Page 116 of Nails
It was only a few blocks from their place.She just needed some time to clear her mind.
She spent about ten or fifteen minutes at the park, which was quiet and peaceful, a huge contrast to the chaos that had surrounded her earlier at the club.
She walked down the street and then punched in the code to get through the gate of their building.
As soon as she entered the house, Nails spotted her.His eyes softened, but there was a slight flicker of concern.He moved toward her immediately and pulled her into a tight hug.Riley allowed herself to melt into it.She breathed in his familiar scent, the scent that made everything feel a little less heavy.
Nails paced back and forth in the living room.He glanced at the clock again, the seconds ticking by in a torturous crawl.Riley had messaged him almost forty-five minutes ago, saying that she was leaving the club.It only took at most ten minutes to drive between the club and their building.
He tried not to worry, but something deep in his gut told him something was off.Her message had been very brief, and not the normal, fun, and sarcastic Riley he had gotten to know.
He rubbed a hand over his face as he rechecked his phone, hoping for a message from her.But there was nothing.
“Pacing isn’t gonna make her get here faster, man,” Joker teased, leaning against the counter with a smirk.“She’ll get here when she gets here.”
Nails shot him a look but didn’t respond.The rest of the guys were moving around the space, getting things in order so they would be ready to leave as soon as they got the call.
He heard the door open, and he looked up just as she stepped inside.He started moving toward her.As soon as he got to her, he pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight.She melted against him, and he rested his chin on top of her head, not saying a word, just letting her breathe.
“You’re home,” he murmured against her hair.“You did good.”
She nodded against his chest, and he could feel the tension radiating off her in waves.He knew the weight she was carrying and how hard she fought to keep her composure in that hellhole.
He rubbed her back as he pulled back slightly to look at her face.
He could see how tired she looked.
“You okay?”he asked, softly.
She gave him a small smile.“Yeah.It’s just been a long and exhausting night—mentally, physically, and emotionally.I feel like I’ve been holding my breath for hours.”
Nails didn’t say anything.He just pulled her in for another hug.
The moment the team saw her, they didn’t hesitate.
Aussie walked over first, giving her a smirk and a fist bump.“Damn, you made that look easy.If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were built for undercover work.”
Snow followed, handing her a bottle of water.“You kept your cool in a room full of predators.That takes serious guts, Riley.Proud to be on your team.”
Duke clapped her gently on the back.“Most people would’ve cracked.You didn’t.You stayed in character and got us intel we never would’ve reached without you.”
Even Jay Bird, who usually kept his praise minimal, offered a rare, sincere nod.“You held it together.And you kept your head when it counted.You’ve got more than just instincts, you’ve got heart.”
Nails glanced around at the guys and felt a swell of gratitude.They knew what tonight had taken out of her.They weren’t just praising her to boost morale.They meant every word.And judging by the way Riley’s shoulders eased, the dark cloud around her started to lift.
“How about some food?”he asked Riley, knowing she had to be hungry.
“I could eat,” she said, and Nails walked with her to the kitchen, where there was still pizza left from when they ordered it earlier.
Nails told her to have a seat, fixed her a plate, and then sat with her while she ate.
A little while later, Riley was telling them more about the things she saw and heard at the club.
Just as he went to ask a question, Bear’s phone rang.Everyone stilled.He stepped away to answer it, his expression sharpening the moment he heard the voice on the other end.
A minute or two passed before Bear hung up.
His tone was serious, eyes sweeping over the group.“Derek says it’s a go.They have the location where Anna is.”He looked at Riley, “Your team is inbound as we speak.Russell will be calling you soon.”He then looked at the team.“Get your gear ready.We leave in thirty minutes.”
