Free Epic: Book 02 - Outlaw Trigger by Lee Stephen

because it was the week they got a break, but still managed to work. It wasn’t always fun and games, nor had it been that morning. He ran them through various water exercises, then they swam laps for almost forty minutes. But there was always a wind down. That’s what they loved. “They needed some fun,” he said. “That’s why God made me.”
    “ I would hope that He made you for more than that,” she laughed.
    Scott returned his gaze to the pool. God had made him for more than that. His relaxed flexibility was just an added bonus.
    He chuckled as Jayden and David thrashed around in the water, then his eyes settled briefly on Varvara. He averted them immediately. He could only look at a swimsuit-clad Varvara for so long before discipline turned him away. Becan had once described her as ‘drop-dead delicious’ to watch. Scott had another d word in mind: dangerous. Despite Varvara’s pleasing personality, she had a wild streak a dozen miles wide. She was a sin waiting to happen.
    “ Nicole will be here soon,” Galina said in a measured tone.
    “ Friday,” he said. “I still can’t believe it.” Jayden could keep Varvara. Scott had Nicole, and she was all he wanted. She was beautiful and pure. “You’re going to love her when you meet her.”
    “ I am sure that all of us will. We have heard so much about her already.”
    That was because he loved to brag about her. About the little things she did that made him smile, and about the days when a visit from her was all it took to complete him. He hadn’t had one of those days in a while. That was about to change.
    “ What will you do?” Galina asked. “While she is here? She will sleep in your room, yes?”
    He nodded. “I’ll stay in Room 14.” Galina always respected his convictions. That was another thing he liked about her. She accepted the fact that Scott would sleep in a separate bed. Unlike the others.
    “ When will you marry her?”
    “ I honestly don’t know.” It was the second time someone had asked him in as many days. It was something he needed to address while Nicole was visiting.
    “ There will be many broken hearts when you do, I am sure.”
    Scott laughed. “Not in Russia.”
    She hit him with a smug look. “Maybe I will have broken heart.”
    “ I’m sure you will,” he said as he swiveled to face her. Another reason he enjoyed Galina was because she was safe. She wasn’t a threat, nor did she try to be. They could pick, and it didn’t mean a thing. Not every woman was like that.
    She exaggerated a sigh and looked away. “If only I were younger. Then I could attract the good boys.” She stretched her arms in preparation for a swim.
    “ Your man is coming,” Scott said. “Just give him time.”
    She tossed him a wry little smile. “I will not wait up for him. He must catch me first.” She shoved back into the water. “Goodbye for now, my secret American love.”
    “ Don’t tell anyone.”
    She laughed and swam away.
    Scott watched her go for a moment, then his focus averted to the rest of the pool. He watched as his teammates splashed around and fought with one another. It was satisfying to see them having a good time.
    He scanned the water until his eyes caught Maksim. The rookie demolitionist was in the midst of a mellow conversation with Boris and Max—the two technicians. It seemed appropriate. But where was Esther? His eyes skimmed over the water’s surface, but she was nowhere to be found. Maybe she went to the restroom . He was sure she hadn’t just disappeared.
    He leaned his head against the poolside, stretched out his arms, and closed his eyes to relax.

    Esther gasped as she emerged from underwater. Her hair was plastered over her face, but a quick down-and-up dunk slicked it behind her head. She wiped the droplets from her eyes and grinned. “How was that?”
    Becan’s eyes widened as he clicked his stopwatch. “Tha’s bleedin’ amazin’! Tha’s almost six minutes!”
    She pursed her lips.