Hemingway - Zoe Dawson Page 0,18
your final BO briefing. You’ve worked hard through the past three weeks. You’re ready for First Phase. From now on it’s going to get even harder than you could imagine. But you’re vying for a slot on one of our elite teams, and you need to be as tough as the guys already serving.”
“Hoo-yah!”
She noticed after Instructor T’s statement how they all looked around to see who might quit and how it may affect their teams or friendships. They all looked tired as hell.
“It’s official. You’ll be starting First Phase with one hundred and forty-nine men.” The class cheered and the instructor smiled as they made some noise. “Work hard not only to make me proud of you, but to make yourselves into the hardcore SEALs you want to be. When Hell Week is over and we see who’s left standing, there’s pool comp in Second Phase and tactical and weapons in Third. I will be there at graduation to congratulate you and wish you well on your journey. Remember that your training for the teams is ongoing, and we never rest on our laurels.”
There was another outburst from the class, and to Shea, it seemed affectionate. She had to agree with them, a tough instructor who worked a trainee hard was more respected.
In the back of the room a man entered, dark hair pulled back off his face, stunning blue eyes and a face to match. He was fit and muscled. Just standing there, he commanded the room. Talk about alpha.
None of the candidates saw him because they were too focused on her.
“Drop,” came his quiet baritone.
There was a flurry of activity and the entire class echoed his order. He moved through the prone bodies of the men who were leaning on their hands in a Pilates plank position. She knew it well. She’d sweated through many.
When he reached the front of the room, Instructor T was already on his way out. “I’m Petty Officer First Class Maximillian Keegan, but you can address me as Instructor Mad Max. I’ve been serving in the SEALs on active duty for six years. Doesn’t make me the new guy, but it sure as hell doesn’t make me a seasoned guy. In fact, I just consider myself a ‘team guy,’ always learning. I have six deployments under my belt and have done one stint as a BUD/S instructor, but this is my first time as a proctor. I’m also the dog handler on my squad.” He crossed his ankles with the white socks folded over polished black military boots. He was wearing a blue T-shirt and khaki shorts just like Instructor T.
“I will be your proctor through this BUD/S cycle and be there at the end to shake the hands of whoever makes it through. It will be considerably less than the numbers here today. Two thirds of you will be gone by the time your classmates don their military dress to accept the honor of graduating. Of not quitting.”
He sat down in the chair, giving her a glance. Rebecca had called only an hour ago to let her know that Max was aware of her undercover status. She and her superiors thought it was a good idea when the CO of Team Seven suggested he be part of the operation, giving Shea some much needed backup in a pinch.
He looked a bit pale beneath his tan, making her wonder if he’d been injured recently. He moved slow and deliberate as if trying not to jostle his right side.
“Recover,” he said.
The candidates moved into their chairs with barely a rumbling noise. She couldn’t seem to keep her eyes off Sinclair, his shirt and cammie pants were wet, his hair damp. The strands glinted off the lights in the room, a burnished gold, and she couldn’t help remembering how she’d had her hands buried in it and demanded more from him.
“This is what is called throwing you all into the deep end of the pool, but with each evolution, you’ll either sink or swim. There’s a lot expected of you, many off-hours stuff that has to be completed, areas to keep neat and tidy. Swabbing the deck and all that jazz has to get done.”
There were a few chuckles, and Shea found that Max Keegan had a wicked smile. But her attention slipped from him to Sinclair. She wondered absently what his first name was and if she’d get a chance to find out. Maybe she should just leave it alone.
Commitment, relationship. Those were