Page 35 of Eight Years (The Trident Trilogy 1)

Chapter Nineteen

Millie

Virginia Beach, Virginia

2019

Since we got back to Virginia Beach, I’ve done nothing but stare at my computer, trying to find Haroun Hadzic’s house in the area Petrovic had described to me. It’s the only place where I can find my next clue to Yusef Hadzic and Sayid Custovic. Today, like the last three days, I’m not having any luck. I’m frustrated, tired, and crabby. I slam my laptop shut. What I really need is a good workout to adjust my mood. Yeah, I definitely need to sweat. Culver said I could use the base gym, so I’ve been bringing my workout bag every day, but I’ve yet to use it. It’s time.

There aren’t a lot of people in the gym, which is great. I like to workout alone. There are a few guys over by the weights, so I head over to the bags instead. I’m maybe two minutes into my workout when a guy starts circling me like a shark looking for his next snack.

“Want me to hold the bag for you?” he asks, not even bothering to try to hide the very slow once-over he’s giving me.

“I’m good, thanks.” I punch the bag extra hard for emphasis.

“Naw, you’re moving the bag pretty good. You’ll get a better workout if I stabilize it for you.”

Not waiting for my permission, he grabs the bag, snaking his head around it to make sure his eyes are free to continue ogling. I roll my eyes at him but keep working the bag. Honestly, it is a better workout when the bag isn’t swaying. I adjust my earbuds and turn the music up to drown out the little coaching tips he’s offering. Buddy, if I were even close to your size, I could kick your ass up and down this gym. I’m in my zone on the bag, completely ignoring the guy, when I feel someone grab my shoulder and pull me backward. I look up to see Culver.

“Oh, hey,” I say, taking out my earbud. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice the guy who was holding my bag is running away.

“What are you doing?” Culver looks at me like I’ve broken about twelve rules of some kind.

“What? You said I could work out in here, right?”

“Not dressed like that.”

I look down to make sure I hadn’t mistakenly forgotten to wear something. Nope. Yoga pants, tank top. Check. Check.

“Dressed like what?”

“Millie, this is a military base. Women are outnumbered twenty to one here. You have to watch your back. You can’t encourage them.”

“Oh, that’s bullshit. I can’t show a little bit of boob because men can’t control their fucking hormones? I should be able to walk into this gym naked and not get touched.”

“I swear to God, Millie. If you show up naked on this base, I will kill you myself—and I know I would have your dad’s full permission to do so,” he says as he motions me to walk ahead of him. “C’mon, we’re going to go work out in the operators’ gym.”

“I thought I couldn’t use the operators’ gym.”

“Yeah, well, we’re going to make an exception. You’ll be safer there.”

“What? The operators aren’t men?”

“The operators are men who have seen your teammates kill other men,” he says. “One look from Mason or JJ, and they aren’t ever going to look at you again.”

As we walk into the operators’ gym, Mason sees us and the look on Culver’s face. “What’s wrong? What’s happening?”

“She was getting too much attention in the base gym. Let her work out here, and kill anyone who looks at her. That includes you.”

“Roger that,” Mason says.

I roll my eyes at Culver. “Y’all are ridiculous.”

He ignores me, and walks out.

When I turn around, Mason is looking at me. He points to my tank top. “Maybe you should wear a shirt with sleeves, and a higher neck. And, thicker material.”

“You’re describing a turtleneck, Mason. You want me to wear a turtleneck to work out.”

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