Down Range (Tungsten Protective Services Book 1)

by Aliyah Burke

  “What’s wrong?”

  “My parents,” she bumbled the words out of her mouth. “Oh god, I’m not ever going to forget that.”

  “What about them?”

  “I just saw them having sex.”

  He wrapped his arms around her. “It happens with adults you know.”

  “They hate each other and aren’t together anymore.”

  “According to you, you hate me and we’re not together either. We just had sex earlier today.”

  “That’s neither here nor there.”

  He moved his hand up under her shirt. The moment his hand cupped her breast, she whimpered and turned into his touch.

  “Damn you,” she uttered.

  “I love you, Riz. I’m going to keep saying it until you know it’s the truth.”

  “You may think it’s your truth, Ralston. I’m not denying that. I’m saying I don’t believe you.”

  “I know. And I’m going to say it until it is your truth.”

  She squirmed when he rolled her nipple in his fingers. Wetness gathered in her pussy and she slid a hand down over belly to the waistband of her panties.

  A glow filled the room and he reached for his phone with his free hand.

  “Ralston. You sure? How many? We’ll be ready. Thanks for the heads up.” He put the phone beside him and sat.

  Dread filled her.

  “Do I even want to know?”

  “Fifteen people are moving in on this location. I’m guessing if it is a family reunion, it’s not one we want to be here for.”

  Panic surged.

  “What about my parents?”

  “We’re about to go interrupt their sex. Come on.” He grabbed his SIG from the end table and shoved it into the back of his pants before beckoning to her.

  Belly in knots, Riz put her hand in Ralston’s strong one and let him lead her out to the main part of the cabin.

  αβ

  Ducking the glare he was leveled by Riz’s father, Ralston peered out the window, ensuring not to move the curtain much. He had no wish to give away his position. Riz’s father hadn’t been pleased about being interrupted and had been snappy since but dealing with uncooperative people wasn’t anything new to him.

  His phone rang and he put it to his ear. “Talk to me.”

  “We’ve got boots on the ground.”

  “How many?” he asked his boss, Scott Leighton, better known as Harrier.

  “Three.”

  “How far out?”

  Ralston was fine with three of Tungsten’s men on the ground. They were better than a group of most.

  “Two clicks. We’re moving fast. Be there in a few. Coming in from the north, please don’t shoot us.”

  “Roger that, sir.” The call ended.

  “I thought you weren’t active duty anymore.”

  Ralston looked at the man who’d made the comment. He ran his gaze over him then progressed on to where Riz waited near her mother. Sitting in silence, the pain on her face like a knife through his heart.

  “I’m not. These are the men I work with.”

  Scott didn’t do tons anymore but Ralston wasn’t going to lie and not think it wasn’t a huge honor that the man left his desk to come out and help him.

  His phone buzzed twice and he went to the back door of the cabin and opened it. Three men in camouflage strode in, the lead man tossed him an MP-5 which he snagged out of the air with a grateful smile. The second the door shut behind them, he looked at the group holed up with him.

  “Good to see you, sirs,” he said with a nod to Scott “Harrier” Leighton. “And you two as well.”

  Mac was there and so was Tyson “Cade” Kincade. The men shared a look and each took up a position at each side of the cabin.

  Mac stopped by and said hi to Riz which Ralston wanted to punch him in the face for. Especially the way her eyes lit up and her smile turned up her lips.

  “Who are these men?” Riz’s father demanded.

  “The ones who are getting us out of this.” He checked the MP-5 then did another look out the window. “What are they waiting for? It’ll be daylight soon.”

  “Maybe they don’t have the desire to attack at night, I’m thinking a predawn one,” Cade said.

  “Makes sense,” Harrier agreed. “People are still either sleeping or just getting started for the day and groggy.”

  “How did you get here so quick?” he asked Mac.

  “We’re getting a new pilot,” he replied with a smile. “Marine, female, been flying Super Cobras.” He waggled his eyebrows. “I like her.”

  Ralston looked over to Harrier and Cade. “Really?”

  “Kind of a test run. She’ll be our air support and ride out of here.” Harrier held up his hand and gestured.

  “Stay down and be quiet,” Cade issued the order.

  Ralston found Riz’s gaze and gave her a silent second command. One to keep safe. He loved how she didn’t back away from the situation but encouraged her mother to get down more, and wrapped her arms around her, instead of being the one who had more protection. Even the two men who’d come with her father were down there. Their weapons were ready but they were on either side of the father.

  He put his attention back out the window and as the sun’s first rays began creeping over the land, he saw what Harrier had already picked out. Men moving in a staggered pattern toward the cabin. Automatic weapons and scowls on their faces.

