Labor of Love Anthology: 10 Anecdotes of Love and the Struggles Within

by Aliyah Burke

  “I will. And we have both y’all in our thoughts and prayers. Can’t wait for the wedding.”

  Right now, he wasn’t sure there was going to be one. “Thanks, Tina.”

  Grey left the store and pulled out his phone. Time to make some calls.

  Chapter Six

  Grey kicked in the door, weapon high while beside him, Chase Ellery went low. Even though Chase wasn’t part of his old SEAL Team, he wasn’t about to be left out of this op and Grey wanted him there. The man loved her like his little sister and wanted the blood of the bastards who’d done this to her with a passion that was second only to Grey himself.

  The log cabin had its own dock onto a huge lake and a five-car garage. He didn’t give a flying fuck how much money they had, there was one thing on his mind. Revenge.

  “Clear,” Chase stated as he went left while Grey went right.

  Rifle at the ready, the stock pressed tight to his cheek as he swept, he wanted to kill them all. They worked methodically yet swift and cleared both levels of the cabin. Owl, Windy and Jamieson had found two of the three guys and had them cuffed and on their knees in the living room.

  Holding his HK MR556A1 before him against the Kevlar vest he wore, Grey stared at the two men. Their suits were well tailored and expensive. Wiping the back of his glove beneath his nose, he glared at them both.

  “Why are you after Sarah Mallery?”

  “Who the fuck are you?” one snapped.

  “Not the ass on my knees and secured. Answer my goddamn question.”

  “Get fucked.” The same man made the comment.

  “You’d like that wouldn’t you,” he said. “Tell me what I want to know and I won’t shoot you.”

  “You have no right to even detain us. Let us go. You can’t capture people on American soil. You’re not the FBI.”

  Grey gave a feral grin. “You’re right I’m not. What I am is the husband of the woman you tried to kill and I will get my answers, your choice if it’s easy or hard.” He narrowed his eyes. “Please pick hard.”

  “Let’s go,” Chase stated. “Get the other one, leave these two alone.”

  Grey never looked at him, just stared at the fuck who’d gone after Sarah. As Maverick and Chase dragged the other man out, fear began to spread over the lone guy’s features. Again, Grey didn’t give a flipping damn.

  “You talk before him or I will kill you. Whoever gives information first stays alive.”

  “You can’t do this.”

  He looked around. “I can’t? Pretty sure I’m doing it right now.” He ran his gloved fingers along the length of his HK. “Who’s going to stop me? So let’s try this again. Tell me who ordered the hit on her. And where the third man is from your little operation.”

  αβ

  “I’m sorry, Mama,” Sarah held her mother’s hand with as much strength as she could. Honestly it wasn’t that much but it was better than nothing in her opinion. Her mom’s too, for she wasn’t letting go.

  “Baby,” she said brushing her free hand along the side of her face. “Let it go. I’m just so glad you’re okay now. That you’ve come back to me.” Tears glistened in her eyes as she stared at Sarah. “To all of us.”

  She looked around the room, disappointment filling her when she didn’t spy Grey there. Where was he? That act alone exhausted her.

  “He was here but he said he had to go away for a bit. But he left this note for you, made me promise to give it to you when you woke up. Grey never had any doubt you would be coming back to us.”

  Mrs. Mallery got up from the chair she occupied and moved to her purse where she pulled out a sealed envelope.

  “Do you need me to read it to you?”

  “No ma’am.” Sarah took the paper, hating how weak she was at the moment.

  “I’ll be right over here.”

  While Sarah would have preferred to be alone while she read a note from her husband, she understood that her mother had nearly lost her daughter and wasn’t going to be leaving her alone. However, she did give her a mediocre amount of privacy.

  With a deep breath, she opened the envelope and pulled out the folded letter. Her heart thudded within her chest. She knew that Grey had written a letter to be handed out if something happened to him on a mission and for a brief moment, that’s where her mind went. That this letter was his final words and tears sprang up into her eyes. Furiously blinking them away, she bit the inside of her lower lip.

  Keep it together, Sarah. He wrote this for you when you woke up, not for if he never came back. Plus he’s not a SEAL anymore he works for Tungsten.

  Slowly, she unfolded it and stared at his small script.

  My Sarah,

  If you’re reading this then I wasn’t there when you woke. For that I’m so sorry, you know there would only be one reason I wouldn’t be there at your side. I’ve gone after the fuckers who dared come after you.

  Thank you for coming back to me, I would hate to think you were taking the cowards way out to avoid having to pick a cake frosting flavor and decide on a dress for our wedding. I fully expect you to be walking down the aisle to meet me in a couple of weeks. I’ll be the handsome one at the end in the tuxedo, who only has eyes for you.

  I love you so much and I will see you soon, before the preacher. Don’t be late, Marine!

  Yours for eternity,

  Grey

  Sarah read the letter twice, ignoring the tears that streamed down her cheeks. Her mother crouched by her side and took her hand.

  “Is everything okay?”

  “I have to walk down the aisle to Grey.”

