Semper Mine (Sons of War #1)(28)

Someone like Katya needs an occasional ass kicking and someone to hand her a jacket every time she gives someone the shirt off her back. She’s both completely selfless about taking care of others and a selfish bitch when it comes to how she’s viewed everything involving me. I’m not sure how someone can be both.

So frustrating. I want her to simply be a mega-bitch, so I don’t feel concerned about what she’ll do without a sleeping bag. As wrong as it is, I don’t want to feel compelled to take care of her. It’s a slippery slope. If she were anyone else, anyone who hadn’t managed to creep beneath my guard and get an emotional reaction out of me, then it wouldn’t matter.

But I’m feeling the need to maintain some distance – physical and emotional – between us. I’m starting to realize why, and I don’t like it. It’s something more than basic attraction, which is what I’ve been trying to tell myself it is.

She exits the front of the tent after talking to Jacob. As usual, she doesn’t bother telling me where she’s going or for how long. Maybe it’s a civilian thing. I’m used to a lot better communication than this.

“Don’t forget,” I tell the kids firmly. “Team first. Always.”

They nod. Lexi is holding Jenna while Tanner helps Rory.

With a glance at my watch, I add, “Dinner in ten. Be ready.”

I pull up the hood of my Gortex jacket and go out the second entrance, headed towards the tent Brianna said was ours. I reach it and stop.

It’s in a puddle, partially collapsed.

I’m beginning to wonder which girl is the bigger bitch.

“You can have ours,” Riley says, joining me. He points to the one on the north side of the camp. “We’re sleeping with the kids.”

“Great, thanks,” I reply.

We walk towards the other pup tent. These aren’t basic military issued canvas. These are lightweight, professional, high-end camping tents, another sign that the Khavalovs spent money all over the place.

“I never thought I’d like cooler weather like this. I’m tempted to sleep outside,” I say wryly.

“It’s a nice break,” he agrees. “Sorry about Brianna.” Riley clears his throat. “You ever wish they were service members, so we could just deal with this problem the easy way?”

I laugh and glance around to make sure Katya doesn’t get the drop on me again. “Every f*cking day.”

“I’ll run interference. Is Jenna really a bed wetter?”

“Yeah.”

“I don’t even know how to deal with that.”

I smile. There’s always an easy air with other members of the team. Most were hand selected for my team, and I trust them completely, know them better than anyone else. It’s relaxing being around Riley, even when we’re quietly standing in a steady stream of rain for a few minutes, each of us lost in our own thoughts.

“Mikael would like this,” Riley says.

“Yeah, he would.” It’s hard to forget the reason we’re out here. I have to tolerate Katya for Mikael’s sake, as well as Petr’s.

“Captain Mathis, Rory hid my shoes.”

Riley laughs. We give each other a look then turn to face Morgan. She’s wearing her raincoat – and is bare foot.

“See you at dinner,” Riley says with a snort and starts towards the mess tent.

“All right, come on,” I say to Morgan.

She takes my hand, and I bite my tongue, wanting to remind her that Marines don’t hold hands. Seeing her feet sink into the mud, I take pity on the girl and swing her up into my arms and over my shoulder. She’s slender and weighs about what my pack today did after Katya stuffed it full of clothes and god knows what else. I didn’t double check before slinging it onto my back.

Morgan is giggling. I take her inside the tent and deposit her near her rack. Her shoes are sitting on top of her sleeping bag, and she whirls, glaring at Rory, who looks guilty.

“I told you I was getting Captain Mathis!” she yells.

“No yelling at team members,” I chide. “And no stealing shoes.” This I direct towards Rory.

He mumbles something. I’m not sure if it’s an apology or excuse, but I won’t humor either.

“Dinnertime. Line up!” I order them.

The kids scramble into a line, with Morgan falling in last. We’re getting looks from the other teams. Unconcerned, I critically evaluate my little team.

“Water?”

They go down the line saying check.

“Meds, Jenna and Rory?”

“Check!” They chorus together.

I glance around without seeing my fellow camp counselor. Not surprised, I march the kids out of the tent, into the rain, and next door to the mess hall. We’re the first there, for once, and the scents of barbecue are thick in the air. My mouth waters at the thought of pulled pork sliders and cornbread.

And then I remember Katya’s healthy meal plan. With some reluctance, I go to the food table designated for our team by a blue flag and take in today’s surprise. A smiling cook is waiting to scoop whatever this shit is onto our plates.

“This is what?” I ask, indicating the main dish, which looks like barbecue, if meat came in cubes.

“Tofu-cue!” the cook says cheerfully. “Homemade tamales, refried chickpeas, organic cornbread and almond-soy custard for dessert.”