Page 89 of Target Acquired
Everyone went still once more. Even Cole wondered where she was going with this.
“That’s my point.” She drew in a shuddering breath. “I may not like you, but you’re my team member, and believe it or not, no matter how you treat me, I’ll have your back. And if you could put aside your snark and your prejudice, and whatever else is going on inside you about me being in this position, then you might see that accepting me would be a lot more advantageous than working so hard to be my enemy.”
The silence was so thick, Cole was tempted to try the whole “cutting it with a knife” thing just to see what it looked like.
“Hear me out,” she said, her voice low, almost vibrating with the intensity of the feeling behind her words, “because I’m only saying this once. If I quit, he wins. If you convince me to quit, you help him win.” She lifted her chin another notch. “I was under the impression that this topic had been dealt with, that you guys wanted me to stay—or if you didn’t want me to, you were at least okay with it. But apparently that’s not the case. So . . . here’s my compromise. If the majority of you feel like I’m putting you all in danger, then I’ll take a leave of absence until this guy is stopped. But know this. I’m not quitting or giving up my spot permanently. Ever. And nothing you say or do will change that. I’m here for the long haul. Accept that and move on and we might finally be a real team.” She looked each man in the eye, ending with Cole. “You can let me know what they decide.”
“I can give you my vote right now,” Butler said. He turned his scowl on Cole. “You and I both know the position should have gone to Woodruff. She stole it from him and I’m never going to get over that!”
“Shut up!” Cole’s shout reverberated and everyone froze. He curled his fingers into fists at his side, ordering himself to stay in control. “Just shut up. You’ve crossed the line and this is going in your record.”
And once again, the room fell silent with Butler glaring at Kenzie. The other men had dropped their eyes. “I’m going to make a couple of phone calls and get my things,” Kenzie said. “I need a decision before I leave.”
She swept out of the room and Cole crossed his arms, looking at each member. His gaze lingered on Butler, who looked away, a tinge of shame in his eyes. That little bit of remorse gave Cole a fraction of hope.
“Think about what she said and text me your thoughts,” Cole said.
Greene shook his head. “Don’t have to. She’s right and I’ll say it here in front of everyone. I don’t need any anonymous, snowflake junk. We told you we were fine with her on the team, but I don’t think we really were. At least not unanimously. But that girl’s got more guts and stubbornness than anyone I’ve ever met. I like her and I respect her. I vote she stays and we start acting like the team we’re supposed to be. That includes you, Butler.” He stroked his dog’s head. “Now, Otis has business to do. We’ll be outside.” He clicked to Otis and they headed out the back door into the fenced area behind HQ.
Cowboy nodded. “Ditto what Greene said.”
Butler scoffed. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“No, not kidding you,” Cowboy said. “The division in this team isn’t because of her. It’s you and your attitude and it’s time someone told you that. So, man up, grow up, and let’s pull together to help figure out who’s trying to kill her. We owe her that.”
“We don’t owe her squat,” Butler said.
Cowboy looked at Cole. “Maybe he’s the one who needs to go.”
Butler flinched like the man had punched him in the face. “Really?”
“Really.” Cowboy’s instant—and cold—response obviously took Butler aback. Cole didn’t think he’d ever seen the man at a loss for words like he was at that moment.
“While you two work this out,” Cole said, “I’m going to call Buzz, James, and Magic Man, fill them in, and get votes. They’re still at Kenzie’s house holding down the fort and making sure it’s a safe place for her. You know, acting like team members would act. So I’ll see you all back at her place in a bit.”
He left the room and went to find Kenzie.
He searched the living space, the conference room, the computer area, and finally stopped outside the women’s bathroom and heard what sounded like crying coming from it. He knocked. “Kenzie? I’m coming in.”
“Go away.”
“Not a chance.” He found her on the bench next to the row of stalls trying to stem the tears. “Aw, Kenz.”
He dropped beside her and she swiped her face. “I’m fine. I’m not usually a crier. I just had to let it all out.”
“Nothing wrong with crying. I’ve done it a few times in my life.”
She gave a short chuckle and a final sniff. “You shouldn’t have told him to shut up.”
“I would have told him that, regardless of who he was firing off at.” He slid an arm around her shoulders, disregarding the fact that it was probably a bad idea. “Kenzie, the guys are supporting you. They admire you.” He told her their responses. “And they mean it this time. It’s not just lip service.”
“But not Butler.” She sighed.
“I think even he may come around if he wants to stay on this team.”
“Assuming he’s not the one trying to kill me?”
“Yeah.”