Chapter 2
two
Riker
The photo shoot last week was bad enough, but this group text is going to be worse. I pull my phone out of my pocket as I wait for the signal to walk into the bookstore in my undercover role as a cover model for a romance book.
I’ve been working for the Salt & Steel Security Group in Tidehaven, South Carolina, since I retired from the Navy SEALs a few years ago. Most of my jobs are the usual bodyguard assignments. Nothing out of the ordinary until this assignment.
Normally, as a bodyguard, I blend into the shadows, staying out of sight unless absolutely necessary. But not this assignment. This one, I’m front and center. Hell, my picture will be plastered all over God’s green earth. I need to tell my SEAL brothers about it before they find out on their own.
The phone feels heavy in my hand as I weigh my options.
I could wait until they see me on the cover of that romance novel or plastered all over the internet, as my boss Cal told me what might happen if I accepted this assignment.
Or I could do the honorable thing and text them in our secure group chat.
Trace, Jack, Rafe, Hollander, Jude, Maddox, and I were grouped together during military training.
Our ability to work smoothly as a team led to our being assigned to the same SEAL team—SEAL Team Titan X.
Rafe was our leader, and the rest of us specialized in our respective areas, forming a group of misfits with no one in our lives who cared whether we lived or died.
But everything has changed since Rafe, Trace, and Jack all found the women of their dreams.
Back in our SEAL days, we were assigned the most dangerous missions, which earned us the unofficial nickname “Suicide Squad.” It’s a miracle we all made it through our time in the military. The scars are still present, both physically and emotionally, as each of us copes with them in our own way.
After years of working as a team, when it was time to retire, we decided to go our separate ways, each taking a job in security. But if any of us is in need, the other six will be there—no questions asked. That also applies to any teasing or pranks.
That’s why I need to contact my SEAL brothers and let them know that anything they see about me online is part of the job.
Sure, all of our jobs are top secret, but there are no secrets between my SEAL brothers and me.
Case and point, the fact that we are all virgins in our mid-thirties—well, some of us still are.
Rafe, Trace, and Jack have all found love and no longer fall into that category. While Jude, Hollander, Maddox, and I wait for our turn at love. Our group chat name is still the Virgin Squad—which we should probably update soon.
Me: Hey guys, I wanted to check in before I start my new assignment.
I hit send, then glance at the crowded bookstore.
I don’t like waiting out here when I should be inside guarding my client.
I haven’t seen her in person yet, but after seeing her picture online, she’s all I can think about—which isn’t good in my profession.
There was just something about her warm, chocolate-brown hair and matching eyes that called to me.
That and her curvy body—so many curves, a man could get lost in them.
But I’m not that man. I remind myself.
Hollander: It’s not for another horny grandmother, is it?
I can almost picture Hollander's face scrunched up in disgust when I told him about Mrs. Heatherington's proposition at Rafe and Tara’s wedding reception. Unfortunately, she wasn’t the first to proposition me, and I doubt she’ll be the last.
Me: Nope. I gave her your phone number.
Hollander: dick.
Rafe: Okay, you two, settle down. What’s the assignment, Riker?
Always the leader, Rafe gets us back on track.
Me: I’m going undercover as a cover model for a romance novel.
Maddox: Come again?
Trace: A what?
Jack: I have to tell Elsa, she loves those smut books. Are you shirtless on the cover?
Leave it to Jack to know all about romance novel covers.
Jude: Holy shit, Riker, are you naked on the cover?
I glance down at my outfit, an exact replica of the book cover, and cringe.
Me: I’m not naked. I’m wearing a black leather jacket and leather pants.
Hopefully, that answer will appease them.
Jack: But you’re shirtless, right?
Damn, Elsa and her romance books.
Me: Yes, I’m shirtless. But I wanted to let you know it’s for an assignment. I haven’t changed my career or anything.
Jude: Um, okay, because the first thing we'd think of when we saw you half-naked on the internet is, “Oh, look, there’s straightlaced, by-the-book, never-breaks-any-rules Riker working as a cover model for smut books.”
Jude is the youngest of the seven of us, only by a few months, but he definitely acts like the annoying little brother.
Me: I’m ending this conversation now.
Rafe: Wait, be careful, Riker. And if you need us, let us know.
Hollander: We’re here for you, buddy.
Trace: Call me if you need anything.
Jack: We got your six, Riker.
Maddox: Anytime, day or night.
Jude: We got you.
And just like that, all the joking and teasing is laid to rest.
Me: Thanks, guys. That means a lot to me. Over and out.
I end the chat, putting my phone back in the front pocket of my impossibly tight leather pants.
How did I ever let myself get talked into this?
Ashton’s face pops into my mind, reminding me exactly why I took this job—she needs a bodyguard, and I’m the best man for it.
The door to the bookstore opening catches my eye as I see Carrie, the woman who hired me, step out and wave at me before going back inside.
I met with Carrie when Cal first gave me the assignment.
She filled me in on the suspicious letter Ashton received a few weeks ago, which set this whole plan in motion—me posing as the cover model to stay close to Ashton during her book events without arousing suspicion among her fans or her stalker.
I slide out of my truck and cross the street, getting a few curious stares from the people passing by. I read Ashton’s book, and I know I look the part. But can I really pull it off when I’m in front of a group of book lovers?
With a sigh, I open the door to the bookstore and walk inside. The room erupts into cheers of excitement when I walk in. I assess the situation by scanning the crowd for anyone who seems out of place, based on my research into romance book fans. Nothing seems out of the ordinary.
Like a magnet, my eyes are drawn to Ashton, standing behind a table piled high with books.
My body moves instinctively as I go to stand beside her.
She looks tense, like she’s holding her breath.
A line from her book flashes through my mind, and I find myself repeating it.
“Breathe, little one.” Her eyes flutter as her body jerks forward into my arms. I don’t miss how perfect her soft curves feel in my arms until I realize she’s fainted.
I lower her body to the carpet, hovering over her as I call her name, hoping she’s come too soon.
Within seconds, her eyes flutter open, “Renegade.” She reaches her hand toward my face with a smile, and the crowd goes wild, cheering us on to kiss, when I realize they think this is all part of the act.
Not one to disappoint anyone, I lower my lips to hers, giving her a light kiss on her soft lips, and in that instant, I know I’m already head over heels for this woman.