haven’t found yet.”

Logan examined the Crazon, his finger hovering over the discreet power button etched into the back. “Not planning to start a fireworks show, are you, Gunner?” I chimed in, half-joking.

He rolled his eyes at us, setting the Crazon back on the metal table with a soft clank. Stretching his arms above his head, he announced, “Alright, training calls.” He waved nonchalantly and sauntered out, the door clanging shut behind him.

Kabir shot me a look as the echo faded. “Are we really bringing in a trainee now?”

Amelia, leaning against a nearby stack of crates, grinned. “I wouldn’t mind some female energy around here.”

I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose. “It’s just for self-defense, not full squad training,” I clarified, “And just for the record, it wasn’t my idea.”

“Of course not. The mighty old Zarek would never endanger a woman by training her. Lest she learn how to take care of herself. No, no! Mighty Zarek needs to be the protector,” Amelia drawled animatedly.

“What did I ever do to you?” I grumbled.

“Zarek, please. On my first day, you put me on surveillance, and I am still on it. I’m more of a combat operative than Kabir, yet here I am. Sur-fucking-veillance.”

“Hey!” Kabir slapped her arm lightly as she eyed him with atell me I’m wrong, I dare youlook.

“Did you just imply I’m sexist?” I rolled my eyes, “You’re a trained surveillance and drone expert. Yes, you’ve foughttwocombat missions. But, I put you where your expertise lies.”

“Fine, I won’t argue with that. I’m an expert after all.” She smiled.

My lips twitched, not enough to call it a smile, but Amelia’s smile widened.

“Did you talk to her after your fight?” She asked. Kabir pretended not to listen and continued to work on his laptop.

“We didn’t fight.”

“The walls are pretty thin, Boss,” Kabir muttered.

“Great, so you all heard.”

“Just the bits that were loud enough,” Amelia grinned.

I remained quiet, my face blank. I didn’t need my squad thinking I was distracted.

“What’s the estimate on testing? I want to know what this soap thing is,” I asked Kabir.

“0 minutes and 45 seconds,” he squinted at his screen mockingly.

“Amelia, get started when he’s ready.”

I left the team to start their testing and went to check on Dylan who was still resting on heavy painkillers. I saw him sound asleep as I opened his door slightly, and then quickly shut it to avoid disturbing him.

Leaving Dylan to rest, I made my way back to my room. I didn’t want to start working out and relieving this tension right in front of my squad. Dropping down, I started doing a few pushups. My mind wasreeling, replaying the conversation with Leora. It churned in my mind, her determination clashing with my concerns. She could be killed, dammit.

Late into the night, the familiar thud of fists against the punching bag drew me from my room. With a reluctant pause, I made my way to the makeshift gym where Leora was taking out her frustrations on the bag.

“Use your shoulder blades more,” I advised quietly, immediately regretting it as her glare pinned me like a sharp dagger.

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