For two weeks, she’d lit up his world, provided the sunshine absent from his life for much too long. An unexpected surprise he’d been too selfish and stupid to grasp with both hands.
If it hadn’t been for Alan, her ass of a boyfriend who’d called things off with a terse voice message, Ghost might not have had even that short amount of time. He’d offered her a shoulder to cry on, which turned into a bed to sleep in, his arms wrapped around Dani each night until he’d asked her to leave. No, ordered her out.
Reading the note one last time, a finger moving over the scrawled words, he refolded it, slipping the paper into a pocket of his jeans. Once he finished his time at the training center, gotten himself back to a hundred percent, Ghost would work with Raider to hunt her down and apologize for his unforgiveable behavior. He told himself forgiveness was all he wanted, knowing the lie the moment the decision had been made.
Finishing, he hauled the duffle outside, loading it into his truck. Estimating it would take about three hours to reach his destination, Ghost took another look around his secluded property. The ten wooded acres had become his refuge, a serene heaven from the life he’d chosen.
At least it had been until meeting Dani. In a couple weeks, she’d unintentionally shown him how lonely his world had become.
Shaking off the remorseful thoughts about a woman he might never see again, Ghost climbed into the truck and checked the time. Fifteen minutes remained before the planned meet with Rock and Raider. From there, he’d follow them to White Eagle headquarters.
Driving to where his friends waited, he continued to wonder about the training and security businesses located on the reservation about three hours from Liberty Lake. He’d studied the map printed inside the brochure, the red arrow pointing to a spot on the eastern boundary of Apache lands in the heart of the Silver Mountains.
Not for the first time, Ghost wondered why in the hell Grayson had chosen to locate them hundreds of miles from an ocean. At least the southeast crew of Eternal Brethren was close to the Atlantic. He envied them.
Stopping next to Rock’s truck, Ghost kept the motor running as he got out on a muffled groan. Walking toward them, he waited until Rock rolled down the window.
“Have either of you ever heard of the White Mountain facility?”
Rock shook his head. “We were just talking about how there could be a place so close to our clubhouse without us knowing about it. Wrath says it’s owned and run by Sully Sullivan.”
“Who’s another mystery,” Raider added. “He’s a secretive sonofabitch. I couldn’t find out much by doing a search. The brochure has more information than what I pulled up. Then again, Wrath told me not to waste my time.”
Ghost’s brows drew together, lips pursed. “Odd. Wrath usually lets you ply your trade without interfering.”
Raider nodded, looking as disgusted as Rock and Ghost. “My thoughts exactly.”
Rock glanced between the two. “Better to let it go. If Wrath warned you to back off, there’s a reason, and he’s not sharing.” Checking the time, he started to roll up the window, smiling. “Let’s get going. I don’t want to miss dinner.”
“I’m right behind you,” Ghost called over his shoulder as he walked back to his truck.
He followed them down the state highway and onto the interstate, taking the turnoff toward the reservation. The entire time, his mind refused to shift from thoughts of Dani. As hard as he tried, the image of her laughing at some random joke while playing pool at Robbie’s, grinning as they cooked dinner at his house, and the devastated look when he’d so coldheartedly told her their time together was over wouldn’t stop flashing through his head.
Then there was the disgust on her face when he’d asked her to dance at Rock’s wedding. None of the warmth or the mischievous grin Ghost had come to expect. Even as her body stiffened against his during the slow dance, Dani had been polite until she’d had enough and left him standing alone among the other couples.
Trying to apologize had been a mistake. The timing couldn’t have been worse. Ghost glanced out the window as he drove past a large antique warehouse on the highway, cursing his stupidity. He should’ve waited a little longer, asked her to get a drink with him at some quiet bar near the ranch.
He choked out a harsh laugh, knowing she would’ve refused, the same way she’d shunned his attempt to explain while they’d danced. Ghost couldn’t recall the last time a woman had left him in the middle of the dance floor, mouth twisted in frustration as she walked away.
