by Gennita Low
Wicked Hot
By Gennita Low
A MacKenzie Family Novella
Introduction by Liliana Hart
Wicked Hot
A MacKenzie Family Novella
Copyright 2017 Gennita Low
ISBN: 978-1-942299-87-5
Introduction copyright 2017 Liliana Hart
Published by Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or establishments is solely coincidental.
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Wicked Hot
By Gennita Low
New York Times bestselling author Gennita Low adds international intrigue and suspense to Liliana Hart’s MacKenzie family with WICKED HOT...
A US operative/businessman had been kidnapped in Indonesia. He has a vital piece of information that would get the US government in trouble. But Indonesia is a country with over 17,000 islands, with plenty of jungles in which to hide.
Off-the book NSA fixer, Kirk Ryan, approaches his cousin, Archer, who works at the MacKenzie Securities for help with tracing a phone call. He also needs a translator familiar with Indonesian. Not a problem. MacKenzie Securities' troubleshooter, Jade, has plenty of connections. In fact, there is a translator she knows who is in Indonesia right now.
Surya, GEM contract agent, really doesn't want to do anything but lie on the heated beaches of Indonesia and just enjoy her first holiday in years. But she owes Jade Jax a favor and her friend's calling it in. And the favor comes in a six-foot-two package of irresistible and wicked male. It's just a translation job. She would help and maybe get to know the man for a day or two. What could go wrong?
ABOUT GENNITA LOW
Gennita Low writes sexy military and techno spy-fi romance. She also co-owns a roof construction business and knows 600 ways to kill with roofing tools as well as yell at her workers in five languages. A three-time Golden Heart finalist, her first book, Into Danger, about a SEAL out-of-water, won the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award for Best Romantic Intrigue. Besides her love for SEALs, she works with an Airborne Ranger who taught her all about mental toughness and physical endurance. Gennita lives in Florida with her mutant poms and one chubby squirrel.
To learn more about Gennita, visit www.Gennita-Low.com, www.rooferauthor.blogspot.com and www.facebook.com/gennita
ALSO BY GENNITA LOW
Click to purchase
BIG BAD WOLF
~ ~ Crossfire Series ~ ~
PROTECTOR
HUNTER
SLEEPER
HER SECRET PIRATE (short story)
WARRIOR
~ ~ Hot Spies Series ~ ~
DANGEROUSLY HOT
SIZZLE
~ ~ Secret Assassins (S.A.S.S.) ~ ~
INTO DANGER
FACING FEAR
TEMPTING TROUBLE
~.~.Super Soldier Spy ~ ~
VIRTUALLY HIS
VIRTUALLY HERS
~ ~Sex Lies & Spies~ ~
*novella series
THE GAME
THE PAWN
THE SEAL
~ ~Susan Stoker’s Special Forces (Kindle World)
NO PROTECTION
~ ~Cristin Harber’s TITAN World~ ~
THE EDGE OF TEMPTATION
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Many thanks to Liliana Hart for inviting me to write in her MacKenzie series. It was exciting mashing her world with mine. It was an honor to be part of her team.
Thank you always to Ranger Buddy. His strength supports mine.
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE MACKENZIE FAMILY WORLD
Dear Readers,
I’m thrilled to announce the MacKenzie Family World is returning! I asked five of my favorite authors to create their own characters and put them into the world you all know and love. These amazing authors revisited Surrender, Montana, and through their imagination you’ll get to meet new characters, while reuniting with some of your favorites.
These stories are hot, hot, hot and packed with action and adventure—exactly what you’d expect from a MacKenzie story. It was pure pleasure for me to read each and every one of them and see my world through someone else’s eyes. They definitely did the series justice, and I hope you discover five new authors to put on your auto-buy list.
Make sure you check out Spies and Stilettos, a brand new, full-length MacKenzie novel written by me. This will be the final installment of the MacKenzie series, featuring Brady Scott and Elena Nayal. After eighteen books of my own and ten books written by other bestselling authors in the MacKenzie World, it’s going to be difficult to say goodbye to a family I know as well as my own. Thank you for falling in love with the MacKenzies.
So grab a glass of wine, pour a bubble bath, and prepare to Surrender.
Love Always,
Liliana Hart
* * * *
Available now! Click to purchase.
Spies & Stilettos by Liliana Hart
Trouble Maker by Liliana Hart
Rush by Robin Covington
Never Surrender by Kaylea Cross
Avenged by Jay Crownover
Bullet Proof by Avery Flynn
Delta: Rescue by Cristin Harber
Hot Witness by Lynn Raye Harris
Deep Trouble by Kimberly Kincaid
Wicked Hot by Gennita Low
Desire & Ice by Christopher Rice
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Book Description
About Gennita Low
Also by Gennita Low
Author Acknowledgments
An introduction to the MacKenzie Family World by Liliana Hart
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Epilogue
Notes of Interest
Discover the Liliana Hart MacKenzie Family Collection
Discover the World of 1001 Dark Nights
An excerpt from Dangerously Hot by Gennita Low
Special Thanks
CHAPTER ONE
Kirk’s phone was on silent and it’d been vibrating for the last few minutes. He didn’t want to walk away just yet.
