Page 68 of Hot SEAL, Under Pressure

“Ukraine?” Stefan asked.

Eric paused just a beat, but it was long enough to tell Stefan the other man was debating how much he could and couldn’t say.

They couldn’t even fucking tell him where they were going if he wasn’t going with them.

Finally, Eric said, “No. But not far off.”

Fuck.Stefan stood and paced to the window.

“It’s okay. We’re good to go without you.”

Eric might have meant that to make Stefan feel better but it only made him feel worse.

He spun to face the man. “You shouldn’t have to.”

“None of the guys blame you.”

The team didn’t have to blame him. Stefan had that well covered. He was already blaming himself.

Danny leaned in the open doorway. “You’re back.”

Stefan held up one hand to avoid a repeat of the conversation with Eric. “Just to change clothes. I’m on my way out.”

Danny grimaced at that info before he focused his eyes on Eric. “Team meeting in ten.”

Eric nodded. “On my way.” Then he glanced at Stefan. “Represent, brother. You dominate that competition. We’ll see how you did when we get back.”

Ifthey got back.

Stefan pushed that uncharacteristically cynical and dark thought from his brain.

Not being with his team was messing him up. But he had another teammate waiting on him. The one who had spent a good portion of last night crying out his name as he made her come.

What a difference an hour made. He’d gone from feeling the highest of highs to the lowest of lows.

When the guys were gone, he showered quick, changed his clothes and tried to rally his spirit to finish this thing.

If he was going to do this show, he would do it right. If this damn show was going to keep him off an op, he was going to at least make sure his team dominated the field. Just like Eric told him to do.

He tried to keep his spirit up but by the time he walked onto the shooting range, it was waning fast.

Shelly was already there, suited up in protective gear and practicing.

He stopped a distance behind her and squinted downrange. She was a good shot. He could see that by the paper target she’d already punctured with six rounds.

When she noticed he’d arrived, she put down the weapon, took off her ear protection and turned to peer at him through the safety goggles.

“You can shoot?” he asked, not hiding his surprise.

“I used to go to the range with my dad before I moved away from home. He’s a cop.”

He hadn’t known that about her. He frowned. “You’re not from here?”

“God, no. I’m from Ohio. I came here for college and then got a job after graduation.” She laughed. “Is anyone reallyfromCalifornia? Most everyone I talk to moved here for something or another. Judging by that accent, you’re not from here either. New York?” she guessed.

“Brooklyn,” he confirmed.

There was a lot he didn’t know about her. A lot he wanted to learn. But right now, his heart and his mind weren’t in it. They were with his team, possibly rallying to board a transport he should be on at this very moment.

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