Soldier of Fortune: Gideon Quinn Adventures Book One

Chapter 34

Of course it wasn't going to be simple.

Gideon's intention, to net Celia, Del, Wendell, and Ellison, would require several elements each.

First, an irresistible lure; second, no possibility of collateral damage; and third—

"—more than just you, me, and Elvis to execute properly," Gideon explained, dropping the stick he'd been using to sketch scenarios into the dirt-encrusted floor.

The two had hunkered down near the window, but to the side, so no one peering in from the street should be able to see them.

"I thought there weren't to be no killing," Mia said, her face splitting in a yawn.

"Wasn't, and any," Gideon corrected before he caught the yawn contagion himself. "In this case execute meant... facilitate. We need a team if we're going to facilitate the plan," he clarified, then fought off another yawn. "And maybe a nap."

"You go ahead, I'm fine."

Gideon looked at Mia, whose eyes were at half-mast. "Uh-huh."

"Well, I am. And anyway, don't you want someone t'keep watch?"

"Elvis will let us know if anyone gets too close. He has ears like a draco," Gideon pointed out.

She stared.

Gideon sighed. "Yes, the joke is lame, but he does. Come on," he patted the floor as if it were a nice, comfy mattress. "It's been a long night for both of us, and you didn't even get a morph nap like I did."

"Fine!" She threw her hands up in the air. "But don't blame me if the bad guys come upon us all unawares and like that."

"I promise, if any bad guys come upon us unawares and like that, I'll take full responsibility." He leaned against the wall and stretched his legs out in front of him, crossing at the ankle.

Thankfully, Mia gave up the argument, which only proved to Gideon how tired she must be, and curled up next to him.

Elvis, who'd been roosting on the spindle of a broken chair propped in a corner, hopped over and stretched himself out on Gideon's leg.

Gideon let his head fall back against the chill wall, while Mia's breathing slowed, and Elvis's tail ceased to twitch, and really, it was almost homey.

Except for the creeping damp.

And the fact he was being hunted.

And that Celia had his coat.

Gideon felt a shiver at his side and, without thinking, draped an arm over the sleeping dodger and was surprised when she burrowed deeper under his shoulder.

It was the sort of thing he thought a daughter might do, if he and Dani had ever...

* * *

"How long will you be away, do you think?" Dani asked, leaning her chin on her crossed arms, her hair spilling over the pillow.

Like black rain, Gideon thought, as he always did, and curbed the urge to reach out and touch that hair. "No more than a month. Less if there are no Midasians involved. What about you?"

"One week out to the drop zone, we do what we do in a day."

"Cocky."

"Confident," she corrected. "Another two days for the 'ship to scour the region, and a week back for resupply."

"Which means you'll be out on another mission by the time I get back."

"Life in the Corps," she said, turning to her side so they were eye to eye. "At least during wartime."