Mary MacKenzie was being laid to rest on a rainy day. There were so many Navy SEALs and military personnel gathered, one would think a very important warrior had passed. But this was Mary MacKenzie, mother to the MacKenzie brothers, a sweet woman who had managed to get so many warriors who came to visit the MacKenzie compound to love her as they would their own mother. And under the cloudy sky, rain coming down, these brave men had tears in their eyes.
Kirk Ryan had attended more funerals than he’d like. He came from a military background, with an extended family of friends, relatives, and associates who interconnected in various government branches or, like him, in independent contract service, as his kind sometimes referred to itself when talking to strangers. Attending funerals was important to an NSA fixer like him. People who were hard to get ahold of, whose security was so tight one would have to go through layers of red tape to reach, were suddenly standing within talking distance. He usually could get an introduction or a chance to get someone’s attention.
He was a troubleshooter, one who could find a solution
to a difficult situation, but today, he could not fix this. He could not be objective when two dozen SEALs, some of whom were his good friends, men with lethal eyes and steady hands when it came to warfare, openly cried in the rain at the words softly spoken. A beautiful celebration of a life. His cousin, Archer, standing beside him, was all choked up for a few moments.
He touched Archer’s elbow and signaled he had to go. Depending on his contact, he was going to miss his turn to offer the MacKenzies his condolences. His cousin nodded back at him.
Kirk hung back as the people moved forward to file past the grieving family, looking for the right opening to melt away from the crowd. He was good at disappearing without people noticing. As he took a few steps backward, his gaze caught Declan MacKenzie’s.
Declan wasn’t most people, though. He ran MacKenzie Securities and before that, black ops for the government. A few friends had joked with him that Declan had eyes on the back of his head because he always seemed to know everything happening around him. Just a glance and the message was conveyed.
Kirk paused for a moment, wondering why he was being told to stay put. It had to be something important for Declan to single him out. He nodded back before sidling off to find a private spot to make his phone call.
“Indonesia,” the voice on the other end said. “Takeoff at 0600 DC Wednesday.”
His next stop. Instructions arrived via an encrypted message. Usually, he was given three days to prepare but this time, it was less than forty-eight hours. Something urgent. He resisted the urge to leave.
Usually, he would excuse himself as soon as possible to find out more information about his next assignment. Prep work was important in his job. However, paying his final respects was important too and although he was a loner by nature, this was family. His heart ached with the loss of Mary MacKenzie. Even though he hadn’t hung around her as much as some of his friends and cousins, she had always remembered to send him cards and invitations to family get-togethers and always was so sweet and kind when he did manage to show up. No one could resist her gentle charm. It was going to be so hard to come visit and not see her familiar figure. It’d be a hundred times more so for the MacKenzie brothers, who had adored their beloved mother.
He sighed and bowed his head, wishing he could do more than give his friends words of comfort.
Later in the evening
“Thank you for staying,” Declan said, looking around the room. “I know some of you are keeping a tight schedule. I appreciate that you’ve made time to be here.”
Kirk studied the group sitting in the private room—mostly SEALs, the MacKenzie brothers, and several of the operatives working for Declan. He was a little surprised. He hadn’t expected to be included in such an exclusive group meeting.
It’d been a very long day emotionally and the mood in the room was subdued. Some of the men had changed out of their suits and ties and some of the SEALs were already back in fatigues, with their gear at their feet. Even so, there was a quiet air of expectancy. Declan had summoned them here for a reason.
“Coffee, anyone?” One of the operatives showed a pot.
“Yeah.”
“Please.”
“Wish there was something stronger,” one of the SEALs said. “Sorry, Dec. Didn’t mean to be disrespectful. I just heard all the details two days ago. About Holland. About what he did. It’s finally sinking in.”
Declan’s expression hardened. He nodded. “I know, Lucas. Holland’s betrayal has really shaken the Teams. Those who couldn’t make it here, who knew Mom, called or sent messages. But mostly, I’m getting asked whether it’s true, that one of our own would be responsible for her…” He paused, swallowed, and continued, “death. But this is why I’ve asked the STAR Team to be present at this meeting.”
“What can we do to help?” Another of the team spoke up.
“I’ve talked to Admiral Madison, Hawk, and hope to borrow a few of you for a mission,” Declan said.
