Page 124 of What About Love

He surged to his feet, stooping somewhat to avoid hitting his head in the low-ceilinged vehicle, which only brought him closer. “I don’t care to be a voyeur as you get acquainted with your new boyfriend.”

She blinked, momentarily stunned, before she retorted in an incredulous voice. “Excuse me? Weren’t you the one who dumped me?”

“Rebounded fast, didn’t you, sweetcheeks?”

Dan surged to his feet behind her, or as much as he could, his movement coinciding with a fast-moving Cap who had positioned himself between the two angry men. It was the crack of Angie’s open hand connecting with T’s cheek and echoing off the metal walls of the truck that halted everyone dead. A brief silence followed until her hurt-filled whisper replaced it.

“You can stop now, T. You’ve already accomplished your goal of driving me away.”

“Go up front and ride with Jonas, honey,” the general ordered, also on his feet. Although his tone was pitched softly, it rang firm with authority.

She nodded and headed that way, casting none of them a second glance. As she squeezed through the narrow opening in the Plexiglas that formed a safety barrier behind the tall front seats, she heard Dan’s angry growl. “That was a shit thing to say, Minelli.”

T’s response was succinct. “Fuck you, Ogilvie.”

***

CAP TOOK ANGIE’S VACANTseat and with a truly baffled expression directed his query at T. “What the hell was that?”

“He’s got his head up his ass, obviously.”

“No,” T snapped, moving forward in his seat toward Dan. “You’re confused. I’m not the one who’s been panting around her like a randy bull since we got on a plane for a fuckin’ rescue mission.”

“No, you’re the stupid prick who keeps playing games with her head and throwing her away. Don’t bitch at me for having the decency to offer her a shoulder to cry on.”

“It looks like you’re offering more than a fuckin’ shoulder.”

“What’s it to you if I am?” Dan shot back. “You dumped her, dumbass. Remember?”

T was out of his seat again and halfway at his teammate’s throat before Cap and the general grabbed him and hauled him back.

“Both of you, shut it.” No longer puzzled, Cap was pissed. “T’s right about one thing. We’re not heading for a Sunday picnic at the beach, for chrissake. I need your heads in the game.”

The two adversaries stared each other down for a second. Dan broke away first, his words another challenge as he did so. “You’ve gotmyattention, boss.”

Cap glared at the more stubborn of the pair, awaiting a similar response.

His eyes slid to his leader and met them unwaveringly. “I’ve been with you for ten years and you have to ask?” He shrugged off their hands and slid back in his seat, knowing no further comment was necessary. Cap surprised him by saying, “Since watching you stew in your own jealousy juice for the past two hours, yes, I do.”

“I’ve got it locked down, Cap.”

“See that you keep it that way,” he barked as he took his seat. His usually cool captain speared his fingers through his hair. “At least we won’t have to deal with this shit for long.”

“Why is that?” Pete asked.

“She’s transferring to LA after the op.” Cap’s narrow-eyed glare collided with T’s. “Evidently, she finds the working conditions recently to be untenable.”

A bitter pain invaded his chest, like an icy fist closing around his heart, and twisted it ruthlessly.You did this,a voice inside him accused.All to keep her at arm’s length when you want nothing better than to fuse yourself to her for all eternity.

“Surely you can convince her to stay,” he heard Dan say.

“I tried. Someone else will need to do the convincing. Talking to her after our meeting this morning, she seemed pretty set on leaving San Antonio, pronto.”

The group lapsed into another silence. Shock waves of emotion rippled through T: loss, loneliness, anguish, and intense guilt for acting like the dumbass Dan had rightfully accused him of being.

***

SWEAT TRICKLED DOWNthe back of her neck, slowly making a path down her spine. It tickled. The need to scratch against the bark of the tree she had taken a position in nearly overwhelming, but Angie didn’t dare move. Through the night vision scope, she watched as the six-man team—having met up with Dex and Kyle earlier at the rendezvous point—stealthily invaded the compound. It was up to her to protect and provide cover for Dex, Jonas, and Dan. The general was in a tree somewhere to her left, doing the same for Kyle, Cap, and T.

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