Fearless (Crescent Cove: Viper Force Book 1)

by Marlie May

  “Dude,” Jax came up behind Eli, sporting a smirk wider than the sea. He nudged Eli’s shoulder. “When you say you’re gonna surprise a woman, you sure don’t hold back.” Chuckling, he came around to lay his arm on my shoulders and smoosh me into his side. “Happy B-Day, kiddo.” He kissed my cheek. “Heard about the tote bag incident, but I must’ve missed the swim. Where did you learn that move, huh? Not from my boy, Flint, here, because he’s too much of a softie to encourage a sweet-as-honey girl like you to dance in the ocean with a man like Eli.”

  Sweet-as-honey. The nickname Jax gave me after I brought a batch of cookies into Flint’s office. Despite the endearment and kiss, Jax and I were only friends. Actually, I had a feeling he was sweet on my cousin, Haylee, who also worked for Flint. Not that he’d acted on it as far as I could tell. Whenever she was around, he went all broody and barely said a peep.

  “Glad the book incident wasn’t directed my way,” Flint said, rubbing his shoulder. “I’d be the last one to creep up on you on your birthday.”

  “Yeah, sure.” If Christmas hadn’t stopped him from tossing water balloons off the loft while I sat on the sofa underneath, why would my twenty-ninth birthday be any different? From the slick look Flint sent Eli’s way, I had a feeling I’d been pranked after all, even if Eli was unaware of the role he’d played in my brother’s latest trick.

  “Let’s go inside, shall we?” I said, waving at the door. “How about a cease-fire from teasing on my birthday?”

  Flint held the door open for me to enter first. “Don’t see no white flag.”

  “As if. I’d never surrender.”

  We were soon relaxing on the restaurant’s deck overlooking the ocean. Eli and I sat on one side of the wooden table, opposite Jax and Flint. Cooper took a seat on the end. We chowed through numerous plates of burritos and nachos, washing the crispy-cheesy goodness down with tall glasses of cerveza.

  “What happened to your leg?” I asked Eli quietly.

  His hand flew to his right thigh and he rubbed. “Just a little encounter with an IED.”

  “Femur?”

  He nodded. “Put me out of commission for a while.”

  A painful injury, then. “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay. Not much I can do about it now.”

  I could tell the topic made him uncomfortable, the last thing I wanted to do. A quick subject change was in order, stat. “So, tell me about those romance novels you love. Are the Highlander ones really your favorites?”

  “Shit, bro. Romances?” Flint reeled backward with pretend horror plastered across his face. “Don’t tell me you’re into that stuff, too?”

  Color landed squarely in Eli’s chiseled cheeks. Blushing only made him look hotter because it hinted at his vulnerable side. He straightened and yanked on the neck of his t-shirt. “I’ve read a few.”

  “That’s a complete betrayal of mankind.” Jax’s words came out serious but the sparkle in his deep blue eyes indicated he was only poking fun.

  Flint sipped his beer and then cocked one eyebrow Jax’s way. “Maybe if you read a few romances, you’d learn how to talk to women. Then you wouldn’t find yourself blanking at inopportune times.”

  “Burn,” Eli said with a grin. His glance between the men made it clear he was enjoying the show.

  “Women like to go out with me. Talk to me,” Jax said with a huff. “I…” His gaze met mine, and my mind shot again to my cousin, Haylee. “Yeah, sometimes.”

  Haylee’s eyes followed Jax whenever he was around. Didn’t he see that? Maybe I should share my favorite cookie recipes with her.

  Eli turned to me. “As I was saying earlier, I really like Dag Ross’s books. There’s something awesome about a spunky woman who can put a beefy Highlander in his place in two seconds flat.”

  Repeat performance: my jaw dropped. I leaned toward him, eager to share my favorite books, but Flint abruptly pulled his phone and answered an incoming call.

  He listened for a moment, then said, “Okay. Hold tight. We’ll be there right away.” As he put his phone away, he directed an intent gaze to me. “I’m sorry but something’s come up on the job. We have to take care of this now.”

  “Showtime.” Cooper tossed his napkin on his empty plate and stood.

