Free Brothers in Arms by Kendall McKenna

needed. Jonah was left only having to worry about his own men.
    When Jonah went to take his own seat, he was pleased to find the last one open was next to Kellan. The sound of the big bird’s engines and rotors made conversation impossible. Jonah could look, though, and when he did, Kellan was already watching him. He couldn’t see Kellan’s eyes, but one corner of his mouth was lifted in a small grin. Jonah couldn’t help but return it before he glanced away. No one on the chopper was paying them any attention, and he saw nothing in the chopper that required his intervention, so he turned back. Kellan was grinning fully now. Jonah ducked his head this time and watched as Kellan’s hand came to rest on his knee briefly, giving it a slight squeeze, before moving away. It was no more than a casual sign of brotherly affection between two warriors.
    Sweat rolled down the back of Jonah’s neck and the length of his spine. It was so fucking hot inside the helicopter.
    Getting off the bird was as orderly as it was getting on, much to Jonah’s surprise. “Shankman. Take Crowden and tell Top Resler two of our guests are female. Everyone, and I mean everyone, is to afford them courtesy and respect. Both of their profession and their persons. Then pick one of the rooms, close to what indoor facilities we have, and cordon part of it off for their privacy.”
    “Yes, Gunny,” they said in unison and immediately stepped off.
    “After that,” Jonah said, by way of calling them back, “make sure everyone takes down all of the…wall decorations.”
    “Hold that last order, Gunnery Sergeant,” Milagros interrupted. “Please.”
    “Excuse me?” Jonah asked.
    “I’m sorry. Please, and thank you, for the privacy and the respect to our persons. But we’re guests on your turf. You guys have no luxuries and few pleasures. If some semi-naked, or even naked, photos on the walls help you guys get through it, don’t take them down.”
    Jonah nodded. “If you change your minds, please let me know.” He turned back to Shankman and Crowden, frozen in place. “What are you standing around for? I gave you an order.”
    He watched the two scurry off. The agents followed at a less aggressive pace.
    “If Carlene wasn’t so hot for me, I’d think she and Milagros had a thing for each other,” Neil mused at full volume, once the Feds were out of earshot. “Why else would they ask you to leave up the naked pictures of hot chicks?”
    “They didn’t ask me to leave them up, Neil.” Jonah let his burgeoning irritation show. “They said I didn’t need to have them taken down. I know your mind struggles with the subtleties of spoken language, but try to keep up.”
    To Jonah’s astonishment, Neil’s only reply was a cheesy grin. He sped up his pace to catch Kelly, throwing his arm around Herndon’s shoulders
    “Milagros has chops,” Kellan said, suddenly appearing beside Jonah. “Carlene has a little bit of a chip, but Milagros’ working on her.”
    Jonah tried to convince himself his gut did not just twist in pleasure. “Solid copy,” he replied. “And the other two?”
    “Smart and capable, as far as I can tell. They were all sent here for specific reasons, with the understanding that delicacy has no place in a war zone. They seem to get it.”
    “Do they know who you are?”
    “Are you kidding? Eighteen hours on an airplane with Neil McMurtrie? They know my fucking primary school grades.”
    “Why are you here, Captain?” The use of Kellan’s rank was an easy habit Jonah fell right back into.
    Kellan’s pause was interminable. “Because I predicted Grizzly’s assassination.”
    That was not what Jonah had been expecting. He drew breath to question Kellan further when Roner exited the manor house and approached Jonah.
    “Gunnery Sergeant, PFC Sorg received a cut last week that has become infected. Doc Bertel believes he can debride it of the infection so Sorg can maintain combat effectiveness.”
    “Fine,”