Chapter 7 - Work Detail

Nadia

I sigh, looking down and shaking my head, a little ashamed that I put my personal complaints over the mission. Dad is right, as usual – I need to concentrate on the big picture.

I feel dad’s hand warm on my shoulder and look back into his face. “I didn’t know until this morning,” he says softly. “Don’t let his presence throw you off, okay? You’re here for a job, so is he. It doesn’t need to be anything beyond that. Your focus should be on the people you’re helping.”

I nod deeply, willing myself to the job even as I know that it’s going to be…difficult. I have trouble, sometimes, letting my temper and my passions distract me from my work. But dad has always had my back, and I know he’ll have it again if I need it. When Cole brought me back from the train station dad was frantic with worry – he hadn’t known where I’d run to. But as soon as I’d cried and told him I didn’t want to be there anymore he’d made our excuses to the king and got me the hell out of there.

Dad has my back, always, and I’m so grateful for it.

Dad gives me a small smile, patting my shoulder and handing me one of the booklets in his arms. I take it, nodding seriously to him and determining to do as he says – focusing on the people who need my help.

Not stupid bully Alphas who follow me across the damn country even when I’ve made it very clear that I want to be left alone.

I scoot into the tent with Grace and Shay after they say their hellos to dad, all of us moving in to take a seat on the folding chairs that have been set up for us.

It doesn’t take long for everyone to take a seat while dad crosses to the front of the room. My eyebrows go up when I see Cole walking with him, taking a soldier’s stance just behind and to my father’s left that clearly suggests that he’s a close second to my father’s command.

I narrow my eyes. Who the hell does this guy think he is? We’re the same age after all – why does he get to be in charge?

“Thank you all for volunteering your service,” dad says, his voice carrying easily through the tent. “My name is General Adam Amir. You can all call me General.” A bunch of smiles appear around the room from the many students who have worked with my dad and called him nothing but that for years. “We’ll be working together for the next few months to bring aid to those affected by the Children of Solace and the upcoming planned assault. We will expect your hard work, discipline, and dedication to secrecy in this. If you cannot commit to that, I would invite you to leave on the transport that is departing in just a few minutes’ time.”

Dad pauses, looking around the room, making space for anyone to object or leave. When we all stay still his face breaks into a tiny smile. “All right then. Let’s get started.”

A thrill of excitement runs through me and I straighten my shoulders, listening eagerly to my dad’s information and instruction. But even as I will myself to pay attention…

My eyes keep drifting back to stupid Cole.

God, he’s just standing there. Being all good. Listening to dad, nodding quietly along with the information. What a little teacher’s pet, all focused and attentive and polite – god, is he actually like this? Or is this some kind of goody-goody performance that he –

“Miss Amir!”

My head snaps forward, my eyes going wide as my dad barks out my name.

Shit. Shit shit shit.

“Can you please,” dad says, leaning forward with one hand flat on the table before him, glaring hard, “repeat back to me the vital information I just provided to the group?”

My cheeks flush first and then the red spreads all over my face as my shoulders hunch up around my ears.

“Well!?”

“No, sir,” I say, my voice clear even as I close my eyes, wishing I could collapse in on myself and vanish away into nothing.

“Then I would suggest you pay attention,” dad finishes, voice low and angry with me. “You’re here on probation, after all. I would suggest that you of all people attempt to toe the line of compliance with the requirements of the job.”

My blush deepens, if possible, because if people didn’t know about my probationary status before then they certainly do now. I nod briskly, though, accepting it – because he’s right. Dad is strict and demanding, but he’s always fair.

“Now,” dad says, straightening up and beginning again. “Regarding daily schedules, these will be posted…”

Dad continues on and Grace presses a warm hand to my lower back. Shayne also leans close to me, bumping her shoulder to mine as she flicks through her booklet, reading fast even while she listens to dad. I smile a little, relaxing as my blush fades, silently grateful for their support. I pointedly do not look at Cole Kincaid again the whole time my dad talks.

“The military is actively moving on the Children of Solace,” dad continues, looking around at all of us quite seriously as he speaks. “They’re doing recon now, but as soon as they get the lay of the land they’re going to start making their moves. And when they do we can expect to be at work twenty-four hours a day.”

All of our eyes go wide at that because…well, I think a lot of us didn’t realize it was going to be so busy.