Page 121 of What About Love

“No offense, sir,” T intoned in a slightly less volatile tone, “but we don’t know what we’re looking at here.”

“I’m not planning to brawl in the dirt, Minelli, or didn’t you hear Cap say FFP?”

“Um, excuse me, but I’m not clear on my role in this?” Angie quietly and bravely entered the fray with her question.

“You and Pete will take up sniper positions on the perimeter, providing cover while the rest of us penetrate the compound and locate the hostages,” Cap explained.

T’s objection was directed at Cap. “She’s not ready for that. Last time she was in the simulator, she couldn’t hit a bull’s ass with a bass fiddle.”

“That’s not true. I’ve improved,” she asserted quietly.

“In controlled conditions,” he challenged, angry eyes still focused on the boss, trying to sway him. “No one knows how she’ll do in a live situation. She’s never been field tested.”

“How else do I get field tested unless I go on a mission?”

“It’s not happening,” he declared.

“It’s not your call,” Angie bit out through gritted teeth.

“She has improved,” Dan put in, directing his comments at T. “I pulled her stats this morning. She’s averaging 83 percent over the last few weeks.”

“Can you stop talking about me like I’m not here?” Angie demanded sharply.

“She’s not going,” T stated, talking over her while glaring at Cap.

She slapped her hands on the table in front of her as she jumped to her feet and leaned toward him, repeating more heatedly, “Dammit, T. This isn’t your decision to make.”

At last, he paid her attention, standing as well, bulky arms crossing over his chest. His hard eyes met hers, his expression set with resolve. When he spoke, it was with an edge of steel to his voice. “You aren’t ready, and that’s the end of this discussion. As your trainer—”

“Not anymore. Or did you forget you had me reassigned?” She was angry, but compared to the rage emanating from him, she was surprised his head didn’t explode.

Cap turned to Dan. “Looks like that makes it your call.”

“She’s ready,” he said quietly, eyes locked on T.

“I agree,” Cap stated with finality, watching T intently as he did so. “I’m expecting a briefing from Dex at 1400. Expect to be wheels up at 1700. Dismissed.”

Everyone began shuffling out.

“T, you hang back.”

Angie felt his angry eyes on her as she stood to follow the others.

“You stay, too, Angie,” Cap ordered as he moved to close the door. “Obviously, my little lecture prior to the mission in LA didn’t stick. What the fuck, T?”

“She’s too green. We’re better off leaving her behind.”

“I’m 98 percent consistently on the range, Cap.”

“With stationary objects. Do you think the bad guys are going to stand still and let you shoot them, darlin’?”

“Kiss my ass, T,” she hissed.

“Love to, sweetcheeks, right after we settle this. And if you don’t stop defying me every breath, I’ll be spanking it, too.”

She threw up her hands in exasperation. “There goes the freakin’ spigot again. For the last time, this...is...not...your call!” As she bit out the words, her voice rose steadily, ending a decibel short of a shout.

“For Christ’s sake,” Cap barked, patently fed up. “Can you leave your back-and-forth shit for couple’s counseling and focus on the mission?”

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