“Glad you’re amused,” Bryn said.“What’s your role in this circus?”
“Backup.Someone has to keep you from getting yourself killed.”
“Your confidence in us is overwhelming,” Gunnar said.
“I prefer realistic,” Giles replied.“You two have form.”
“Emmett, I’ll need you to monitor communications and liaise with the FBI, please,” Warden said.
“I can do that,” Emmett said, though he was pale and there were worry lines around his eyes.
“Good.”Warden nodded.“We have four hours to coordinate with Bell’s team and get everyone in position.Giles, Emmett, you’re with me.Bryn, go upstairs and rest.That’s an order.”
“But…”
“That’s an order,” Warden repeated.“Gunnar, make sure he actually rests instead of pacing around the apartment planning ways to improvise.”
“I don’t improvise,” Bryn protested.“I adapt creatively to changing circumstances.”
“Same thing,” Gunnar and Giles said in unison.
“Traitors,” Bryn said, but he was already heading for the door.“Fine.But I want details once you and the Feds have concocted a cunning plan.
“You’ll get one,” Warden promised.“And Bryn?Good work on the reading.”
As they climbed the stairs to their apartment, Gunnar nudged Bryn.“Have you been watchingBlackadderreruns on BritBox again?”
“We’re in the stickiest situation since Sticky the Stick Insect got stuck on a sticky bun.”
“That’s what I thought.”
“I can keep going…”
“Let’s not go there.”
“Spoilsport.You know,” Bryn said as he wandered into their bedroom, pulling off his top, “when I imagined my career, I never pictured myself in a surveillance van watching enhanced humans try to massacre Russian mobsters.”
“Not what they cover in the training manual at the police department either,” Gunnar agreed.
“Think we can pull this off?”
Gunnar was quiet for a moment.“Ask me in six hours.”
“That’s not reassuring.”
“Would you prefer I lie to you?”
“Sometimes, yes.”Bryn gave him a quick kiss.“But not today.Today I need you to be honest with me about everything.”
“Including the fact that I’m terrified of letting you anywhere near this operation?”
“Especially that.See you in a few hours, wolf boy.”
“Try to get some actual rest, smart-ass.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Bryn dropped his pants then climbed into bed.Sleep was all the cunning plan he could handle at that moment.
