Defend Her: A military suspense romance (Aussie Military Romance Book 4)

by Kenna Shaw Reed

  “If you’re ever going to stay in the country for more than a year, let me know and I’ll give you one as a house-warming gift.”

  “Staci,” her father kept repeating her name, not letting go of her hand even when he found a seat. “I was so scared that you hated me.”

  “I could never hate you; I just needed some time and space to get my head together. How do you like my new home?”

  “It’s what you’ve dreamed of ever since you were a little girl—and did I hear Bella right, that you’re breeding dogs?”

  “Absolutely, I have three females and two males, two of my girls are pregnant and Trixie Bell here is a wonderful mother to these little rascals.”

  After all the niceties and Rex had fallen asleep in her father’s lap, he asked, “What do you remember about the warehouse?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it.” She didn’t want to talk, but for once her body didn’t shake at the thought of reliving that day.

  “I think we should,” he paused and she could see that he’d struggled almost, or maybe even more than she had to move on. “I have a lot of guilt and it’s been eating me up. I need to tell you what happened so you can make decisions based on facts and not assumptions.”

  “I don’t need to make any more decisions,” she protested. “I have my property and have started making friends in the village. Now that you’re here, I’d love you to come out and stay on weekends and things.”

  “What would Ed have to say about that?”

  “He’s not even an option,” she said firmly.

  “Perhaps he should be. His team has debriefed me on what happened. Thielman had paid off my previous assistant who was able to hack into my phone. Based on her information, he snuck into the country under a fake passport. We were tracking his real passport and didn’t have any reason to suspect it wasn’t him.”

  She didn’t know that, or all the other details that her father regaled. The number of decisions that Ed made with the sole intention of getting her and her father out alive. Even to the point of Reith covering them with his body and bullet proof vests.

  “I didn’t know.”

  “Sweetheart, I never approved of any of your boyfriends, and I’m sorry if Thielman took out my disapproval on you.”

  “It’s not your fault.”

  “What I’m trying to say, I don’t think Edison Alexander is good enough for you—but no one ever will be. What I do know is that he is a good man and for some crazy reason, he hasn’t allowed me to forbid him from your life or give up on you changing your mind.”

  “He wants me to go to a masquerade ball with him,” she admitted, looking over to Bella for support.

  “I know, he asked my permission.”

  “To go to the ball or something else?”

  “How about you remember how much you were looking forward to the last ball, put a smile on your face and see where the night leads. You can always turn into Cinderella at midnight if you want to run away.”

  “I never wanted to fall in love with the army.”

  “He isn’t army anymore,” Bella surprised her. “He was willing to put his life on the line, but it ended up costing him his job.”

  “Actually,” her father cut in. “He took the heat off everyone else who was involved and will now be working with Vinn in private security.”

  Things she hadn’t known, but did it really make a difference?

  Possibly.

  “What should I do? Daddy, what should I do?”

  “Follow your heart—and your head. It kept you alive. Trust yourself. What does your head say?”

  “I can trust him.”

  “What does your heart say?”

  She didn’t want to say the words, not to the people who would hold her to account. Trixie Bell muzzled her wet nose into her hand. This was the future she’d always wanted, only one person was missing.

  “Staci?” her father prompted.

  “That I love him.”

  Anastacia arrived at the ball, courtesy of Bella’s driver. “I’ve decided not to go, and your father would never forgive me if I allowed you to catch a cab on your own.”

  After her last two experiences, catching a taxi was the last thing she planned on doing, ever. “Have a pleasant evening, ma’am,” the driver said, helping her out of the car. “You have my number and I only need half an hour’s notice to get back here.”

  “Thank you, I won’t be staying late.”

  He didn’t look as though he believed her any more than she did. She brushed down her gown; the same as her first ball but slightly altered to erase all signs of the tears and blood. Her mask was new, but enough of her was showing for Ed to find her in the crowd.

  If he still cared.

  The ballroom was already full of happy, dancing couples and Anastacia was about to take a glass of champagne from a roving waiter when a hand took the glass from her and put it back on the tray.

  Wordlessly, Ed’s escorted her through the crowds and onto the dancefloor, pulling her into his arms, where she belonged.

  She stopped counting after three songs while their bodies found the rhythm that needed no dance lessons or words. His strong arms held her close, as if to never let her go, and he guided her around the floor with ease.

  This one man was the only man she would ever love.

  Could trust with her heart and her life.

  More importantly, would trust with her dogs! Oh, she couldn’t wait for him to fall in love with the puppies and there was an entire wing of the house he could make his own.

  If he wanted a life together?

  As if he could feel her fear, Ed pulled her tighter, laying kisses on the top of her head, his cheek then resting against hers until the song ended and the band set down their instruments for a short break.

  Still, she swayed in his arms as if the song would never end, not caring that they were the last couple on the dancefloor.

  From the moment he held her, until the music ended, their eyes had held all the conversations that were long overdue.

  “Well?” he asked, standing still long enough to cup her face in his hands.

