Page 40 of Unintended Love

Clint had a whole new appreciation for his wife. He really liked the commanding side of her. “We usually decide our approach before we decide equipment.”

Kayla nodded. “Same. Mia⁠—”

Before she could finish her sentence, a map of the United States appeared on the huge screen, practically filling the end wall. A second later, Montana filled the screen, but before his eyes could focus, the Northwestern quarter of the state had replaced it.

“We’ll fly into Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls,” Ashlin announced.

“That’s within easy flight distance for our little blackbird,” Piper noted. “Do we want to bring it?”

Clint raised one eyebrow and looked at Kayla. She simply nodded.

“I didn’t get a good look at her.” His glance slid to Ashlin before he continued, “But my brother Van was extremely impressed with your little blackbird. I definitely think it would be an asset. If you don’t have a means of transporting it across the country, I can contact Van. We have a modified C5 that I think is still in the country.” He’d trust his brother before anyone else in the world, especially on a mission.

Kayla agreed. “Sure. That’s a great idea, Lady Leopard. I also agree with the idea of using Van. We like your brother. I’ll submit the request right now to contracting.”

He’d forgotten about using codenames. “Thank you, Lady Lion.”

By the end of the day, the five women and five men were working cohesively. They had worked through several options, but no decisions had been made.

“Gentlemen,” Katlin said by way of announcing herself. “I have arranged transportation for you from and to your hotel and back here every morning.” She handed Clint a piece of paper with the contact number. “Your ride will be waiting for you in fifteen minutes outside the west entrance, which is down this hall, take your first right, and it is at the end of the hall.” She then smiled. “I hope you’ve made good progress.”

Men and women alike answered in the affirmative.

“Excellent.” She continued, “Ladies, I’ll see you in five minutes in the conference room.” The director of Section 7, the operational division, turned and walked out of the room.

“Can you Ladies recommend a good place to eat?” Clint asked primarily for his men. He walked over to Ashlin and whispered, “Have your plans changed for tonight?”

She looked up at him with a teasing smile. “Absolutely not.”

“Where are we going out to supper?” He smiled back at her as they ignored the recommendations bouncing around the room.

“Why don’t we all meet at Deb’s Place?” Kayla suggested. “I just texted her, and her back room is open tonight.”

“That’s a great idea,” Kira seconded.

“Does anybody mind if I invite Kenner?” Piper asked.

“Hell, no.” Liam, Dog, responded.

Clint looked down at Ashlin and raised his eyebrows.

“Sure,” she replied. “It’s a teambuilding event. By the way, dress is casual. You could actually get away with blue jeans and a T-shirt. We’ll be in her back room, which has a back entrance. No one will see us coming or going. Deb used to be in the CIA. Have the car service Katlin has arranged bring you and pick you up.” She smiled at him. “We can take a separate car to your place.”

The look in her eyes as she glanced up at him made him want to back her into a corner and kiss her until she begged him to make her scream. But he couldn’t do that. Not there. Not then. It wasn’t hard to work with her on a professional basis, as he’d discovered that day when they were side-by-side in a dark room, working out the details of their mission. Now that it was the end of the day, all he could think about was having her in his bed in a few hours and all through the night.

Time and place for supper decided, he needed to round his team up and head to the hotel. They had about two hours before they were going to meet the women again. The ride back would give him an opportunity to talk to his men, gauging their attitudes. As he talked to each man on the ride to the hotel, Shawn sat next to him, a little nervous, but he hid it well enough.

“Clint, I know I’m new to this team, but before I was assigned to you, I had made arrangements to meet someone important to me for supper tonight. I’d change it, but he’s only going to be in D.C. through tomorrow morning. I’d really appreciate it if I could be excused from this big supper tonight.”

“I completely understand.” Clint certainly did. “Meals together on missions like this aren’t mandatory. I don’t give a flying fuck what you do once we’re back at the hotel. You’ll soon find that I’m not a micromanager, and I won’t tolerate anyone trying to control my personal life.”

“Thank you, sir.” Boomer moved to another seat and was replaced quickly by the next man.

Two hours later, they were back in another limousine with a different driver on the way to supper with Ashlin’s team. He was excited to see her and worried a little about their public display of affection because he wouldn’t be able to keep his hands off her. Everyone knew they were married. In the end, he decided to follow her lead. He didn’t want to do anything to make her uncomfortable.

Alcohol and fantastic food had done their job. By the end of the evening, the room looked like a meal shared with coworkers. A few small groups had formed. Clint heard several opinions on various countries around the world. Piper and Kenner had migrated to the seats across from Clint and Ashlin. After a brief introduction, the Navy SEAL and Army Delta discovered they were on a few of the same joint operations. Clint was surprised to hear that the Holt Company, which Kenner worked for, had been on a mission with Ashlin’s team in Alaska.

“That explains your comment about cold weather,” Clint said as he looked at Piper.