Page 12 of The Commander

“This place is incredible.” I grin as we cruise through the facility in an open-top Humvee—or a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle if you want to get really technical.

You’d think I’d drunk ten Red Bulls with the way my body is humming. Between this world-class training compound Aidan and Josh have built and knowing I’m going to come face to face with Quinn again, I’m excited and anxious.

I was correct about that.

After reviewing the list of attendees, I found her name, and now nervous energy is pouring off me. It’s palpable.

“Never seen someone so excited to do their job.” Josh laughs. “Actually, that’s not true. Couple of classified SEAL missions probably had us as hyped as you look.”

I don’t bother asking. Josh rarely talks about his days as a SEAL, and when he does, he never gives details.

“You should write a book.”

“Fuck that. I’ll leave that to some of the others; I’m too busy creating all this.” He leans his arm on the steering wheel and slows to almost a stop beside one of the ranges.

Yeah, man.

I get it.

Fuck sitting at a desk all day with a keyboard when you have a military Disneyland. I still think they should call it that.

“Can’t believe you created all this without anyone knowing,” Liam says from the back seat behind me.

There are multiple tours of the facility taking place at the same time, including a group with Aidan further down the multi-acre property.

“There were a few of the crew involved, but mostly outside contractors. Everyone was under a strict NDA,” Josh says, turning his head to survey something.

I’m not surprised. We’re all used to keeping our mouths shut about top-level stuff.

“Where are we staying?” I ask.

“The barracks, of course.” Josh grins, pressing on the gas and looking happy to be back with his boots on the ground.

We cruise through the compound and pull up in a parking lot near some nondescript buildings which look as familiar as my own face. This might not be US government-owned, but they’ve mocked it up to look pretty damn similar.

They are near the administration building and a few facilities like restaurants and so on.

We jump out of the Humvee and grab our bags, then follow Josh into one of the buildings. The gray walls and dark gray doors all look the same.

“Pick a room and drop your things. I’ll meet you outside in ten, and we’ll grab a bite to eat in the chow hall.”

“So, not like Disneyland.” I wink at Liam, who laughs and tugs his bag up onto his shoulder and tries a door handle.

“Ten minutes!” Josh calls out, heading right down to the end of the hall.

I do the same. No one wants the room by the entrance except Liam, obviously. I choose a door and walk in, then smile. There’s a little more comfort inside than I was expecting. I’d put money on these beds and linens being high quality despite the no-frills look. First off, they’re queen-size, not fucking singles.

Thank God.

Dropping my bag on the bed, I unzip it, drag out my travel kit and head to the bathroom. A quick refresh, and my ten minutes are almost up.

I wonder if Quinn is on the way today?

Some of the XOs arrive tonight, some tomorrow, due to rosters, so I’ll have no way of knowing without asking too many questions.

I should have messaged her, given her advance warning that I work at Black Hawke and would be training her.

I should have.