  Anastacia smiled and answered him with a kiss that by any other name, would always be a perfect kiss.

  I’m so glad you finished Defend Her.

  While you’re here, please leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads or both! Many thanks, Kenna.

  Wait, there’s more

  WHO IS KENNA SHAW REED?

  How do I as an introvert introduce myself? I mean, what do you really want to know? I’ve been married to the love of my life for more years than we can count. Together we are surviving three teenagers, a dog, a cat and a bird. I wish I could say he was my first love, but there were a few false starts before he swept me off my feet.

  I’ve always had the dream of writing “when I have time,” but when diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, it became obvious the future starts today.

  My first book, The Uni Student was life changing. Bringing Ava to life, exploring the challenges of her finding herself through three different relationships with three amazing, sexy men. The “Choose Your Own Romance” series was born. Interesting characters become the hero (or heroine) for another book. Jade became The Intern while the Professor became Trusting His Heart.

  Now, I write for you, bringing complex and flawed characters to you in a way that allows us all to believe in a happily ever after. Love is complicated, and the best love stories are never easy. I hope you join me – and keep in touch.

  Follow me on Goodreads and Amazon.

  Check out my latest works in progress on my blog, or Facebook

  Keep reading and download one of my free books to join my newsletter and get all the inside goss and giveaways.

  Gotta go? If you loved Defend Her, then please tell a friend (or several). Follow me on Facebook or Goodreads. Subscribe to my newsletter and get a free prequel to one of my favorite couples. Until then, Kenna

  WHAT TO READ NEXT?

&nb
sp; If you had the choice of lovers, would you choose Lieutenant Colonel Edison Alexander? Pretend he hasn’t met Anastacia yet and check him out in the choose your own romance, The Perfect Wife.

  All my books can be read in order or stand alone. So, if you loved Save Her and want to know more about Captain Darby Greenwood and Damon (Mack) MacKenzie, then go back and read Avenge Her and Protect Her.

  Keep reading for sneak peeks from The Perfect Wife and Avenge Her.

  AUSSIE MILITARY ROMANCE SERIES

  After all they do to protect and serve, these Australian heroes deserve a happily ever after. Keep reading for a sneak peak from book one, Avenge Her. Captain Darby Greenwood will do anything to avenge the woman he loves. Even if it costs him her heart.

  PASSION WITHOUT RULES

  Catch up with the bad boys you didn’t want to resist from the Choose Your Own Romance series. Take him home to find his last chance at love. No choices, only steam.

  ROMANCE WITH PASSION

  The good men from the Choose Your Own Romance series deserve their own happily ever after. No choices to make. Only inspiring, heartfelt, romantic passion.

  CHOOSE YOUR OWN ROMANCE

  When one happily ever after is not enough, choose your own. Read them as stand alone or as a series.

  GET YOUR FREE INTRODUCTION TO CHOOSE YOUR OWN ROMANCE

  When Catherine can’t decide between the three sexy men in her life, it’s up to you to choose for her. See how fun it is to be in control of the story. Curl up with The Bad Kitty today.

  Sneak peek – The Perfect Wife

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  CHAPTER 1: STORMY WATERS

  BRYNNE

  “That was amazing,” Juliette James almost danced around Brynne Thurlow as they made their way through the still crowded streets near the stadium. “I can’t believe you had backstage passes as well as those seats!”

  “That’s my husband for you,” Brynne tried to match her friend’s pure joy. Owen had booked a penthouse suite within a short walk from the concert, but after all her excitement from meeting their favorite international band, and chatting to the tour manager about organizing each performance, Juliette was too pumped to find their room and crash.

  “Truly, they were amazing,” Juliette gushed. “I can’t believe Owen missed it.”

  Neither could Brynne but she wanted to try to focus on good thoughts and not blame him for letting her down.

  “Did I tell you that the first time Owen and I ever made love it was to Stormy Water’s song, ‘Be Still?”

  Juliette squeezed her arm. “He should have been here with you, I’m so sorry.”

  Her friend’s simple act of kindness destroyed her defences. Brynne didn’t know whether to cry out of frustration or love from the memories.

  Tonight was supposed to be their night. Owen promised over and over again that nothing would stop him. He booked the tickets, made all the promises only to jump on a plane at the last minute.

  Just when she trusted that the night would be theirs to enjoy.

  He left her for another bloody meeting in another damn city with another needy company that demanded that of all the corporate genius in the world, only Owen Thurlow could possibly save them.

  “Ahhhhh,” she didn’t mean to scream aloud.

  “What!” Juliette almost jumped a mile into the air in shock. “Are you okay?”

  “Sorry about that, show me your shirt again?” Brynne tried to deflect attention back to Juliette’s happy place, embarrassed by her momentary loss of control. “Come on, let me see what they wrote.”

  All the band members had signed Juliette’s white blouse. They’d offered to do the same for Brynne. Actually, the aging lead singer offered to sign more than her shirt, but she flashed her wedding ring and declined both offers.

