by Kate Kinsley
“It’s you,” I mutter. “Bad luck follows your ass everywhere. Need I remind you about the fucking train?”
“He’s got you there,” Cookie agrees.
“Whatever. So, what does this guy know that was worth getting kidnapped over?”
Dalton shakes his head. “Don’t know. Classified.”
“Bullshit,” I shout. “They better unclassify that shit real fast.”
Dalton puts his hands up. “Don’t shoot the messenger, Jase. All Bradburn said was that if these guys got their hands on our analyst, it would have been major problems for the United States.”
“Way to be vague, Commander,” Cookie mutters under his breath.
“Did anyone know he was here?” I ask, still pissed.
Dalton shrugs. “He didn’t say.”
Tilting my head up to the ceiling, I mutter, “Sonofabitch.”
“Alright. Let’s go topside and get our girls,” Cookie suggests. Dalton and I nod, and we jog up the steps to the top deck. Once the military gets here, we can leave this godforsaken boat.
Two hours later, we’re back on the Bahaman Island. Everyone disperses except Beca. We stand on the dock inches from each other, waiting for the other one to speak.
I’ll go first. “Beca, I can’t leave this island not knowing if I’ll ever see you again.” She moves closer. “These past few days…I’ll just say it.” I pull her into me and lift her chin so her eyes meet mine. “I’m in love with you. I never thought I’d say those words – I never thought I’d feel this way about anyone. I’ve always been scared of commitment, but you make me want to be a better man. I can’t imagine my life without you.” Her eyes begin to fill with liquid. “No, baby. Don’t cry. I’m not perfect, but I’ll follow you into hell if that’s what it takes to keep you safe.”
“Jason, I feel the same way,” she says, smiling through her tears. “You’ve done more for me in a couple of days than anyone has ever done for me my entire life.” Reaching up, she clasps her hands on either side of my face. “Thank you.”
“For what,” I ask, my voice low and husky.
“For being you." Her voice wavers – the tension between us palpable. “I want to see where this ride will take us.”
The next thing I know, she slams her lips to mine and almost knocks the wind from my lungs. Not having a moment to react, she presses her tongue to the seam of my lips and, at my grant of access, delves inside my mouth. Her body melts into mine as we kiss, the world disappearing around us.
Those kisses are my salvation.
I live for them and I’ll die with the memory of them on my lips.
I dedicated my life to being with her from the moment of that first kiss – she is the half that makes me whole and I’ll spend the rest of my life telling her how much she means to me.
THE END
About the Author
Kate Kinsley is the pen name of an Amazon bestselling author who’s gone incognito. She loves to write contemporary and military romance, but her passion is romantic suspense. Books with heart-pounding action, adrenaline-inducing chases, edge-of-your-seat thrills, life-threatening situations, and dangerous criminals are what she does best.
Besides being a mom and wife, Kinsley loves spending time with her blue-eyed puppy, who likes snacking on paperbacks in his free time. When she isn't thinking up new, exciting plots, Kinsley enjoys white wine, dark chocolate, and lots of coffee – not necessarily in that order. Constant acts of bravery and defeating the bad guys is hard word, after all.
katekinsleyauthor.com
Acknowledgments
I had such a fantastic time writing Protecting Ava that I dove right into Protecting Beca. If it wasn’t for Susan, this book wouldn’t have been published. Thank you, Susan, for believing in me.
My beta readers – Lg, Jaime, Angelina, Jen, Nicole, Jackie, — I’m making you guys work hard and you never complain. Once again, you guys did an amazing job of making this book the best it can be. You don’t have to do it, but yet, you’re here every time I ask.
KHMazz – you rocked this cover! I absolutely love it and couldn’t have pictured a more perfect Jase.
Ellie – you were referred by a few different authors, and I’m glad I gave you a shot. You had it back in lightning speed and it looks great!
Thank you to my PA Brandi, who not only does an amazing job at helping me with the cover reveal and release, but did me a solid and proofread! Thank you so much for everything you do.
The readers – thank you for taking a chance on me. I hope you enjoyed my Navy SEALs as much as I enjoyed writing them.