  So much for Flint’s “cushy” security assignment here in Puerto Morelos. Fluffy security jobs never called four ex-Navy guys out on a Friday night.

  I tried not to pout, because I hadn’t seen my brother in over a month and I was enjoying getting to know Eli again. “I thought you were off until tomorrow.”

  “In my business,” Flint said. “I’m never off duty.”

  Kiddie drones, right?

  “Trouble?” Eli asked quietly, his forearms braced on the table.

  Flint’s gaze slid away from mine. “Someone’s…gone missing.” Standing, he dropped a bunch of cash onto the table. “We’ve gotta go.”

  Rising, Jax’s hand darted around to his back as if he needed to make sure he was still packing.

  Stop. He wasn’t armed, was he?

  My gut clenched. What was going on here?

  Eli joined them on the other side of the table, saying so softly, I barely heard his words, “I’m in if you need me.”

  “Thanks.”

  Cooper nudged his chin toward Eli. “Talk about new employee orientation, huh? Nothing like jumping into action your first week on the job.”

  “Action?” I glanced back and forth between the men but their expressions might as well be carved from granite because they gave nothing away. These military guys sure held their secrets close.

  “Well, no, not really action.” Cooper coughed. “It’s—”

  “You’ll go to the hotel immediately, right?” Flint said to me.

  Getting up, I grabbed my clutch off the table. “Crack of dawn flight, so I guess so?” Since the celebration was over, I might as well spend the rest of my evening with a good book. After all, I had a twelve-pack of them waiting in my room.

  Flint came around the table and hugged me. “I promise I’ll be back in time to take you to the airport in the morning.”

  “Wait.” Stepping back, I frowned. “You think you’ll be gone all night?”

  “’Course not,” he said. “This is nothing.” He rubbed my arms and stared down at me. “I’m sorry this job’s ruining your birthday, though.”

  “It’s okay.” I pressed for a smile because it wasn’t like he could help it. “It was still great to see you. We can catch up once you’re home.”

  “Definitely.”

  Cooper nodded. “See you back in Maine.”

  Jax came around the table and bowled me over with a hug, saying by my ear, “Stop by the office soon, will ya? I’ve missed you.”

  I chuckled. “Chocolate chip?” Definitely needed to enlist Haylee for cookie duty.

  He grinned. “Double batch, if it’s not a problem.”

  “Deal.”

  We walked out front, and Jax, Cooper, and Flint strode toward my brother’s rental parked in the lot and climbed inside.

  Eli remained with me.

  “Well,” he said, his attention focused on the pavement. “It was nice meeting up with you again despite the unexpected dip in the sea.” He reached into his pocket and held out a small white box. “Happy Birthday.”

  “Oh, wow.” A thrill ran through me. He’d bought me a gift? “You didn’t have to get me anything.”

  “Eli?” Flint called, standing inside the open driver’s door. Brows lifted, he nudged his chin toward the black SUV. “Any time, bro.”

  Eli ignored him. “It’s just a little something I thought you’d like.”

  My smile got bigger, because…nothing. This couldn’t mean anything, could it?

  “Eli,” Flint said again, firmer this time.

  Eli watched me, his lips teasing upward.

  “As I said, I’m back in Maine for good, now.” His intent gaze remained on my face. “I imagine we’ll run into each other sometim
e?”

  Excitement rushed through me at the thought of seeing him on a regular basis. Maybe…Was it possible things could be different this time? After all, I’d moved hundreds of miles away from Russell and the two men were nothing alike. “Sure, I’d like that.”

  He nodded and strode toward the SUV.

  My pulse racing too fast from such a simple conversation, I watched him—couldn’t help watching him, actually—until he’d climbed into the vehicle and Flint squealed out of the parking lot.

  Dropping onto a bench nearby, I opened the box.

  My breath caught when I saw what he’d given me. The delicate silver chain winked beneath the streetlights when I dangled it. Tossing aside the box, I smiled at the pendant—a small sterling silver daisy.

  Did he remember that time I’d picked a daisy and spontaneously given it to him when I’d stayed on the base to help Flint? He’d turned redder than the horizon the night before a storm.

