“I think Myles may have finally met his match.” Declan snickered. “When has Myles ever not wanted to go out with a beautiful woman?”
“Okay, okay.” Myles raised both hands in defeat. He would ask the woman out. Once Roxxy said no, then he would have held up his part of the wager.
But first, he wasn’t planning on losing.
He needed his truck cleaned and detailed.
“You motherfuckers got yourselves a deal.”
Chapter 5
Roxxy was fitted with the same gear as the recruits. A ballistic vest, protective eyewear, and a standard-issue Glock. Marching toward the group, she caught sight of Myles speaking with his fellow teammates, Ashton and Brodie. She tried to keep the scowl from forming, but it was a losing battle.
Did she know how to handle a weapon?
She arrived at the range where the men stood waiting for their instructions. The sky was clear, and the air still crisp. It was beautiful outside, and they couldn’t have picked a better day.
The recruits were lined up in front of their own aisle, where they would step up to the marker. Roxxy marched over to the empty row. Lucky number seven.
“Okay, here we are going to test your endurance with the shooting. We are going to put a little pressure on you. In real life, the bad guys will shoot you and not think twice about it.” Myles walked in front of them, pausing a few feet from her. His eyes darkened, and a smirk appeared on his lips. “We are not going to take it easy on you. We will try to distract you, yell at you, be all over you.”
Roxxy swallowed hard with the fantasy that appeared before her.
All over her?
Fuck.
What she wouldn’t give to have Myles Burton all over her.
She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. Myles turned around and walked back the way he’d come while he continued speaking.
“On my command, you will pull your weapon and fire at the target. We are looking for precision. Someone who can remain in control and hit the targets, because you know what?” He paused and glanced at each one of them. “The bad guys certainly won’t miss.”
“We are going to give a demonstration as always.” Mac stepped forward.
Roxxy took notice that other members of the team had come along. He, Declan, and Myles each moved up to the line in front of three of the targets.
Roxxy witnessed how the recruits were paying attention. They were focused, and a few of them, she could tell they really wanted to join the elite group. Conversations in the barn hinted at that. They all had much respect for the team that they were vying for a spot on.
“Pay attention, ladies and gentlemen,” Declan announced.
The tension in the air thickened. Roxxy was left in the dark, not knowing if they were indeed about to demonstrate because they wanted to, or if they had a little competition going on. She would think that one demonstration would be enough. Shrugging, she decided to ask later, but for now, she’d watch the show.
Two of the team surrounded Mac, who went first. His jaw hardened, and his eyes narrowed on the target. His fierce gaze had her glad she would never be on the receiving end of such a stare. The men goaded him, yelled at him while he pulled his gun from its holster and fired a full round at the target.
This time Declan went. Same deal. Two men stood on each side of him, antagonizing him, yelling, trying to break his laser focus. He, too, emptied an entire round without so much as a flinch.
“All right, Burton. Your turn,” Ashton called out.
He and the one named Iker surrounded Myles, who rolled his shoulders before bracing himself.
Roxxy was unsure why, but her breath caught in her throat. He whipped out his weapon and fired. He, like Mac and Declan, had a fierce focus. No matter how loud and obnoxious Iker and Ashton were, his gaze didn’t waver from the target.
The recruits clapped at the end of the demonstration. Roxxy joined them, impressed with the show of marksmanship.
“Anyone can shoot a gun,” Myles began. He turned while securing his weapon back at his side. His gaze roamed the recruits and landed on Roxxy. “As was stated before, we are looking for precision while under pressure.”
“Not bad, men,” Brodie announced, walking over to the targets.
“Who shot better?” a deep voice called out.
Chuckles went around. Roxxy tried to hold back the roll of her eyes. Of course, the men would be competing.
She should have known.
It didn’t matter that these were strong men who faced danger daily.
Put a gun in their hands, and a target a few feet away, and those men morphed into hormonally driven teens.
“Looks like the winner is…” Brodie walked back and forth between the three targets. “Myles.”
Myles grinned as he rotated. He brandished his biceps and flexed them, showing off.
Jesus, the man was cocky and built.
Even through his dark clothing, the well-defined muscles stood out. Each of the SWAT men were chiseled and built, but it was Myles who certainly captured her attention.
Her heart skipped a beat.
