Page 4 of Lethal Salvation

“What!” Her screeched word was unlike her, her usual calm failing her as she tried to battle these revelations and put them into some kind of order. “I’ve never even worked with him. We met once and I told him he was a dick.”

Jack leaned forward, his elbows falling to his knees. “Do you know how many people have said that to Bás and lived?”

“No clue.”

“One. You. He was a dick and you called him out on it, even knowing who he was, and you didn’t buy into his legend or kiss his ass. That’s what a man like Bás needs beside him to lead a team of misfits. He’s a hot-headed asshole and you balance that out and he knows it.”

“So why ask him to lead it, if he’s such a loose cannon?”

“I didn’t say he was a loose cannon. He’s the king of misfits, which is why he’ll know exactly how to lead them, but he needs you.”

“And he said he won’t do it if I don’t?”

Jack nodded. “Exactly.”

“Shit. This is a lot to take in when I only came in for some ink.”

“I know and I hate to be an asshole, but the offer ends when I walk out this room.”

“You love being an asshole, Jack, so don’t lie.” Her words were coated with a smile as she rubbed her hands over the cotton of her long summer dress.

“Yeah, maybe.”

“So, tell me more about how it would work?”

“I have an idea for a base of operations, which would be totally secure, with living quarters and a command centre. Those that want to live close could if they so choose, but secrecy is key. We’d have a front of some kind for the locals and any other nosey parkers so we can come and go as we please. Some of the team members may choose to go completely off the grid and any record of them will be wiped, their deaths staged if they want, but that’s not imperative. If you think MI6 was top secret, this is more so. Nobody can know about this team but those I choose to tell and her Majesty. Pay will be negotiated but let’s just say you’ll be able to upgrade your flat if you decide to keep it.”

“I can work with that. What about the team, who chooses them?”

“Me, you, and Bás.”

Duchess ran the idea over in her mind, coming at it from different angles but since the second Jack had interrupted her tattoo, she’d known her answer. Sticking out her hand. “You’ve got yourself a second in command.”

Jack smiled wide and it was so unusual she almost felt a flutter of attraction. “One condition.”

“Name it.”

“I get to choose the team’s name.”

“Fine with me.”

“Now, can I finish my tattoo?”

“Sure. I’ll wait at the café on the corner you like so much.”

“Why?” Duchess was puzzled.

“We have a team to pick and Bás is waiting.”

Duchess clenched her jaw and raised her eyebrow at him. “Really? You were so sure I’d say yes?”

“More like, quietly confident.”

“Asshole.”

Jack’s deep chuckle rang out as he disappeared through the door, and she sat back and waited for Jerry to come back in and finish the sleeve of peonies on her arm. It was her last sitting for this one and she wanted to get it done today. Jack and Bás would have to wait for her. After all, a Duchess never bowed to any man.

Chapter 1