Page 72 of Boss Witch

If you didn’t already know who they were.And Gavin was keeping his mouth shut.

I made my choice.

Right now, he didn’t have an active plan for escaping the order, but maybe he could live on Grandad’s boat.

After several fruitless hours, everyone was hot and enraged, and Ted acted like Gavin had orchestrated the whole thing, snapping as he ordered the rest of his team back to the SUV. If the situation weren’t so grim, he’d be smiling over how testy that arse was. He’d assumed Gavin was incompetent if not disloyal and that he’d waltz into town on the old man’s orders, immediately righting all wrongs.

It doesn’t work that way, you dozy prat.

He trailed far enough behind that he hoped they’d think he was out of earshot. That was the only way he’d learn more than they’d been ordered to share. And sure enough, Alban and Darcy hung back as the former tried to flirt. She was having none of it, but he could tell when someone was showing off to impress a potential mate. Alban was the most likely to slip up.

“How long do you reckon it will take?” Alban asked, low.

Darcy only shrugged.

“I’m betting at least six months. This will be the first official outpost across the pond. I hope I don’t get stuck here permanently.”

That was news. So Ted’s people weren’t only here because of Gavin? It seemed like they had been sent over to organize a field office in America and had been diverted from the original purpose. Now he wished he’d paid more attention to order politics.

The old man’s still in charge, right?

There had been others who tried to use Grandad’s defection as an excuse to enact a coup, but Da had fought them off, holding on to power like a desperate dictator.

Probably a dead-­accurate analogy.

“Aren’t you curious about our secret orders?” Alban persisted.

“Not even slightly,” said Darcy.

Smart girl.

Poking about where curiosity was neither welcome nor advisable would only get them in trouble. Not that it appeared to discourage Alban in any fashion.

“I’m dying to have a look at the USB that Ted and Joanna are hoarding. They take turns guarding it, and I know Ingram’s asked about it, but they won’t even show him, and he has seniority in the team. If he hasn’t earned a peek—­”

“Shut it.” Darcy’s tone was curt, and she silenced Alban just in time, as Echo hung back, giving the younger members a stern look.

“Is there some reason you’re dawdling? You’re not here to chat each other up.”

Darcy raised a coppery brow. “That’s offensive. I’m walking at my normal pace, and he won’t leave me alone. How’s that my fault?” To Alban, she added, “You aren’t my style at all, and fraternization is unprofessional, but if I had a mind to take someone in the team for a spin, it’d be Echo, not you. So sod off.”

Gavin quickened his pace, not wanting to seem like he was eavesdropping. Echo was frozen like a deer in headlights, evidently unprepared to hear he was more to Darcy’s taste. Alban swore all the way back to the SUV, stomping like a spoiled child.

These are the ones in charge of meting out “justice.”

He got to his bike just after Ted reached the SUV, where the arse paced like his boots were on fire and then chewed out the rest of his team. Generally it wasn’t a good idea to take your shitty day out on the squad who might need to watch your back later.Too much resentment builds up, and then oops, no more Ted.

That’s not my problem. Getting rid of them is.

“Head back to the flat,” Ted ordered Gavin. “And sit tight until I summon you. Chances are, you’ll be recalled, but I’m waiting for orders, same as you.”

“In the meantime, we’ll finish what you couldn’t,” Ingram said.

At his side, Gavin’s hand tried to ball up into a fist, but he stopped it, knowing the team was trained to look for signs a hunter had lost drive and dedication.

“Write up a report,” Joanna said. “You can send it to me directly. I want to know everything you’ve done since you got here, all steps taken, all avenues investigated. It will save us some legwork.”

“No problem. I’ll get on it.”

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