Also by Kate Kinsley
ALEX BROOKS NOVELLAS
Infiltration
Exfiltration
SPECIAL FORCES: FROGMEN
Protecting Ava
GP ALLIANCE
Rescuing Montana
Saving Montana (spring 2019)
THE CHASING OLIVIA DUET
Drawn to You
Lost Without You
THE TEMPEST SERIES
When the Storm Ends
Surviving the Storm
There are many more books in this fan fiction world than listed here, for an up-to-date list go to www.AcesPress.com
You can also visit our Amazon page at:
http://www.amazon.com/author/operationalpha
Special Forces: Operation Alpha World
Denise Agnew: Dangerous to Hold
Shauna Allen: Awakening Aubrey
Shauna Allen: Defending Danielle
Shauna Allen: Rescuing Rebekah
Shauna Allen: Saving Scarlett
Shauna Allen: Saving Grace
Brynne Asher: Blackburn
Jennifer Becker: Hiding Catherine
Julia Bright: Saving Lorelei
Julia Bright: Rescuing Amy
Victoria Bright: Surviving Savage
Victoria Bright: Going Ghost
Victoria Bright: Jostling Joker
Cara Carnes: Protecting Mari
Kendra Mei Chailyn: Beast
Kendra Mei Chailyn: Barbie
Kendra Mei Chailyn : Pitbull
Melissa Kay Clarke: Rescuing Annabeth
Melissa Kay Clarke: Safeguarding Miley
Samantha A. Cole: Handling Haven
Samantha A. Cole: Cheating the Devil
Sue Coletta: Hacked
Melissa Combs: Gallant
KaLyn Cooper: Rescuing Melina
Liz Crowe: Marking Mariah
Jordan Dane: Redemption for Avery
Jordan Dane: Fiona’s Salvation
Riley Edwards: Protecting Olivia
Riley Edwards: Redeeming Violet
Riley Edwards, Recovering Ivy
Nicole Flockton: Protecting Maria
Nicole Flockton: Guarding Erin
Nicole Flockton: Guarding Suzie
Nicole Flockton: Guarding Brielle
Casey Hagen: Shielding Nebraska
Casey Hagen: Shielding Harlow
Casey Hagen: Shielding Josie
Casey Hagen: Shielding Blair
Desiree Holt: Protecting Maddie
Kathy Ivan: Saving Sarah
Kathy Ivan: Saving Savannah
Kathy Ivan: Saving Stephanie
Jesse Jacobson: Protecting Honor
Jesse Jacobson: Fighting for Honor
Jesse Jacobson: Defending Honor
Jesse Jacobson: Summer Breeze
Silver James: Rescue Moon
Silver James: SEAL Moon
Silver James: Assassin’s Moon
Silver James: Under the Assassin’s Moon
Becca Jameson: Saving Sofia
Kate Kinsley: Protecting Ava
Heather Long: Securing Arizona
Heather Long: Guarding Gertrude
Heather Long: Protecting Pilar
Heather Long: Covering Coco
Gennita Low: No Protection
Kirsten Lynn: Joining Forces for Jesse
Margaret Madigan: Bang for the Buck
&nbs
p; Margaret Madigan: Buck the System
Margaret Madigan: Jungle Buck
Margaret Madigan: December Chill
Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Baby
Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Bride
Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Twin
KD Michaels: Saving Laura
KD Michaels: Protecting Shane
KD Michaels: Avenging Angels
Wren Michaels: The Fox & The Hound
Kat Mizera: Protecting Bobbi
Mary B Moore: Force Protection
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Butterfly
MJ Nightingale: Protecting Beauty
MJ Nightingale: Betting on Benny
MJ Nightingale: Protecting Secrets
Sarah O’Rourke: Saving Liberty
Debra Parmley: Protecting Pippa
Lainey Reese: Protecting New York
Jenika Snow: Protecting Lily
Jen Talty: Burning Desire
Megan Vernon: Protecting Us
Megan Vernon: Protecting Earth
Fire and Police: Operation Alpha World
KaLyn Cooper: Justice for Gwen
Aspen Drake: Sheltering Emma
As you know, this book included at least one character from Susan Stoker’s books. To check out more, see below.
Delta Force Heroes Series
Rescuing Rayne (FREE!)
Rescuing Aimee (novella)
Rescuing Emily
Rescuing Harley
Marrying Emily
Rescuing Kassie
Rescuing Bryn
Rescuing Casey
Rescuing Sadie
Rescuing Wendy
Rescuing Mary
Rescuing Macie (April 2019)
Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series
Justice for Mackenzie (FREE!)
Justice for Mickie
Justice for Corrie
Justice for Laine (novella)
Shelter for Elizabeth
Justice for Boone
Shelter for Adeline
Shelter for Sophie
Justice for Erin
Justice for Milena
Shelter for Blythe
Justice for Hope
Shelter for Quinn
Shelter for Koren (July 2019)
Shelter for Penelope (Oct 2019)
SEAL of Protection Series
Protecting Caroline (FREE!)
Protecting Alabama
Protecting Fiona
Marrying Caroline (novella)
Protecting Summer
Protecting Cheyenne
Protecting Jessyka
Protecting Julie (novella)
Protecting Melody
Protecting the Future
Protecting Kiera (novella)
Protecting Dakota
SEAL of Protection: Legacy Series
Securing Caite
Securing Brenae (novella) (April 2019)
Securing Sidney (May 2019)
Securing Piper (Sept 2019)
Securing Zoey (TBA)
Securing Avery (TBA)
Securing Kalee (TBA)
New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Tennessee where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, Indiana, and Texas. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.
She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.
If you enjoyed this book, or any book, please consider leaving a review. It’s appreciated by authors more than you’ll know.
www.stokeraces.com
www.AcesPress.com
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