Page 22 of Summer with a SEAL

What if those guys didn’t come back?

She shook her head, trying to clear those negative thoughts. “All right, enough about Ryker. Did you see that creepy guy back there hanging out at the front of the bank? He was totally giving off a weird vibe.”

“The one with the tattoos all over his arms?”

“Yeah, I just got the creeps watching him. He was looking around too much or something.”

“It’s probably nothing. I mean, what if he was just waiting for someone? I’d look around, too. And he was holding a smart phone—it’s not like the guy was homeless or something.”

“Maybe—I just thought he was strange. If he’s there the next time I go to the ATM, I’m going somewhere else.”

Michelle shrugged, examining her nails. “You worry too much. And I need a fresh manicure. Maybe we can make reservations for mani/pedis tomorrow morning?”

“I’m up for that,” Jessica agreed as she pulled forward. “The sand is doing a number to my nails. I’m not sure what places are good around here.”

“I’ll text Bailey and ask her for a recommendation. Maybe she wants to join us—I don’t think she usually works until later.”

“Good idea. I was thinking bartending would be a tough job, but she probably likes having her days off. And let’s be honest—she probably makes more than us on a teaching salary.”

“I’m sure twelve-year-old’s mowing lawns make more money than us,” Michelle said. “Teacher’s salaries are a joke.”

“At least you have your parents to help you out. I mean, renting a beach house for the entire summer on a teacher’s salary just wouldn’t ever happen. And life at the beach beats teaching summer school, right?”

“Um…is that a rhetorical question?” Michelle joked. “Of course it does. And you’re only young once. Why not enjoy, right? Best friends, the beach, boys…,” she added with a giggle.

“Well, I don’t mind looking at all the hot military guys prowling around, but I’m not having some kind of summer fling like you.”

“Who said it was a fling?” Michelle asked. “Right now, it’s just a one-night-stand.”

“Oh come on,” Jessica protested. “Are you for real suggesting you won’t see him again? Ryker looked happy as hell the other morning. Guys like that don’t spend the night if they’re not into you—they sneak out after you give them what they want.”

“You mean sex?” Michelle asked loudly as they pulled into a parking spot at the shopping center.

Jessica rolled her eyes as she climbed out of the car. “Of course that’s what I mean. And I’m just saying, if he didn’t want to see you again, he’d have been long gone before any of us saw him the next day.”

“It was hot as hell the way they swam out and rescued Amy, wasn’t it?” Michelle asked.

“More like terrifying,” Jessica said. “I was worried they wouldn’t be able to get to her in time.”

“Well thank God they did. Basically, you all have me to thank. I’m the one who insisted we set up in that spot on the beach.”

“We were there before them!” Jessica said with a laugh. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“The universe knew we needed some guys, and hell did it deliver.”

Chapter 9

Colton crouched down in the dirt near the perimeter of the camp, scanning the ground. Jacob watched him from fifteen yards away and quietly spoke into his headset. “Do you think there’s a tripwire?”

“Negative,” came Colton’s reply. “The larger compound that Ice’s team is moving in on is probably wired with explosives since the leader is there. This spot looks clean.”

“No one important is here,” Hunter said over the headset. “Just the lowlifes carrying out the dirty work. Isn’t this our lucky day.”

Jacob’s gaze swept the area through his night-vision goggles, his pulse quickening. He could see his other teammates getting into position around the camp, weapons ready. The moment before they began an op was always the most tense. As soon as they were up and moving, he’d be caught up in the action. The adrenaline.

But right now?

His heart always pounded as everything around him went silent. As his vision tunneled and senses heightened. The calm before the storm was a real thing.

---