This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.
The Stealth Warrior: Navy SEAL Romance 2.0
COPYRIGHT ©2018 by Camille Coats Checketts
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Cover design: Steven Novak
Cover Copyright Camille Coats Checketts
Edited by Daniel Coleman, Valerie Bybee, and Shaleena Moy
Birch River Publishing
Smithfield, Utah
Published in the United States of America
The Stealth Warrior
Navy SEAL Romance 2.0
Cami Checketts
Birch River Publishing
Contents
Free Book
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
The Hawk Brothers
About the Author
The Protective Warrior
Also by Cami Checketts
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Prologue
Kiera Richins clung to Creed Hawk’s broad back. She could feel the perfect ridges of muscle through his t-shirt. He’d been home on leave from the SEALs for less than a week, and in the morning, he would leave her again. Why did it feel like this was truly goodbye instead of see you soon? She ached more than if she’d been en pointe for hours on end. Physical agony, she could handle. Losing Creed? Her world would shatter.
Creed pulled back slightly, and his dark gaze focused on her. The moonlight sparkled off of his handsome face. The waves rolled and gently crashed into the sand beneath their feet as they stood on the beach near his parents’ Sands Point home on Long Island. Kiera hardly took notice of the saltwater drenching the hem of her floor-length sundress. All she could focus on was Creed, and all she could wish was he wasn’t going to put his life on the line again. He was honorable and heroic, and she loved him for it, but why did it have to hurt so much to constantly be ripped apart from each other?
“It’s all right, love,” Creed said, understanding her unspoken worries. “Only four more months, and then my enlistment’s up. Then you’ll never have to say goodbye to this handsome face again.”
She smiled, knowing his over-confidence was more to tease her, keep her from wallowing over his imminent departure. Creed didn’t actually care that he was the best-looking man on the planet. He and his famous brothers had heard it often enough. Her smile fell away. “I don’t want you to give up the SEALs for me. You live and breathe it.” Though it was true, she hated saying those words. Hated trying to be brave when she felt anything but.
“I live and breathe you,” he murmured, touching his warm lips to hers. Their mouths got caught up in an intricate dance that was better than any ballet or salsa move she could perform with her body. That was saying a lot since she’d been focused on mastering both disciplines from the day she started to walk. She sometimes wondered how Creed choreographed their kisses to be so all-encompassing, so perfect, but right now, she couldn’t spend any time wondering, she simply let herself feel and savor.
Creed pulled back, but Kiera tugged him closer, running her hands over his shoulders and his broad back. “I want to be with you,” she said quickly before she lost her nerve. She wanted to become one with him and know that they were bound together by something stronger than the promises they’d made. If she lost him, she wanted to have this memory, this night together. As her awkward words escaped, she knew all the saints in heaven were muttering prayers over her right now. Her staunchly Catholic abuelita would ring her neck if she was still around to curse and cuss Kiera like she had been wont to do.
“You are with me,” Creed said.
Kiera gulped and didn’t know if she could spell it out. She truly shouldn’t spell it out, should just hug him and move on, but she couldn’t resist him any longer. She needed the bonding of their love to sustain her when he left tomorrow.
“All the way with you,” she whispered, guilt rushing in as quickly as the words escaped.
Creed’s eyes widened, and then he studied her with a smoldering look that made fire rush through her. Kiera felt so alive yet terrified at the same time. They’d stayed strong for many years. One of them would always be sane enough to cool the fires before they raged out of control. What would the next step do to their relationship?
Creed’s gaze swept over her, warm and filled with desire. Then he laughed. It wasn’t a short, easy laugh. This laughter rumbled through his chest and blasted out of him. He laughed so hard he could hardly catch a breath.
Kiera gasped, pulled away from him, and folded her arms across her chest. “I’m glad my awkward offering could give you something to cackle about.” She threw the words at him.
Creed stopped laughing though he was still smiling. “I know I’m irresistible, but did you really just proposition me?”
Kiera turned away, humiliated. “Don’t think so highly of yourself, Creed Hawk. It was a once-in-a-lifetime offer that’s gone now.” She snapped her fingers at him.
Creed chuckled again, but then he sobered and turned her toward him, pulling her in tight. She didn’t even attempt a resistance. “Sweet Kiera,” he whispered huskily. “You have no clue how badly I want you, but remember our promise?”
Of course she remembered their promise. That promise had kept them from doing anything more than kissing for the past eight years, since he was a senior in high school and she was a sophomore. She’d fallen head over heels for Creed Hawk. They’d always been so in love it had been hard to stop their physical need for each other, but Creed was strong and disciplined, and so was she. They’d promised to save themselves for marriage and for each other, and though she loved their promise and had worked hard to honor it, she couldn’t deny that she wanted more right now.
