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Luken maintained his hold on her arm. “No. Not until you hear me out.”
Endelle’s wooded eyes flashed fire. “You’d better talk fast or I will pulverize your nuts with both hands and don’t think I won’t do it.”
“Fine, but let me ask you this: Did you or did you not just put me in charge of this team?”
She ground her jaw. “I did.”
“Then let me run it.”
“But she—”
He turned her toward him and gripped both of her arms gently but firmly. “I know, but you’re not helping. And you can’t browbeat anyone into service. That’s not how it works. We come willingly. We choose to serve or not to serve. Period.”
“But I’m just so mad.” And suddenly tears were on Endelle’s cheeks as well. Something that never happened. Her next words were cryptic. “Oh, Luken, not you.”
She lost her stilettos and the next moment she threw her arms around his neck and he held her fast. Who did the woman have in her life to offer her comfort? Merl? Not likely. Essentially, she had no one and this was the least he could do.
But she’d also just confirmed his suspicion that Endelle knew the Third Earth team was a one way ticket for him and his throat tightened.
His mind slid back to being in Havily’s office and having a terrible feeling he wouldn’t be seeing her again. The friendship he’d enjoyed with her, even the unrequited nature of his feelings for her, had come to an end.
Rachel was quiet now, having moved a few feet away to palm tears off her face.
After a long moment, Endelle pulled out of his arms. “Sorry I lost my shit.”
“You’re allowed.”
She patted his chest. “Don’t read too much into any of this. Like Zach, I’m sick of all this change.”
“I won’t. So, will you let me run the team the way I want to, the way I feel I’ll need to?”
“Of course. What do you think I am? A moron?”
He shrugged. “Sometimes.”
At that, she laughed and folded a couple of tissues into her hand and wiped her face. She folded a few more and closed the distance to Rachel, handing her the rest. “I’m turning you over to Luken. And … I’m sorry for being such a pain.”
Rachel looked stunned, her blue eyes wide. She ought to be. Luken couldn’t remember the last time Endelle apologized for anything.
Straightening her shoulders, Endelle said, “I’m heading home. I’m going to soak in a cool bath and drink lots of tequila.”
Before Luken could say anything else, Endelle lifted her right arm and vanished.
He drew close to Rachel. “I’m sorry about all that. She means well.”
“I know she does, and I admire her commitment to our world, but she’s just so freaking hard to take.” She pursed her lips. “The thing is, Luken, I’m serious here. I’m not going to serve on this team.”
“Listen, I don’t want you even thinking about that right now. We have something far more important to deal with and that’s keeping you safe. So long as this woman, Yolanthe, is after you, your security is my priority. And I suggest we start by training you with the wrecker guns.”
At that, her eyes brightened. “That’s exactly what I told Merl. I asked him to teach me.”
“See, we’re already on the same page.” He took her measure and leaning close, said quietly, “Between you and me, I’d much rather not have a woman on the team.” He’d said those words for a purpose and the hard light that entered Rachel’s eye meant that he’d gauged her exactly right.
“Oh, really.” She planted her hands on her hips.
Luken shrugged. “Well, what does it matter to you, anyway? I just know that a woman brings a different kind of tone to a squad and that can make things … well … difficult.”
Rachel’s lips grew crooked. “You’re yanking my chain, aren’t you?”
