Page 52 of Brooks

“All right, enough. I know why you all are pissed at me, but I can’t take it anymore,” I blurted out. “Will someone please just tell me I was acting like a whiney bitch so we can get on with it?”

“You’re acting like a whiney bitch,” Thad said.

Okay, maybe that stung more than I thought it would.

“You ready to spit out whatever the hell is bothering you?” Kyle asked.

No. I wasn’t ready. I didn’t want to talk about it, but I was the one who opened the door. Maybe silence wasn’t such a bad thing after all.

“Didn’t think so,” he went on after a beat.

“I fucked up the last time I was in Saudi Arabia. I was stupid and rushed and almost died because of my poor decision making. I don’t want anyone else to get hurt because of my stupidity.”

“You can’t be talking about when you were a POW.” Max turned around from the passenger seat to look at me.

“You mean when I got captured because I didn’t listen to all my intel? Yeah, Max, that time.”

“You can’t let that fuck with your head,” Thad advised.

“Kinda hard not to when every time I look in the mirror I’m reminded of what an idiot I was.”

“Get over it,” Declan demanded.

He was driving so he couldn’t see the daggers my glare was shooting in his direction and unfortunately, I didn’t have any Jedi mind tricks perfected. The ones that would make him go up in a plume of smoke.

“Come again?”

“Didn’t stutter, Tatiana.”

“No. You didn’t, but it was kinda a dick thing to say.”

“Seriously? You think you’re the first person to be held against their will and take a few hits?”

Was it possible for someone’s head to spontaneously combust? Because I think mine was going to explode.

“No, you jackass. I know I’m not. All I’m saying is—”

“That you feel sorry for yourself?”

“Watch it, bro…” Brooks’ tone held a whole new meaning of menacing.

I didn’t need him to stick up for me, and the last thing I needed was for the two of them to get into a fight because of me. This was ridiculous.

“I don’t feel sorry for myself. I was just explaining why I no longer trust myself.”

“Which brings me back to my previous advice. Get over it.”

“Okay, Declan. Whatever.”

I was stupid for even starting the conversation. I should’ve known better. All alpha men were the same. Bury it. Lock it down. Don’t think about it. Worry about unpacking the cargo container of feelings later when it’s busting at the seams ready to spew all over the place.

Real healthy.

“Do you trust me to lead this mission?” Declan asked.

“Yes.” If I hadn’t been in a car full of men, I would’ve ignored him.

“Do you trust me to have your back?”