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Montana had known about the Masters’ Admiralty before that call, as a couple of his Warrior Scholars brothers had worked with some Masters’ Admiralty members when a European bomber threatened to blow up the Boston Harbor. But getting married to one of them…
He and Dahlia had been seated next to each other on the long flight to Athens, but because it was a red-eye, they’d done little more than exchange pleasantries over dinner before reclining their seats and sleeping the remainder of the nine-and-a-half-hour journey.
Montana had taken a couple of sleeping pills, determined to pass the majority of the trip unconscious, as he was no fan of tight spaces. First-class seating had helped, but his heart had started racing the moment he’d looked at his sleeping pod for the night. As such, he’d been too focused on his breathing to be much good as a conversationalist, despite Dahlia’s numerous attempts to draw him in. His first impression hadn’t been much better than Vadisk’s, considering his long string of one-word responses to her questions.
Once they’d disembarked in Athens, Vadisk had been there waiting for them, and that was when things had really gone off the rails. Vadisk hadn’t exactly welcomed them with open arms. Hell, at some points, he’d been openly hostile, which had put Montana on his heels, causing his own temper to spike.
At least for the moment, things were quiet. Given it was Crimea and the task they’d been assigned was dangerous as fuck, Montana figured there wasn’t going to be a better time to open a dialogue. God only knew what the days ahead would bring.
He stepped out onto the patio, and Dahlia turned her head, smiling up at him as he crossed to where she sat. Toeing off his own shoes and socks, he pulled his pants up and plopped down next to her, dipping his feet into the cool water as well.
“Feels good,” he observed, the temperature in Crimea a good ten to fifteen degrees hotter than what he was used to during summertime in Boston.
“It does,” she agreed. “I’m glad the Grand Master asked me to go somewhere with sunshine. My last trip was to see Blood Falls in Dry Valleys.”
Montana tilted his head.
“Antarctica,” she clarified.
His eyes widened, then he grinned. “I’m guessing it was significantly colder there.”
She laughed. “I’m only just now beginning to thaw out, but the trip was worth it. The falls were incredible. Did you know that two million years ago, the Taylor Glacier sealed in a small body of water filled with this ancient community of microbes. They’re trapped in a natural time capsule, and they’ve evolved differently because they live in a place with no light or oxygen and very little heat.”
Montana wanted to make a good impression on his now wife, so he didn’t do what he normally would have, which was to run for his computer and learn everything he could about these ancient, mutant microbes. He loved learning about stuff like this. He made a mental note to look up Blood Falls later.
“I was in the middle of editing the footage when the Grand Master contacted me and asked if I’d be willing to arrange a trip to Crimea to help out another member.” She arched a brow and smiled.
“Thanks for that, for this.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Did you get to finish editing?”
Dahlia shook her head.
“I can’t wait to see the finished product. I’ve watched almost every episode of ‘Don’t Follow Me’,” he confessed. Dahlia not only showed the world beautiful, interesting places in her videos but gave historical or cultural context as needed. Montana’s love of information was well satisfied after an episode.
“Before or after we were placed in a trinity?”
Montana chuckled. “Busted. Before.”
“In that case, thanks for watching.”
They were smiling at each other when Vadisk opened the door, joining them on the patio. Montana suppressed a surge of irritation. He and Vadisk both wanted the same thing—for this, their home base, to be safe. Exactly how to go about ensuring that had been a point of contention.
Vadisk did a quick scan of the surrounding area, clearly looking for danger. If Montana hadn’t been distracted by Dahlia, he would have done the same. He needed to be better about keeping his head in the game because this wasn’t the place to let his guard down.
“Care to join us?” Dahlia asked, gesturing to their bare feet in the water.
Vadisk shook his head, opting instead to perch on the end of one of the lounge chairs, his eyes alert, his posture one of standing at attention, even though he was sitting.
Montana understood Vadisk’s need to protect them because he felt the same. However, given their task and where they were, Montana thought it was just as important for the three of them to get to know each other. Working together under these conditions would be tense enough without adding a lot of anxiety regarding their relationship. It would be better to get some of the uncertainties out in the open now.
Montana twisted, tucking one foot under his other leg, so that he could face both of his spouses. “So, should we address the elephant in the room?”
Dahlia shot an uneasy look in Vadisk’s direction, while the other man scowled.
“Not sure what there is to address?” Vadisk snarled. “I can do the math as easily as you can. It’s two to one. I lose.”
