Semper Mine (Sons of War #1)(9)
“Welcome!” My father’s booming voice draws everyone’s attention. He’s standing on the porch of the reception and activity center. His eyes are glowing, his burly form dressed in jeans and a light sweater. “Come in, all of you!” Larger than life, my father is the reason my brothers turned out to be the characters they are. I take after my mother, who my father describes as more delicate.
I just remember her temper and how disappointed she was that I didn’t have her talent to become a ballerina. And of course, the night she died in a fire. The scarring on my back from that horrible night is the reason I don’t wear anything but long-sleeved shirts. No bathing suits or t-shirts or pretty little blouses.
Father shakes hands with everyone then hugs Petr and me before we go in. There are six chairs at one long table with a full bag in front of each. Sitting beside Petr, I look through its contents.
There are a couple of polos we’re supposed to wear to identify us as counselors, emergency first aid kits, dangerous insect and animal identification sheets, lists of children’s names with special information by each, emergency procedures and contact information for everyone here …
I pull out the black belt. It’s got a couple spots for attaching water bottles, knives, and I’m not sure what else. I try it on to make sure it fits and leave it. With some irritation, I see that the polos in my bag are all short-sleeved. There’s a reason I don’t wear short sleeves, one that everyone who might’ve put together the bags should know.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out who made sure I got short sleeves. She’s standing in front of me, smiling.
“You’ll be partnered up and work in teams with your assigned kids,” Brianna, the eighth counselor, already wearing a polo, says, handing out team assignments. Beautiful and perky with light brown hair and more makeup than I think belongs in a forest, she dated Mikael and Petr both over the years.
We never really got along for a few reasons. In addition to tormenting me in school about the scars on my back, she crushed Mikael’s heart to date Petr then dumped him last year, after he thought they were getting married some day.
He still likes her. It doesn’t hurt that she’s gorgeous and successful.
Which are all reasons why I can’t stand her. Aside from her screwing over my brothers, she also likes to remind me that I never really know what I want to do with my life.
“You’ll be joined at the hip with your partner for the extent of this,” Brianna continues. “Since part of what we’re doing is a competition, we tried to match up the teams so it’s not too easy for one team to win.” Her gaze is on the guy Petr introduced as Riley, the SEAL.
He winks at her with a smile. The biggest of all of them, it’s no wonder she’s gunning for him first.
But it pisses me off, knowing my brother still cares for her. She didn’t visit him once in the hospital.
“It’s okay, Kitty-Khav.” Petr leans over to say. With all the time we spent together, he’s able to read me as easily as I can him. “I’m over that.” He’s smiling and appears to be sincere.
If I had any doubt, the bitch would be on the floor right now, unconscious.
Brianna reaches me and hands out my team information. Six kids are listed on the page.
And then I see who my partner is.
No way in hell.
Chapter Five: Sawyer
Fuck. Next to my name on the sheet the cute brunette handed out is Katya’s name. Being around her is about as pleasant as being pinned down in a firefight – without any weapons. Of the three civilians I could’ve been paired with, I’d take Harris over Katya, even knowing how right Petr is about the guy. I don’t need to talk to him to sense there’s something really off about him.
War brings out courage in those who never thought themselves capable of it. It can also shine a light on the darkness in someone’s soul, when they’re pushed to the point where they don’t just snap, they take everyone down with them.
Harris is one of those men. If he hasn’t snapped yet, he will one day, and it won’t be pleasant.
I could really use my good luck charm this week. I’m still upset with myself for losing it in the battle that took Mikael’s life. It was given to me by the Marine who inspired me to join, an heirloom of sorts passed to him from his grandfather, who served in World War One. I had carried it with me for ten years, since I was sixteen.
“Can we swap partners?” Katya asks.
Equally dissatisfied with my luck, I’m surprised she has the balls to ask for a new one. I’m not the one who’s wearing heels and forgot a sleeping bag, and I’d never throw mud on her or disrespect Petr by admitting out loud I don’t want shit to do with her.
“Who you got?” Petr asks, leaning over to see her paper. His gaze flies up to mine. He smiles. “Everyone here wants Captain Mathis. He’s always got his shit together and never loses.”
“Then someone here will be happy to swap with me,” she replies coolly.
The guys exchange looks around me, not sure what to make of her insistence.
“I’ll trade you, Sawyer,” Harris offers.
“Nope. No swaps,” Petr says quickly. “Captain Mathis is the best man out here, and that’s who you’re teamed up with.”