Gunner (K19 Security Solutions Book 2)

by Heather Slade

  There were several surfers out this morning, waiting for waves in the bone-chilling Pacific Ocean. Even in a full wetsuit, Brodie wouldn’t have joined them. Maybe he would’ve ten years ago, but when he surfed now, he preferred the warmer water found a couple of hours south, closer to Santa Barbara.

  “Don’t be such a pussy,” his brother Maddox had said the first time Kade brought him along to their favorite surf spot.

  Kade smacked Mad, that day, and told him to leave Brodie alone. He glared at Naughton too, daring him to tease their youngest brother.

  Kade was nine years older than Brodie, six years older than Naughton, and three years older than Maddox. Brodie was twelve the first time his brothers brought him along on the forty-five-minute drive from their ranch on Adelaida Trail, over the rolling hills of Highway 46, to Moonstone Beach.

  “He watches, Kade. You don’t take your brother in when it’s nigh fifty degrees in that water.”

  Kade winked at Brodie. “Yes, Ma.”

  His brother had been home on leave for two weeks and was flying out again the next morning. Brodie begged Kade to let him go with them that day. The words he spoke would haunt him in the years that followed.

  “I never know if you’re coming back. You promised to teach me to surf. What if this is our only chance?” It made him sick to recall his callousness. He was only thankful his mother hadn’t heard.

  Kade had joined the Marines right out of high school, eventually serving in one of the elite Force Recon companies. He’d gone on to be one of the few priors who also underwent Navy SEAL training as well as attending Special Operations training in Fort Bragg—with the Green Berets. He hadn’t stopped there. Kade had also earned a degree as a physician’s assistant.

  As one of only a handful of men with that level of specialized training, he became part of Delta Force, officially known as 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, the most highly trained elite force in the US military. The Special Missions Unit performed various clandestine and highly classified counter-terrorism missions around the world. His brother had saved an infinite number of lives in his years of duty, but lost his own a year ago, on what was to be his final mission.

  The first time Brodie heard Kade mention retirement was after he’d been seeing Peyton for several months. For three years, his rotation had been two months on, two months off. It became increasingly difficult for him to go back when his two-month leave came to an end. The mission was no longer his top priority. Peyton was becoming more important to him.

  Brodie scrolled through the photos on his phone, looking for the last one taken with all of his siblings. His father had taken it the Christmas before last. Two months later, his parents answered their door and heard the devastating news every parent with a son or daughter serving in the military prays they’ll never hear. Kade had been killed in action.

  Brodie thought about looking through the contents of the box his mother wanted him to deliver to Peyton, but felt as though he’d be invading their privacy.

  The cold wind stung his face with sand, and he buried his hands in his jacket pockets. It was a degree warmer for every mile between here and his family’s ranch, thirty miles inland, but today he welcomed the chill of the ocean air washing over him. It reminded him he was alive. His brother wasn’t, but he was, and that meant he had a promise to fulfill.

  “I gave him my word, Brodie,” his mother had said when she asked him to find Peyton.

  —:—

  Peyton looked up from her computer screen when she heard the back door open. “Hey, Alex.”

  Her best friend and marketing director for both the tasting room and the Westside Winery Collaborative, sat in the chair next to Peyton’s desk.

  “How are you not cold?”

  Alex wore jeans with tan, four-inch heel boots and a black, sleeveless, silk tank. “Hot Hispanic blood runnin’ through these veins, girlfriend.”

  “It’s forty degrees, the wind off the ocean makes it feel closer to twenty, and you never get cold. I’m always cold, even in the summer.”

  “No meat on your bones; that’s your problem.”

  “You’re such a hypocrite. You weigh less than I do. You always have.”

  Peyton and Alex had been friends since they were teenagers. Her parents became friends with Alex’s when they bought a ranch and decided to turn half of it into vineyards. Alfonso Avila, Alex’s father, sold Peyton’s dad rootstock and helped him produce many fine wines through the years.

  She and Alex had been scrawny “beanpoles” when they met—tall and lanky, before both their bodies matured and filled out. Apart from their stature and thin but curvy bodies, they were total opposites. Peyton was a green-eyed blonde, and Alex had long dark brown, almost black hair, and eyes that matched.

  “What’s with the scowl this morning?”

  “Sorry, it’s been a crappy day so far.”

  Alex checked the time on her phone. “Already? Everything okay with the boys?”

  “They’re fine, Auntie Alex. No, this has nothing to do with the boys.”

  “What, then? Spill.”

  “I ran into Brodie Butler at the market this morning.”

  “Oh. Shit. I’m sorry, honey.”

  “I wasn’t very nice to him, and now I feel bad.”

  “I didn’t realize you knew Brodie.”

  “I don’t. Or I didn’t. He introduced himself.”

  “I know it’s hard to see Kade’s family—”

  “He said he had something for me. Something from Kade.”

  “Oh. Shit,” Alex repeated.

  “I left.”

  Alex nodded her head.

  “No, Alex, I mean I walked away. Right out of the market. Poor Louie probably wonders why I left a cartful of milk and OJ right there in aisle six.”