Continuing to follow Rock as the road snaked through several small towns, he forced himself to think of the upcoming training.
“Rehabilitation is more accurate,” he ground out, turning east at a signal light.
Mentally turning off the flash of anger, Ghost willed himself to stop the negative energy dragging him down. If he ever wanted to return to active duty with his team, he needed to accept whatever help the training center offered.
A year ago, Grayson had ordered him to a meeting at his office in Coronado. Upon arriving, he’d learned the commander of the other undercover motorcycle club in the southeast United States was retiring. The admiral had offered Ghost the position. It had taken him all of a few minutes to politely turn down the promotion most men would be honored to accept.
Winding along the mountain road behind Rock and Raider, he grinned, recalling the stunned look on Grayson’s face. It took quite a while to convince the admiral he wouldn’t budge from his decision.
He’d finished his house several months before, had no desire to leave it behind by relocating across the country. Nor did he want to leave the Navy. All he wanted was to finish his time in the current assignment as a member of the Eternal Brethren, western division.
For a few tense moments, he’d thought the admiral would order him to take the new duty station. If he had, Ghost would’ve accepted the change, done his best to lead as well as Wrath. Thankfully, Grayson accepted his decision, even taking him to dinner before Ghost boarded a helo for the short trip back to Liberty Lake.
Feeling a twinge of pain in his left inner thigh, the spot where he’d been shot, Ghost didn’t have to wonder if Grayson would offer him the promotion now. Instead, the admiral had ordered him to report to what he figured must be one of the most elite military training facilities in the western U.S.
Ghost also suspected Rock and Raider were attempting to push him along, make sure his head was in the right place before reporting back to Liberty Lake. Instead of irritation, he felt relief. As with every mission, they’d have his back, doing all they could to help him succeed.
Gripping the steering wheel tighter, he shoved aside his apprehension. He refused to let them down by failing. More importantly, he refused to forsake the only thing keeping him sane since losing Kylie and shoving Dani from his life.
Chapter Two
Dani perused the student list for the next advanced military training class. Three from the Navy and three from the Army. It didn’t take much for her to realize they were SEALs and Delta Force members. Those were the students WETC targeted, the ones who’d have an immediate use for their cutting-edge training.
Her gaze wandered over the last names, not recognizing any. Sully would’ve received detailed information on each one, including their backgrounds and any special needs. Once the men arrived, he’d share the complete data with her and the other instructors, allowing them to make adjustments to the training curriculum. It would also alert her to any students who might need physical therapy, treatments she’d provide as the company’s only licensed therapist.
She’d spent the last week updating course timelines and reviewing new requirements with the instructors. They’d hired a new trainer, Chrissy Porter, a woman with excellent credentials who would be a second instructor for their women's firearms courses, a growing segment of their client base. Certified by the state and the NRA, the same as Dani, she’d be a primary instructor for obtaining a concealed weapon permit for Arizona.
The added benefit of hiring Chrissy was her certification as a rape prevention instructor through the American Women's Self Defense Association. A certificate Dani hoped to obtain soon.
The class she most enjoyed teaching was Krav Maga, Israel's military fighting system known for its focus on real-world situations and extreme efficiency. After earning yellow and orange belts and finishing the two-year instructor certification, Sully had allowed her to train others.
“Three of the students have arrived, Dani.” Kellen “Kell” Kirkland, WETC’s lead instructor, stood in the doorway to her office. “They’ve registered and are stowing their gear in cabin C.”
“Army or Navy?”
Snorting out a chuckle, he grinned. “Army. The real warriors should arrive within the hour.”
Shaking her head, Dani hid her smile. “Just because you’re an ex-SEAL doesn’t mean you can favor students from the Navy.”
Placing a hand on his chest, he feigned offense. “Now that hurts, Dani.”
“That’ll be the day. Nothing hurts you, Kirkland. Has Sully given you the complete data on the six students?”
