MeteorOnAMoonlessNight: Without Wings Chapter Eight

The houses along the mountainside in Kabul all ran together, a cluster of adobe structures blending into the background. It made for the perfect hideout, in Bella’s opinion. One house was nearly indistinguishable from the next, the better for them to pretend they weren't even there. Unfortunately, the quarters were far more cramped, which was a massive downside.

For the most part, they were making the best of the situation. Everyone bunked together, with two rooms of four and one of five. The mercs were used to that type of thing on a mission, and the Cullen clan had been through it before plenty of times. Unfortunately, one thing Bella noticed was that Tito struggled to get along with anyone. Nigel, in particular, had been verbally sparring with him since they left France, calling him every name under the sun with little effect.

And, to no one's surprise, Tito tended to ‘accidentally’ run into Bella in the narrow hallway, or bump into her elbow in the kitchen. He'd find it hilarious if she spilled something or stubbed her toe after he made her stumble. Harsh feelings bubbled under the surface, and she was itching to punch him in the throat.

Out of principle, she’d refused to let them talk her into cooking for them just because she was a woman. Naturally, Tito had been the first to bring up the subject.

“I’m just saying, she probably knows more about cooking than the rest of us.” Reclining against the back of the couch, he spread his knees obnoxiously wide so no one else could sit there.

“Actually, at home we have a personal chef,” Edward responded with an edge to his voice. “I don’t expect my wife to live in the kitchen at home, and I won't tolerate the suggestion of it here, either.”

Emmett said, “Maybe we had it too easy in the villa with the housekeeper person doing those things, but here we can take turns.”

“Thank you, Emmett, that’s a great idea,” Bella said. “Besides, I’m not that great at cooking.”

Tito chuckled. “Maybe you need a realignment. Someone to teach you what your place is in the world.”

It was a toss up who was going to beat his face in first, but Bella got to him before Edward, Seamus, or Emmett.

“You think you’re tougher than me because you’re a man?” she snarled, knee pressed against his crotch. “I’ll lay your ass out on the carpet, fucker, and then we’ll see who learns their place.”

“Tito,” Dwayne barked from the doorway. “Get your ass over here. Now.”

Bella stared him down for a few extra seconds, finally backing up so he could stand. Following his commander out of the room, Tito turned at the last second to throw a wink at Bella.

“I never thought there would be a man I hated more than Holden,” Seamus remarked.

“Oh, Gonzalez has him beat, hands down.” Emmett scratched his chin. “Too bad Rosie isn't here. That would make for an interesting fight.”

Holding his arm out, Edward invited Bella to sit with him. She flopped down, irritation radiating off her in waves. “Holden is an incompetent asshat, but Tito is a disgusting pig.”

Seamus held his palms up to simulate tipping a scale. “It’s a toss up.” Leveling his hands, he declared, “Yeah, they're tied.”

“Thanks for sticking up for me, by the way,” she murmured. "It's sad you have to do it, but I appreciate it."

“It’s not even a question of sticking up for you as much as reminding him of what’s right,” Emmett said.

Seamus sighed, but then he grinned. “He won’t live much longer if he keeps this up.”

“Because Bella will kill him before long.” Edward kissed her forehead. “Your temper is at the boiling point.”

“We’re so close to Quinn, and still so far.” Shaking her head, she continued, “I hate having to wait.”

“It’s the right move,” Edward said.

“To not move at all?”

“Yes, love. You know this.”

“Ugh. Of course I do.” She snuggled closer to him, wanting to burrow in his shirt and never deal with another man like Tito Gonzalez again.

“Still sucks, I know.”

Seamus stood up. “I’ll cook first, and then come up with a schedule for the time we're here.”

“You make Siobhan proud, cousin,” Edward said.

“Ah, well, Aideen would have my bollocks for a snack if I tried the shit these foolish mercs try.”

Bella smiled softly. “Have you spoken to her?”

They’d all video called their families while they were in France, but they had cut all communications once they left for Afghanistan. Dara thought it was for the best, and Tito had reluctantly agreed. Bella found it annoying that he didn't mind deferring to Dara but acted as though Bella herself was nothing more than a housewife.

“Before we left, I did. She’s well and good. Says Killian is pissy about not coming, but his leg has never been quite right since D.C.”

“I can see him being upset that his wife is here and he’s not.” Bella pictured Seamus’s brother in her mind’s eye. Not twins, but incredibly similar in looks and mannerisms. She remembered how brave Killian had been when he’d gotten shot helping them win against Zion.

“Saoirse and Niall are taking good care of the family in my absence.”

“Good.”

Edward stretched, and Bella moved over so he could get up. The atmosphere in the cramped living room had turned sleepy, but Seamus and Edward moved to the kitchen to begin dinner and make a schedule. Emmett leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes, but Bella didn't want to sleep. The time difference between France and Afghanistan was only two and a half hours, but she was still on home time for the most part, and that was eleven and a half hours behind. Not to mention the lack of sleep that had plagued her from the time she learned of Quinn’s capture. She was running on fumes as it was, which magnified her emotions, but every time she closed her eyes, she pictured Quinn in a dirty cell, starving and beaten.

