Chapter Twenty

CHAPTER TWENTY

RICHARDSON GLARED AT Seth and his teammates. "I don't need help training my own men. Unlike you, I did the full twenty before retiring."

And that made him disloyal to the service? Seth clenched his teeth, holding onto his temper by a thread.

"We want to do our part to contribute to this community," Bowen said. "You know our backgrounds and that we trained to protect and serve."

He folded his arms. "They threw you away, Bowen. Guess they didn't appreciate your help, did they?"

"That doesn't change who we are at our core," Seth said.

Suspicion still filled Richardson's eyes. "There are plenty of places to help in The Brotherhood. We have various positions just waiting for the right people to fill them. Why push your way into the one place that doesn't need or want your expertise?"

Seth stepped closer to the angry militia leader. "One big reason." He pointed at Teagan. "If I'm not at her side, I want someone I've trained to be as invested in protecting Teagan as I am."

"She looked capable of protecting herself a few minutes ago." He sent a dark look Teagan's way. "You telling me her performance was a fluke?"

He shook his head. "I'd bet money on her any day in a fight, but all of us can use backup. Teagan needs the best backup available because I'm marrying that woman and starting a family with her as soon as I talk her into it. I can't do that if she's hurt or killed in a firefight with inadequately trained soldiers at her back, and I could lose her if the protection detail around this compound isn't the best in the business."

"And you think you and your team can create that kind of security perimeter?"

"Given enough time, yes." Too bad for Richardson and the others that Seth and his team wouldn't be here long enough to truly turn those men into a civilian unit like his Ranger unit. "The better they are at their job, the safer we're all going to be, especially you and Peters."

Richardson studied him for a moment, then shifted his attention to Teagan. "So, you're going to marry the disgraced cop?"

Really? If Richardson disliked him that much, why had he agreed with Peters to recruit Seth and his team?

She gave Richardson a sultry smile. "You bet I am."

"Why? We have many men here who are better candidates than Dixon."

"A lot of reasons, sir. At the top of the list is I love Seth and have for a long time."

Although his expression remained neutral, shock rolled through Seth. Either she was a consummate liar on an operation or Teagan meant every word she'd said to the militia leader. He wouldn't be able to find out for sure either way until they were alone later tonight. Man, a whole day of torturous waiting to learn the truth might kill him.

He raised her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm under Richardson's scrutiny. "Any time you're ready to tie the knot, babe, I'll make it happen."

She gazed at him, her eyes sparkling. "Won't be long, sweetheart. You have an answer for every concern I've raised. I won't be able to hold out much longer."

"Thank God," he murmured and hugged Teagan. "I've been going crazy, afraid you'd turn me down and break my heart."

Seth turned back to Richardson, who watched every second of the byplay between him and Teagan. "Now you see why I'm concerned about the perimeter watch and enforcers being trained to the highest levels. This beautiful woman is going to be my wife. I need her safe."

"And I need trained people to guard his back for the same reason," Teagan said to Richardson. "I need your help to keep him alive because knowing my man, he'll be in the thick of battle if we're attacked by the enemy."

"And you think I can't do the job of training the men myself?" the militia leader said, his tone acerbic as he glared at Seth.

"If you had time, I know you could. I heard the list of duties you rattled off to Peters. Respectfully, sir, it's too much for one man to handle."

Richardson stiffened.

"You rose in the military ranks quickly." Thank God for the time to research before this op started. "You know how to delegate duties and responsibilities. You're an excellent detail man."

"What are you suggesting?"

"That you focus your skills and abilities in other areas that need your particular skill set. Let me and my team take over training the enforcers and perimeter guards to free you for other critical tasks." He shrugged. "This is what we're good at, sir. Use us. Given enough time, we'll teach your men to operate like a well-oiled machine."

The longer Seth spoke, the more thoughtful Richardson became. By the end of Seth's speech, the other man was nodding in agreement.

"Yes, I see. Good observations, Dixon. I have to admit, I'm looking forward to resting a bit more." Richardson chuckled. "I'm not as young as I was when I was in the military. Very well, Dixon. We'll try it your way and see if things improve."

Teagan's grip around Seth's waist tightened. "And if they don't?"

"Like we said before, beautiful Teagan. There are consequences for every failure. Since you insist on taking over the training, I suppose you can assume your additional duties first thing tomorrow morning. Work out a rotation for guarding Peters and training the men."

"What time do you usually train your people?" Bowen asked.

"After lunch."

Seth frowned. That would be the first change. Training on a full stomach was bad all the way around. "Where do you meet?"

"Here in the training center, of course."

"With your permission, sir, we'll meet with the trainees today after lunch and set a different time for tomorrow's sessions."

"Sessions?" Richardson repeated. "More than one?"

"Yes, sir. We'll also take over scheduling the watches for the camp's perimeter."

