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Chapter 3
There was a crisp chill in the air while the sun hid. For Georgia, it was quite cold. Myles had covered his bald head with a black skull cap to help ward off the cold. Today was the official start of the tryouts to join their elite team. More beautiful weather would have been nice, but at least the meteorologist on the news promised it would warm up later.
Eight applicants had shown up. Not a shabby number. Their city of Columbia wasn’t a vast metropolitan like Atlanta or Miami, so eight was a substantial amount.
Today, Myles and the entire squad was dressed in their full gear. The applicants were outfitted in workout clothing and lined up with Mac striding toward them.
“Good morning,” Mac called out.
The seven men and one woman returned the greeting. Myles followed behind him. His gaze took in the group before him. A few of the men looked familiar, but one, in particular, stood out.
Reeves.
The young cop had tried out for SWAT before. He was an annoying little shit. He tried to fit in with the guys around the precinct, but there was something off about him. Myles didn’t trust him as far as he could throw him.
Declan had shared with the group the way Reeves and his partner, Cruz, had interrogated Aspen after they had come under attack one day leaving the zoo. Reeves had threatened to handcuff Aspen instantly, earning a top spot on Declan’s shit list.
“This morning, you are attempting to move forward with the process of joining our team. We will not go easy on you. When in an intense standoff, the bad guys don’t give a shit about you.” Mac paced back and forth, glaring at each of the men. “These men are the best, and you are vying for a spot on our team.” He pointed over to the members of SWAT.
Iker, Zain, Brodie, Ashton, and Declan stood off to the side in their identical uniforms, looking every bit of the badass team they were.
“We are searching for a new member who we can trust. Someone we know who can handle the pressure when the shit hits the fan. Someone who is not afraid to charge into a hot situation.” Mac paused his pacing and turned to the group. “Now this morning, Officer Myles Burton will be in charge. You are to do what he says, but know that every member of our team will be judging you.”
Myles stepped in front of the line. He nodded to each of them. “Morning. We’re going to start off with some physical drills to warm up. It’s cold out here, and we want to get your heart pumping.”
Myles’s attention was drawn to the sight of a figure coming toward the group.
He swallowed hard.
It was her.
The woman from yesterday.
Myles caught Mac’s eye and nodded in her direction.
Mac tipped his head and walked over to the woman.
“We’re going to start off with a mile run to help get your blood flowing,” Myles continued. He dragged his gaze from the woman. “Any questions?”
No one raised their hands.
“Good. Let’s head over to the track.” Myles pointed in the direction they needed to go.
The candidates began to head over to the field.
Myles, no longer able to contain his curiosity, went in the direction of Mac and the mystery woman who was speaking as if they’d already met each other. They turned to him once he arrived at their side.
“Speaking of him. Here he is. Myles Burton, this is Roxxy Sutton with Logistics Intelligence Services, the company who will be observing us. Roxxy, this is Myles Burton, the officer in charge of the tryouts.” Mac introduced them.
“Nice to meet you, Officer Burton,” Roxxy said with a southern drawl.
Myles swallowed hard, knowing he was a sucker for a country girl. He’d been raised in the north having settled in South Carolina once he’d left the Army.
“Likewise.” Myles took her smaller hand in his in a firm shake. His gaze took in her smooth, light-caramel skin. Her dark hair was pulled up in a high ponytail. She didn’t have on her fancy corporate suit, but today, she was dressed in cargo pants, a long-sleeved t-shirt, and dark boots. He took notice of the weapon strapped to her side and felt a stirring below the belt.
Myles was even more attracted to her.
A woman who knew her way around a gun was at the top of his wish list for his future woman.