Her boy may be a grown man, but he would always be her baby.

Soon, Emmett began to snore lightly. Smiling, Bella rose to cover him with a blanket. It probably wasn't necessary, but it felt like the right thing to do. When she turned back around, Tito stood in the doorway, watching her. Automatically, she crossed her arms in defense.

“Namron says I’m to apologize for my behavior.”

“Okay.”

When he didn't say anything else, she let out a humorless laugh.

“I’m not surprised you can't even apologize like a real man.”

He moved into the room, and though her instincts told her to back up, she refused to move one inch. She would not cower in front of him.

“I’ll show you a real man.” His hands were clenched in fists, and she nearly dared him to try her.

“Don't you fucking touch me, first off.”

He stopped a foot in front of her, crossing his arms as well.

“Second, I already have a real man. You know, the one I’m married to?”

“Can't miss him.”

“Why do you flirt with me one minute, as though you have in fact missed him, and then antagonize me the next? For that matter, why are you perfectly pleasant with Dara but treat me like shit?”

Tito’s brows went up. “Do you want a true answer?”

She rolled her eyes. “Yes.”

“You’re sexy as fuck for a woman your age”—he spoke over her indignant gasp—“but you think you’re better than everyone else. You think just because you can shoot the target that you have what it takes to be on this mission, and you don’t.”

Realizing how close he’d moved while he was busy insulting her, Bell brought her head up so she looked directly in his eyes. “You're a misogynistic piece of shit, Gonzalez.”

He pointed in her face. “This tough act right here isn't cute anymore.”

“Guess it's a good thing I’m not trying to be cute.”

By then, he was inches from her face, speaking down to her in the manner she supposed he’d been dying to do since he was left out of the recon meeting in France. “You aren't good for anything other than what women were made for, princess.”

Her palms itched, but she wanted to be better than her rage. Still, it was fucking hard to hold it back. “And what’s that, buttercup?” His eyes narrowed, but she continued. “Cooking, cleaning? Serving you a martini after you’ve spent the whole day being a gigantic asshole?”

He sneered. “Fucking, sucking, breeding, and then scrubbing the fucking toilets, princess.”

That was it. She couldn't hold it in any longer. Faking a punch to the face, she brought her knee to his groin when he dodged the blow that never came. Fast as a snake, he whipped out an arm and grabbed her by the hair, attempting to force her to the ground.

“Oh, hell, no,” she heard Emmett say from behind her as her eyes watered.

But it was fine, because she wasn't going down without a fight. Though her scalp stung, Tito didn't know she’d been through so much worse. His assumption was what had him crying on the ground seconds later, after she jabbed his kidney and kicked him in the jaw when he doubled over.

“Steel toe boots, princess,” she spit at him. “Never go anywhere without them.”

Emmett stood directly behind her, and the commotion had drawn the others into the room. Edward rushed to Bella, running his hands all over her as though she was broken. Nigel and Dwayne hauled a cursing Tito off the floor.

The commander’s face made it clear he was furious. “Not only did you embarrass yourself by getting your ass whooped by the woman you keep putting down, but you’re done with this team.”

“Couldn't even comport yourself like a decent human being, you filthy fucken cockstain. You’re fired,” Nigel reiterated. “You’ll be escorted out of the country tonight so you don’t fuck up our entire cover." He shook his head in disappointment. "Shoulda been a blow in the sheets, ol’ cunt.”

“Are you okay?” Dwayne asked Bella as Nigel grabbed Tito by the scruff, accompanied by Hollywood, and dragged him screaming from the room.

“I’m fine. All he did was pull my hair.” She shrugged. “He fights more like a girl than I do.”

“Can't believe he had the nerve,” Emmett grumbled, rubbing his eyes. “Or that I nearly slept through the whole thing.”

“Luckily, our girl can take care of herself,” Seamus said, grabbing Bella in a hug and kissing the side of her head. “I’d better get back to the kitchen before I burn something.”

Nigel returned to the living room alone. "S'ppose I'm not always the nicest cunt, but Jesus, man. There's a cunt, and then there's a cunt."

Bella figured that was meant as a sort of apology. "I'm glad you're making him leave. I don't need that type of person helping to rescue my son."

He gave a small salute before leaving again.

Seamus made authentic shepherd's pie, since lamb was readily available there. If they were lucky, they wouldn't have to rely on the mercs making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for long. For the most part, they claimed not to have skills in the kitchen, but Dara, Stephen, and Danny could cook.

Holden had volunteered to keep Tito in seclusion until someone came to get his sorry ass before dark. Not being the trusting type, Edward had set up surveillance in the bedroom and the hallway, with the help of Dara.

So dinner was relatively quiet as a result. Bella tried to focus on the gathering of people, pretending they were friends coming together for a meal. With luck, their mission would be a success, and they would be home with Quinn before they knew it.