"Very well. They're now in your hands." A hard smile curved his mouth. "Just remember what I said about consequences, Dixon. I'll be watching." After a lingering perusal of Teagan, Richardson left the room.

Teagan scowled. "I need another shower," she muttered.

"I won't let him touch you, sweetheart." He'd kill the old buzzard without a second of guilt if Richardson hurt Teagan.

She rose to her tiptoes and kissed Seth lightly. "If you get to him first," she whispered against his lips. "Otherwise, I'll make sure he gets the message that I'm off limits for anyone but you."

For Richardson's sake, Seth hoped the older man paid attention to Teagan's skills. No doubt in his mind she would defend herself by any means necessary if Richardson made a move on her.

"What's next?" Bowen asked.

"Have keys made, then we walk around the camp to see what weaknesses we're looking at during the daytime."

"Too many." Seth's teammate shook his head. "I've never seen such an inept group of men guarding a camp. If our perimeter guards had been this bad during deployments, we never would have made it home."

"I still believe some of the poor performance was to test our response to it," Teagan reminded them.

Seth nodded. "Then we should get a better picture of their training and procedures as we walk around camp."

Noah walked in. He didn't look happy. "What did I miss?"

"We convinced Richardson to let us take over training the enforcers and guards." Seth studied his friend. "What's wrong?"

"An EMT who thought he was going to take the lead at the clinic was not happy when he realized Peters had given the job to Violet. The jerk tried to bully her into conceding the job to him."

"Did you handle him?"

"She took care of it herself, but I might have reemphasized the point after I escorted him to another room and had a chat with him."

Bowen snorted. "A chat, huh? How many bruises does he have on him?"

Noah shrugged. "Enough to make my point. Orders, Seth?"

"Teagan and I will stop by the machinist's shop for keys to our quarters. After that, we're walking the perimeter of the camp, looking for weak spots in our defenses. After lunch, Teagan and I will take over guarding Peters while you and the others have the unhappy duty of meeting with the enforcers and guards to inform them of their new training schedule."

"What's their schedule been up to now?"

"One session a day after lunch."

Noah flinched. "Wonder how long their training lasts for each session?"

"That will be one of the first things to discover. You and Bowen assess their skills. Have Knight and Marsh give you a hand. The faster we have a feel for their skills, the better. We'll meet tonight to hammer out a training schedule for everyone and a bodyguard schedule for Peters."

Noah edged closer to Seth. "Are we really going to help these guys improve security around this joint?"

"Have to. While we're here, our safety depends on them doing their jobs."

Bowen growled. "I don't like this. It just makes our jobs harder."

"No choice. You two start the perimeter walk, heading south. Teagan and I will head north as soon as we're finished at the machinist's shop."

"Copy that." Noah motioned for Bowen to join him.

Seth and Teagan entered the machinist's shop minutes later. A muscular man glanced up from his work when the door opened.

"Help you?"

"I need six copies of this key." Seth laid the key on the counter.

Muscle frowned. "Why so many?"

"My teammates and I share quarters. We need the ability to come and go at will." When Muscle approached, Seth held out his hand. "I'm Seth, the new trainer for enforcers and perimeter guards. This is Teagan, my girlfriend."

"Ryan." He released Seth's hand. "I'm surprised Mr. Richardson agreed to you taking over the training. He holds on to it with a tight fist."

"So I gathered. We convinced him that his attention was needed for far more important things than training duty." He motioned toward the key. "How long will it take to make the keys?"

"Maybe thirty minutes. Depends if something more important interrupts my work."

"I understand. We'll swing by in about an hour to see if they're finished."

"Thanks for the fast work, Ryan." Teagan smiled at him.

His face turned red. "Yes, ma'am. Happy to help."

Outside, Seth turned north to start their perimeter walk. As they walked the outskirts of the camp, his gaze constantly scanned the area, noting in particular the places where guards should be posted and weren't. At least these perimeter guards were more alert than the ones he and Teagan encountered the night before.

At the halfway point, he saw Bowen and Noah in the distance talking to one guard.

"Uh oh," Teagan murmured. "Looks like that conversation is getting heated."

Seth and Teagan walked up to hear the foul-tempered guard snap, "Nobody told me anything about you joining the enforcers or guards. I only answer to Mr. Richardson."

"Need your hearing checked, son?" Noah folded his arms across his chest. "We're training enforcers and guards, not joining them."

"Is there a problem here?" Seth asked, gaze locked on the guard.

"Ivan was resting his eyes when we walked up to him," Noah said wryly. "He took exception to us waking him from his early morning nap."

Ivan glared. "I was only asleep for a minute or two." His guilty expression said otherwise.

"It's 9:00 in the morning, Ivan. Why are you falling asleep on watch?"

"I don't have to answer to you."

"You're dead wrong. Richardson handed over responsibility for training guards and enforcers to my team. If you can't or won't pull your weight, you'll be reassigned to KP after your lunch meeting with my team. Would you prefer kitchen duty?"