  “Not a big deal, Peyton. Seriously, forget about it.”

  “I’ll apologize to Louie later, but what about Brodie? I owe him an apology too.”

  “No, you don’t. What made him think confronting you in the supermarket was a good idea?”

  “He didn’t confront me. I don’t think he expected to see me there.”

  “You’re right. I’m sure he drives thirty miles out of his way daily to go to a grocery store a tenth of the size of the store located less than ten miles outside the gates of Butler Ranch, because…I don’t know…Louie’s selection of mortadella is better?”

  “You aren’t helping. I feel bad enough as it is, Alex.”

  Alex reached over and rested her hand on Peyton’s. “I’m sorry, honey.”

  “Tell me what I should do. I don’t want to call the ranch.”

  “Why not? Kade’s parents ask about you all the time. I’m sure they’d like to hear from you.”

  “No. I can’t.”

  “Then, I will.”

  “Would you?”

  Los Caballeros, the thousand-acre ranch owned by Alex’s family, bordered the Butler Ranch. The Avilas and Butlers hadn’t always gotten along, but when Alex’s father passed away, a few years ago, the longstanding feud between Laird Butler and Alfonso Avila was set aside.

  “Of course I will. Do you want me to offer to take whatever Brodie wanted to give you?”

  “No! God, no. Just tell them…I can’t. I’m sorry, but I can’t.”

  “Can’t what? I’m lost.”

  “Whatever it is, I don’t want it.”

  “Peyton—”

  Peyton walked out of the small office before Alex finished her sentence. She didn’t want to hear it. It was more than that; she couldn’t hear it.

  When Alex followed, Peyton covered her ears.

  “Jesus, what are you? A ten-year-old? Stop this.”

  Peyton walked out the back door of the building and got in her car. For the second time this morning, she ran away.

  Instead of going home, she parked her car near the trail that led down to Moonstone Beach. A good long walk on the beach would help clear her head, and then maybe she’d be able
to find the grownup living inside her, and stop acting like the child Alex had called her out as.

  —:—

  Brodie saw the black BMW pull into the parking lot at the opposite end of Moonstone Beach. It was a common car in the little seaside village, but there was no mistaking the woman who climbed out of it. He watched Peyton take the steps that led from the asphalt lot down to the beach.

  When she reached the area that was almost directly below where he sat, he waved. Surprisingly, she waved back. More surprisingly, she ran up the path that would lead her directly to him.

  “I owe you an apology,” she said, approaching him. “I could give some lame excuse, but the bottom line is, I was rude to you, and I’m sorry.”

  “I’m sorry too, Peyton. I honestly didn’t expect to run into you at the market. Although I didn’t have much of a plan when I drove into town this morning.”

  Rather than look at him, Peyton looked out at the sea. “You probably think I should be over him by now, especially since we weren’t together that long.”

  “That isn’t what I think at all.” Brodie wished he could see Peyton’s eyes. Even if she’d look in his direction, her dark sunglasses hid them from view.

  “Kade made our ma promise that I’d deliver this box to you if anything happened to him.” Brodie pointed to the plain cardboard box sitting on the ground near his feet.

  Peyton put her hands in her jacket pockets. He thought for a minute she’d walk away from him again. Instead, she leaned against a rock near his.

  “I know it makes me seem like a terrible person, but I don’t want it, Brodie.”

  “You might change your mind someday.”

  “Your brother knew me well enough, at least I thought he did, that he wouldn’t have done this.”

  Brodie waited to see if Peyton would continue. They sat in silence but for the steady rhythm of the waves crashing on the sand.

  She took several deep breaths, but didn’t speak, so he did. “Tell me why he wouldn’t have done this, Peyton.”

  Brodie watched as she took three more very intentional deep breaths, and then turned to face him. Again he waited for her to speak, and again she remained silent.

  Finally, Peyton shrugged her shoulders and stood. “I’ll see ya around, Brodie.”

  He didn’t follow her down the path, and didn’t move from where he sat until long after he saw her drive away in the opposite direction, toward the highway that would lead her back into town.

  Brodie picked up the box and carried it back to his truck. He opened the door and set it on the passenger seat. “Guess it’s you and me for a while, box.” He patted the top, and then splayed his fingers, as if by doing so, he could take in whatever of Kade’s energy remained in the belongings he’d wanted Peyton to have.

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  Brodie

  Want more from Heather Slade?

  Keep reading for a short excerpt from

  Fall for Me

  the first book in

  the Cowboys of Crested Butte series.

  Fall for Me

  Summer

  Liv raised her arms and swayed as the warm breeze of the Colorado night danced and swirled around her.

  Sitting in the sixth row of the outdoor amphitheater, she closed her eyes and sang along, as the opening band played her favorite song.

  She didn’t remember how she found them, or the first time she listened to their music, but this was the first time she saw them perform live.

  I don’t wanna play it cool

  Act like meeting you

  Ain’t got me all jumbled up inside.

  I don’t want to play along,

  Dance with you for just one song,

  Then politely step aside.

  Let’s don’t let go of this

  No, let’s don’t let this go.

  I don’t wanna move too fast

  If I let this moment pass

  May never get the chance again.

