Page 14 of Under Pressure

“Jesus.” She brushed a bead of sweat off her forehead, observing the obstacle course set up by the Navy to train special operators in urban warfare.

She was more nervous than her time at the police academy—the young, female academic who hadn’t quite belonged then or even now. And the guys sure as hell hadn’t let her forget it. She was a scientist, first and foremost—a bookish nerd. Forensics was the only place she felt at ease.

Certainly not at military facilities, she thought as she gazed in horror over the scene in front of her. The only thing more intimidating than the rope climbs and tower jumps was the array of SEALs lined up in the distance, confident and assured, casually chatting with the cops from her group. There were about thirty of them in total, and they’d formed a small crowd around the first obstacle—where their ‘team building’ session was supposed to start. It reminded her of everything she’d done at the police academy—and everything she sucked at.

She trailed behind Hunter, hiding in his wake, as they made their way to the larger group of cops waiting for further instruction. Most of the cops were eager to get on with it, eager to train alongside the infamous rough-and-ready SEALs. Adding to her dread, she was one of the few women there. And the way her blonde hair caught the sun like a beacon, she knew she’d be a target. It wasn’t easy being a woman in a man’s world.

Let’s just get this over with. Kendra breathed in shakily as she secretly watched the military operators leaning against the rappelling tower not far from her. Everything in her body screamed for her to get back to her car and drive away. The whole experience, which promised to be fun for the guys, represented the maximum in discomfort to her.

She didn’t miss the sly looks she was getting from the SEALs, who were sniffing her out. Crossing her arms tightly, like a self-hug, she found herself trying to appear unapproachable, serious.

“Heads up, people,” gray-haired Inspector Hall called over the crowd from the front, checking to make sure everyone was there. The big boss from LAPD.

As the group silenced, he continued, “Thanks for showing up today—and thanks to Paul for giving us the opportunity for a different type of training.”

Hall nodded to a veteran SEAL beside him who was literally shaped like an upside-down triangle. With a shaved head and aerodynamic sunglasses, the man stood as still as a statue, seemingly scanning the group for weakness. Once he got to Kendra, she felt like she’d been X-rayed and diagnosed as ‘soft’.

After Hall continued with safety protocols and instructions, the mass of cops and operators were split up into teams to run the obstacle course. Hall made it clear that after the tower climbs, rope jumps and holding bars, they were expected to rappel off a three-story metal structure. Kendra literally shook at the thought, already knowing the truth.

I can’t do this, a little voice inside her head shrieked. Embarrassed already, she watched the first wave of teams attack the course with ferocity—leaping, jumping and barreling over obstacles.

Doesn’t anyone else have any fear? Her question was quickly answered as teams started breaking off onto the course. Her team was the last scheduled to go—even worse. They’d all have time to sit back and watch her fail.

“Nervous?” a deep voice came from behind her.

She whipped around, searching.

And there he stood—a towering, muscled SEAL with a boyish grin, perfect teeth and flowing dark blond hair. His brown eyes poured into her, his mouth widening in understanding, assessing her.

“It’s okay if you are,” he added, keeping his voice down.

“I’m not,” she rebuffed quickly, unwilling to get vulnerable.

“Are you Kendra?”

Her eyebrow raised, she nodded quickly, feeling a little shellshocked under his alluring gaze.

“Delta.” He reached out, offering her his hand. “You’re on my team.”

She took it, feeling his rough, calloused powerful handshake. She pumped back as hard as possible, promising herself that she wouldn’t be weak—that she could be tough.

“I’ll walk you through this,” Delta assured her, nodding to the course.

But someone else cut in.

“I’ve got her. Don’t worry.” A less-than-amused voice belonging to Hunter appeared on the other side of her.

Kendra’s head spun, observing Hunter to her right and Delta to her left. She didn’t want to say it, but Delta was everything Hunter was not. The SEAL was a dominant, bold presence—Alpha. Hunter clearly felt that, felt threatened, and pushed forward to stand closer to Kendra, as if being closer meant that they were a tight duo.

Someone at the starting line called for their team, letting them know they were on deck. Hunter sped off, leaving the SEAL in his dust. Kendra didn’t mistake the competitiveness rising in the air.

Watching the last teams break out onto the course, she let out a breath she hadn’t known she was holding as she caught up to the starting line. The first obstacle was like a net made of rope that one had to climb up to the top. It was probably close to two stories high. In her usual habit, she ran her teeth along her bottom lip, feeling nervousness creep up. She had to climb…that in front of everyone?

“I just can’t.”

“Sure, you can”—Delta’s head dropped beside her—“mind over matter.”

She turned up to him, realizing how close he was standing. Where’d he come from?

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