Remember Jamie Baker (Jamie Baker #3)(80)
Major Wilks studied me for a moment before answering. “Are you sure you can handle it? We’re talking about a dangerous mission. As much as I’d value your help, I can’t afford it if you’re going to be unstable.”
Again, I couldn’t take offense to his comment. It was blunt, but very true. Still, just because I wasn’t offended didn’t mean I was going to give him a free pass. After plopping into the rolling chair at the empty workstation next to Geek’s, I rolled my eyes.
“Major. Not even considering all the stuff I’ve been through in the last few days—the attack from the superthugs that nearly killed me, Teddy’s betrayal, and all the other fun and exciting crap—not including that… I’d just woken up from my first dream, meaning I’d just realized it’s possible to get my memories back. And Ryan seriously seriously got into my head with that superkiss. So I was already completely overwhelmed, and then I remembered that I’d been unconscious because I’d been shot by the men I’d trusted to help me, only to learn that I’d been mind controlled into letting our only lead go, and I’d literally killed Tyson. I was panicking, and then you guys all dismissed the most logical solution I had. Not only that, but you treated me like some brainless damsel in distress. You’re lucky I only took out a door, and not the entire base.”
“Now wait a minute, Angel—”
I held up a hand. “Oh no, I’m not finished.”
Major Wilks’s eyes narrowed, and his jaw clenched as if he really didn’t like me challenging him. To bad, so sad, because I was starting to get worked up again. “I get that I’m emotional and temperamental. I get that I’m just a scared and confused young woman, and not one of your trained soldiers. But let’s get one thing straight. I. Am. Not. Stupid. And it’s my life in the balance here. Not yours. You guys came to me for help. Don’t blow me off when I try to give it. That’s so not cool. It’s also the fastest way to lose my help altogether. I hate being underestimated, and I especially can’t tolerate condescension or pity. That’s all I ever got from Teddy, and I’m sick of it. Respect me or I’m gone. At this point, I don’t need your help. I’d like it, but I don’t need it. If you aren’t going to take me seriously, then I’ll go after Donovan myself.”
A side effect of being as powerful as I am: I’m not easily intimidated. Good for me. Bad for anyone in authority over me. I folded my arms tightly over my chest and met the major’s gaze with an unflinching stare. “Have I made myself clear enough now?”
As we stared each other down, I realized we’d gained an audience. Geek was the only ACE stationed in the command center, but it was still bustling with other military people doing other military-type tasks. Except now it was silent as people watched us. Geek wasn’t even breathing. Or blinking. He was frozen in place, his mouth hanging open as he stared at us.
Major Wilks’s eyes flicked around the room so swiftly I was probably the only one who noticed. He was a well-trained man, an elite soldier, constantly attentive to his surroundings. There was no doubt he was very aware of the people watching him, waiting to see what his reaction to my defiance would be. I was sure he also understood that this was a test. How he handled me right now would very much affect any future I had with the ACEs.
His eyes turned hard and he very calmly said, “You’ve made yourself crystal clear, Angel. And just so that I’m clear, if you were one of my soldiers, you’d be in the stockade right now for your insubordination. If you want my respect, then you will respect me as well. As your superior and commanding officer, whether you are officially one of my ACEs or not.”
His response so far was expected. He couldn’t let me walk all over him, especially not in front of his peers or subordinates. I stayed silent at the reproach. This was a test for me as well. Major Wilks couldn’t have a wild card on his team. If I couldn’t play nice, then he couldn’t use me. I understood this. Respected it, even. I was impressed that he was standing up to me in such a calm manner. He was a good leader, of that I was certain. But this wasn’t quite enough for me. I needed to know that he’d heard me and not just handled my defiance well. I gave him a small nod to show him I understood, and then waited.
I passed his test. He returned the nod and relaxed his stance just enough to be noticeable. “That said,” he continued, “you have a point.”
Geek sucked in a quiet gasp.
“You aren’t trained for this type of thing, and in a very brief time you’ve been through more physical and emotional trauma than many soldiers see in their entire military careers. And through it all, you have never acted impulsively or recklessly. I am well aware of what an intelligent and capable young woman you are, and of the sacrifices and risks you have been willing to take for our team. It was wrong of us to dismiss you so quickly. I apologize for that, and I assure you the rest of the team has realized their mistake as well. It won’t happen again. You have my word, Angel.”
That was more of an apology than I’d expected. I’d passed his test a minute ago, but he’d just passed mine with an A+. I took my time responding so as not to show my surprise. “Thank you, Major. In that case, I apologize for losing my temper earlier and walking out on you. I will try not to let it happen again.”
He raised an eyebrow at me and I grinned, shrugging. “I know better than to make promises I might not be able to keep.”