The Lonely Hearts 06 The Grunt 2 Read Free Page B

over to the planning table and walk through this mission one last time,” Brett said as one the men hit the lights and Rusty turned off the projector.  “Put on your thinking hats.  We have to consider every possible threat and prepare.” 
    His gut knotted every time he thought about tonight.  He hated last minute shit, and the idea of putting his men at risk was always daunting.  He knew the wives, children, mothers and fathers of each of his men.  Even losing one of them would be like losing all.  Plus, this wasn’t his first mission.  Hell, it wasn’t his 20 th mission.  With so much experience behind him, he knew that they were walking into a fucking mess. There was no doubt, however, that he could get the Intel. That was not the concern.  These guys were.
    Many years ago, a wiser, older Gunnery Sergeant had warned him what getting too close to men in an outfit could do, but he hadn’t listened. Over time, he had gotten close to each and every one of his men.  They were all family now.  Hell, his best friend and godfather to his children, Staff Sergeant Joe Mabry, was across the room about to go under the wire with him. 
    ***
    Immediately after the briefing, all the men headed from the war room to dress out and prep for the mission.  As they filed quietly out of the room, Brett caught a glimpse of his best friend, Joe, lingering back intentionally to have a few words with Brett alone.  He stopped at the table and waited. 
    “Talk to the wife?” Brett asked when everyone else had left the room.  Looking at the small figures on the table, he studied the plan in his mind again.   
    “Yep,” Joe said, tugging at his dog chains.  “She’s suspicious as usual. You talk to Courtney?”
    Just hearing her name sent a zinger up Brett’s spine. “Yeah, just before I came in here.  She’s suspicious too.  She knows something’s up…always does.  She makes these little digs about it, trying to fish out information.  Hell, I might as well tell her I’m going on an operation instead of keeping it from her.  I have no poker face when it comes to that woman.”
    “You know what?  The military actively recruits the wrong sex.  From across the ocean, these nosey ass women know everything.  Do you know the wife had the nerve to ask me if I had gotten new boot straps this morning?” Joe chuckled with pride. “I’m telling you, the entire female race is comprised of well-trained, natural spies.”
    Brett looked down at Joe’s boots.  “Well…have you purchased new boot straps?”
    “Went as soon as I got off the phone,” Joe said, pulling out his wallet.  “Got a new photo today too.  The kids are growing fast, man. I need to hurry and get home to see the new little guy.  He’s going to be shaving by the time I hit stateside.”
    Brett looked at the photo of Joe and Judy’s newest creation.  He was a big healthy boy with his father’s smile and his mother’s Irish complexion. “Nice looking kid, man.  Too nice looking. You sure he’s yours?”
    Joe laughed.  “Oh, I’m sure.  You sure about yours?”
    Brett didn’t let on to the fact that the joke rerouted to his end carried a different type of brevity.  Changing the subject, he shook his head.  His voice was ominous. “Just between the two of us…I got that feeling again.”
    Joe rolled his eyes. “You and your superstition.  Man, your gut don’t mean anything. It’s just a stomach.  It doesn’t have supernatural powers.”
    “I know you say that, but, dude, my gut is never wrong,” Brett said, walking out of the room with Joe into the empty hallway. Their voices echoed down the narrow strait.
    “You and your gut can keep your bad luck over there,” Joe said, forming a cross with his index fingers towards Brett to ward him off. “I’m covered by the blood. I ain’t got time for your shit.”
    Brett pulled down Joe’s fingers playfully. “I can’t believe that you’re saved now.  You were already a