Page 25

This is private all right.

Since he's training for some marathon, he asked to meet at a large park so he could get his run in and talk without anyone knowing about our meeting. However, Trey and T were adamantly against running somewhere too public. So we’re meeting in the middle of nowhere, at the head of a several-mile training trail somewhere near the Quantico marine base.

Having a small army close eased Trey and T's stress enough that they agreed to only have half the alpha team trail after Sam and me. The others, plus more agents, are stationed along the trail and deep in the woods.

Bending my leg, I grip the top of my tennis shoe and pull it back, stretching my tight thigh. The workouts with Trey and training sessions with Sarah have paid off more than I'd like to admit. Now not only can I somewhat defend myself without a weapon, but my endurance is high enough that I won't completely embarrass myself today in front of Sam.

Hopefully.

With the back of my hand, I swipe at the beads of sweat already building along my forehead. I'm usually the cold-natured one, but a DC August day with zero breeze is stifling to say the least. I glance around at the guys, who are already sweating profusely. I swipe the water bottle I’d grabbed from the SUV from the bench beside me and take several long gulps of the somewhat warm water.

“How is it this hot so early?” I complain.

Trey gives an annoyed huff. “Don't look at us. We're not the ones who suggested this little outing.”

I roll my eyes and turn my back to him. He's been testy the past week knowing this day was coming. To say he's not a fan of Sam and me working together is an understatement. The same as me not liking how much Jessica has been hanging around his place. It is what it fucking is.

Nothing is ideal right now. Of course, my life has never been ideal, so I'm used to rolling with the punches. Seems Trey is not. He's like a spoiled man child getting pissy that some other guy is playing with his toy.

Wait, bad analogy. I am not a toy, and Sam is definitely not playing with me.

The crunch of gravel snaps the five men to attention, their heads swiveling in the direction Sam approaches from. My jaw drops as he swaggers closer in nothing but a pair of running shorts and tennis shoes. I can’t help it. No woman could.

A low growl comes from beside me, but I can't tear my eyes off his sexy tatted chest and arms.

“Holy fuck,” I mutter under my breath. Absentmindedly, I bring the water bottle to my lips, downing what’s left. It feels heavy in my empty stomach. Skipping breakfast, and maybe dinner last night, wasn’t my brightest idea, but I have to maximize every second nowadays with the work that’s piling up.

“You're gawking,” T chides behind me.

“Just admiring the art,” I say unconvincingly.

“Madam VP,” Sam says in greeting as he moves closer.

Trey steps between us, cutting off his approach.

Champ comes up behind Sam and pats down his shorts before crouching low to check his socks and shoes. Then he stands and nods, giving the all clear.

“He's clean.”

“Seriously?” I say, glancing over my shoulder at T. “Is that necessary?”

“Considering everything going on with you and the trouble that seems to follow you, yeah, it's necessary.”

“I told you from the start that I'd keep your lives interesting,” I say with a smile and a soft pat on his shoulder.

A shiver pulses down my spine when Sam moves close. It takes everything in me to not glance down to his toned chest now that I have an up-close view of his colorful tattoos.

“Ready?” I ask, swallowing back the rising nerves. “It’s already hot as hades out here.”

It takes a few minutes for us to find a slow rhythm that works for the entire group.

“So,” Sam says, breaking the silence, “what made you change your mind?”

I shrug a single shoulder. “It's the right thing to do. I can't just stand back knowing I could help when it affects the people who voted me into this role in the first place.”

“Why are you in long sleeves?” he asks, not even breathing hard.

“I wasn't sure who all would be out here, and I like to keep my tattoos covered.”