Seth sank his head into Kenn's hard gut, shoving with his legs, and as they rolled over, his fingers clutched at the dusty ground. His pinky snagged the chain and when he got to his feet, the dog tags were securely in his grip.
He flashed them at Kenn, who was moving determinedly in his direction. "I got 'em! It's over, right?" he panted, and then ducked as Kenn swung.
"But, I'm done. I..."
No one spoke, waiting for him to figure it out.
His eyes narrowed at Adrian's outstretched hand and then he was moving, ducking, darting, and shoving his way to the man whose life he often dreamed of giving his own for.
Kenn spun him back by the shoulder, and Seth threw out a fist, punching him hard and Kenn swung back, rocking the cop on his heels.
Pissed now, Seth returned the hit, putting his weight into it. When Kenn did the same, the Eagles watching were impressed that Seth stayed on his feet.
The two men kept swinging, trading blow for fast blow, but when Adrian gave him a subtle nod, Kenn delivered a nasty hit to Seth's forehead that knocked him face down in the dirt at the leader's feet.
When Seth's hand rose, Adrian bent down and retrieved his property. "Pass. Effective immediately, you are a Level Four Eagle."
"No."
There was a shocked silence as Seth climbed to his feet, covered in sand and blood drops.
"Because?"
"Because…they...voted me team leader...earlier. Can't have… that as a Level Four."
Adrian grinned, and Kenn slung an arm around the cop's tense, gritty shoulders. "If you knew you didn't want it, why did you go through with the test?"
Seth grinned at his fellow Eagle, but the look in his eyes said his words were for Adrian. "To prove…that I could."
11
The call came just as Adrian was grinding his hard body against a very willing ass, breath coming in short rasps. He pressed a quick, apologetic kiss to her neck as he stepped back, zipped up.
He left without a word, heading quickly through the blowing grit to the communications truck - sliding into the sandy seat a minute later.
As he keyed the mic, Adrian was aware of Kenn waiting nearby to help him. Good. The Marine would make it easier. "This is Eagle One. Go ahead with your message."
"We need help."
"Tell me what exactly."
"We have to leave no matter what, but we need an armed escort. Things are rough here."