Page 16 of Legacy's Call

“Let me try. I know a guy who knows a guy, or at least he did.” Dude’s voice was tinged with theI’m not going to failattitude he usually retained for the hardest challenges they faced.

“Let him, Skipper,” Wraith said quietly beside him. He gave the slightest nod toward the camp.

Ronan glanced back at the sea of shelters. Yeah, he got it.Anychance was better than no help. Ronan lifted his head and nodded. “Concur. You have my go-ahead; use my name if anyone gives you a hard time.”

“I always do, Skipper,” Dude said before leaving the channel.

Ronan looked at their hosts. “Sorry, we were talking with our communications specialist.”

“How?” Fleur put her hands on her hips. “ESP?”

Miller barked a laugh. “That would be something, but yeah, how were you talking to him?”

Ronan smiled. “Through our communication system.”

Fleur’s eyes raked over him … slowly. She finally lifted her eyes to his. “I don’t see a phone or radio.”

Ronan smiled at her. He wasn’t going to discuss their comm systems. “Then our equipment manager has done his job well. If you’d give us an hour or so, we’ll have the supplies sorted, and you can show us where to deliver them.”

Fleur nodded. “I can do that. Do you need anything from us?”

“No, we’re self-sufficient at the moment. Thank you.” Ronan turned on his heel, and Wraith fell into step beside him.

After walking about a hundred feet, Wraith elbowed him and said, “Pretty.”

He looked at his friend and narrowed his eyes. “And?”

Wraith chuckled. “Seems to like you.”

“You’re insane.” Ronan dismissed the idea.

“Nope,” Wraith said. “Been tested.”

Jug laughed. “We’ve all been tested. Except Wolf.”

“If she’s pretty and into you, you should go for it,Skipper,” Wolf chimed in. “And I’ve been tested. Don’t be a fucker, Jug. I’m almost normal.”

“That’s debatable,” Stryker taunted.

Jug snorted out a laugh. “I haven’t been a fucker in a long, long time, asshole. For me, female company is required for that activity.”

Stryker laughed. “Skipper, if you don’t want her, I’d be happy to step up.”

“No one is stepping up or going after anyone.” Ronan was ending the stupid conversation. “Remember where you are and what these kids and women have been through.”

The comms fell silent immediately. “Sorry, Skipper. That was insensitive of us.” That was Jug—the softest heart under the hardest shell.

“Noted, and apology accepted. Let’s keep focused, guys,” Ronan said. The fact that he didn’t want his team sniffing around the woman wasn’t lost on him. That was a danger sign flashing neon bright on a pitch-dark night. He needed to forget the feel of her softness against him and screw his head on straight. The middle of an IDP camp was not the time or place to be attracted to anyone.

Wraith looked at him and lifted an eyebrow as if calling him on his thoughts. Thankfully, they’dreached the trailer, and there was no time for Wraith to push his luck further. It was time to set up camp and unload.

CHAPTER 4

Fleur watched the big men stride away. She’d been working in Syria for so long that seeing an American dressed in a combat uniform and carrying a gun was striking. Or perhaps it was the man himself because that man was the type of man all fantasies were made of: tall, dark, good-looking, and commanding. He was a natural leader; the power that rolled off him was tangible.

“We can use that fuel.”

She was so lost in her thoughts that Miller’s words startled her. She nodded. “Definitely. They’re a change from the usual consultants.” Fleur went into her tent and grabbed a canvas chair. She brought it out and sat down to watch the men as they worked.

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