Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 57237 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57237 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
I nodded and shook his hand, already seeking out Danny in the room. There. He sat straighter and actually gripped the edges of his desk, as if preventing himself from rushing to me.
“Good to see you, Legacy. Mind if I…?” I gestured at the classroom.
“Not at all.”
“There it is again!” Reese exclaimed. “It’s the third time someone’s called you Legacy. Are you gonna freaking explain or not?”
“Maybe he’s a former pilot,” James guessed. “I got a call sign too.”
“He’s not a pilot,” I said, trailing back to the end row.
Danny watched me the whole time, and I sent him a quick wink.
It was fucking incredible seeing him again. It felt like long enough to notice changes in his appearance, but he obviously had none. Except for a faint bruise across his jaw. Presumably from training—but I’d make sure later.
“My ridiculous nickname is not the reason we’re here today,” Leg reminded everyone. I counted five recruits today, and I didn’t recognize the fifth. “Before our break, we’re going to explore a simple scenario that might fuck things up during a gig.” Oh good. I could wait a minute or two. “Say you’ve introduced yourself to a man in Damascus. You’re not a local, but your person of interest believes you’ve traveled a lot in the region. You know the language somewhat.” He adjusted his tie—he might be the only man in the building to wear one—then folded his arms over his chest. “What happens if he suggests a restaurant in a neighborhood you’ve never heard of? Is it safe to travel there? Is he testing you? Is it safer for you to be the first one to suggest a spot to eat, or does that raise suspicion?” He paused briefly. “What will you say if he asks about your favorite place to eat?”
The boys were quiet—never mind. River raised a hand.
“Yeah, one of the twins,” Leg said.
I coughed around a chuckle.
“That’s River, man,” Danny said. “Think about it. He actually raised his hand.”
I grinned.
The other boys cracked up.
I’d have to tell Leg later about my trick. The twins were still ordered to wear different shirts so I could tell them apart. That said, Danny was on the right track. There were ways to identify them.
“River, then,” Leg amended patiently.
River shifted in his seat. “I would make up a story about a restaurant that closed.”
That was a good option.
Leg nodded. “That’s a good one. The person of interest might push harder, though. What will you do then?”
River mulled things over for a few seconds. “I mean, I get the point. We have to know before we make contact. I don’t know squat about Damascus, so I can’t bullshit anythin’ right now.”
“That is the point,” Leg agreed. “You always need to have an answer to every question—and if you can’t answer something correctly and factually, then you better know enough to bullshit your way out of the mess.” He pointed his marker at the board. “Which brings us back to the list. Restaurants, cafés, train stations, places of worship, escape routes, the infrastructure in general—you must know these things.”
He checked the time next, and I waited with bated breath.
“All right, take ten minutes,” he said. “When you get back, we’ll discuss homework. You’re going to pick a city in Asia, South America, or Europe for an infiltration exercise. You’ll be tested on this next week.”
“You can’t tell me you’re not a teacher,” Danny huffed.
Leg smiled. “I’m not a teacher. I’m a professor.”
Our one and only. A Vietnam veteran who wasn’t able to adjust to civilian life after years of trying and went so far as to become a college professor—but he happened to know Terrance, who’d welcomed him on board. John “Legacy” Williams wasn’t a field operative, but he knew how to help create them.
The recruits were eager to take their break, except for Danny, and I told Leg I needed a word with young Mr. Rose.
“No problem. I need more coffee anyway,” Leg responded. “The talkative twin is full of questions.”
“Word of advice, sir,” Danny said, lifting his brows. “Tell him to pick up a fucking book. He sure as hell won’t do it voluntarily.”
I was definitely curious about the time Danny had spent with the twins without me.
“Oh, he’ll have books to read,” Leg said and walked out.
He closed the door behind him, and I turned to Danny. A fraction of a second later, he lit up and rushed toward me, and I couldn’t fucking describe the feeling. My chest swelled with emotions, and I met him halfway and crushed him in my arms.
“You’re two days late!” He smacked me on the chest before relocking his arms around my neck.
I winced and chuckled, then started peppering the side of his face with kisses. “I’m sorry, baby. Fuck, it’s good to see you.”