  After all, what would she do with a signed shirt, she thought, hating feeling sorry for herself but unable to stop? A signed shirt would be a permanent memory that her husband dumped her for the mistress she could never compete with – his company. As for the other offer, she would never do that to Owen, no matter how disappointed she’d become in their marriage.

  “Not so fast, what was that about?” Juliette grabbed her hand and pulled her into the nearest bar. Crowded with other concert goers singing to Stormy Waters tracks being pumped over the sound system. Even twenty-year olds seemed to know the words.

  “Bourbon or vodka?” Her friend wasn’t giving her a choice to forget her outburst.

  “You don’t drink,” Brynne protested knowing her head wasn’t in the right place to drink and wallow in her own personal brand of self-pity.

  “Tonight, I do. At least, I’ll have a couple and so will you.”

  “But …” Brynne protested, after all she had nothing really to complain about. At least not to Juliette.

  “Do you still think that I’m some fragile little flower?” Juliette scoffed with more than a little touch of bitterness. “Come on, Brynne! Roland cheated on me for ten years with the woman I thought was my best friend. If I can survive that, nothing you can say is going to shock or scare me.”

  “Bourbon, then. With coke.” Tonight was a night for embracing the drink she used to share with Owen. He’d never been a wine drinker and she’d never drunk beer when they met. Bourbon was a nice compromise. Something they could do together, like listening to music and making love to the band they both agreed on.

  “So, spill. What was with the outburst.” Juliette insisted as she set four drinks on their table and caught Brynne wiping away a stray tear.

  “Here’s to memories.” Brynne tried to toast but Juliette didn’t respond.

  “Not so fast, I’d say, here’s to friendship – nothing can ever be so bad that it can’t be helped by friends.”

  “I’ll drink to that.” Despite herself, Brynne downed the first drink and took a sip of her second.

  The warmth she wanted from her husband filled her as the amber liquid took hold.

  “I love Owen, I really do.” Why on earth did she feel the need to defend herself? Then again, after Owen and her dogs, Juliette was her best friend.

  “I know, sweetheart, but why isn’t he here with you tonight? I mean, I love the idea of sharing a penthouse with you, but don’t you think it’s a little wasted with us?” Juliette tried to laugh. “I love you, but I’m not going to soap your back in the spa bath.”

  “Like I told you on the phone, he’s been called out of town on an emergency.”

  “Called or decided?” Of all her friends Juliette would understand being a corporate widow.

  “That’s the question, isn’t it? If I was so important to him, wouldn’t he have delayed the trip by a day or two? If the trip was so urgent, surely he would have known about it yesterday or even this morning?”

  “Then here’s to complicated marriages with imperfect husbands,” Juliette smiled, raised her glass.

  This time Brynne joined her, adding, “And to always trying to be the perfect wife.”

  Even with a late check out, it was still well before lunch when Juliette dropped Brynne off to her large, empty house in the northern suburbs of Sydney.

  Surrounded by other million-dollar homes, the size and grandeur intimidating, especially the number of empty bedrooms. They tried to even joked that her three dogs could have their own room, except Owen knew that when he wasn’t home the huge boxers all slept with her.

  Ahh, the unconditional love from her puppies, she thought as they almost knocked her over in their excitement to get the first and most hugs.

  “Okay, okay,” she calmed them down enough to grab their leashes and headed off on a long jog around the suburb and up into the surrounding nature reserve.

  Coming back, lack of mobile reception couldn’t be blamed for the lack of messages from her husband. A couple of “I love you” and “miss you” texts didn’t replace the man in her life anymore than the dogs could truly replace her longing for children. At
least they gave her the satisfaction of pretending to be exhausted by the run so she left them outside chomping on bones that her local butcher always saved.

  Leaving her to another empty afternoon, wandering through the house alone, listening to the echo of her own footsteps until she couldn’t stand it any longer.

  She had an old turntable in their bedroom with a bunch of albums purchased years ago. Originally a feature of the room, now with LPs fashionable again, they had started listening to old favorites while reading in bed at night. Loving the old-fashioned romance and even dancing in their bedroom.

  In anticipation of a night of being loved by her husband, Brynne had been listening to Stormy Waters, “Run Deep” before Owen’s message arrived.

  Now she couldn’t even think about the band without the futility of her life shining through. Racking through an old box of her pre-Owen CDs, she found the old bands given up in the name of love.

  Ahh, Table Turns. If her relationship with Owen was defined by Stormy Waters, then Table Turns could only ever be for one man.

  Edison Alexander.

  She played the first song and memories of sitting their final year exams came flooding back. Curled up on Ed’s bed in his parent’s home, music blaring and entire days of half hour study sprints rewarded by half hour make out sessions, and then bribing his sister to ensure they didn’t get caught.

  As the long-forgotten sounds filled her bedroom, Brynne smiled at the memories. Surprising their parents and friends when results came in and Ed got the marks to join the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra, opting for the army. He’d never had a reputation for studying but when it came to joining the army, everything else came secondary. His hard work had paid off, forcing Brynne to make a decision.