“Not yet. I doubt he’ll vary from his routine of providing the data after all have arrived. After dinner, I’ll be going through the orientation and pairing up the men. Are you planning to be there?”
“I haven’t decided. If you need me, I’ll be there.”
“Don’t worry about it. Chrissy is going to be there, along with a couple other trainers.” Walking into the room, Kell stopped at the edge of Dani’s desk, concern flashing across his face. “You look like you could use a few days away.”
Biting her bottom lip, she raised her gaze to his. “I returned from several weeks of R&R a couple months ago, Kell. Sully isn’t going to be too receptive to allowing more time off. Besides, I’m doing fine.”
“Yeah, about that. The purpose of rest and relaxation is to come back refreshed, ready to go. You returned more stressed than before you left. Do you see the problem?”
Wanting to ignore the truth in his comments, she flattened both hands on the desk, pushing to stand. “I was busy, Kell. Meeting with friends, attending a wedding.” Spending long nights and wonderful days with Ghost, she didn’t add, never planning to speak of it to anyone. “Like I said, I’m good, and have been since I got back. If you don’t need me tonight, I’m going to head into town.”
Staring at her a long moment, Kell took a step away, turning toward the door. “Whatever you say, kiddo. Just don’t drink too much. The schedule has you going over the curriculum at zero seven hundred tomorrow.” Stopping at the door, he turned back. “To save time tonight, I’ll have you pair up the men in the morning. One Navy with one Army. We’ll see how well they play together.”
Moving around her desk, she rested a hip against the edge. “Sure, Kell. Let me know if you need me to do anything else.”
“You can bet I will.”
Crossing her arms, she watched Kell walk away, feeling a strange sense of loss. Ever since returning from Liberty Lake, Dani had struggled with loneliness, something she’d never experienced before her time with Ghost.
She thought of her longtime boyfriend, Alan Dixon. Over three months ago, while she’d still been in Liberty Lake, he’d called off their relationship with an abrupt voice message. Two years of being a part of a couple ended after he’d met the “woman of his dreams,” as his message stated. Someone he’d been seeing for several weeks before finally contacting Dani.
When she’d replayed the message for Ghost, he’d cursed, calling Alan every foul name he knew before wrapping her in his muscled arms, seducing the pain from her. The next morning, when she’d tried to leave, he’d tugged her back to him.
A considerate lover, Ghost had shown a tenderness unexpected from such a brusque, strong man. She’d lived in a state of unfamiliar bliss, beginning to believe she’d found someone who understood and wanted her. How wrong she’d been.
After two weeks of living with him, she’d fallen in love, believing he felt the same. In less than a month, she’d been dumped by Alan, then Ghost. She could still feel the burn of embarrassment at the way he’d sprung it on her less than an hour after an amazing round of morning sex. Dani never saw it coming.
Ghost’s painful remarks had cut more deeply than Alan’s duplicity. It had taken less than ten minutes to shove her few belongings into her rolling bag and leave. He hadn’t lifted a hand to help. Just stood several feet away with his arms crossed. Cold and distant, more than ready for her to get out of his life.
Chest squeezing, recalling the humiliation at his dismissal, Dani had loaded the bag into her car and driven off. They’d never exchanged last names, and she’d deleted his number from her phone.
His name suited him. Ghost. He’d been an apparition, a man who’d drifted into her life for a brief time before disappearing. A phantom Dani would never allow to pass through her life again.
“Do you have any questions, gentlemen?” Kell crossed his arms and leaned against the corner of the table at the front of the room, his gaze moving over the six men.
Each wore jeans, the black t-shirt provided by WETC, boots, and ball caps with the center’s logo. You didn’t have to look too deep to know each one had seen and experienced things most couldn’t imagine. Their alert postures, intense gazes, and questioning expressions indicated the importance of their time at White Eagle. It was the kind of class Kell appreciated and excelled at training.
