Defender (Navy SEALS Romance Book 4) Read Online Free Page B

the same message, urging them to get to headquarters immediately for their next assignment. Jake turned around in the road and headed back the way he’d just come, avoiding the long route paste the wharf he’d planned to take in order to get there as quickly as he could.
    He pulled into the space in front of their building and slid his bike up the walkway, leaving the parking spaces for the others’ cars who would be arriving behind him. He thought grimly back to his argument with Madison’s friend, gritting his teeth and shaking it from his mind. He wasn’t an entitled jerk who parked wherever he felt like it; he was a considerate person who made sure others’ vehicles had enough room. She was the one with the problem, the one who—
    No, no reason to waste time revisiting that. He hurried inside to see what was going down.
    “Got your message, Knox, what have we got?” he asked, dropping his helmet inside his locker and depositing his leather jacket on a hook above it.
    “This one’s bad…” he answered, distracted by the data still coming across the four computer screens in front of him. “Small commuter plane went down about twenty minutes ago, headed towards Alaska.”
    “Twenty minutes? How’d they get the call to us that fast?”
    “They didn’t. The news came across the feed, so I called everyone back in. I know, I know, I just ruined a good date night, but with this many passengers, we’ll be getting a call any second now.”
    As if he’d had some sixth sense, the phone rang. Knox answered it, took down some information, and signed off by saying, “We’re already on it, sir. Our crew is making its way here now, we’ll have eyes over the water in four minutes.”
    Jake was already suiting up, and a noise outside told him that Michael had beaten him there and was running the necessary pre-flight checks. Headlights flashed across the front windows as the other two team members pulled up in Tanner’s Jeep. Angel jumped out of the passenger side and raced inside while Tanner locked up.
    Knox filled them in and issued orders while everyone got dressed. They stopped when the door opened again and Veronica walked in, striding right up to the computer station and positioning herself beside the desk. Everyone froze for a split second, then quickly finished their preparations while Knox questioned her.
    “Ma’am, I’m sorry, this is a private office. This business isn’t open to the public, I’ll have to ask you to wait outside,” he said as firmly but politely as he could while more alerts flashed on his screens, drawing away his attention.
    “I won’t be in the way, I assure you,” she answered in the same smug tone she’d used every time Jake had heard her open her mouth.
    “Be that as it may, this area is off-limits to the public. I’m going to ask you again to leave, so please drive carefully.”
    Instead of moving, she leaned against the door frame, watching the group get ready to depart.
    “Yo, Ruiz! Tell your girlfriend to take her lookie-loo friend outta here!” Jake called out, all of his previous irritation with this aggravating woman rushing back at him.
    “I don’t know why she’s here. Madison headed home to get her bag. She’s in my car, remember?” Angel looked at Veronica warily, just as confused as everyone else.
    “No one brought me here, and I can assure you I’ve never been accused of being a… what did you call me? A lookie-loo? What does that even mean?” Veronica asked before shaking her head. “Never mind. I’m a reporter, and I’m here to observe your team in action.”
    “What?” Knox demanded. “With what news outlet?”
    “I can’t tell you that yet, I’m afraid,” she answered, crossing her arms in front of her chest and resuming her casual position.
    “Reporter, my ass! This is a private company, working on a contract basis with the city of San Diego and the state and county governments. We don’t have any news contacts! Now take it outside,