Page 109 of Over the Edge

She was pretty sure she saw something akin to irritation at that. Didn’t want to be lumped in with the rest of the boys in her mind, huh? Good. Because he wasn’t anything like her other teammates in her heart.

She continued, “You’re determined to keep me safe? Fine. I accept that. But you also need to accept that I’m determined to keep you safe. Those seem like reasonable operational parameters for this operation. Let’s work within those and go rescue Kenny.”

He physically shook himself beside her. “I’m going to need a little time to digest all of that. And now is not that moment. Can you at least accept that?”

“Absolutely,” she answered without hesitation. She fully understood the need to set aside all this personal stuff and focus on the task at hand. “You good to go?” she challenged him.

“Yes,” he replied firmly. “I’m good.”

“Glad to hear it. I need your head in the game.”

He snorted. “I’m the one who ought to be saying that. You’re the newbie SEAL, here.”

“Fine. I’m ready for any pep talk you feel obliged to give me. Just keep in mind that the best guy on all of Team Reaper trained me.”

He smiled briefly in acknowledgement of the compliment. “Do it the way you’ve been taught. Trust the training.”

“Roger that. Let’s go get Kenny. And if you die on me, I swear, I’ll find you in the afterlife and kill you again.”

“Right back at you.”

She rolled her eyes at him as she pushed up into a crouch, gripped her assault rifle, and squared her shoulders. Time to roll.

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE

“Farhad, you have to stop bringing me food and water like this. It’s too dangerous. Besides. It’s time for me to die.”

“Mr. Kenny, please eat. Just a little, for me. A few sips of water. Have I not taken care of you all of this time? Have I not earned a little cooperation from you?”

“It would easier for both of us if I were gone.”

“But I would miss my English lessons with you. And who else will sing bad songs to me?”

“My songs aren’t bad!”

“Hah! I made you smile. Now eat. Drink, too.”

“Where are we?”

“Far north of where I have ever been. Somewhere in Zagistan.”

“Is there a village nearby? People?”

“No. We are where people go to hide at the very end of the earth. Even Allah could not find us here.”

“Maybe God can’t find us, but the U.S. military can.”

“See, Mr. Ken? You still have hope. You need to keep up your strength.”

“You’re a bad influence on me, kid. A bad influence.”

“I brought you a feed sack. It’s scratchy, but it will give you a little warmth. Winter comes soon. There is snow on top of the mountain above us.”

“Ahh, Farhad. I owe you my life so many times over I’ve lost count.”

“I must go now.”

“Will someone miss you?”

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