Kirk looked closely at the team of SEALs sitting next to Lucas, mentally recalling their names from earlier introductions. Hawk was obviously the leader and next to him were Jazz, Mink, and Milos. The other three were scattered around the room. He’d heard about this team. STAR—Standing and Ready—SEALs, a special team under the command of Admiral Madison. Off the books, all black ops, connected to certain joint ventures to look for CIA moles abroad.
Lucas was a big guy. His tight grip on his soda can betrayed his anger. Kirk understood. The SEAL teams were very close knit, sort of a “one-for-all-and-all-for-one” mentality. When one of their own was the traitor, everyone was affected. Kirk’s job as a fixer gave him a greyer world view. His was a shadowy existence, filled with double agents and non-aligned contractors, people who gave allegiance to different factions for personal gain. Life wasn’t a solid brotherhood.
“Why isn’t my old team here too? Only Brady is present,” Shane MacKenzie demanded, his voice hoarser than usual. “Why is Kirk here and none of our top operatives?”
Kirk had wondered about that too. These men weren’t the usual MacKenzie contractors. Also, getting Admiral Madison’s team for any operation was a big deal.
Shane was the commander of the Silver Team at NEVGRU but had recently been forced to retire because of a missile hit that had cost him a leg. Kirk knew, from his cousin, how difficult a time he’d had with adjusting to life, that it was almost touch-and-go for a while. Looking at him right now, one would never know, though. Shane was wearing a prosthetic leg and had been standing at attention all day. Handsome devil. Still fit as an active SEAL, apparently, since he was the one who had taken down Holland. All day, Kirk had studied him, wondering at a quiet side of Shane he’d never seen before and at the woman—he’d heard that was his current love interest—at his side. Right now, because of the subject matter, he had the look of a military man about to draw blood.
“We only need one team,” Dec replied. “Brady and his team have to return to base and take care of their other assignments. Admiral Madison has generously offered to help out with this operation. Kirk’s here because his next assignment is tied to what I want—finding the bastards behind Holland.”
Kirk set his cup down. Finally. He’d been patiently waiting. “Indonesia?” he asked. No need to give any details. “I thought you killed Petrovich.”
“Lacey did,” Shane affirmed, his voice grim.
Kirk blinked. Lacey? As in Shane’s girlfriend, the woman who had been by his side most of the day, Lacey? That revelation was new. He turned to Dec. “Petrovich’s involvement signaled Russian infiltration,” he said. “Why would my going to Indonesia be connected to you? And the STAR team?”
“Because you’re heading to the Interpol gathering in Bali.”
Kirk’s eyebrows shot up. “You seem to know more about my next job than I do.”
Declan nodded brusquely. “Knowing what’s going on in the world is my job. This time, it’s personal. At this moment, there are twelve hundred member delegations from over a hundred countries heading there to this assembly on a private island near Bali, many of whom are unaware of a sudden threat hanging over their heads. Your job is to negotiate the release of three Americans—two scientists and one operative—before the militant kidnappers shoot a missile toward that island. I want in on this operation. One of those scientists and the operative are my people. Under questioning, Holland has confirmed enough details to prove Petrovich was behind their disappearance and that the militants were going to give them to him in exchange for a large sum of money. Unfortunately, Petrovich is dead. This is their Plan B.”
“Wait, Dec. Why are you not sending our men in? Sorry, Hawk, but this should be Brady or me running the operation,” Shane interrupted.
Declan turned and gave his brother a level look. “Because Holland also revealed Petrovich had several SEALs in his pocket and that there were other rogue operatives who had lured those three men currently held hostage. I can’t chance sending any of our usual right now. It has to be
Admiral Madison’s team and some outside contractors so none of those bastards are warned. Your job is here, Shane. You have to hand-pick a few trusted men and discover who else had been in Petrovich’s pocket. Kirk, those scientists were taken because of new bio-inventions wanted by many governments, so the stakes are high.”
“Fuck.” Lucas’s muttered curse came out succinctly in the pause that followed Declan’s bombshell as everyone digested the revelation.
Kirk understood the shocked silence. One SEAL traitor was a tremor among the brotherhood. A group? Taking out their own? It was an earthquake. As a troubleshooter, he quickly thought about everything that he needed to get together before the next move.
“There are several problems,” he said. “Indonesia has seventeen thousand islands and to get information fast, I’m going to need to find a translator. If it’s a group of rogue operatives who know you, they might not recognize me. But me and one of your translators? That’s upping the chances. Also, you’re going to have to go through red tape to talk to the high-level person who has contracted me for this negotiation deal. I can’t just give you your scientist and man back without any explanation.”
If he got them back alive. Depending on the factions, Indonesian militants were known to kill off their prisoners, even after the other party had paid ransom. The urgency of this mission lay in the imminent danger to twelve hundred people on an island. Ordinarily, his primary priority would be to stop the missile and then focus on the safe return of the three kidnapped victims. The two were tied together, but in the government’s eyes, the Interpol international meeting would be the more important objective.