Special Forces: Operation Alpha: December Chill (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Sealed With A Kiss Series Book 4)

by Margaret Madigan

  At the top of the stairs, Dante placed his hand at her low back, a gentle touch that hinted at possibility. He didn’t say a word, but the touch was enough to spark a little shiver up her spine.

  Inside the apartment, Rusty came running when he heard the door open, his tail wagging his whole body so hard he could barely run, and his tongue hanging out in a happy smile. He stopped short, though, when he saw Dante.

  “What is that thing?” Dante asked.

  December picked Rusty up, and Rusty proceeded to lick her face all over—his greeting kiss.

  “He’s my dog,” she said. Rusty was her baby so she had to defend him. “This is Rusty.”

  “This is too small to be a dog,” Dante said, but he stood close enough for December to feel his body heat, and rubbed Rusty’s head between the ears. Rusty closed his eyes and made embarrassing noises.

  “You’re insulting his doghood,” December said.

  Dante looked up into her eyes. “He seems to like it.”

  “He doesn’t like being insulted, he’s just easy to seduce with a head rub.”

  By now Rusty’s tongue lolled out the side of his mouth, and he leaned into Dante’s petting. Shameless little fur beast.

  Dante held her gaze, unspoken things holding them in place. She waited for his suggestive comment about being seduced by some kind of rubbing, but he said nothing, just allowed his smoldering eyes to do the talking.

  Damn. They were eloquent.

  She could go one of two ways: Break the spell by offering him cherry chocolate chip ice cream and they could sit and chat in the living room; or lean in and kiss his gorgeous lips.

  Her brain said ice cream, her body said kiss.

  She raised up to her toes and placed her lips on his, a simple little kiss, but wrapped in the quiet of her foyer, it felt important.

  He pulled her to him, and she let Rusty down to the floor. He’d had his fun. Time for hers. Dante wound one hand into her hair, the other on her hip, pressing their bodies together as she held on tight to his biceps. He took his time exploring her lips, and when he opened for her tongue, he tasted of the earthy flavor of beer.

  In the short time she’d known him, he’d been polite and followed her lead, keeping his distance. He hadn’t pushed or insisted or invaded her space. He’d waited for her. But now, he took charge and she met him halfway. There was nothing polite about this kiss. It heated the foyer to sizzling, until she thought her knees might buckle from under her.

  He wrapped his arm around her, holding her up, and when he finally broke the kiss he leaned his forehead against hers.

  “If you don’t want sex on the first date, I’d better leave now,” he said. “But I want to see you again, and next time all bets are off.”

  December swallowed hard, still catching her breath. “Next Saturday,” she said, trying not to pant and make the same embarrassing noises her dog had.

  “You got it.”

  She cleared her throat, trying not to sound too horny. “It may not be what you’re used to where dates are concerned. Kind of unconventional.”

  “Oh?”

  “I’m part of a roller derby team, and we have a bout next weekend.”

  He blinked, and his brows slid up his forehead. He was either speechless with anticipation, or he’d decided she was crazy and was trying to figure out how to get out now.

  “Wanna come?” she asked, with a big cheesy grin.

  His expression went from incredulous to flirty. “Oh, hell yes.”

  Chapter Six

  “Hey Winters.” Dante’s partner, Jay, snapped his fingers in front of Dante’s face. “You’ve disinfected that gurney like five times already. I think it’s clean.”

  Damn.

  “Damn right it is,” he said.

  Jay chuckled and shook his head. “Hope we don’t get called out later tonight. You’re mind’s somewhere else.”

  “And I’ll still do my job better than you.”

  He and Jay had fallen into a comfortable relationship that Dante thought of as SEAL-lite. He and his teammates gave each other shit all the time. He and Jay did the same, but not to the level the SEALS did. Just having a little that camaraderie helped with the homesickness of missing his team, though.

  “You wish,” Jay said.

  Dante moved on to inventorying the supplies in their ambulance, trying to put aside thoughts of December and their smoking hot kiss.

