Page 38 of Nails

As they walked through the corridors, Riley took in the clean lines and functionality of the building.Concrete, steel, and mission-focused energy practically hummed through the walls.

But all she could think about was coffee.Glorious, dark, caffeine-loaded coffee.

Her brow furrowed.“I’m still mad the hotel didn’t have any coffee this morning.”

Russell chuckled beside her.“You should’ve seen her at check-out, Derek.She was ready to create a crime scene in the hotel lobby.”

Connors laughed, a low, genuine sound that made him slightly less intimidating.“We can’t have that.There’s a breakroom just around the corner.We’ve got the fancy stuff too,” he said, curling his lip up in disgust.“You know, one of those espresso machines with a milk frother.And even those flavored syrup bottles if you’re into that.”

She raised an eyebrow, then shook her head.“Straight black coffee for me, sir.”

Connors grinned.“Spoken like someone who knows their coffee.”

He pointed down the hall, and Riley took off toward the breakroom.She grabbed one of the disposable cups and poured herself a steaming cup of dark roast.She then took a greedy sip, savoring the bitter warmth that rolled over her tongue.She didn’t realize how much she needed it until the first drop hit.

Just then, the sound of low voices and heavy footsteps echoed from the main corridor.Her ears perked up.That had to be the team.She thought.

Cup in hand, she moved toward the sound, her black flats barely making a sound against the concrete floor.Her mind raced, wondering what kind of guys they were.Were they the all-business and serious type, or were they the laid-back but got the job done type?Would they give her a hard time just because she was the outsider?

But did it really matter?She had worked with many types of personalities.Plus, at the end of the day, they all had a job to do.

She took one last sip of coffee and turned the corner to the briefing room.

Time to find out.

Nails and the rest of BRAVO team stood in an open field where a handful of hopeful young men stood in a tight formation.These were potential SEAL candidates.They were the guys who wanted a shot at BUD/S, hoping to one day wear the Trident.

Occasionally, the team was asked to speak with individuals who had a deep interest in the SEALs.They would answer questions, offer advice, or, more accurately, scare the hell out of them with the reality of what they were signing up for.And it wasn’t because they were trying to be assholes.BUD/s is one of the most challenging military training programs in the world, and if someone isn’t built for it, then why even attempt it?

“So, what’s the worst part of Hell Week?”one of the hopefuls asked, shifting slightly under Bear’s scrutinizing gaze.

“You mean besides everything?”Bear smirked, crossing his arms.“Sleep deprivation is a bitch.So is the cold.But if you don’t have the mental fortitude to push through it, you won’t make it.”

“Did you ever think about quitting?”another guy asked.

Joker snorted.“If a SEAL recruit tells you they never thought about quitting, they’re lying.I’ve never met a guy who hadn’t thought about it.”

The candidates chuckled nervously, though some looked pale.Nails smirked but said nothing, his mind only half on the conversation.The other half was on Riley.

He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her since last night, especially after Amira’s little matchmaking attempt at Bayside.He had told himself numerous times that it was just a coincidence.But it still bugged him.Maybe that was because he wanted it to be her.

His thoughts were cut short when Bear’s phone rang.He watched Bear’s expression shift slightly as he listened.

“Roger that.We’re on our way,” Bear said before ending the call.He looked at the team.“That was Derek.We need to go.”

They wrapped up the conversation with the candidates quickly, offering a few last words of advice before heading toward the team’s building.

“What’s going on?”Playboy asked as they quickly walked across the base.

“No clue,” Bear admitted.“But if Derek’s tone gave any clue, then I would say we might be bugging out.”

Hearing that only made the atmosphere more tense.Getting called in without warning usually meant one thing.They were getting called up for a mission.

They were about fifty to sixty yards out from their building when Nails noticed two people, a man and a woman, entering the door to their building.

Nails did a double-take as the woman from the back resembled Riley—his Riley.But before he could really get a good look, she was already inside.

Jesus, was he so infatuated with her that he was now imagining her?