Page 25 of Trusting the Team

Maddox joined the two, “Are you ready?”

“Sure,” Ferret answered.

“Where are we going?”

“Wherever you’d like,” Ferret smiled at her.

19

CHAOS

Hammer signed Chaos’ leave packet. “We just got back. You’re just going to cruise the coastline? Are you sure you want to burn leave for this?”

“Yes, I just want to reset. Remember why we do some of the shit we do.” Chaos watched Hammer’s reaction, adding, “Is there something you want to say?”

“Man, we’ve been through a lot. Is there something you want to tell us?”

“No,” Chaos answered with no hesitation.

Hammer shrugged, “Okay. Have fun.”

20

FERRET

Maddox and Ferret were seated at a pizza parlor, pepperoni and olive between them. “How was your day?” Maddox asked.

“Before the mission, your father visited. At the rescue someone said, ‘if you had a place’.”

“Huh,” Maddox hedged.

“Maddox…”

“Daniel,” he could see her working it out in her head. “My father is a jerk. He’s convinced everyone that I am crazy, at the least.”

“Why? Why would he do that to his own daughter?” Maddox leaned back in the booth.

“I wasn’t a great daughter for a military dad. I didn’t like the life, the rules, the expectations, ceremonies…I wanted attention. His friends figured it out.” Ferret sat back, his jaw ticking. “He found out and started using it for his benefit. It got worse and one night I asked for it to stop, but he just let them continue.” Ferret reached across the table; Maddox pulled back. “Thank you for telling me. I’m not like him. I’m sorry.”

Maddox wiped her eyes quickly, “And I have a shitty place, most of the time I don’t have hot water. And I want dogs. Maybe kids. And I don’t want you to leave.” Maddox took a deep breath,looking down. She looked up, meeting his gaze. “What about you?”

Ferret gave her a smile, “I don’t want to leave you tonight.”

21

DARI

Dari, Cowboy's wife, had stopped by Duke’s for a visit, bringing a bottle of Bold in Red. Embry was sitting at the breakfast bar and Dari was across from her in the kitchen. The bottle open between them, each with a glass of wine. She had found out that Embry was restoring a classic 1934 Harley Davidson VL and an avid rider. “I guess as a GSM I trust the work I put in the engine. I like the wind in my face and freedom. I hope to be riding shortly after the cast comes off.”

“You might have to show Duke a thing or two,” Dari winked. “How are things going?” “It's fine. I haven't been taken care of my adult life. Gentry's attention can be a little overbearing sometimes.”

“I think that's how they all are,” Dari confided.

“Really?” Dari nodded. “How did you meet Cowboy?”

“We met in a bar. I had just recently moved out here and was out with some friends." Gentry butted in, having silently returned from work, “Dari jack knifed Lowell's shin as she was leaving a bar fight.”

Embry looked wide-eyed at Dari, she was so waifish, and Cowboy was the biggest guy on the team. “You're kidding?” Gentry shook his head.

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