  When she’d invited him upstairs after announcing her no sex rule, he’d been torn. They’d been having a great date before Shonda showed up at the restaurant, and he’d thought that incident would ruin the evening. But it hadn’t. December was put off at first, but took it in stride, and by the time he drove her back to her apartment, that same energy had returned between them.

  He respected her rules, but he’d gone upstairs anyway, despite his overwhelming desire to touch her, to taste her, to explore her, because against his better judgement he just couldn’t say no to her.

  Then he’d met her pocket-sized dog and its lascivious reaction to a little head rub, and her double entendres about it tested his resolve.

  She’d made the decision for them when she’d kissed him.

  Replays of the kiss had fueled his release later, as he wondered if she was at home doing the same. He looked forward to their next date. He’d meant it when he told her all bets were off because the attraction between them was clear, and next time they’d finish together.

  His phone rang in his pocket, interrupting his dirty thoughts about December.

  He answered it to the principal at Tamera’s school, and he was out of the truck and headed into the station before he even knew why she’d called. Whatever it was, it couldn’t be good.

  “Mr. Winters? This is Principal Roberts. There’s been an incident involving Tamera. Can you come to the school?”

  “I’m on my way.”

  He took only the time necessary to tell his boss, then he was in the car and on the road in record time. At the school, he parked and marched inside to present himself at the front counter.

  The secretary, a cute blond, had flirted with him when he’d brought Tamera in to register for school and explain their situation to the principal, but when she saw him now wearing his sternest take-no-shit attitude, she didn’t even try.

  “Tamera’s in with Ms. Roberts,” she said. “I’ll let her know you’re here.”

  He took that as permission and while she picked up the phone, Dante headed back to the principal’s office. Where Tamera was concerned, he didn’t stand on propriety.

  From the open door, Tamera saw him coming and sprinted to meet him, hugging him hard. He squatted down and she wrapped her arms around his neck. She looked like she’d been crying, which shot panic through his heart.

  “She’s fine,” Ms. Roberts said. “Just a little scared.”

  “What happened?” he asked, lifting Tamera up as he stood.

  The principal gestured for Dante to join her in her office, and he took a seat, holding Tamera in his lap.

  “A man showed up to pick her up after school, claiming to be Tamera’s uncle. Her mother’s brother. Miss Martin, the secretary, called Tamera to the office before I could check the approved list and learn he’s not on it.”

  “Why would she do that?” Dante asked, reassessing the blond in the office down several notches in his mind.

  “She made a mistake. I was there when Tamera came to the office. I talked to the man and told him he wasn’t on the list so I couldn’t allow her to go home with him,” she said.

  “Who was he?” Dante asked.

  Ms. Roberts looked confused. “I assumed he was her uncle.”

  Dante lifted Tamera’s chin up so he could look her in the eyes. “You okay kiddo?”

  She nodded.

  “Do you know who the man was?”

  “The man who came to the apartment with Mama that morning,” Tamera said.

  Dante clenched his jaw shut to hold in the string of curses t
hreatening to escape. When he thought he could remain calm, he said, “Did he say anything to you?”

  “He just said Mama misses me and wouldn’t I like to go see her.” She threw herself into his arms again. “He scared me.”

  “Okay. Let’s go home.” He stood, still holding Tamera in his arms, and loomed over the principal’s desk, allowing enough intimidation into his posture and voice to get his point across. “This custody thing is a mess, but for now I have full custody of her. We have a hearing coming up, and until then nobody who claims to be her family—even her mother—is allowed to pick her up or even talk to her. Only me and her grandmother, Lanore Winters. Is that clear?”

  “Yes.”

  “One of us will drop her off and pick her up until the hearing. Can you keep her safe while she’s here?”

  Ms. Roberts stood, propping her fists on her hips and jutting her chin. “Of course we can. She’s safe now, isn’t she? Short of an armed incursion to kidnap her, she’ll be fine. And of course now we’ll be even more alert.”

