Page 173 of Specter Bred

“Just so we’re clear,” he mumbled, eyes still closed, “your unfinished business became mine too. I’d like that officially noted before we all do something incredibly fucking stupid tomorrow.”

Maeve snorted.

Sammy yawned and burrowed deeper into his pillow. “Also, if we’re having an emotional unit moment, keep it down. Some of us are trying to get our eight hours before the revenge mission.”

“Remind me why I included Farm Boy in this unit,” Graves muttered.

I smiled into the darkness. “Because we were a package deal, and somewhere along the way, the donkey grew on you too.”

From the other side of me, Sammy made an offended noise without opening his eyes. “I’m awake enough to hear the donkey comments, you know.”

Graves sighed. “Unfortunately. And somehow you’ve become an even bigger idiot since graduation.”

Sammy shifted beneath his blanket, still refusing to open his eyes. “I strive for continuous improvement, sir.”

I let out a laugh, which finally eased some of the tension that had wound so tightly through the tent. I settled back between them, Nolan solid and watchful on one side, Sammy warm and steady on the other. They couldn’t have been more different if they tried. One was all hard edges, scars, and control, the other cheerful optimism and stubborn loyalty, but somehow I fit perfectly in the space between them.

Tomorrow, we would walk into enemy territory and put our lives on the line for one another, just as we had on every mission before.

And just like we would on every mission still to come.