Page 10 of Iron Willed Warrior

“But then he came on to me,” I said. “And he wasn’t clever about it either. It’s fine for a guy to be interested. Whatever, I can brush that off. But there was no need to be crude.”

“What did he say?” River demanded.

“I promise, there’s no point repeating it. I’d rather forget it happened.”

Keira made a disgusted face. “Why do men do that? Pretend to be nice to a vulnerable woman, only to try it on with her a minute later.”

We both looked at River, and he held up his hands. “Don’t expect me to explain my kind. We’re not all like that.”

“Clearly not.” I just seemed to have a bad track record. Too many men in my life had made me believe they cared, that they were genuine, only to pull out the rug from beneath me.

Keira added spices and a few tea bags to her pot, then setit on the stove. “The problem is, all the honorable men seem to be taken. Or not interested.” She spoke that last part wistfully, like she had someone specific in mind. I’d have to remind myself to ask her about it later. We could trade tales of romantic woe. Or better yet, I could just listen. My history with men was just depressing.

River shrugged. “Sorry there’s not enough of me to go around. Charlie is a very demanding woman.”

I almost flipped him off, but Keira beat me to it.

A few minutes later, she poured us each a cup of chai. It was warm and sweet and spicy. Perfect thing to wipe away the last bit of tension I was holding.

“So, who wants to give me the inside scoop on my new partner?” I asked. “I assume Bailey is one of the good ones.”

River leaned against the kitchen counter. “Lynx is solid. A skilled tracker, great shot, and a reliable operator through and through.”

“I second all of that,” Keira said. “Owen loves him too.”

“He’s a bounty hunter, right?”

River nodded. “Yep. Working in Mexico and Central America the last few years since leaving the Army Rangers. He tracks fugitive sex offenders and brings them back to the United States. Luckily, he was willing to drop everything to join this op. We didn’t have a chance to fully brief him, but he’s as eager to take down Stillwater as any of us. Should be here any?—”

There was the sound of a car door closing outside.

“I assume that’s him.” River headed toward the door.

Before I could follow, Keira put her hand on my arm. “If you’re worried about Cole being an honorable guy, you don’t need to. He’s been awesome every time I’ve spoken to him. Very professional.”

“Glad to hear it.”

I was grateful for the reassurance. SAC Stanford had beenstressing over nothing. The Protectors were good Marines, good special operators, or good soldiers, every one. They’d never bring in someone who didn’t meet those same standards.

When Keira and I made it to the entryway, the door was open, and River was giving a back-slapping hug to another man. They both separated and turned, and my eyes made contact with the newcomer.

Both of us froze in place. Stared at one another.

It was official. This mission was screwed.

“Oh, hell no.You’reCole Bailey?”

CHAPTER FOUR

Brynn

Cole’s lip curled. “You?”

River squinted at us both, glancing between us. “What’s going on, exactly?”

“He’s the guy. The one who helped me change my flat tire and then hit on me.”

Cole scowled. “I didn’t hit on you.”

---