  She was right. Short of the secretary calling Tamera to the office, they’d kept her secure and hadn’t turned her over to a stranger.

  But Shonda had sent her message anyway—I can get to her while you’re not watching.

  He hoped the court wouldn’t give her custody, but if they didn’t Shonda would still come after Tamera. Why couldn’t she just let it go? She didn’t love Tamera like a normal mother. It seemed like she just wanted to win. If Tamera was just a prize to be had, what would Shonda do with her once she had her?

  Dante had no idea what Shonda even did with her life these days, whether she worked or if she was into a bunch of illegal shit. Maybe he’d better find out.

  He took a deep breath and let it out in an effort to calm himself. Tamera was safe with him now. He’d take her home and plan.

  “Thank you Ms. Roberts. I’m a new parent, and given the situation I worry about her safety.”

  “As you should. Now take her home and we’ll see her in the morning.”

  In the car they drove in silence until halfway home.

  “Why does she want me so bad?” Tamera asked, her voice still tiny and scared. “I don’t want to live with her. She’s mean and she hates me.”

  It broke Dante’s heart that any child should feel that way about their mother.

  “I don’t know, baby.”

  “She wasn’t like that a few years ago. She used to be nice to me.”

  Dante had never liked Shonda all that much. Even when Dwayne had married her, Dante had sensed something off about her, though on the surface she seemed normal enough. But a couple of years ago something had happened and she’d turned into someone Dwayne didn’t recognize. Dante hadn’t been around much because of his job, but Dwayne had reported her increasingly erratic behavior until he’d finally left and divorced her. Dwayne had been terrified the court would give Shonda custody. He’d died only a few months after the court awarded it to him.

  “I don’t know.” Dante said. “But I won’t let her get you.”

  “What if she doesn’t care what the court says? What if they give me to you, but she still tries to get me?”

  Her voice went up and up into a squeak of fear.

  “What did I say?”

  She turned her big eyes on him, tears running down her cheeks. “You won’t let her get me.”

  “That’s right. Do you believe me?”

  At some point between leaving work and now he’d allowed his SEAL self out. He’d packed him away when he got home because his rawness and aggressiveness had no place in civilian life. It was a challenge trying to fit in without him, but he’d managed so far. But protecting Tamera had become his next mission, and nothing would get in the way of it.

  At home he filled Grammy in, and her fierce determination to protect Tamera reassured him. She may be elderly, but she’d fight for her great-granddaughter and that was enough for Dante.

  Once Tamera was finally settled into bed and Grammy was reading her stories, Dante took his phone to the roof and dialed Shonda’s number.

  “Hello Dante,” she said.

  “What’s your game?” he asked. “Why do you want her so bad?”

  “She’s my daughter. My blood. She belongs to me.”

  “She doesn’t want you, Shonda, so back off.”

  “I’m not afraid of you.”

  “You should be. You have no idea what I’m capable of.”

  “Are you threatening me, Dante?” Her voice sounded more amused than anything. She was stupid not to be afraid.

  “I’m protecting Tamera like Dwayne asked me to. Whatever you’re into, the courts decided you weren’t a fit mother. Now it’s my job to protect her from you.”

  “She needs her mother.” Shonda spat the words with an angry hiss.

  “She sure as hell doesn’t need a mother like you. What kind of illegal shit are you into, anyway? Drugs? Child trafficking? What?”

  She didn’t say anything at first, and he wondered if he’d hit the nail on the head. A chill skittered down his spine. What could she use Tamera for? She could be a drug mule, for sure. Prostitution. Or she could sell her to a trafficker. How much could she get for a girl like Tamera?

  Maybe he was looking at it wrong. If Shonda had got herself in debt, maybe she saw Tamera as a means to get out. But would she really sell her own daughter?

  Jesus fucking Christ, you had to be a cold bitch to do that.

  “My life is none of your damn business.”