  With a soft smile, I fastened it around my neck, then rose and crossed the road to my hotel. But once I’d reached my room and sat on the bed with my book open on my lap, I sighed. It seemed a shame to spend my last night in Puerto Morelos cooped up in a stuffy hotel room. The ocean would be gorgeous now that the moon had risen, and the sultry-salty air would give me one final taste of Mexico.

  As I left the hotel, I looked around to make sure no one followed. The creepy guy in town must’ve been an isolated incident. Someone looking for an easy tourist mark.

  Arriving at the entrance to the public beach a short time later, I kicked off my sandals. I fingered my necklace as I strolled beside the water, my mind skipping with thoughts of meeting up again with Eli once we were both back in Maine.

  My smile fled and my pulse kicked into overdrive when I tripped over a man lying motionless on the sand.

  The metallic tang of blood hit my sinuses.

  * * *

  If you enjoy my adult romantic suspense novels, you’ll love my twisty young adult suspense, written under my other pen name, Marty Mayberry, that opens with a bang and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the shocking ending.

  Here’s the first chapter of Dead Girls Don’t Lie. You can find it on Amazon.

  Dead Girls Don’t Lie ~ or do they?

  Seventeen-year-old Janie Davis was found wandering a Maine beach with second-degree burns and no memory of what happened. An accident on a yacht caused it to sink, taking her parents and best friend down with it. Recovering, Janie returns home under the watchful gaze of her new guardian—an aunt who had been ostracized by Janie’s family.

  Snooping uncovers the accident report. She’s horrified to learn the deaths could be murder and is determined to solve the crime. Selective breaking and entering leads her to two suspects: her father’s shady business partner who profited from Dad’s death and her aunt, a woman with a sketchy past she’s eager to hide. Unsure where to turn next, Janie enlists the help of Emanuel Sancini, a fellow high school senior who thinks doing community service in the library means he can call himself a librarian.

  Their investigation leads them to crash a party where they uncover more evidence in the homeowner’s office. Discovered in the act, they’re forced to conceal their crime by pretending—sort of—that they snuck into the room to make out. Then Janie’s brake lines are cut and only a quick plunge to the tile floor keeps an overhead lamp from impaling her in the school library. This, and the warning, You’re Next, proves Janie’s getting closer. With Janie targeted, she and Emanuel must race to expose the murderer. Or Janie could wind up dead.

  Chapter One

  Aunt Kristy insisted I was strong enough to go to school today, but my heart, a tiny bird trapped in my chest, disagreed. I climbed from her SUV and pushed the door shut, steeling my expression as pain shot up my arms.

  My aunt came around the hood and thrust out her hand. “Give me your backpack, Janine. I’ll take it inside for you.”

  “It’s Janie,” I said.

  “What?”

  “I told you before. Everyone calls me Janie.” I tightened my hand on the strap looped over my shoulder. “And I can carry my own bag, thanks.”

  “Well. Okay. If you’re sure. Janie.” She worried her necklace, releasing a sigh, then pivoted on her heel and hurried up the walkway. I imagined she was dying to get to the teacher’s lounge to put away her things. Gulp down a cup of coffee before she had to convince a bunch of teenagers that chemistry was fun. Or maybe she just wanted to get away from me.

  Two months ago, Aunt Kristy moved into my home and applied for a job at my high school. She’d done her best to be a parent since. Few people would take on raising a niece they barely knew. Considering she and Dad hadn’t been close since before I was born, that said something.

  “Hey, there you are,” someone said from behind me.

  Turning, I hugged Sean, my remaining best friend from before.

  “Whoa, aren’t you a rebel? I like it,” he said, taking in my dark green skirt and white tee. At Finley Cove High School, we were expected to wear white collared shirts and khakis, and ‘keep our appearances tidy’. Sean could be a poster child for the school dress code.

  “That’s me, living dangerously.” I’d tucked my shirt into a skirt that landed above rather than below the knee. While my outfit would challenge the school board rules, it still felt awesome wearing something other than ratty shorts and a tee. “I, well, you know, lost weight. Nothing else fits. Think I can get away with it until I hit the mall?”

