Page 37 of The ARC Unit: Breach

I laughed into my towel.

By the time I finished showering, the bathroom had emptied enough that getting dressed only required checking the doorway twice. I pulled on black training leggings and a fitted black quarter-zip that hugged close through my waist without feeling restrictive, then laced the trail shoes I’d brought because Raven had specifically warned me not to wear anything I minded ruining. My hair had partially dried into loose waves while I got ready, so I gathered most of it into a high ponytail and left several shorter pieces around my face rather than fighting them.

I looked considerably more prepared for a fitness class than an international counter-trafficking unit.

That would have to do.

When I came downstairs, Bear was already cooking.

At some point he had decided feeding six armed men and one newly imported analyst every morning was easier than allowing any of us to fend for ourselves.

The smell of butter and onions had replaced yesterday’s eggs, and a skillet full of potatoes occupied one side of the hot plate while another pan held something that looked suspiciously like enough food for a small wedding.

Jackal was fully dressed now, which I considered a personal victory. He had claimed his usual chair and was pouring hot sauce onto his plate with enough enthusiasm that Bear eventually reached over and took the bottle away.

“That’s food,” Bear said.

“I know. I’m improving it.”

“You’re hiding it.”

“Next time I need kimchi.”

Raven sat across from him with coffee and a piece of toast, his curls still damp from the shower. Viper had yogurt again and Hawk stood near the counter eating another apple.

I sat down beside Raven.

“I’m starting a petition.”

“For what?”

“Bathroom reform.”

Jackal immediately shook his head. “Denied.”

“You were in your underwear.”

“I was dressed.”

Viper looked at him. “You weren’t.”

Jackal pointed toward Viper, “No wonder you’re named after a snake.”

Bear placed a plate in front of me. “Eat before you start a revolution.”

“That’s how governments control people.”

“Potatoes?”

“Exactly.”

Bear smiled and went back to the stove, hand towel hanging over his broad shoulder. I was halfway through breakfast when Jackal leaned his elbows on the table and looked at me with an expression I had already learned meant he was about to become a problem.

He smiled mischievously. “We forgot something yesterday.”

“If this is about shampoo, I don’t care.”

“You need an animal.”