Page 40 of The Commander
“I know you don’t like me, and I could’ve gone straight to Commander Hawke about this, but I wanted to be a man and talk to you directly.”
That won’t make him a man, but telling him penis extensions are available these days is probably inappropriate.
“This isn’t the Army, Tyrell. Josh said he wants to be directed by his first name. And you should speak to him about any concerns you have.”
This fucker is trying to manipulate me, and I’m not playing his games.
“You and Quinn have a history.”
“She was in the same platoon as you under my command,” I clarify.
“Correct. But she was promoted faster than anyone else, and...listen, I need to talk frankly here; there were clearly favorites—”
Fuck this.
“Your inability to accept that a woman has skills greater than those of the men around her is astounding, Tyrell. I highly recommend that you don’t make that mistake here. At BHS, we assess based on performance and results. I would focus on your fitness and how you conduct yourself.” I lean in. “But go ahead and cry to the Navy SEAL and see how that works out for you.”
He blanches. “That’s unprofessional.”
“Is it? Or do we want soldiers with bigger balls than I’m seeing right now out there fighting our enemies?”
“Excuse me?”
“Not once during all those years did Quinn come crying to me for preferential treatment, which is what you’re doing now.”
“I am asking for fair treatment.” Tyrell crosses his arms defensively.
“We haven’t started day one yet. If you think you can manipulate or intimidate me, XO, you have very much underestimated me.” I hold his angry gaze.
I count five beats before he continues.
“Something is going on between you and Quinn. Eventually, you’ll slip up, and then I’ll prove it.”
My smile starts slowly and grows, unnerving Tyrell until he takes a step back.
“Dismissed,” I snap, despite no longer being his CO. In other words, fuck off, you little piece of shit.
He takes off, and my gaze drifts over to Quinn.
She’s chewing her bottom lip, worrying it as I knew she would be.
I hate that she’s right.
When—fuck—if we end up together, Tyrell will attempt to discredit all she’s achieved. No matter what I say, I have to respect her feelings. As a man, I will never understand it completely. But that doesn’t mean I am going to let what we feel for one another pass us by.
There must be a middle ground here.
The BHS team starts setting up, so I leap into action and help. For now, it’s best if I give her space and not stir up Brooks any further.
She’s so close, but still so far away.
CHAPTER TWELVE
QUINN
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The whistle cuts through the air, and the three of us take off. The obstacle course looks more challenging than anything I’ve done previously, but I guess that’s the point.
