“Look out for Sam. He’s the least experienced in that theater.”

“Hey, man. I’m right here,” Sam griped.

Griffin grimaced at their youngest team member. “Just be careful, and don’t underestimate Haddad. He’s a sly bastard. Trained by ex-Russian Spetsnaz dudes. He’s smart and a total slimeball. Won’t hesitate to throw women and children, or even his own men, under a bus to save his own ass.”

“I know, Grif,” Sam answered quietly. “I’ve read the reports on him. I hate it that we’re not all going on this one together. But I promise, we’ll get our man. And all of the Reapers will share credit for it.”

That was big of the kid to say. A kill was a personal thing. Not something men like them shared easily or often.

Kenny added, “We’ll all share a bottle of whiskey to toast the kill.”

A faint buzz of noise became audible. An airplane was approaching Camp Jarvis. Griffin tried to smile and failed. “Ride’s here. Time to rock and roll.”

Sam flashed his boyish grin. “Let’s go kick some ass!”

Everyone let out a hooyah, but their overall enthusiasm was dampened by the splitting up of their squad. They’d lived, worked, and played together practically nonstop for the past two years.

Grif picked up a couple of bags and humped them out to the Jeep Sherri had waiting out front. He swung into the front seat, and Sam and Jojo jumped in the back. Cal drove the second Jeep, and Kenny rode with him. No doubt getting a few last-minute instructions as the most senior member of the three-man team.

The trip to the airfield didn’t take nearly long enough for Griffin to come up with a reason to get on that plane. Sherri parked at one end of the runway, and they all piled out to await the aircraft.

He stood there, agonized, listening to the roar of the C-130 landing. He couldn’t be left behind. He couldn’t. But neither could he find a way to buck Kettering’s direct orders.

The plane came to a stop in front of them. The rear ramp dropped down, and a familiar face jogged out of the plane.

“Leo?” Griffin blurted. “What the hell are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be home with Janine?”

Lipinski grinned. “I pulled some strings and got put on the op. Janine’s fit to be tied, but no way was I missing out on this one.”

“Lucky bastard.”

“You’re not coming?” Leo asked, surprised.

“Nah. Working on something classified here.”

Lipinski eyed Sherri appreciatively. “Classified, huh? Looks like a miserable assignment.” The guy waggled his eyebrows in Sherri’s direction, and Griffin felt her tense beside him.

“You still Smurf blue under that uniform, Lipinski?” Griffin asked.

Leo exploded with “You cock-swinging motherfucker piece of shit. Was that your idea? I’ll kill you, man.”