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Luken sighed. “The way she always does: a little fire, a lot of brimstone.”
Thorne chuckled at that.
But Luken added. “She’s really worried, more than she’ll say. And I’m convinced she was holding something back about her vision, something she didn’t want me to know.”
“And there really hasn’t been any sign of Braulio? I saw the way she looked when he was sharing her bed; she was almost happy.”
Luken shook his head. “We had a few days of peace there, didn’t we?”
“Yes, we did. And I’m pissed as hell that he left.”
“He’s not free, Thorne, you have to remember that. He does whatever the hell Luchianne and the Council of Sixth Earth demand of him. The one consolation I have is that I know he’s working on our side. I know it.” He then laughed. “But if he doesn’t show up soon, I’m pretty sure Endelle will cave and take Merl into her bed.”
Thorne rolled his eyes. “That bastard.”
Luken told him about Duncan battling him at Antony’s villa. “It was a sweet sight to behold, Duncan busting the smirk off his face.”
Thorne grinned. “Wish I could have seen it.” He rose to his feet. “Well, good luck, brother. If I can help in any way—” He let the words hang.
Luken stood up and, lifting his hand, saluted Thorne with his middle finger.
Thorne laughed once more. “I miss this, you know.”
And Luken did know. “The brotherhood eased us all. But now we’re spread out all over the globe and I’m headed to Third.”
Thorne nodded but fell silent. Maybe he was thinking about the past.
“Anything else?” Luken asked.
Thorne shook his head. “Nah. Just thinking about Endelle.”
Luken finally said, “Is it okay if I bring the men back here to talk things over?”
“Absolutely. And listen, I think I’ll pay a visit to the Palace. I haven’t been there in a couple of weeks. Just an FYI.”
“You’d be welcome, that’s for sure.”
Finishing his beer, Luken made his way over to the mess and found the men he was looking for: Duncan’s squad.
It felt strange to know that he was about to change each of their lives forever in the same way his warrior life had just been given a solid shake-up.
Third Earth.
Jesus H. Christ, what the hell was Endelle thinking?
But he had his orders and on a gut level he knew this had to be done. He just didn’t have even a shred of confidence any of them would make it back alive.
As soon as he approached their table, all three men rose to their feet as they would with any superior officer.
“You boys about done?”
A general nodding of heads.
“Then come with me.”
Back in the sitting area of Thorne’s command tent, Luken had the men sit, but remained standing himself. He’d never had a confrontational style, at least not verbally, because it wasn’t necessary; he let the massive nature of his chest, arms and shoulders do the intimidating.
The men looked up at him, but each had taken on a slightly belligerent expression as though guessing what he was about to demand of them. But he honestly didn’t care whether they liked being taken away from North Africa or not.
