Nods all around.
“What about the roommate?” Walker asks, looking at the two who aren’t part of our group.
We all do. But Gina keeps her face clear, no emotion at all, and just blinks. No response. And after we wait half a minute for them to demand we get Natalie out or something, Casper continues.
“Do what you can, but you know what I want.”
The boys nod again.
“Hoss?” Casper turns it back over to the big guy. Pun intended.
“Right.” He takes a step forward and points to a few spots on the map that are circled in red. “We’ve got vehicles stashed here and here. Find one and get on it. Wheels are up at 0400. If you aren’t back at the rendezvous, find another way home. You need a lift, darling?” He looks across the table at Gina as he says the last bit. Maybe he likes her. Maybe he’s just trying to be a nice guy. Or maybe he’s trying to figure out just what the fuck is going on with her and her friend, Big Mike.
“Thanks, sugar, but I’m all set.” She winks at him, and then she and Big Mike walk away from our group. Far enough that we can talk without them hearing. Just like I’m sure they’re doing.
“We good with them?” Mickey asks, voice low.
Casper looks around, and Jumper shrugs, feeling what we all are. Casper is the one to speak. “Not sure. Bestto keep an eye out. That’s why I want a spotter. Not only to help with targets, but to watch our backs.”
“Got it. Let’s get busy,” Hoss says.
“Seriously? ‘Let’s get busy’? What kind of morale boost is that?” Viper quips as he and his brother move away.
“What would you prefer he say? ‘Let’s get howling’?” Venom asks.
“Oh, I like that. What about ‘let’s get barking’?”
“Doesn’t work. We’re Hounds, not dogs. And specific to the Reaper,” Walker says as he goes to the wall of weapons and looks them over.
Viper glances at Venom and shrugs. “Maybe we should say ‘let’s get to killing’?”
“Too morbid,” Venom comments offhandedly.
“Says the guy strapping three grenades to his belt.”
“Better than the rope. Seriously, what’re you going to need the rope for?”
“Don’t know. But if I don’t have it and we need it, won’t you feel like a fool?”
“Already do when I see your ugly ass every day.”
“Oh, Mom is so going to hear about this.”
“They always like this?” I ask no one in particular, as most of us are just watching the antics play out as they suit up.
“Worse,” Switch says before turning back to hiscomputer.
“Think they can pull it off?” Rooster asks as we make our way through debris to get into position. We have the farthest to go. Comms are on, but we’re keeping the talking to a minimum between the teams.
Mostly to keep Gina and Big Mike out of our heads. So far, they’re playing ball. But who knows if they’ll be switch hitters when things start happening.
“The twins might be annoying, but they get shit right,” Hoss grumbles, then pauses. I do, too, watching him take a second to think before he continues to walk. “Well, when it comes to this. They suck at pulling a chick.”
Rooster chuckles, and I grunt. “Reminds me of Lucky,” he says.
“Figured with the name, he got laid all the time,” Walker says.
“It’s become more of a staple that he won’t. He gets punched more times than not, and by women lately. He only got the name because his dad was named Lucky. Guy grew up being Lucky Jr. till his pops died, and then the Jr. died too.”