“It’s still true, love. Our bond is stronger than a physical one, and when we’re bound together before God, his angels, and all of our loved ones, being together will be magical for us.” He kissed her softly and whispered against her lips, “I promise.”
“But what if you don’t come back to me?” She felt like a whiny little girl instead of the accomplished, renowned dancer she was. She was one of twenty dancers out of thousands of applicants to win a spot on America’s Got Talent: Just Dance. She’d worked her entire life to be at the top. Right now, she didn’t care about anything except Creed coming back to her, and if wishes could come true, never leaving her.
Creed smiled that irresistible smile of his. “You’re the reason I will come back.”
He held her tight. Her head rested in the crook of his neck like they’d been designed for each other. She clung to him and blinked the tears away. Creed was strong, brilliant, and determined. He would come back to her. T
hen they’d get married and be together. He’d promised. So why was her stomach rolling, and why were her palms clammy with a premonition that all their love and promises might be swept away faster than the next wave?
* * *
Several weeks had passed since Kiera had been in Creed’s arms. She savored the memory every chance she got, but she’d also worked fourteen to sixteen-hour days getting ready for the chance of a lifetime—the finals of America’s Got Talent: Just Dance. Miraculously, she and her partner, Milo, had won the competition. The moment was amazing, with her parents being there to celebrate and so many friends and family supporting her. Creed’s parents had also been in the crowd, but sadly, Creed couldn’t be there.
The celebration continued as she and Milo were interviewed on daytime shows. Offers to not only dance on the biggest stages in the world, but to be the focus of the show, started rolling in.
Soon, it was back to work, which Kiera actually preferred. She hadn’t minded the interviews and the hype, but she’d worked long days for so many years to be where she was at, and she simply loved to dance, to move, and to improve her dancing. Milo was a well-matched partner for her. They’d worked together on Broadway before they’d taken the shot at Just Dance. Since it had paid off, they were spending a lot of time together. He was a nice guy and an amazing dancer, but Kiera had had to draw lines a few times and explain she’d already found the love of her life.
Someday, she and Creed would be together. That dream and her memories of Creed were a part of everything she did, giving her strength, direction, and hope.
Kiera and Milo were practicing in a rented studio for a show in London tonight. They finished an intimate bachata-style salsa number, and Milo ran his hand down her waistline, giving her a smoldering look. Kiera straightened and tried to move away, but Milo grasped her waist and pulled her in tight.
“The song’s over,” she said, hoping her voice sounded cold and unemotional.
“But you and I could just be starting,” Milo whispered.
Kiera jerked free and folded her arms across her chest. “There is no us, Milo. I told you I have a boyfriend.”
Milo stepped closer, his chest brushing her arms. “What kind of an idiot boyfriend can’t even be there for the biggest events of your life?”
Kiera unfolded her arms and pushed hard at his chest. He instinctively stepped back. “You’re the idiot. Don’t ever come on to me again or we’re done as partners.”
Milo rolled his eyes and gave a disgusted grunt. “We’re fabulous together, Kiera. You have to see that.”
Kiera would lose a lot of contracts if she dumped him as a dance partner, but at the moment, she didn’t care. Why did Creed have to be so far away? If he was here now, he’d whip Milo’s butt, and the guy would never try anything like this again.
“We’re fabulous as dance partners. That’s all.” She arched an eyebrow and dared him to challenge her. If he couldn’t keep things platonic between them, she’d have to find another partner. The thought made her neck tighten. It would be a nightmare to find a partner with Milo’s talent and dedication. On top of that was the fact they had won Just Dance as a couple. What would happen to all their contracts if they split up?
Milo spread his hands and lifted his shoulders. “You can’t blame a guy for trying.” He grinned at her.
“That’s what you think.” Kiera turned and strode to where she’d left her water bottle and purse by the edge of the wooden floor. “Let’s take a break,” she said.
Milo shrugged, clicked off the music, and headed for the bathroom.
Kiera took a long swallow of water, trying to calm her racing heart. Milo made her so mad, bagging on Creed like that, but she needed him if she was going to be successful in her career. Maybe it was time to keep her eyes open for another partner, quietly have her agent put out some feelers. This wasn’t the first time Milo had made a pass at her, and she doubted it would be the last. She blew out a breath. Ah, Creed. Why did he have to be on some secretive mission? She missed him but at the same time, she was so proud of him. Creed had been born to succeed in the military, and he was on an elite team of SEALs now. She knew he was doing amazing things for their country, and it made her love him even more, no matter how badly she missed him.
