Page 33 of The Commander

If her family or someone she loved were threatened, she absolutely would. I don’t doubt that for a minute.

“We’re just friends.” I brush her off.

Marlene gives me that look which says bullshit and keeps eating.

CHAPTER TEN

QUINN

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Two hours later, all the trainees are here and gathered in the spacious gymnasium. Boots sound on the polished wood floor as we line up in two rows to face Josh.

Noah, along with Ryder and Cole, whom we have been introduced to and are getting to know, all stand to the side with their hands behind their backs.

“Welcome to the first Black Hawke training program for the armed forces,” Josh begins, his voice bouncing off the walls as he looks at each and every one of us.

I learned earlier today that Josh Black is a former Navy SEAL, and rumor has it that he was in SEAL Team Six, involved in some history-making extractions. Just a rumor, and I’m not going to ask.

Stupid Tyrell is behind me, breathing down my neck. I moved to the other side of Marlene, and he followed me. Which is harassment, but if I speak up, he’ll call me a little bitch.

Noah is watching him like a hawk.

“Got my eyes on you, Parker,” he whispers.

I ignore him and suppress a sigh, knowing it will be like this for two long weeks.

Tyrell was one of the reasons I transferred to Fort Irwin here in Cali. Having my sexist father as the Colonel on base didn’t help. I felt like I was stuck in a rut, always watched, never respected, and my attraction and growing feelings for Noah seemed to heighten my stress.

It was a big decision to leave. I didn’t know Noah was discharging, and while it did change things a little, I don’t regret it. Fort Irwin was the change I needed. I’ve been happy.

That doesn’t mean I haven’t thought about Noah every day. Or stalked him on social media and cursed his private account.

I could follow.

I could friend him.

But after the way we said goodbye, I knew I shouldn’t.

Things changed between us the day after Noah helped me with my car. I made the mistake of calling Dad and telling him my car wouldn’t start.

“What do I do? Should I get it towed or call AAA? I don’t have a membership.”

“I’ll get Dan Ardmore to look at it. He was a mechanic when he first enlisted,” Dad offered and picked me up an hour later.

I was still reeling from waking in my bed without panties on, knowing Noah had carried me in there. I felt flushed and eager to see him again. Somehow my father picked up on my perky vibe and kept glancing at me.

“How did you get home?” he asked in his stern Colonel tone he occasionally used on me.

My eyes flicked over to him as he drove, searching for an answer that wouldn’t raise suspicion.

“Quinn, I asked you a question. How did you get home?”

“God, Dad. I got a ride. It’s fine. I didn’t hitchhike.” I shook my head.

“By whom?”

I should have known he wouldn’t let it go.