  “It is if you think you’re going to involve Tamera in it. Just back off and let the court decide,” he said.

  He’d spend the time between now and court time digging into Shonda’s life so he and their lawyer could prove once and for all just how unfit Shonda was.

  “Watch your back, soldier boy. You can’t keep Tamera and Lanore and your new girlfriend safe twenty-four-seven. Anything could happen.”

  “You touch any of them, you’ll wish you hadn’t.”

  She laughed on the other end of the line. “Oh. I’m so scared.”

  Then she hung up. She’d gone full psycho.

  His instinct was to pull back from December for her own good. But Shonda would never believe he’d broken up with her—not that they were together enough to break up—so she’d still target her.

  While on leave, he still earned his SEAL income, so he really didn’t need the paramedic job. He just wanted it to keep himself busy. Now, he had to focus on protecting his family. He’d have to take a leave from the job he was doing while on leave from his real job.

  Flopping into a lawn chair on the roof, he groaned. He’d have to explain everything to December and apologize for ruining her life. At least for now.

  His biggest problem was keeping everyone safe while he investigated Shonda. He couldn’t be in two places at once.

  What he’d give for his team right now. Which prompted an idea.

  He dialed Buck.

  “Chill,” Buck answered. “How’s it hanging?”

  “Good. Listen, I’ve got a problem here and need some help.”

  “What kind of help?” Buck’s voice went from casual to sharp.

  “Protection help. Tamera’s mother is trying to get custody, but she’s showing up all over the place, threatening me and my family. I need to do some investigation about what she’s into, but I can’t do that and take care of them at the same time. So I need another man I can trust. Any suggestions? Somebody on leave, or separated from duty? I don’t suppose you’re free?”

  “You know I’d be there in an instant if I could, but we’re prepping for a mission. Let me check with Wolf and his team. We’ll put out the word, see what we get back.”

  “Okay, thanks. In the meantime I’ll check with Damian and my team, see what they can do.”

  “Roger that. We’ll get someone,” Buck said.

  “Thanks, man. Talk to you soon.”

  One more call to make.

  “Hey Dante.” Dece
mber said. It always made him happy when he heard her voice.

  An image of her wrapped in his arms in his bed, whispering in his ear popped into his head. After he talked to her tonight, the chances of ever living that fantasy were pretty small.

  “December. I need to talk to you. Can I come see you?”

  “I’m just finishing up at work. You want to meet me at my place?”

  “Sure.”

  He pulled up in front of December’s building a half hour later, after making Lanore swear she wouldn’t open the door for anyone until he got back.

  December answered her door after one knock. She took one look at him and cocked a brow. “What’s wrong?”

  He strode past her with purpose toward the living room. Even Rusty sensed his tension and fell in beside him, heeling like a trained military dog. If Dante wasn’t so intent he’d laugh at the absurdity of pocket-sized Rusty attacking an enemy.

  “Have a seat,” he said when December followed him into the living room. “We need to talk.”

  “You’re kinda freaking me out coming in her all serious and imposing. What’s going on?”

  He sat on one end of her sofa and turned to face her when she sat at the other end. Rusty jumped up and settled between them.

  “I’m sorry if I scared you. I’ve got a lot on my mind. A lot of moving parts to get sorted.”

  “Just tell me,” she said, hugging a pillow to her chest.

  “Shonda sent her boyfriend Andre to try to pick Tamera up from school today.”

  December sat up straighter, alarmed. “Is Tamera okay?”

  “Yeah, she’s fine. The principal stopped the whole thing, but I talked to Shonda tonight and she threatened me and everyone I care about. Including you.”

  A little smile ghosted December’s lips. “You care about me?”

  He ran a hand over his hair. She hadn’t taken him seriously, instead focusing on the wrong point.

  “I do, which puts you in danger.”

  “Wait, I don’t understand. If you’re going to court soon, why can’t she just be patient and let the system work? Why behave this way when it’ll only hurt her chances of getting custody? It makes her look guilty as hell of….something.”