  Tomorrow I will either be

  Tangled up in you and me

  Or lost in thoughts of what could have been.

  “Open your eyes,” her best friend, Paige, whispered. “He’s singing to you.”

  When Liv opened her eyes, CB, the lead singer of the band CB Rice, was looking right at her. When she smiled, he nodded and smiled too.

  “Oh my God,” Liv’s daughter, Renie, giggled. “Look, Blythe.” Renie nudged her best friend.

  “How embarrassing,” Blythe murmured.

  “Ow! Jeez, Mom. Why’d you hit me?”

  “Let Liv enjoy this moment, and don’t be such a brat, Blythe.”

  The people behind them leaned forward. “Shh…”

  Blythe turned around. “You want us to be quiet during a rock concert? Seriously?”

  Paige swatted her again.

  “Ow, Mom. Stop hitting me!”

  “Shh…” whispered Liv, wanting to hear nothing but CB’s voice singing her favorite song.

  In my mind I’ve already let this go too far

  Saying goodbye tonight

  Would be just like a broken heart.

  Let’s don’t let go of this

  No, let’s don’t let this go.

  The song ended, and Liv wished she could hit replay, like she did so often when she listened to their music. It was as though the words of every song were written just for her. She’d never forget this night, finally having the chance to see them perform live.

  Since CB Rice was the opener for the opener for the headliner, their set was short. After six songs, CB thanked the bands that would come after them for inviting them on stage tonight.

  “Playing Red Rocks has always been our dream,” CB told the cheering audience.

  Every band she’d seen at the spectacular venue nestled into the mountains outside of Denver had expressed a similar sentiment.

  The natural rock formations created an open-air amphitheater with perfect acoustics. A large, tilted, disc-shaped rock formed a multi-story backdrop behind the stage, and a huge vertical rock angled outward from the right. Several more large outcrops angled outward from the left.

  From the stage, rows upon rows of wooden benches led up to a vast and open view of the starry Rocky Mountain nights.

  “Ready for a beer?” Paige asked.

  “Sure. Why not?” Liv smiled. She’d insisted they rush to their seats when they arrived, so she didn’t miss a single minute of CB Rice on stage.

  “We’re going to look at merch,” Renie told her mother, pulling a pouting Blythe behind her.

  “All the years they’ve been friends, you’d think Renie’s personality would’ve rubbed off, at least a little, on my daughter.”

  “She’s fine,” Liv answered.

  She hummed the last song the band played, wishing again she could hear it one more time.

  “You should get a t-shirt,” Paige teased.

  “Maybe I will.”

  Two beers and one of every t-shirt CB Rice was selling later, Liv and Paige returned to their seats just as the second band took the stage.

  Their seats were situated just outside the roped-off area, which was designated both for VIPs and for the sound equipment. When Renie came and sat beside her, Liv leaned against her daughter.

  “Having fun?” Renie asked.

  “Thank you for doing this,” Liv answered.

  “I know how much you like Red Rocks, and with three of your favorite bands playing, it seemed like the perfect way to end our summer.”

  Her daughter was a pre-med major at Dartmouth, and would be returning to school next week.

  “I miss you already, sweetheart.”

  The second band began to play, and soon everyone in the ten-thousand-person audience was on their feet, dancing and singing along.

  “Look.” Renie pointed to Liv’s left.

  She looked up at the large rock formation, expecting to see something projected on it. “What?”

  “Not up there. There.” Renie pointed again to the VIP
area, where CB and his band were seated.

  When Liv looked over, CB was looking right at her, just like he had been while onstage. Warmth traveled up her cheeks, and she looked away. A few minutes later, she looked back. His eyes still rested on her; this time he smiled and winked.

  “Hey, you.” Paige smiled when Liv scooted closer, putting Renie and Blythe between her and the ropes.

  “Mom’s hiding from CB Rice.”

  Paige leaned back.

  “Don’t look,” Liv gasped.

  “Why not?”

  “He’s been staring at her all night,” Blythe groaned.

  “Shh…” the people behind them whispered again, which only made Liv and Paige giggle.

  When the second band’s set ended, Liv sneaked a peek at the VIP area, disappointed that she didn’t see any members of CB Rice.

  “You were ignoring him, so he went home,” Renie smirked.

  Liv rolled her eyes.

  Soon, the third band took the stage, and the audience went wild. Liv forgot all about CB and his band as she danced and sang along for the rest of the two-hour show.

  Too soon it seemed, the band played their encore, and the audience slowly began making their way to the exits.

  “Wait,” Liv heard someone yell.

  “Mom, stop.”

  When Liv turned around, CB was standing right behind her.

  He smiled. “Hi.”

  “Uh, hi.”

  “What’s your name?”

  Liv looked around. “Me?”

  CB laughed. “Yeah, you.”

  “Liv,” she answered, and then turned back around. “And this is my friend, Paige, my daughter, Renie, and Paige’s daughter, Blythe.”

  He bent to see around Liv. “I’m Ben Rice. Nice to meet you.” He waved, and then rested his gaze back on her. “Thanks for coming to the show tonight, Liv.”