  “Engage.”

  The single word from Harrier was akin to a match being lit and applied to gasoline. Flames erupted in his blood and Ralston had no way of denying the adrenaline that pumped in his veins.

  Seconds later, the cars exploded. Short rapid bursts from his weapon dropped incoming men and Ralston frowned when a bullet tore along the flesh of his upper arm.

  Glass shattered around him and he narrowed his eyes, protecting them. Two men dashed toward him, bullets ripping from the muzzles of their weapons. He lifted his and fired, dropping them then he went out the window that had been blown out, running to meet the oncoming tangoes.

  In his periphery he saw a man kneeling by the edge of the forest. The RPG up against his shoulder sent fear streaking through him.

  “RPG!” he yelled. “Get out. Get out. Get out!”

  He whirled back as the projectile raced to its target. Riz! Seconds later, the explosion rocked the area, engulfing the cabin in flames. His heart clenched and for a second his feet were frozen to the ground.

  Fear submerged him into a deep hole. He pushed by the enemy trying to keep him down and moved. Ralston and the others took care of the killers sent after Riz then he turned back to the cabin. Flames flickered out the windows, burned through the roof and ate at the walls.

  “Riz!”

  Ralston dashed for the building, throwing his arm up to ward off the heat. He tried to peer in but couldn’t see through the vibrant orange, red, and yellow fire.

  Nothing. His legs buckled and he took two steps forward when someone yanked him back. Mac had him by the collar, his mouth moved but the sound didn’t register. He pulled against the strong man but couldn’t budge, for Mac somehow dragged him away from the growing inferno.

  “What the fuck, man. She’s in there. I have to get to her.”

  “You’re not going to survive if you go in there.”

  “I don’t care.” He punched Mac and dashed for the door. This time is was Cade and Harrier who stopped him.

  The sounds of a helicopter filled the air and he glanced over his shoulder to see a low flying bird nearing their destination. With a final desperate lunge for the door, he released a bellow of pain when the stopped him again.

  “She’s fine,” Cade whispered, holding him up.

  It took a bit for the words to sink in his scrambled brain. “What?”

  He peered between both men. Harrier pointed off to the left and he followed the directional gesture. Sure enough, Riz stood there, between her parents, clothing singed but she was alive.

 
“Riz.”

  The men let him go and he stumbled down the remaining step and ran to her. She met him halfway and launched into his arms.

  “Sweet hell, woman,” he rumbled. “I thought I lost you.”

  Her arms nearly severed his air but he didn’t care. She was alive and damn it all, she was his.

  Their lips met in a frenzy. Sinking to his knees, he growled in pleasure when she wrapped her legs around his waist, anchoring them closer.

  “I’m not letting you go,” he stated.

  “I love you, Ralston.”

  Her four words lifted his heart past the gates of Heaven.

  “Are you okay?” he demanded, leaning back, touching her face, trying to ascertain if there were any injuries. A few scrapes but she would be fine.

  “I am now.”

  The sound grew louder and he watched the chopper land. He got to his feet and without releasing the woman in his arms, he headed for their ride out of here. Her parents got on, the rest of the team and he followed.

  “I’m marrying your daughter,” he announced. “I’m not asking your permission, either. I can’t live without her.”

  The pilot turned and smiled at him.

  “Shea?”

  A thumb’s up was his response.

  “Do you know her?” Riz asked, still tucked against him.

  “Yes. Shea Worthington. One hell of a Marine pilot. Guess she’s looking into joining Tungsten.”

  “Where did you meet her?”

  “Kabul.” He looked at the woman in his lap. “Are you jealous?”

  “Yes.”

  Riz’s swift announcement told him everything he needed to know.

  “You don’t have any reason to be. I’ve never stopped loving you. Whether I’m here with you or down range, my love for you won’t waver a second.”

  She buried her face in the crook of his neck. Her warm tears dampened his neck but he didn’t care. She smelled of fire and burning wood but to him, it was okay for she was in his arms and in his life.

  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

  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

  Graham Family

  Justice Is Always Ready

  And We’ve Come Full Circle

  Denim & Spurs

  With This Ring

  Dream Lover

  You Don’t Know Jack

  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

  All Romance E-Books

  D.A.R.K Cover, Inc.

  Breaking All the Rules

  Trust Me

  Alphas series

  It Was Always You

  Fearless series

  One Cold Night

  Dubious series

  Say You’re Mine

  Entangled

  Code Name: Papa

  Kindleworld

  Icy Dare (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)

  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

  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: @AliyahBurke96, or Pinterest. And on TSU: @AliyahBurke

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

  I hope you enjoyed reading, Down Range. 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, ARe, 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.