She pulled her phone out of her purse to check her messages. The phone button showed seventeen missed calls. Kiera blinked. Nobody ever called her, except for her mama. Sure enough, all of the calls were from her mama. She pushed the call back button, her stomach dropping. What if something was wrong with her papa?
“Kiera!” Her mama’s voice was mostly just a wail.
“Mama?” Kiera’s heart beat faster and faster. “What’s wrong?”
“Oh, mi amor. I wish I could hold you. Oh, mija.”
“Mama! Please tell me what’s going on.” She could barely grip the phone.
“C-creed.” Her mama gasped out. “Callum called. He thought I should be the one to tell you. The Navy just called Creed’s dad.”
Kiera felt the phone slipping from her grasp, but the words came through before she lost it, the words she never could accept. “Creed’s dead.”
Chapter One
Kiera did her bows, keeping the smile plastered on her face though inside she wanted to crumple. Tonight was her first performance since Creed had been killed a month ago. It had been more than obvious to everyone in the packed San Francisco theater that she was off. Clinging to Milo’s hand, she waved with her other hand. The stage lights finally dimmed, and she was able to rip her hand free and run for her dressing room.
She ignored the whispers and stares. What did she care what anyone thought of her? Without Creed in this world, it was a struggle to want the sun to shine. She finally reached her dressing room and hurried inside. Before she could shut the door, a firm hand pushed it back open. Milo.
Kiera wanted to shove him out and just have a long, lonely cry, but how many tears could one person shed?
Milo ushered her into the room and quietly shut the door behind them. He gave her an understanding grimace and tugged her into his arms. Maybe Kiera should’ve resisted, but she was exhausted physically and more so emotionally. Milo had been there for her since Creed died, and except for all the times he’d tried before Creed’s death to push her to give him a chance romantically, they were fantastic partners and friends.
“It’s okay.” Milo ushered her head to his chest. He was wiry, and women around the world fawned over him, but his build was nothing compared to Creed’s. How could it be possible she would never feel Creed’s arms around her again?
She let the tears flow for a few minutes, appreciating having something solid to cling to. Finally, she forced herself to straighten and pull back. “Thanks. Sorry I’m such a mess.”
“Hey. Nobody is blaming you.”
“I know, but I was so off tonight. Without you, that show would’ve been a total flop.”
Milo raised one shoulder, taking her compliment with grace. “We all have off nights.”
“Not like that.” She walked to the leather couch and sank down into it. Milo followed her, sitting close. “Maybe I should just be done.”
“No!” Milo’s response was quick and intense. He turned and grasped her hands. “Kiera, you’ve worked too hard and too long. You have more talent than any dancer I’ve worked with. I need you.”
Kiera studied him. She appreciated his words, but she couldn’t fathom them. How could she simply move on from Creed’s death and keep pursuing her dreams? She didn’t want Milo or anyone to need her. She was barely functioning. How could she be needed by someone?
“What did Creed’s letter tell you?”
Kiera swallowed hard and looked away. She’d received a letter shortly after Creed’s death, and it had been beautiful and horrible at the same time. He was so full of love for her and kept begging her to move on from him, to live her life, be successful, be happy, to find love again. She loved the letter because it was as if Creed was talking to her f
rom beyond the grave, but she hated to even think of moving on. It simply wasn’t possible. How did you move on from the perfect man for you?
Milo was studying her, so she finally mumbled, “He wants me to be happy.”
Milo nodded. “He was always so proud of you. Do this for him. Dance your heart out. Be happy. Find love again.”
It was impossible to not notice how he squeezed her hand as he said the last sentence. Kiera’s heart had no room to love again, but she felt Milo’s words deeply. She could plunge herself back into dance, and though she doubted true happiness existed without Creed, she could be successful for him. That much she could do, and she knew Creed would be proud. Maybe someday, years in the future, happiness and love would come again, but for right now, she would focus on hard work and success, keep herself busy enough to hopefully dull the pain.
“I’ll work hard for him,” she said, the mere words giving her strength. “I can do that ... for Creed.”
Milo grinned and rubbed his thumb along the back of her hand. “That’s my girl.”
She was not his girl and never would be, but she had no energy to debate anything right now.
“We’ll do it together,” Milo said. He released her hand and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “I’ll never leave your side.”
Kiera thought that was a little dramatic, but she couldn’t deny she needed his encouragement and friendship right now. She let herself lean against his shoulder, and she kept repeating one thing in her mind: “For Creed. For Creed.”
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