  “And you will, baby. You will.”

  Her days leading up the wedding passed in a blur, she pushed herself hard. Didn’t see Grey at all but did what she could to make final decisions. Her mother asked if she wanted to move the wedding date, but she refused. She couldn’t take any more planning of this thing. She wanted to be done with the chaos.

  The doctor visited her daily and had learned it was best he just shake his head and not tell her to slow down. Chase built a ramp for the house so she could wheel herself in and out on her own and make it a bit easier for her mother.

  The day of the wedding, she sat in the wheelchair at the church while her mother did her hair. Her palms were sweaty and she had so many butterflies in her belly she was surprised she wasn’t belching them up. What the hell is wrong with me? It’s not like this isn’t something new to me.

  But it was. This was before the entire town and their family and friends. With a kiss, her mom left her alone in the room.

  Please, let me not fall flat on my face or do something else to embarrass my mother.

  Chase stepped in the room after a sharp knock. She smiled at him as he stood there in his tuxedo.

  “I think they’re playing your song, sister.”

  He was walking her down the aisle since her father wasn’t alive anymore. She looked at him and nodded. “Can’t be anymore ready than I am now, I guess.”

  Chase pushed her out the door and to the beginning of the nave.

  This was it. Time for her to see Grey.

  Chapter Seven

  The music filled the church and Grey couldn’t keep his eyes off the doors at the back of the room. The moment they began to open, he inhaled sharply. He’d barely gotten in last night, they’d had to wrap up all of this shit surrounding the assassins that had been assigned to take out Sarah. Two were caught one more was still out there.

  A Colombian drug lord hired them after Sarah and her team had eliminated a major chunk of his crop as well as killing his two oldest sons. He’d been after revenge for a while and it had leaked out who she was. So, while the drug lord was not going to be an issue any more, the single assassin may in the future.

  He’d been in contact with Sarah’s mom and she told him she was progressing slowly; her scars were healing. She also told him that some of the light that had made Sarah who she was had gone missing.

  Grey didn’t give a damn if s
he was in a wheelchair for the rest of her life, all that mattered to him was that she had survived and was still up for putting on this show for the town.

  Two little girls in gold double layered mesh skirts and a sequined bodice with a red flower attached on the waist. Behind them was a little boy, Jordan, who was carrying the rings on a gold, red, and blue pillow. He wore a black tux with a blue vest and a gold flower in the lapel.

  The music changed and straightened, Jamieson beside him swore beneath his breath. Grey followed suit after that. Chase stepped into the nave and on his arm, was Sarah, not in a chair, but up on her feet, walking. Sure, small steps and he knew she was leaning on Chase a lot, but she was up.

  Then he took in her dress and swore again. He’d never seen her so beautiful in his entire life. It fit her curves, showing them off. Lace adorned it as well as the sleeves had spots of lace or applique on it, creating a stunning package. It gathered in the back and trailed out behind her.

  Her hair had been gathered up in some amazing updo that he longed to release so it would tumble around her shoulders and face. A few scratches on her face but for the most part, he didn’t see any sign of her having been in that accident, aside from how slow she moved.

  Chase walked her up to him and he took her hands when the preacher asked who gives this woman. She held his gaze and Grey tightened his arms so he supported more of her weight.

  “I love you,” he whispered.

  “We get that son, that’s why we’re here,” the preacher said, interrupting. “Let me finish then you can tell her all you want.”

  The congregation laughed and he merely smiled. They could all laugh all they wanted, he had what he needed right here in his arms. The only woman in the world for him.

  They recited their vows and exchanged rings. Beneath his touch, he felt her trembling more and knew her exhaustion had just about reached its limit. The preacher told him he could kiss the bride, and he didn’t wait any longer. He wrapped his arms around her, drew her close to him, and took her weight off her feet as he kissed her. All the while he was mindful of her injuries.

  “Are you okay, Mrs. Sorenson?” he murmured against her lips.

  “Tired,” she replied softly.

  “May I present to you, Mr. & Mrs. Grey Sorenson,” the preacher announced.

  Grey swept her up in his arms and met Chase’s gaze. The man dashed up to get the wheelchair for him to settle her in.

  They did pictures and went to the school for the reception. It was all decked out for them and he lifted her out of the back of the limo and carried her inside.

  “I could get used to this treatment,” she said as he put her down in the chair at the wedding party table.

  “I’ll carry you every day if you want me to. I’m just glad you’re back and here with me.”

  She gazed at him and kissed him. “I love you, husband.”

  He took her hand and spun the ring on her finger. The ring he’d given her so many years ago when they’d gotten married after a night of drinking. The ring he’d kept on his person since then for the chance to get her back. The rings he put on her when they worked an undercover op together over in Hamburg. They were back on her finger where they belonged and for his money, they weren’t coming off again.

  “And I you, Sarah. I’m guessing this whole ball and chain thing won’t be so bad. Here’s to the next few decades.”

  Despite the tiredness he saw in her gaze, she smiled at him. “I’ll hold you to that, Navy.”