“If there are no questions, I’d like to introduce Tom Sullivan. He’s the founder of WETC, an ex-Navy SEAL, and the best warrior I’ve ever been privileged to know.” Kell motioned toward Sully. “They’re all yours, boss.”
Emerging from a corner in the back of the room, Sully stalked forward. Well over six feet tall, arms bulging, t-shirt stretched across a broad chest, anyone who met him wouldn’t have to guess about the life he’d led. Hard, demanding, determined, and successful, a man who put up with little and expected a great deal. Reaching the front of the room, he looked at each man, formulating unspoken assumptions about them.
“I seldom answer to Tom and never to Mr. Sullivan. You want to get my attention, it’s Sully. You’re here because your commanding officers decided to pay me a great deal of money to up your skills required in the profession each of you has chosen. Some of you will be here one week, a few longer. If all goes well, your CO will most likely send you back in six months for more training.”
Sully grabbed a bottle of water from the table, taking a long swallow. “I may or may not be leading some of the training. We’re fluid here, so plan on several instructors proficient in various combat specialties. The courses are intense, requiring long hours and little sleep. Nothing you haven’t experienced more than once in your career, except at WETC, you’ll be learning new skills, expertise that will set you even further apart from others.” His gaze moved over each once more. “Any questions?” When no one responded, he turned toward the door to his left. “I’d like to introduce you to the person who keeps this place running. There is no one more essential to the success of WETC.”
The door opened. A petite brunette with a killer figure walked toward Sully, a broad smile on her face.
“Fuck.”
Ghost’s gaze shifted away from Sully at Rock’s muffled curse. At first, he didn’t understand the reason for his friend’s reaction. Then he looked closer. Jaw dropping, he watched in stunned silence as the woman he hadn’t been able to purge from his mind strolled into the room.
Wearing a short, gray skirt, light pink blouse, and heels at least four inches tall, Dani sauntered up to her father with a confidence Ghost had never witnessed before.
“Gentlemen, this is my daughter, Dani Sullivan. Don’t let her sweet appearance fool you. Dani is a certified Krav Maga instructor, small arms expert, and will run your legs off in any cross-country survival drill. She’s a licensed physical therapist who’ll be scheduling time with at least three of you to address concerns by your respective COs. D
o not even think of shirking this part of your training. Dani will hunt you down, which will thoroughly piss me off.” Looking down at her, his features softened. “She’s the one who prepared your schedules. If you have any questions, ask her. Dani, they’re all yours.”
“Thanks, Sully.” Her focus turned to the students, each of them eyeing her with a hungry look Ghost knew well. “Good morning, gentlemen.” She drew out a piece of paper from a folder on the table before her gaze scanned over the men in front of her.
Ghost saw the instant she recognized him. Her features hardened, an almost imperceptible pain flashing across her face. The reaction hit him like a brutal punch to his solar plexus.
Clearing her throat, Dani held up the roster. “Please acknowledge when I call your name.” She moved through the list, Ghost raising a hand at Robertson.
Dani hesitated a split second before calling the last two names, doing her best to ignore the man she now knew to be a Navy SEAL, the same as Rock and Raider. So many questions rolled through her head as she robotically explained the schedule for the week.
Dani had been one of the bridesmaids at Rock and Tessa’s wedding, but she hadn’t connected the Travis Walker on the list with man who’d married her friend. She’d met Rock and Ghost first, but had become close to Tessa over her time in Liberty Lake.
The revelation all three Navy SEALs were members of Eternal Brethren seemed surreal. Dani didn’t know what it meant, but she vowed to find out.
Moving on to pairing one SEAL with one Delta Force member, she finished her part of the meeting before turning it over to Kell. Without a glance at Ghost, she left the room. At this point, Dani would usually go back to her office, dig into the constant mountain of paperwork with a large cup of coffee at the ready.
Too agitated by what she’d learned, Dani headed to her cabin, meaning to change and hit the gym. A good workout would clear her head, and provide the time needed to pull the pieces together.
Haunted General ePub Page 2