Okay, so she'd have a crew with her which would definitely hamper her ability to kill Mangus, but it wasn't impossible. Probably better that she kill him in Arkansas rather than here in Indiana, as that wouldn't draw undue attention to GHOST.

Pulling her duffel bag from the bottom of her closet, she dropped it on the bed, moved to her dresser, and began pulling out undergarments and socks from the top drawer. They seldom knew how long they'd be gone on a mission, but she was good at packing and bringing enough to get her through. She'd wash her undergarments out at night, usually Josh's too, since as the only woman she shared a room with him to save costs out on the road. That and making her bed, were the end of her domesticity. Washing her undergarments was a necessity. No matter how tomboyish she might be, she hated feeling gross. She only washed Josh's because he was her support system and it seemed like the least she could do for her only surviving brother.

That thought laid heavy in her heart and she renewed her resolve that a Santarino would pay for Jake's death. Victor was killed by Lincoln's wife, Skye, but he deserved that for kidnapping her. Jax intended to make sure his sibling paid the price her sibling had paid. End of discussion there. Those bounty hunters better find their diamond and fast.

Gathering three pairs of jeans and a handful of t-shirts she rolled them up and tucked them into her duffel. Entering her bathroom and pulling three laundry packs from the cupboard she tossed them into her duffel too. Mrs. James had pulled those together for her. Actually all of the team members had them. They consisted of a laundry pod, and a fabric softener sheet tucked into a Ziploc bag.

On her way out, she'd grab a few of the coffee packs Mrs. James made for them too. Those consisted of a k-cup, and for those of the group who liked creamer, there were creamer packs and sugar packs for those team members who liked their coffee grossly sweet and a coffee filter folded into each pack. She'd never been a sugar and spice gal, so black coffee for her was just fine. She'd learned to like it that way in the Army. It served her well in her life in GHOST as they traveled a fair amount and finding the perfect cup of coffee was often non-existent. The k-cups could be opened up and dumped into hot water and filtered out if need be. It worked if you needed it to work and sometimes they were out in the woods or sleeping in tents or their vehicles.

Grabbing her shampoo, conditioner and shower gel, she tucked them in the inside pocket of her duffel and zipped it up tight. Slinging her duffel over her shoulder she made her way down the massive staircase to the foyer. Looking down on the house from the top of the staircase she admired the atmosphere and setup. The office was mainly Gaige's, though he did little work there. Only when he took calls from prospective clients did he hole up in there ironing out the gritty details of any given mission. Otherwise, he preferred being in the computer lab where everyone milled around when not on a mission.

The formal living room which no one ever used. Why they'd installed white carpeting in there was anyone's guess. Since they all usually wore boots and those boots mucked through some sloppy places they had no business schlepping across white carpeting, but good grief, there it was. The final door visible from the top of the stairs was the entry door, which was gorgeous carved wood and black wrought iron handles. It was also painted white but you could tell it was an artist’s masterpiece at one time, the carving depicting horses in battle and soldiers engaged in the War of 1812 by looking at their uniforms. Most of this house was decorated with the military in mind, as the statues and figurines throughout the house held bits of American history.

She stepped off the last step and dropped her duffel next to the office door as they all did before leaving. She was the first one ready - as usual. Turning to make her last stop the kitchen she decided she'd have one last cup of coffee before leaving. Quickly nabbing four of her coffee packs, she filled a disposable cup with coffee and pushed the lid on securely. Walking to the back window she looked out on the grounds which offered her peace. She and Josh had planted a tree just off the kitchen window in Jake and their father's memory and she looked out on it now. The buds were beginning to pop open and soon it would be beautiful. Her right hand absently lay over the tattoo on her left forearm and her heart beat out a sad staccato. Whispering, "Miss you guys.", she inhaled and turned to see Josh standing at the kitchen door watching her.

"It's going to be a beauty when it blooms."

"Yeah."

"I see you're first again, so you don't have to buy lunch."

She smiled. They had an inside bet among the team members. Last one ready for a mission had to buy the next meal for all of them. "Hope those bounty hunters bring their wallets."

Josh burst out laughing. "We may have to exempt them since I doubt anyone told them about the inside bet."

"Bullshit. They'll have to learn somethings the hard way."

She watched her handsome brother, tall and lean, shining black hair like Jake's and their father, much like her own, walk to the cabinet and pull out his coffee packs. Tucking them into the front of his duffel, he turned and smiled at her. “I'm ready."

The front door opened and Dodge and Ford entered the house. Josh looked at her, "They won't be buying lunch. That leaves Wyatt."

They both chuckled and hers nearly died in her throat when Dodge entered the kitchen. He looked different. Battle ready and the look in his eyes was energizing and captivating. He was a warrior. Eager for battle. Ready to fight and win. The green of his eyes sharpened and the sandy blond hair even looked battle ready. His firm jaw, thick-corded neck and the stretch of his gray t-shirt across his impressive chest showed how firm and strong he was.

Josh broke the awkward silence. "You guys just made it in time. Wyatt will have to buy lunch."

"What's that all about?" Ford asked. Was it her or was Dodge staring at her?

"Last one ready for a mission buys the next meal." Josh moved to the side and opened the coffee cupboard. "Here's where you can grab your coffee packs for travel." He explained the coffee packs and Dodge finally turned to listen to him.

Taking that moment to breathe. Then swallow. She took a sip of her coffee and was irritated to find her hand slightly shaking. This shit was going to have to stop.