  The End

  About the Author:

  Aliyah Burke is an avid reader and is never far from pen and paper (or the computer). She loves to hear from her readers and can be reached here. She can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. You can follow her on her Amazon Author page, Book Bub author page, or at Goodreads.

  She is married to a career military man. They are owned by four Borzoi. She spends her days sharing time between work, writing, and dog training.

  I hope you enjoyed reading, Operation: Ball n’ Chain. If you could help others to find and enjoy this book as well, I would appreciate that act of kindness. You can do this by recommending it to your friends and/or reader’s groups. Also by reviewing it to let others know you liked it—and why—on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other places.

  Thank you so much for your support!!

  If you would care to be kept abreast of Aliyah Burke’s news, release information and the occasional contest, please join her newsletter. If you join you can receive a free book.

  Additional Books by Aliyah Burke:

  Sensual Romance Publishing

  Holiday Surprise: Unwrapped

  Raw Exposure

  A Knight’s Vow

  Lion of Midnight

  If You Dare

  His Purrfect Mate

  Megalodon Team

  Kincade’s Rose

  Harrier’s Healer

  Connelly’s Flame

  Greeley’s Spyce

  Vittano’s Willow

  Dimitri’s Moon

  O’Shea’s Love

  Chayton’s Tempest

  Haikon

  A Love for Lera

  Rakes & Rogues

  What the Earl Desires

  Her Reluctant Viscount

  Her Pirate Rogue

  Cottonwood Falls

  Relentless

  Fracture

  Ravish

  Spark

  Savor

  Intensity

  Inferno

  Snake’s Salvation

  Born to Fly

  Landing in Love

  You Save Me

  Wild As The Wind

  Zulu Spectre

  Hearth, Holly, & Honor (3 in 1)

  It Could Happen Again

  Tungsten Protective Services

  Down Range

  All In (Kindleworlds Hot SEALs/Tungsten Protective Services crossover novella)

  Twisted E-Publsihing

  Under the Mask

  Graham Family

  Justice Is Always Ready

  And We’ve Come Full Circle

  Denim & Spurs

  With This Ring

  Dream Lover

  You Don’t Know Jack

  Maddox Family

  The Detective’s Lover

  Totally Bound

  Preconception

  Seducing Damian

  Through the Fire

  Serial

  Keeper of the Stars Pt. 1

  Keeper of the Stars Pt. 2

  Keeper of the Stars Pt. 3

  Keeper of the Stars Pt. 4

  Keeper of the Stars Pt. 5

  Astral Guardians

  Chasing the Storm

  Highlands at Dawn

  Fields of Thunder

  Branded by Frost

  Driven by Night

  Moon of Fire

  Interludes

  Temporary Home

  Alone with You

  Till We Ain’t Strangers Anymore

  In Aeternum

  Casanova in Training

  Harbour of Refuge

  Protected by Shadows

  Polar Opposites

  Code of Honour

  A Marriage of Convenience

  The Lieutenant’s Ex-Wife

  A Man Like No Other

  When Stars Collide

  Theta Corps (coming Late 2017)

  Retaliation

  Contrition

  Vindication

  Entangled

  Code Name: Papa

  Kindleworlds

  Icy Dare (Dare to Love Kindleworld series)

  Daring the Hard Man (Dare to Love Kindleworld series)

  The Wedding Snafu (Four Weddings & A Snafu Kindleworlds series)

  Delay of Game (Game of Love Kindleworlds series)

  Watching You (Lone Star Burn Kindleworld series)

  All In (Hot SEALs Kindleworld series)

  Fire Devil (Dallas Fire & Rescuse Kindleworld series)

&nbs
p; The Billionaire’s Code (Billionaire’s Kindleworld series)

  Embers of Lust (Dallas Fire & Rescue Kindleworld series)

  His Rysk to Take (Omega Team Kindleworld series)

  All In (Hot SEALs Kindleworld series)

  Other collections

  Dutch & Lobo (in In the Trenches collection)

  On the High Seas (in What White Boyz Desire collection)

  Love Under the Endless African Sky

  Co-written with Taige Crenshaw

  Unbreakable Bonds

  Kemet Uncovered:

  Talios

  Devi

  Linc

  Saffron

  Taber

  Ashia

  Co-written with McKenna Jeffries

  McKingley:

  All the Wright Moves

  The Best Thing Yet

  Risky Pleasures

  Pure Harmony

  Irresistible Forces

  Seductions Dance

  BEALE STREET BLUES

  Angela Kay Austin

  Darling Crawford lost the man she loved to another woman. Returning to her parents was bad enough, but returning home broke, divorced, and jobless is awful.

  Right about now she just needs to have fun.

  A man with a sexy southern drawl. A strong drink. A night of dancing.

  What happens on Beale Street stays on Beale Street, right?

  Prologue

  The twists and turns of the streets of downtown Memphis drained what little energy Darling Crawford had remaining. She wasn’t twenty-one anymore and didn’t have the desire or money to party all night long. But, what were her options? Sit at home with her parents and waste another Friday night.