The Travelers: Book Two Read Online Free PDF

there in only his boxers and rummaged through the piles on his floor for something acceptably clean to wear.
    He reemerged in the kitchen and she thrust a mug of coffee at him.
    “No thanks. What are you here for?”
    She offered the coffee again and sipped on hers without a word.
    He sighed and took the mug. She obviously wasn’t going to talk to him unless he played by her rules.
    “How did you get in?”
    She raised her eyebrows and glanced at his still-full mug.
    He sighed and took a long gulp of the piping hot liquid. It flowed through him and helped to wake up parts of him he’d let go dormant.
    “Carson taught me a few things,” she said.
    “That fucking credit card trick?”
    She hid her smile behind another drink.
    “So why are you here? If you’re looking for apologies you’re wasting your breath.”
    “I just thought you should know that the other men are going on patrol in a couple of hours.”
    “Patrol? They’re going out looking for trouble?”
    Gemma shrugged, “I’m not thrilled with the plan.”
    “So what makes you think I give a shit about their suicide mission?”
    A frown deepened the faint lines in her forehead.
    “I thought you’d want to be involved,” she said.
    “If they don’t want me around, that’s fine by me.”
    He set the mug down and crossed his arms.
    “You did what you set out to do. You can leave now.”
    Gemma shook her head.
    “You know, I thought that they would have taught you better.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “In the Army? Don’t they tell you to never leave a man behind?”
    “I don’t need rescuing, Gemma.”
    “I’m not talking about you, you narcissistic asshole. I’m talking about your friends . The men you claim to care about?”
    “They’ll be fine without me,” he said dismissively.
    “And you’re full of shit. We both know that none of them are giving this situation as much weight as it deserves. If something happens to one of them, I’m holding you accountable. You are the one with the training and skills they need and you are turning your back on your friends. You really want to pick a fight over Alina of all people?”
    Aaron’s eyes fell to the floor. He knew he should be ashamed of the things he said to her. The dull ache in his face reminded him that Dez agreed.
    “Everyone is pissed at you, but if you show up tonight, it’s not too late to redeem yourself,” she said.
    He reached for his coffee and emptied the mug.
    “What about Izzy?”
    “How about you stop worrying about her for a while and worry about your friends?”
    Aaron groaned and set his mug down with more force than necessary.
    “I can’t stop thinking about her. Don’t you get it?”
    “Then why the Hell do you have to argue with her every step of the way?”
    “Well…” he scratched absently behind his ear, avoiding eye contact, “I mean… it didn’t actually happen that way.”
    “What way did it happen?” she asked.
    He rubbed the stubble on his chin and shook his head.
    “It didn’t happen at all. She wants everyone to think I took advantage of her or something.”
    Gemma sighed; “No, she swears it happened. I don’t know what’s going on with you two, but come to an agreement or forget about her because this is screwing with everyone.”
    Aaron didn’t appreciate being given orders by Carson’s girlfriend, but he realized that within their group, Gemma was the Alpha female. If it was Carson’s job to keep everyone on task, it was Gemma’s to keep everyone happy. It was an unenviable position and he’d only been making it harder for her.
    “All right. I’ll come tonight,” he said.
    Gemma smiled and took both of their mugs to the sink for a quick rinse.
    “Sun down. Don’t be late,” she said with a satisfied grin as she turned to leave.

Chapter Four
    “He said he’d be here,” Gemma said.
    “I don’t care what he said. We’re not waiting for him all night,” said Carson, a harsh edge creeping into his