Page 3 of Hot SEAL, Under Pressure

“Yes, you are. You’re thebestfriend I’ve ever had.” Something clicked in Shelly’s brain as she said the words.

Alicia was her best friend who also happened to be dating a Navy SEAL, because you couldn’t throw a rock in Coronado without hitting a SEAL. And you definitely couldn’t grab a drink at McP’s Pub, their favorite bar, without seeing one.

It so happened that it was three very stubborn and camera-adverse Navy SEALs that Shelly had to convince to do yet another reality show when they didn’t even like doing the ones they’d already been on. But maybe—just maybe—Alicia’s boyfriend Brian could convince them. SEAL-to-SEAL.

And the best way to get Brian to do something, was to get Alicia to convince him to do it.

The cloud lifted from Shelly’s mood as her plan formed. She might have even smiled as she pushed back her chair and stood.

Next stop, McP’s Pub in Coronado.

ChapterTwo

“Another day, another successful hostage release.” Wyatt slammed the door of his equipment cage with a sigh, not sounding as enthusiastic as the statement warranted.

With his brows raised at the unexpected attitude, Stefan Kowalski glanced at his teammate.

“Sorry the fact no one was shooting at us on this op is boring for you,” Ty snorted.

Danny glanced up from where he was untying his boot laces. “Hell, I’ll happily take escorting two already released hostages home over going in guns blazing and taking them out by force.”

“Easy day,” Eric agreed with a nod. “And not without importance. Venezuela releasing those hostages is huge. Given the shit happening with Russia, we need good relations with Venezuela right now.”

Mason snorted. “Yeah. Because they have oil and oil makes the world go round.”

“All right, you guys. We’re not solving the world’s problems here and now so who’s up for a drink?” Ty looked around.

Stefan shook his head. “I’m out. I’ve got to call home.”

“Aw. Come on, Kowalski. How long will that take?” Wyatt asked.

Stefan huffed out a short laugh. “With my family? A long time.”

Ty glanced up to pin Stefan with his gaze. “Hey, tell your mom thanks for the last care package. And then hint we need more.”

“Your mom’s homemade pierogi? Hell, yes.Lotsmore,” Mason agreed.

It was becoming obvious to Stefan that sharing the contents of his care packages from his mother back home in Brooklyn with his team had been a mistake. He was paying for it now with their obsessive comments and demands, not to mention their constant stealing of his food.

Her pierogi had become his claim to fame. Nothing he’d do as a SEAL, no feat of heroism, would ever live up to the reputation of his mother’s cooking.

Stefan shook his head. Time to nip this habit in the bud. “I’m not asking her for more—”

Ty pointed a finger at him. “You got us all addicted to those damn potato things your mom makes. You can’t leave us hanging.”

“Okay. So it’s settled. Kowalski makes his call, secures more pierogi for us, then he meets us at the bar. Sound like a plan?” Wyatt looked around.

Stefan sighed. “Maybe.”

“Maybe? You got something better to do?” Eric asked.

He hadn’t. Though it sucked to have to admit that. “All right. Fine. I’ll meet you at McP’s.”

“There we go. That’s what I like to see. Peer pressure at its best.” Danny laughed.

The members of his team, after a few more verbal pokes and jabs, finally left.

Alone, Stefan pulled out his cell and dialed his parents’ landline. The same number they’d had while he’d grown up in the house. The number they’d no doubt keep until the day they died.

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