Page 42 of Alpha Fate

“We still have to go back there. We’ll have more intel next time. It’ll be better.” Jagger looks around at us. “Rack’s still got resources and God alone knows what else in there. This isn’t over.”

The conversation turns to analyzing defenses, numbers, and capabilities based on what we encountered during the rescue operation. Casey pulls up a map and starts marking likely fallback positions, and other assets Rack might have in the area surrounding Leadmills.

My thoughts drift again as I think of Savannah recuperating back at Jagger’s apartment.

Is she thinking about me too?

“What’s the status on the girl?” Barrett asks suddenly, as if reading my mind.

Tarkin answers before I can open my mouth. “She looked pretty good when I saw her yesterday morning. No serious damage done. She’s a tough one.”

I bristle at his casual mention of Savannah. He hasn’t raised the fact that when he saw her, she was with me. The urge to put him in his place bubbles up, but I tamp it down quickly.

“That’s good to hear,” Barrett rumbles. “Poor thing looked half-starved when we pulled her out.”

“She’ll bounce back quick here,” Tarkin says. “We’ll make sure of that.”

The casual way he says “we” makes my blood boil. Like he has any claim over her – over my girl.

My girl?

I clench my jaw, reminding myself that, technically, she isn’t mine. I don’t even know her, not really. But that doesn’t stop a primal possessive instinct from flaring up.

Jagger moves the conversation along, redirecting everyone’s focus back to Rack and what to do about his pack. I try to engage but only catch pieces here and there.

All I can think about is getting out of this room so I can go check on Savannah. Make sure she’s recovering okay. See the smile I glimpsed yesterday at breakfast. Just my luck, there’s more to discuss right now, and all of it is important. I pull my head back in the game. This is my job, after all, and I love it.

I love Savannah’s eyes just as much.

Get a grip, you idiot!

I drum my fingers on the table, trying to keep my attention on the debate regarding strategy and next moves. But my thoughts keep drifting back to Savannah.

I wonder how she’s doing, if she’s settled in okay. Has she been having nightmares about her time locked up? I wish I could check on her, make sure she’s recovering alright…

“Gage!” Jagger’s sharp voice snaps me back again. “You got an opinion here or what?”

“Oh, uh…” I glance around, realizing they’ve moved on to discussing our next op. “Sorry, say again?”

Jagger huffs, annoyed. “I know there are some doubts, but I’m thinking we need to plan a follow-up strike on Leadmills soon. Before Rack has time to regroup too much. We’ve got him on his heels. If there are more of Sierra’s people in there, we have to get them out.”

He raises a good point. I can’t stand the thought of more victims trying to survive the way Savannah did. I never got a sense of that, though. We were the only two in those cells when I was there. Unless they have another holding area, it may only have been her and Sierra.

I purse my lips. “Yeah, maybe,” I respond to him. “But we also just had a rough fight on our own turf. We should focus on shoring up defenses here before we go kicking the hornet’s nest again.”

Casey speaks up. “I’m with Gage. We’re still licking our wounds from the last clash with Rack’s wolves. Let’s not rush back in too quick.”

I give her a grateful look. I’m not used to Casey having my back; she’s always been staunchly on Jagger’s side. Though I guess now that Sierra’s on the scene, his loyalties are divided.

Tarkin jumps in. “No, I think Jagger’s right. We need to press the advantage while Rack’s pack is scrambling. Hit ‘em again now.”

I bristle slightly. “And leave ourselves vulnerable if they counterattack? Don’t forget that’s how they caught us by surprise last time. We can’t afford any holes in security right now.”

Jagger considers this, scowling. He doesn’t like being questioned.

“Fine,” he finally concedes. “We’ll play it safe, shore up at home first. There’s a lot to do here.”

Like make sure Savannah and Sierra are safe and settled in; he doesn’t need to say it, but I know it’s on his mind. I feel that Jagger’s having as hard a time as I am keeping his thoughts away from the twins.