  “I won’t tell.” His gaze fell away from mine. “You ready to hit the gauntlet?” At my tight nod, he shoved his backpack strap higher on his shoulder and held out his arm. A few months ago, he would’ve held out both arms. One for me and one for his girlfriend. Brianna.

  The doctors said I should be grateful because I’d only received second-degree burns. Third-degree would’ve been worse because the nerves would be shot and I’d never regain sensation. Those doctors didn’t know a damn thing. Pain could be swatted away like a pesky fly. Losing the people I loved had gutted me.

  We caught up with a bunch of girls who stalled and grew silent when they saw me. I’d known most of them since elementary school, hanging out together more times than I could count to talk about hot guys, TV shows, and make-up. Frivolous stuff, but I’d been frivolous back then.

  Marley’s lips twitched as she took in the red patches on my pale skin and the puckers from my grafts. Another girl pretended to gag, not realizing that while my arms and hands might’ve been burned, my eyes worked just fine, thank you very much. Back home, I’d convinced myself my scars were battle wounds proving I’d survived when everyone else hadn’t. Seen through the eyes of these girls, I was repulsive, a thing that should be hidden. I yanked my sleeves down around my wrists, wishing I could pull the material over my fingertips, as well.

  “So, Janie. You still have—” Marley made air quotes. “—amnesia?”

  “I don’t remember much about what happened that night if that’s what you’re asking.” The doctors said my memory might never return.

  “But, but…” Marley’s mouth dropped open. “What if you caused the accident?”

  The other girls released muted giggles, savoring the drama.

  “I didn’t.” My heartbeat pulsed in my throat.

  Like my personal Pitbull straining against his leash, Sean bared his teeth and snarled.

  “Kinda hard to say if you’re to blame or not, now isn’t it?” Marley smirked. “Considering you don’t actually remember.”

  Anger slammed through me like a semi hitting a paper-thin wall. “I wouldn’t hurt my parents or Brianna.”

  Sean elbowed himself between us. “Get lost, Marley, would you?”

  With a huff, she spun and continued toward school with the other girls clustering around her feverishly whispering.

  “Thank you,” I said, grateful all over again I still had Sean in my life.

  “Any time.” We continued toward school. “Umm, about swimming.
I thought about it a lot over the past few weeks.” His footsteps paused before picking up speed. “Decided I’m going.”

  Sean, Brianna and I had been on the swim team together and had made a game out of competing for the best times. While Sean could literally swim laps around us due to his male body structure, Brianna also beat me at every meet. A foster kid, she’d worked twice as hard as me to get ahead. If only I’d appreciated that fact sooner.

  “Swimming?” A shiver went through me. “How could you—I just can’t.”

  “Going to the pool will be one of the hardest things I'll ever do but it’s what she would’ve wanted. Yeah, I mourn her.” His eyes squeezed shut. When he opened them, they glistened. “I’m going to miss her forever. But she would’ve wanted us to keep going.”

  My aunt had been after me to jump back into ‘activities you used to do before the accident,' but I didn’t see how I could. Going to classes without Brianna would be tough but it would ruin me to do anything else we used to share.

  “I’ll feel closer to her when I swim. Like she’s still with me,” he said.

  Whenever I thought about getting into the water, my brain flashed to memories of me struggling in the sea…my head going under…our boat lighting up the night as it was consumed by flames.

  “Hey.” Sean peered down at me. “You look pale. You still up for this? ‘Cause, we can bail, if you want.”

  Like that would do me any good? My grades were skating too close to the edge already. I pushed for a smile. “I’m okay. Let's go.”

  Crossing the lobby, we walked down the hall to the wing lined with lockers where I ditched my backpack and pulled out a notebook.

  Sean slouched against the wall. “Are you starting to remember what happened that night?” The hope in his voice tugged my insides sideways. If only I could give him one more memory of Brianna, a tiny speck he could hold on to.

  “Some.” I fiddled with a pen before stuffing it inside my pocket. “It’s sporadic. Which is frustrating.” Fear came through in my words. “Do you think I’m blocking it out because…”