Epic: Book 02 - Outlaw Trigger by Lee Stephen

show Jay wha’ yeh can do with your breath!”
    Esther turned her head to Becan.
    Scott couldn’t help but laugh. Scout training had prepared her for just about everything—everything but the Irishman. No amount of training could prepare her for that. “I think you’re being summoned.”
    She flashed Scott a smile. “So it seems.” As she slipped from the pool’s edge, she glanced back to him and gave him a wink. “Wish me luck, sir.”
    “ Good luck.”
    Esther grinned, then dove under the water and torpedoed Becan’s way.
    Scott watched her as she emerged in the center of the pool, next to the small crowd of Jayden, Varvara, David, and Travis. She would fit in fine, especially with her personality. She was already making waves with some of the men—or at least one of them. As for Scott, it was the scout aspect of Esther that he was genuinely itching to discover. He couldn’t wait to see what she could do.

    The Fourteenth stayed in the pool until 1100, when the prune-skinned operatives abandoned the water for the warmth of their towels. As they returned to Room 14, the excitement of the rookies’ arrival filled the air. Esther and Maksim talked to everyone. And more importantly, everyone talked to them.
    Wednesday was equally casual. The morning began with passing drills, where the two rookies held an American football for the first time in their lives.
    When Thursday rolled around, the only thought on Scott’s mind was Nicole’s impending arrival the next day. Workouts were light, as he allowed Galina to lead them. When night came, Scott could barely sleep.
    Then it was Friday. Her day. The day that the love of his life would be in his arms once again. Scott informed the Fourteenth that morning workouts were cancelled, a message met with celebration by all. Breakfast was as conversational as ever, as the anticipation of her arrival gave way to the realization that she was actually coming. The knot in Scott’s stomach was tight with pleasure. He memorized every second on the clock.
    One second faster.
    Tick .
    One second closer.
    Tick .

    To her.

7

    Friday, August 5 th , 0011 NE

    1400 hours

    Scott shielded his eyes as he squinted into the sky. It was a beautiful day. It was a gorgeous day. It was the day he’d been waiting for since Richmond . He could barely hold himself still.
    The entire week had felt like a blur. The excitement of the new alpha privates was but a vapor as the reality of Nicole’s arrival overtook every priority that EDEN’s most notorious base could throw at him. And now he was there, standing in the massive opening of Novosibirsk ‘s hangar, staring over the airstrip, waiting for that glint in the sky.
    David smiled from beside him. “You’re shaking like a leaf.”
    Scott squinted further and attempted to still himself. He was glad that David had come with him. No one else was there; that would have been too much. But David was good. Scott almost couldn’t believe that the older operative and Nicole had never met. “I can’t explain how I feel, man. I can’t explain it at all.”
    “ You don’t have to. I know what you mean.”
    Scott smiled and looked at him. If anyone could understand what Scott was going through, it was David. He hadn’t seen Sharon in just as long, and they were married. He hadn’t seen his kids for that long, either.
    Returning his gaze to the horizon, Scott ran his hand through his hair. Where was she? Her transport was due at 1400. It was 1401.
    It was an odd feeling, standing there in the hangar staring off into the distance. It was the second time he’d experienced it at Novosibirsk . Except the first time, it was for the opposite reason. It was months ago—the day Svetlana had left. He remembered standing there, side by side with Galina, watching Svetlana’s transport disappear into the distance. Never to come back again.
    “ You’ve missed her, huh?” David asked.
    Scott laughed a bit under his breath. “You know, I actually have.”