CHAPTER 2
Things had been too slow lately with no missions. Not even a damn field training exercise since the team had returned from Kosovo. Maybe the commander would have an assignment for him if he asked.
The hope for some excitement carried Jack through a restless night and to the next morning as he got ready to head to base.
That was when his cell sounded with the text alert. The commander was calling the team in. He was finally about to get his wish for some action.
More than ready, Jack grabbed his keys off the hook by the apartment’s door and headed outside. As his Mustang’s engine roared to life, Jack’s spirits rose.
His good mood lasted all the way until he walked into the meeting room, where the stormy look on the commander’s face was not at all encouraging.
Jack sat and waited in silence with the others already in the room until the entire team arrived. Trey was the last one in, looking like he’d just rolled out of Carly’s bed.
Great. That was an image he didn’t need burned into his brain. Scowling, Jack swallowed the bitter taste of envy burning the back of his throat.
Only when everyone was seated and quiet did the commander draw in a breath and say, “Well, boys. The pencil-pushing heads-up-their-asses idiots from Central Command have come up with yet another scheme to mess up our lives. It seems we haven’t been using enough of our leave. So these idiots have decided to institute a forced furlough period for our ‘mental health’.”
BB Dalton frowned. “Furlough, sir?”
“Extended leave, Dalton. Three weeks to be exact. They’d wanted six weeks but I managed to talk them out of it.”
Jack had to agree with the commander. Three weeks away was bad enough, but six would have been ridiculous. They all knew that skills began to degrade after a month of disuse. It was why they constantly trained to keep sharp whenever they weren’t actively on a mission.
There was a general grumbling among the team, except for Trey, who leaned forward and whispered, “I’ll gladly take the time. You were right last night. Carly agreed to move in with me. I want to get her moved before she changes her mind.”
Wonderful. Not only was Jack not getting in on any action to take his mind off things, but he would probably end up using his three weeks of forced leave helping Trey move Carly into his place.
That was just what he needed, to carry a box full of her unmentionables into Trey’s bedroom. He had to do something about this.
Jack raised his hand. “What about any assignments that come up, sir? Who will take care of them if we’re all off?”
“Well, that will just teach those bastards, won’t it? CentCom thinks they can stagger the different teams’ furloughs and reassign anything that comes up. I think they’re wrong.”
Matt Coleman peered up from behind his ever-present laptop. “Obviously, sir. What if the target from Kosovo requests another face-to-face meeting with Trey? They can’t reassign that. Not after the guy’s already seen him on video and spoken to him on the phone.”
Jack really didn’t need to be reminded of Trey’s last undercover assignment. He’d never forget the image of seeing Trey and Carly together. It was seared into his brain.
“Agreed, Coleman. I’m actually hoping something exactly like that comes up to teach these assholes they should stick to pushing papers and leave the commanding to those who know what the hell they’re doing. But until they learn, you boys are free for the next three weeks. Oh, and don’t make yourselves too accessible. I want you all off the radar. Go home. Visit Mom. Take a transport to Fiji and soak up some sun. I don’t care. Just let the guys up at Central know they really are up the creek without a paddle if they need us on short notice during this furlough. Dismissed.”
Trey looked like a kid on Christmas morning as he stood. “That’s it then. I’m on my way to the Exchange to check the dumpster.”
“The dumpster? Um, why?” Even in his miserable and distracted state, that still caught Jack’s attention.
“For some sturdy cardboard boxes to pack Carly’s things in. I figure either the Exchange or the commissary probably tosses out boxes all the time. Carly’s got a couple of liquor boxes in the storeroom at the bar but not nearly enough for all her stuff. You wanna come?” Trey asked, looking way too excited.
Since Trey was serious, and seriously happy about his little field trip to the dumpster in the North Carolina heat, Jack tried not to laugh in his face. “No, thanks though. Maybe I’ll meet you at the bar later.”
“All right. See you.” Once Trey had said his goodbye and sprinted out the door in search of used boxes, Jack stood and headed in the opposite direction.
He knocked on the doorframe of the commander’s open door. “Sir. May I speak with you?”
“Gordon. Come on in. I’ve been meaning to ask you how Jimmy’s doing.”
“He’s doing good. He’s home with Mama recuperating. He says she’s driving him batty with all the mothering.”
The commander smiled. “Good to hear. So, what can I do for you, Gordon? Why aren’t you already off enjoying your furlough?” He said the last word like it left a bad taste in his mouth.
“That’s what I want to speak to you about. Is there any possibility of being assigned to another unit just for the three weeks?”
The commander raised his brows. “May I ask why?”
Jack searched for a valid reason. “I . . . need to be busy.”
The commander seemed to look deep inside him. The man had the uncanny ability to do that and used it too often for Jack’s liking. It was probably what made him a good leader, but it was still annoying.
“I know something’s up with you, Jack. I’m not as blind as everyone thinks I am.”
“No one thinks you’re blind, sir.” Sometimes they hoped he was, when they were bending the rules. But unfortunately for them, they always found out he wasn’t.
“Yeah, sure. Anyway the problem is this is a direct order from higher up and there is no way around it. Go home, Jack. It’s just a few hours drive to your hometown, right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then go. Enjoy your mama’s sweet-potato pie you’re always bragging about. Spend time with Jimmy. Get away from your friend Williams, his girl and her damn bar. I think it’ll do you good.”
Jack tried not to let his surprise show. Were his feelings that transparent? He’d have to work on that. “Yes, sir. Thank you.”
“And, Jack . . .”
Jack paused at the door and turned back toward the commander. “Sir?”
“It wouldn’t have mattered if I had put you undercover with her in Kosovo instead of Williams. I saw them together. She was already half in love with him before they left for the mission.”
The commander wasn’t lying when he said he wasn’t blind. In fact, Jack was starting to wonder if he was psychic, or maybe he just eavesdropped on their communications implants when they didn’t know.
In any event, what the commander said about Carly and Trey was true. Deep down Jack knew that.
He blew out a breath and embraced what he’d known for a while now but had refused to accept. “Yeah. I know.”