Page 52 of Renegade
5
CAROLINE’S SURPRISE
GREYSTONE
Greystone was furious.
Not even that five-hour flight could settle him down. En route, he’d uploaded the photos of the three dead men into Langley’s system. Within minutes, the database identified them as soldiers in the Haqazzii terror cell. He hated that they’d stolen Sherry’s life. But they’d gunned down a protective agent. One of their own. Vengeance ran deep in his bones. Now, he was out for blood.
In the doorway of the BLACK OPS conference room, Greystone acknowledged the team with a nod before eying the mugshots displayed on the screen.
A growl shot out of him. “The mission went sideways.”
“Do we need to take a break?” Dakota asked.
“Depends,” Greystone replied. “If this is my team, they gotta hear about it.”
Dakota flipped on the lights. “Greystone Santini, meet your team.”
Greystone strode to the bulletin-board wall, slapped upeach of the photos. He was too fired-up to sit, too damn ready to take these thugs out. But he knew he couldn’t go off half-cocked. This was a strategic mission that required planning, skill, and cunning. The motherfuckers were winning, but it wasthisteam who would stop them.
He regarded the mugshots flashed on the back wall, this time recognizing the ones in the photos from Sherry. Time to take his anger and frustration down. Today was day one. No need to piss anyone off, especially his team. Better to dial things back.
He sat at the head of the table.
“Have you met everyone?” Sin asked.
“Good to see you again, Develin,” Greystone said. “I read your file. You’re the Fixer. Here’s hoping I never need you.”
“But if you do, pray I like you,” Sin replied, and the group laughed.
Ice broken.
“I appreciate that you read our files,” Dakota said. “Shows real leadership.”
“In addition to heading up BLACK OPS, you own a successful real estate company,” Greystone continued.
“That’s my cover,” Dakota said. “My long-term business partner runs it.”
Next, Greystone acknowledged Hawk. “Fellow pilot, Nicholas Hawk. How’s it goin’?”
“You’re an airman,” Hawk said. “What’s your poison?”
“F-18s,” Greystone replied.
“So, I shouldn’t say Go Army,” Hawk replied.
More laughter filled the room.
“Only if you wanna piss me off,” Greystone replied. “Are you former Air Force?”
“No military,” Hawk replied. “I just like to poke the bear.”
“That makes me the grizzly,” Greystone said, and group cracked up.
“Greystone was a Navy SEAL,” Dakota said, “then a decorated aviator, before accepting a temporary assignment at Langley.”
“Aren’tyouspecial?” Hawk’s sarcasm made Greystone chuckle.
