Page 11 of Her Unflinching Warrior (Omega Sky)
“When it comes to the electronics, I should be able to do that remotely. I had some plans for the equipment that I laid out for the Commander. He liked it.”
“I’m sure he did. He can be a devious bastard. Let Simon take care of it along with Jase or Nolan. Probably Jase, since Nolan’s coming in late. I’m approving your PTO. How bad is the situation? Do you need back-up?”
“Nah, I’ve got this,” Gideon assured his friend.
“Gideon?” Kostya stretched out his name, knowing that Gideon might try to handle a personal issue on his own, instead of asking for help.
“I appreciate the concern, but I just can’t imagine Jada into something that requires anything more than some strong words. It’ll be fine.”
“Call Simon. I want you to report in to me within forty-eight hours, got it?”
“Aye-aye.”
* * *
Gideon droppedhis head and shook it.
Fucking Kostya.
“Hey, Gideon,” Ryker called out from across the concourse.
Really? Really? Am I two years old? Do I need a babysitter?
Ryker jogged over to him with a shit-eating grin on his face.
“Kostya wanted me to tell you that paybacks are a bitch.”
“How’d he know my flight?” Gideon held up his hand. “Never mind, it was McNamara.”
Ryker nodded. “You’re not the only whiz kid in town.”
“I thought you were busy pursuing Amy. Are you really such a putz that you’d give up that easy?”
“She took a powder. Took time off from the restaurant. Couldn’t find her at her apartment. I finally called Lark in desperation. She told me that I needed to go in softer, that she had some heavy stuff going down in her life at the moment.” Ryker hefted his duffel up on his shoulder, then pulled his phone out of his cargo pants. Gideon watched as he pulled up his boarding pass.
“Did Lark tell you what kind of stuff?”
Ryker gave him a frustrated look. “Much as I love and worry about you, man, do you think I’d be here if I knew what was going down with this woman? I haven’t been able to get her outta my head for three months.”
“Maybe I could help track her down,” Gideon suggested.
“Lark was pretty adamant that I leave it alone for now, so I’m taking her at her word. I’ve got sisters, and girl cousins, aunts and a mother. When a woman tells you to back off the way Lark told me to back off, the shit’s serious. I don’t have theinwith Amy yet to press it.” Ryker gritted his teeth.
“What?” Gideon asked.
“I just don’t like the idea of her hanging out there in the wind, is all. Lark told me she has it covered.” Ryker jerked his head and Gideon saw that people were lining up over at their gate.
“Lark is the type of woman who would make sure her best friend is covered, it’s okay.”
“I know,” Ryker sighed as they walked over and stood in line. “Right now we’ll focus on Jada. Kane’s checking things out. He said to tell you he can’t breach her system, and he’s impressed.”
“Normally that would be a good thing,” Gideon muttered as he placed his phone on the boarding pass reader and smiled at the gate attendant.
“Anyway, he also said to tell you that he’s going to be working on things while we’re in the air, and he’s helping Commander Clark with all the evil you’d planned for the team.”
Gideon frowned at Ryker. “What do you mean?”
Ryker held up his hands and grinned. “McNamara thought that would be your reaction. Apparently, it was decided above yours and Kane’s paygrade. He said to blame it on the lieutenants.”
