“I never thought she’d go for the military type,” Layla continued when I didn’t respond.
I didn’t think I reacted, but she must have seen something in my expression, because she continued.“She didn’t tell you about our upbringing.”She studied me again.I wished that I had my face shield because she was scary perceptive.“Oh.She didn’t tell you who our father is.”
I fought to keep from having a reaction—I wanted to have this conversation with Lacy, not with her sister—but I couldn’t help pressing my lips together.
“This is going to be so much fun!”
We broke through the top of the stairs.“What’s going to be fun?”Burn helped steady me as I stepped onto the ground floor.
“The fireworks between my sister and my rescuer.”
Burn smirked.
Well, crap.That wasn’t good.
Mercer stepped out of the stairwell and I moved closer to the door.Orion stood in the doorway, facing out.Lacy hovered next to me, her gaze constantly checking on her sister.
“Our ship is in town, but we have a shuttle here,” I told Layla.“There’s a lot of gravel outside, so one of us will have to carry you.”
“I can do it,” Lacy said.
“No, you can’t.”Layla and I spoke in unison.
Lacy glared at me.“It’s not that I don’t think you can,” I said to her.“You can do anything you put your mind to.But I need you free to get the shuttle started while the rest of us catch up.”
I thought she was going to argue, but she surprised me.“Fine.That makes sense.”
I studied our small group, trying to figure out the best way to break the team up.
“Burn, you’re with Lacy.Orion, watch our six.”I looked at Mercer and Layla.“Mercer, I need you to carry Layla this time.I’ll provide cover.”
Mercer gave me a pitiful look and placed a hand on his lower back.“I’d really like to help, boss, but my back.”His lips twitched and I knew he was full of shit.He’d been carrying a full pack today and never once had he complained about “his back.”
Dammit.I didn’t want to carry her again.The woman saw too much.
I narrowed my eyes and glared at him.“I won’t forget this.”
He just laughed.
I looked at Layla.“Do you get airsick?”
She looked startled.“What?”
“Airsick, motion sick, seasick.Do you get any of those?”
Both she and Lacy stared at me like I’d lost my mind.“Noooo,” she said slowly.
“Great.I apologize in advance, but this is going to be a bit uncomfortable.”
“What are you talking about?”Lacy asked.
“I need to carry her over my shoulder.”
“What?No!”
Surprisingly, it was Orion who stepped forward to reassure her.“It’s the most efficient way to carry a wounded soldier—as long as it won’t cause additional problems,” he told her.“And it will let him keep his gun arm free.”
“I’m not wounded,” Layla exclaimed.
