Page 48 of Nails

“Are you fuckers done?”Nails asked.

“Oh, no.We’re just beginning,” Joker teased.

“I hate all of you,” Nails sighed as he walked down the hall.He needed a cold shower.

CHAPTER TEN

The sound of gear cases and bags hitting the tarmac echoed in the early morning air.Nails gave the strap on his duffel one more good pull before he set it down next to the plane.

The Gulfstream G650 gleamed under the lights, a reminder that despite the danger of their work, command didn’t skimp on getting them where they needed to go fast.

He bent to double-check his weapons case, giving his mind something to do.But he still couldn’t stop it from wandering to the mission and to Riley.

He was actually looking forward to seeing her in action, though he dreaded the part of her working in a strip club and parading around in some skimpy outfit while men fawned all over her.More so because of the type of people she would be associating herself with.

With her staying with the team, it will also give him time to get to know her better.

“Have you spoken with Riley since yesterday?”Aussie asked as he lifted his gear bag and threw it in the cargo hold.

“No.With everything going on, I forgot to get her number,” Nails replied without looking up.

The sound of an approaching engine pulled his gaze toward the access road.He watched as a dark SUV with blacked-out windows rolled to a stop.The front passenger and driver’s side doors popped open, and two men stepped out.One he recognized as Russell, Riley’s boss.

The other guy, who looked younger, opened the back door, and a tall blonde woman stepped out.

“Who the hell is that?”Bear muttered.

“Not sure,” Duke said.

It wasn’t until she pushed her sunglasses up that the realization hit everyone.It was Riley.

Nails’ eyebrows shot up.She was blonde.And not a subtle blonde, but a pale, almost icy colored blonde.She pulled it off.Hell, she could probably pull off any look.But still, he liked her naturally chestnut colored hair better.

She strolled toward them, a duffel slung over her shoulder, Russell and another guy he didn’t recognize flanking her.

“Alright,” Riley said, her voice sharp with mock warning.“Before any of you say a damn word, this was not my choice.”Her gaze slid to Russell, eyes narrowing in a playful glare.

Russell only grinned like the cat that got the canary.

The guys were chuckling, and Nails caught himself smiling too.That easy confidence she carried?Yeah, he liked that more than the hair color anyway.

“I mean, you look gorgeous,” Snow said.

“That’s what I told her.”The guy standing next to Riley said and winked at her when she narrowed her eyes at him.

That’s when Nails’ attention shifted to the guy standing beside Riley.He was tall, lean, with sharp features and the kind of easy posture that said he was used to being exactly where he wanted to be.And he was close to Riley.Too close for Nails’ liking.

As if she could read Nails’ mind, Riley introduced the man.“This is Ryan, my friend and partner,” she said, looking around the group.

Ryan shook everyone’s hands, his grip firm, his smile practiced.“Good to meet you guys.And hey, do me a favor.Keep an eye on her.She’s got a knack for finding trouble, even when it’s not looking for her.”

The guys laughed, but Bear leaned forward, smirking at Nails.“Don’t worry.She’ll be in good hands.”He threw a deliberate wink Nails’ way.

Nails just shook his head, but the small dose of loyalty from his teammates was not unwelcome.

Commander Connors stepped forward, his voice carrying over the group.“Alright, everyone.Good luck.Stay sharp, and stay safe.”

As they started toward the plane, Nails caught the tail end of Russell and Ryan giving Riley quick, friendly hugs, which he was completely okay with.But when Ryan pulled her in, his eyes lifted over her shoulder to meet Nails’.There was something in that look, deliberate and measuring, right before he whispered something in her ear that made her lips twitch into the ghost of a smile.