Page 30 of Covert Mission
All the steam leaks out of me. My voice is tight with emotion. “You’re right. The truck doesn’t matter.”
My anger is replaced with determination. “I need to get to work.”
Beast gives me one more shoulder squeeze. “Good girl.”
Why does his approval feel so good?
I duck out of his hold—this time he lets me go—and try to organize my plan.
First, ignore the shivers he causes inside of my tummy.
Second, get this place together. Everywhere around us are boxes and crates. Beast follows me as I walk through the things that had been unloaded from the truck before the fire.
I tug on the packing tape holding one box lid closed.
Beast gently pushes me aside. “Here, let me.” He flicks his wrist, opening a pocketknife.
“Thanks. I should carry one.”
“I have another. You can use this one.” Without hesitation, after he’s cut the box, he closes the small knife and passes it to me.
I blink at it. It’s scratched up, and the edges of the silver metal handle are a little battered. He’s used it a lot. “Are you sure?”
“I wouldn’t have said so if I wasn’t. Just don’t stab me with it. Now, what’s next?”
I’m sure my expression is funny.
I’m both puzzled and touched. This man just gave me his personal knife. Where I’m from, men have strong emotions about their pocketknives.
I can’t decide what this means right now.
Nothing!He just doesn’t want to keep opening boxes for you,a little voice in my head screams.
I give myself a shake and slide the knife into my front pocket. “Belle has a list of to-do items. We need to get our computers set up. We need the solar generator set out so it can charge. We need tables, and chairs, and those whiteboards need to be arranged in the back of the tent.”
Beast whistles and circles his hand in the air. “Guys, listen up. I need you.”
His team rallies up fast. In thirty seconds, I’m surrounded by a wall of badasses. They have matching grim expressions.
Evan seems to be Beast’s right-hand man, or at least the more talkative of the bunch. “Scout’s out chasing down a lead.”
“Okay, the rest of you will help get this place together. One hour. Then you’re on our case. Belle has a list of things to do.”
They reply in unison, “Copy that.”
Beast nods. “Get to it.”
The men disperse and dive into the chaos of FamFind pallets, cardboard boxes, plastic totes, and Pelican cases.
I look over my shoulder at him, a little astounded. “Just like that, you’re going to help us?”
“Guess my true colors are showing.”
I turn and take a long look at him. A SEAL. An honorable man. Protecting me. Helping me.
An uneasy feeling hits my bones.
I’ve never had that. This is unfamiliar waters. Don’t know how to take that kind of help.