Page 47 of Dangerous Mission

Axel waitedoutside Commander North’s office. The commander’s assistant was typing on his computer. Axel hated leaving Terri alone in the cabin, but he couldn’t delay the meeting, and he would need to return to the base for work soon.

Though he wasn’t actually sure he would be returning. The career he’d worked his ass off for could be over because of videos on the internet. Terri had told him he’d gone viral. She showed him a video of him on stage with Terri in his arms. But the video didn’t show the terror he felt when she wouldn’t open her eyes.

The desk phone buzzed, and the young man answered it. The conversation was short and to the point. Axel wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but he had to think about something other than the impending doom on the other side of the door.

The door to the common area opened, and in walked Doc, Cy, Casper, and Lucky. The only person missing was Ginger, but Axel hadn’t expected him to show up. He was out on medical leave and probably wouldn’t have shown even if he was okay.

Axel had to look away as his eyes filled with tears. He would have to decide between standing with his team and the woman he loved. But he didn’t really have a choice. The chances of continuing to be on the team were slim after what had happened. News crews were staked outside his house, waiting for a photo of him and Terri together.

“You guys didn’t have to come.”

“Hey, it’s not often we get to put on our dress blues.” Hudson paused. “We’re here, and no matter what happens, we will always be your brothers.”

“Hooyah,” the men around him grunted.

The commander’s door opened, and Storm North stood at the entry in his dress blues. He eyed the men around him. “Didn’t plan on this being a group meeting, but I should’ve known you would all show up. It’s up to Richy if he wants you in the room.”

“They can come in, sir.”

He followed the commander into his office and waited for him to have a seat before he took the one across from him. His team lined the back of the room.

“For the past week, I’ve been on calls about your status. Before I get into the options, tell me if you’re going to reenlist. The office hasn’t received your paperwork.”

The papers were in his truck. He winced. Yet again, he’d made a decision that would affect their lives without telling Terri. She would be pissed.

“I plan to retire.” The words felt strange leaving his mouth.

Axel had talked with Terri’s dad on the way to the base and he wanted Terri to run the program she’d put together with him by her side. They would work out a deal with mercenaries or the military for rescue and create their own task force. Tim liked the idea, though he was still worried about his daughter. But he agreed to it if it was what she wanted.

“I would like to finish out the remainder of my contract with my team, if possible.”

Commander North tapped his pen on the desk. “You guys make my life hard sometimes. Losing you on the team will suck, but I know it’s for the best. Not only for you but also for the men around you. As for going on missions, that is still under review. For now, you finish the current mission and report back here. For the remainder of your time, you can sit on mission brief and training but won’t be able to go wheels up.”

“Thank you, sir.” Axel stood and held out his hand to the commander.

“By the time you guys return next week, I’ll have a new member for the team,” Commander North said, dismissing them from the room.

The team’s dress shoes squeaked against the tile floor as they walked down the hall.

A workout would help with some of the tension, so Axel pushed open the door to the locker room and sat on the bench in front of his locker. “Let me explain.”

“There’s nothing to explain. I would do the same for Lucy in a heartbeat. Hell, I contemplated it when she was still in Texas. It killed me each day we were apart. Like we said earlier, you will always be our brother,” Cy said.

Casper nodded. “We’ve been together a long time. It’s going to be strange not having you watch my back, but I don’t hold your choice against you. Just because we get a new team member doesn’t mean you’re not still part of our group.”

“Have you guys talked to Ginger at all since he broke his leg? We’re a team and help each other, but honestly, I haven’t reached out to see if he needed anything.”

The guys looked around the room, and they all shook their heads.

“I’d like to include him more, because he seems to think he doesn’t fit in.”Or something else I can’t put my finger on.

“Because I don’t.” A rough voice came from the hall. “Sorry I’m late. I saw the info in the group text, but this makes it a little harder to get around.” He gestured to his leg. “Plus, I can’t drive.”

Doc winced. “Dude, we could’ve picked you up.”

Ginger gave a weak smile. “I know. But then you would’ve come to my house. Which would’ve led to more questions.”

Hudson crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. “You’re the member of the team Xavier said he didn’t trust.” Hudson had told Axel about the mercenary's comments one night over beers, but he had a hard time believing it.

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