Page 39 of Nails

As they entered the building, Nails found himself drifting into his own head again.Riley.He wasn’t the kind of guy who got hung up on a woman—hell, he didn’t even do relationships.But there was something about her.The way she’d looked at him that night in her kitchen, the way she challenged him without even trying.

“Nails,” Snow said beside him.

He didn’t respond.

“Nails,” Snow repeated, waving a hand in front of his face.

Nothing.

Snow smirked.“Damn, man, you’re gone.You’re totally thinking about her again, aren’t you?”

Nails blinked and shot him a look.“No.”

“Bullshit,” Snow said, laughing.

Nails flipped him off, shaking his head.“Shut up.”

Snow just grinned.“So, when do we get to meet your future wife?”

“Not happening,” Nails muttered, though evenhewasn’t convinced.

They entered the briefing room, and as expected, the tension in the air was thick.The team took their seats as Derek stood at the front of the room, waiting for them to settle before he started.

Nails took a seat between Snow and Jay Bird.He eyed the guy standing next to Derek.He looked to be around Derek’s age and was physically fit.Nails would say he was a former military man, considering the way he carried himself and his high and tight haircut.

“Thanks for coming in, gentlemen,” Derek began.“I know it’s short notice, but President Evans has tapped us for a critical mission.”

Damn!Nails thought to himself.If this were coming down from the president himself, it must be bad.

Derek glanced at the guy next to him.“This is Special Agent Russell Williams with Homeland Security Investigations.”

Nails’ brow lifted slightly.Homeland Security?That was Riley’s agency.He leaned forward, instinct sharpening.But before he could dwell on it, Derek continued.

“We’ll get started in just a minute.We’re waiting on one other person.”

Nails leaned back in his chair and picked up his water bottle to take a sip just as the door to the briefing room opened again.He glanced up out of habit, but what he saw made his hand freeze mid-air.

No.Fucking.Way.

For the first time in his life, he was completely and utterly speechless as he watched with his mouth agape as Riley strode into the room like she owned it.With her coffee in her hand, her eyes were focused on Derek and Special Agent Williams at the front of the room.

“I’m so sorry,” she said with a sheepish smile.I took a right instead of left.”

Derek chuckled.“It’s easy to get lost around here.But it looks like you found the coffee.”

She hadn’t seen him yet as she was too busy speaking with Derek, completely unaware she’d just walked into a den of SEALs and right into his line of sight.

She looked like she meant business.Her white dress shirt was rolled up at the elbows and tucked into her dark slacks that hugged her hips.Her long brown hair was curled at the ends and bouncing slightly with every step.She didn’t just look good, she looked confident and dangerous in the kind of way that turned heads.And boy, was she turning heads.

He caught Jay Bird elbowing Joker and nodding toward Riley like he was calling dibs.Even the married and soon-to-be married guys gave an appreciative glance.

Then a sharp inhale from Snow, seated beside him, pulled his attention from Riley.

“Is that who I think it is?”Snow asked, looking shocked and wide-eyed.

Nails nodded as the corners of his mouth twitched upward.

Commander Connors then faced the team.