“Hi, Lizzy,” Rivers said.
She flashed a nasty look back.
Rivers then turned to Clements as he sat, sizing up the Delta member. “Yup, I’m a SEAL, all right. And like the lady said, hand-selected.”
“And yer operational?” Clements questioned him.
“You could say that,” Rivers replied.
“Well, I don’t mean to deflate your lifeboat, but there ain’t no water in these parts. Shit, hard enough to find a stream. Got that, frogman?”
“I’m DEVGU, actually,” Rivers said. “Though my time is occupied with Special Activities Division, like the woman said. I’ve been everywhere, including the water.”
Clements grinned, his lower lip packed with a fresh dip. “You sure you want some of this action, Vanilla SEAL?”
The term was demeaning if indeed Rivers was DEVGRU. He was no ordinary SEAL. Nothing of the sort. DEVGRU — United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group — was the reformation of the infamous SEAL Team 6, a special operations group that did their work under the radar, quite good at their jobs.
“I’m no rookie, if that’s what you’re asking,” Rivers shot back. “I have a few tricks up my sleeve, and know how to shoot straight.”
“Ya carry an AK-47, eh?” Clements questioned.
“Sure do. Hits nice and hard.”
“Taliban carry ’em, too.”
“That’s sort of the point,” Rivers remarked, tilting his head, smirk on his face.
“Well, you do know there ain’t no Taliban on base, right?” Clements pressed. “No need to carry it everywhere you go,” he mocked.
“I never leave home without it. Now, country boy… ’cause that’s what you sound like, a big redneck country boy. Am I right?” Rivers asked.
“Born and raised in northern Arkansas,” Clements acknowledged proudly.
“Makes sense,” River replied.
“Well, with that tan and blue eyes, I’d mistake you for a beach bum, myself. You a west coast or east coast SEAL? Wait, let me guess… California, right?”
“Been stationed there before, yes,” Rivers replied.
“Dam Necks,” Clements said with a scoff, slowly shaking his head. “Now I’ve heard it all. You look like a pretty boy to me, but then again, I’m just a country boy.”
“I actually called you a redneck country boy,” Rivers retorted.
“Whatever you say, Hollywood,” Clements scowled.
“Listen up, country boy… or shall I call you, Country Fuck? Yeah, that’s more like it — Country Fuck. Maybe you should just worry about yourself on this one, got that? I’ve been places you haven’t even heard of,” Rivers said. He was getting hot, tensing.
“Enough!” Elizabeth demanded, halting the tension. “If you boys can hold back on your testosterone for a few minutes, I’m not done. Maybe you can compare your penis size after this briefing?” she suggested.
Both men settled a bit, still staring at one another, though saying nothing.
“And Lieutenant Rivers…” Elizabeth spoke, gathering his attention “… you’re safe on base. No need to keep your rifle on you at all times. You’ve already gotten me into drama with not only a Major, but General Kline himself.”
Rivers had no intention of putting it away. “We’re in Afghanistan. Anything’s possible,” he said with a grin, shrugging it off.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes, turning back to everyone else, ignoring the matter for now. She finally went on, saying, “I’d next like to introduce the last member of your team. Her name is Svetlana, and she’s a civilian scientist sent to help us.”
Elizabeth was beautiful in her own way, but Svetlana stole the show. She was striking, gorgeous. She stood five foot four, a petite frame, with deep amber hair. Her face was gentle with a spattering of freckles, smooth skin, a sexy, nervous smile. She walked into the room, head down, self-conscious, glancing up only for a moment to acknowledge the men.
They stared, mouths open.
“A civilian, eh?” Dale asked. “This just gets better and better.”
“Oh, it does,” Elizabeth said smartly. “Svetlana is a Russian civilian, actually. She was sent here by her government… to help.”
“Oh, so you’re letting a Russian spy into a secret operation now, eh?” Dale shook his head, baffled.
“Svetlana is loyal to us. To this mission,” Elizabeth reassured.
“But not a traitor?” Dale asked, curious. This made him uneasy.
“No. She was sent to help us with certain intelligence.”
“And she’s going in with us?” Dale asked.
“Yes,” Elizabeth replied.
Before Dale could speak, Rivers laughed out loud. Everyone turned to look at him, and Svetlana, seated next to Rivers, jumped a bit in her seat.
“There’s an old saying… never trust a Russian,” Rivers said. He looked at Svetlana, up and down, inspecting her beauty. He reached out his hand, shaking the beautiful Russian woman’s hand, then kissing it like a gentlemen.
For some reason, Elizabeth did not like this one bit.
Rivers added, “Don’t hold it against me, but there’s a rule in certain circles. Never trust a Russian, even if she’s smoking hot,” he grinned. “I’m Jeff,” he said with a smile, still holding her hand.
“Svetlana,” she returned meekly.
Rivers then spoke a few words, softly. They were in her language, and she instantly smiled.
“You know Russian?” she asked.
“I do. My mother was Russian,” Rivers replied. “And that was a joke… about not trusting Russians. I know many. Good people.”
Svetlana blushed at the attention, and for a few moments the two chattered, as if in their own world.
That is, until Elizabeth coughed, interrupting them. “Can we continue?” she asked.
Rivers smiled, lowering his head.
Dale spoke up, saying to Svetlana, “No offense darling, but why are you here? I’m guessing you’re smart and all, but you do know where we’re headed, right?”
“I do,” Svetlana said softly.
“I don’t think you do,” Dale protested. “We’ll be entering a war zone. Got that? Bullets flying, people getting killed — hopefully them and not us. You sure you’re up for it?”
Svetlana merely nodded.
Elizabeth took over, still glaring at Rivers, irritated she was being interrupted. Irritated at his presence. “Svetlana has two masters degrees, specializes in advanced DNA research. She studies molecular structure and genomes, speaks four languages, has firsthand knowledge of certain things useful to this mission. She also stays in shape, and yes, she’ll be joining your little party. Are there any problems with this?” Elizabeth asked.
“Actually, no,” Rivers said with a smile, staring at the younger woman. “I’m great with it. But Country Fuck over there, he might not like having a woman in the field. She might outdo him, ya know?”
“Shut up,” Clements responded.
“I think Svetlana here will make a great camping partner,” Rivers added, ignoring Clements.
Again, Elizabeth glared, and everyone noticed.
Dale spoke up again, frustrated. “Don’t know what this is about, but seems you two have some personal matters,” he said to Elizabeth and Rivers. “Thing is, we have some serious matters to sort out, first being, bringing her,” he said, pointing to Svetlana. “You ask if anyone has a problem with that… well I do. I can handle the Lieutenant coming along just fine. Even a civilian contractor would be all right. Shit, I’d take some Rangers if you’d let me, but I’m not taking a woman.”
Elizabeth replied, “She won’t get in the way.”
“We’re not babysitters,” Dale retorted, growing angry. “Russian or not, smart or not, I’m not bringing her. I’m team leader, and that’s my call. Can’t have a broken nail slow us down,” he said.