He swallowed hard. "No, sir."

"Then I suggest you answer my first question. Why are you falling asleep on duty?"

His face darkened with anger and a touch of embarrassment. "Although it's none of your business, the wife and I were…busy last night."

"Busy." Seth got into Ivan's face. "Are you telling me you didn't get enough sleep because you were having sex with your wife?"

A nod.

"I didn't hear you, Ivan."

"Yes, sir," he snapped.

"You work the day shift. I'm assuming your watch shift is scheduled to be over by 7:00 tonight. Is that correct?"

"Yes, sir."

"That leaves several hours for playtime with your wife, Ivan. I suggest you plan your time better because if you fall asleep on watch again for any reason, you will work KP or some other menial task you'll hate. Are you hearing me, Ivan?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Do you have a lunch break during your shift?"

"No, sir."

"You work twelve hours straight without a break?"

"Yes, sir."

"Have you had any training at all for guard duty?"

"No, sir."

Holy smoke. What on earth was Richardson thinking? This wonky schedule and lack of training was a guaranteed failure. "That will not be happening for much longer. Expect to see the trainers in the next few hours. Someone will take over your watch shift after lunch."

"Are you sure, sir?"

"Positive. Objections on that?"

Relief filled Ivan's eyes. "No, sir."

"Tell me, Ivan. What is your wife's job in the compound?"

"She cleans the headquarters building, sir." Anger glittered in Ivan's eyes.

Hmm. Was she also one of those camp women Peters hit on? Hopefully not. Otherwise, Peters might well be a target for more than Marsh. "Does she like the job?"

"No, sir. She wants to work in the kitchen. Martina is an excellent cook, sir. She's a trained chef. She shouldn't be cleaning buildings overnight."

And that's why Ivan and Martina didn't have enough time together, especially if there was no change in the guard rotation. "I'll see what I can do about that."

Ivan's eyes widened. "Really? I'd appreciate that, sir." He paused. "I apologize for being disrespectful earlier. It won't happen again."

Seth squeezed the other man's shoulder. "Go back to your duties, Ivan. We'll see what we can do about bringing coffee to help you stay awake until you're relieved of duty at lunchtime."

"Thank you, sir."

Seth signaled for Bowen and Noah to follow him. When they were out of sight and earshot of Ivan, Seth turned to face the other two detectives. "Observations?"

"While I agree that some of this might be a test, I still think these boys don't have a clue what they're doing." Bowen rubbed the back of his neck. "And I don't like the implied threat Richardson tossed at you in the training center. He's got it out for you, Seth. You need to watch your back."

"Noted. Noah?"

"What implied threat?" his partner demanded.

"Same as what he spouted off earlier. If we fail to do our jobs properly, there will be consequences."

"Consequences." Noah's voice was flat.

"Punishment of some kind."

"He's looking for an excuse to hurt all of us for making him look like a fool," Bowen said. "Especially you, Seth. He made it clear he wants to take you down."

"I'm aware."

"You should be worried."

"Why? We'll introduce the training regimen Richardson should have. Creating excellent soldiers takes time. We'll do our best to help while we're here."

Bowen scowled. "If even one man is dead loyal to Richardson, he'll have the man screwing up his duties on purpose simply to have an excuse to tear you down in the eyes of Peters and Richardson's group of men."

"Then let's get this job done before Richardson punishes any of us."

"Orders, sir?"

"Teagan and I will take Ivan coffee, then go check on the keys. In the meantime, you and Noah walk the entire perimeter again and talk to every guard. This is the time to lay the groundwork for loyalty to their new trainers. If we can do that fast enough, we'll avoid the sabotage problem from Richardson's cronies."

"Yes, sir." He didn't look convinced.

"I hope you know what you're doing, partner," Noah muttered. "I don't like this."

Neither did Seth.

He gave his friends a chin lift and sent them on another walk of the perimeter, then nudged Teagan toward the chow hall. "What are your observations, Teagan?"

"Same as your buddies. Richardson gave in too easily. He's eager to make an example of you." She paused. "Or one of us. I wouldn't say he's locked onto you as the example, though."

"Yeah? Who is your pick?"

"If I had to guess, I'd say he'll use me."

He stopped and swung around to face her, hands fisting. "No. That won't happen."

"Think about it. He can't afford to hurt Violet. She's too valuable. According to him and Peters, snipers are thick on the ground in this compound. I'm dispensable."

"Not to me."

"You care about me, Seth. They don't. Violet is critical to the health of the militia members and to Noah's happiness. I'm only necessary to you."

He cupped her chin. "No one is going to touch you. I gave you my word, and I won't break it."

She studied his face a moment before giving a slight nod. "Okay."

Seth pressed his mouth to hers. Teagan didn't believe he'd be able to protect her. Tough. He meant what he'd said. If Richardson and Peters dared lay hands on her, their blood would pool on the ground. No one would hurt Teagan without repercussions.