Cookie: Phoenix Squad, #3

By Dakota Rebel

"I hate you."

 

"No you don't. Not even a little."

 

There are a few absolute truths in this world. Death. Taxes. And the fact that Max Browning and I cannot work together without our emotions, and tempers, getting in the way.

 

That thin line between love and hate just keeps getting thinner the closer he and I get to each other.

 

Eventually I'm going to have to admit how I feel about him. I just hope I'm able to before the world literally burns down around us.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dakota Rebel
• Release date: Dec 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223741008

Book preview

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NEWSLETTER -

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Chapter One

~Seamus O’Malley~

Code Name: Cookie

Hey, check it out, I said, motioning with my head toward the table next to ours. Merlin is making his move.

Diesel and Troy turned to look in unison.

He’s wasting his time, Troy assured me, turning back immediately to face me. Dane is super straight.

Super straight? Diesel raised an eyebrow at his boyfriend. Does that come with a cape?

Might as well, Troy answered firmly.

Well, I said, shrugging as I picked up my beer. Merlin doesn’t believe straight men exist.

How do you mean? Troy asked, his eyes widening in obvious surprise.

Well, he’s never had one turn him down yet, I explained. And honestly…look at him.

Troy turned back and seemed to study Merlin for a moment before turning back and shrugging. He’s not that hot.

Yes, he is, Diesel and I said in unison, before we both started cracking up.

Have you and he… Troy glared at Diesel.

No! Diesel answered quickly. No one inter squad has ever—

Has yet, I interrupted.

Fair, Diesel acknowledged, tilting the neck of his beer bottle toward me before taking a long sip. Clearly Scout and Raptor are going to end up together.

Like a God damned fairy tale, I agreed, saluting him with my own drink before knocking it back and draining my glass.

My gaze drifted around the room until I spotted the men in question, sequestered at their own table, heads together as they stared at Scout’s computer. How neither of them could see how crazy they were about each other was beyond me.

Well, in all fairness, Scout knew exactly how he felt about Raptor, but Raptor was clueless. How a man got to be his age and still not latch on to a single clue was beyond me, but it was also none of my business.

There they go, Diesel murmured, his tone thick with humor.

I looked back to see Merlin and Dane walking out of the room together and coughed out a laugh.

The magic man in action, I said, shaking my head in amazement.

They’re probably going to talk about monster trucks or something, Troy insisted. I promise you, Dane is as straight as they come.

Oh, he’ll co—

Hey, Cookie, Zane interrupted as he approached the table. Can I talk to you for a minute?

Diesel and Troy excused themselves as I got to my feet and turned to look at my friend and commanding officer.

What’s up? I asked.

I wanted to talk to you tonight, while there were a lot of people around, so you won’t yell at me when you hear, Zane said.

Hear what? I asked, narrowing my gaze at him.

We extracted Diesel’s replacement from his assignment, and he’ll be joining us tomorrow.

Okay, I said slowly. Why would that make me yell at you? Who is it?

Max.

For a moment, static seemed to fill my head and my eyes lost focus. And then everything rushed back and as my heart started to hammer in my chest I sucked in a deep breath.

What the fuck made you think I wouldn’t yell in a room full of people? I shouted. Max! Max fucking Browning. Are you kidding me?

Well, so much for that, Zane muttered as he grabbed my arm and dragged me across the room and out into the hall.

You can’t be serious, I said.

Look, we need a shooter on the squad and Diesel needs to take some time, Zane explained.

There are a hundred other guys you could have picked, I reminded him.

Max is the best.

Second best, I corrected him.

Yeah, Zane agreed. Second best. Look, I know you two have a history—

We fucking hate each other, I said firmly.

Actually, that wasn’t quite true. I mean, we irritated the hell out of each other, for sure. Max Browning was cocky and arrogant and just…drove me insane. The real problem was that I could never figure out if I wanted to punch him or fuck him. Plus, I was more than a little bit totally fucking in love with him, while he just couldn’t stand me.

Which was why I did my best to stay the hell away from him. Having him on the team was going to be a nightmare.

Look, I don’t want to hear it, Zane said firmly. It’s been three years since he worked with us and I’m really hoping that in that time both of you have grown the fuck up. We’re ass deep in…we don’t even know what. And I’m not going to fucking tolerate bickering and bullshit. Do I make myself clear?

Yes, sir, I agreed.

Good. He relaxed his posture and softened his glare. What the fuck is up with you two anyway?

I couldn’t explain it if I wanted to, I admitted. Because how do you explain that you both love and hate someone in equal measure? It made no sense. But I’d never let you down.

I know. He clapped me on the shoulder and pushed me back toward the party. Where the fuck did Merlin go?

He and Dane Acker went off for a tour of the White House, I answered.

Fucking magic man, Zane said, chuckling softly.

Right? I laughed too and followed him back inside.

Zane was right. I needed to grow the fuck up and accept that Max was going to be part of our team. And I’d be civil and polite…as long as he was.

Chapter Two

~Max Browning~

Code Name: Pony

This must be what it feels like to get called up to the majors, I said, grinning as I