Special Forces_Operation Alpha_Blackburn

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Special Forces_Operation Alpha_Blackburn Page 9

by Brynne Asher


  Lillian keeps on. “I don’t understand why she won’t sleep more than thirty minutes at a time at night and look at her now? She’s sleeping like a baby, like she should be, because she is one.”

  I set down my coffee and reach for my youngest daughter. Izzy, who’s just as perfect as her older sister, is snoozing away in her swing. She’s four months old and, since I’m a baby expert, I know she should be sleeping at least four to five hours at a time, if not longer.

  On my wedding day, Grady Cain put a curse on me and it stuck. So far, I’m outnumbered in this house, three to one, if I don’t count the dog. All girls so far, but in about nine months, I’ll start sweet talking my wife into small human number three. It only took me a day to convince her to let my sperm do what it does best before I knocked her up with number two, so this means the sooner I can get Izzy to sleep through the night, the sooner I can let my boys free again.

  Izzy stretches in my hands as I hold her up to my face. “Izzy, we need to conference about something important.” Her fists rub her eyes and she yawns, drawing her chubby little legs up. She’s just as bone-tired as the rest of us. “Your mommy is gonna keep you awake as much as possible today. You’re not going to go in the car, or listen to the hair dryer, or hang out by the laundry room. There will be no white noise for you all day. And tonight, you’re going to sleep in your own room for the first time—”

  “No!” Lillian argues. “She’s too little. We need to keep her close where we can hear her.”

  I ignore my wife. “—in a room that your father spent a fuckin’ mint to decorate—”

  “Gabe! Watch your language.”

  “—not to mention all the high-tech equipment I’ve installed to watch you from everywhere in the house and our phones and our computers because your father not only has the strongest sperm around—”

  “Would you quit with the sperm?”

  “—but he’s also a technological genius.” I smile at my daughter who’s now sort of awake and reaching for my nose. “And you know what, baby? You’re gonna sleep so good tonight because your mommy won’t wake you up with her snoring.”

  “Gabe Blackburn. I do not wake her up.”

  I look down at my tired but beautiful wife. “I love you, but you do. She’s sleeping with the giraffes tonight. It makes my stomach turn every time I think about how much money I spent on that damn room—it’s time for some return on our investment.”

  Lillian’s tired brown eyes float to our baby who I’ve got settled in the crook of my arm that was made just for her. “She’s too little to be away from us.”

  I lean in to kiss my wife’s forehead. “We’re not sending her to boarding school. She’ll be in the next room, with a well-insulated wall between us so she can get some shut-eye. Trust me. I know babies. Now, go take a long shower. I can skip my first meeting.”

  My sweet Lillian doesn’t head for the shower, she falls into my chest. I wrap her up in my free arm and put my lips to the top of her messy-haired head that really needs to be washed. “I love you.”

  Imma has wrapped herself around my leg, sitting on my Magnanni Italian leather dress shoe.

  “Daddy!”

  I look down at my oldest human. “Yeah, baby?”

  “Fuckin’ mint!”

  Lillian’s whole body tenses and I tighten my hold on her so she can’t move.

  “Gabe!”

  “Shh.” I put my lips to her head, holding her in a vice grip. “That didn’t just happen. You’re tired and hallucinating.”

  Rosco jumps on me, barking, and Imma giggles, pulling at my leg. “Gimme a ride, Daddy.”

  Lillian looks up at me and gives me a tired smile and shakes her head.

  “Aren’t you glad you married me?” I ask her this every time I find a way to annoy her.

  She lifts up on her tired toes and puts her lips to my jaw. “Everyday. I love you.”

  With Imma yanking my leg, Rosco about to hump me, and Izzy grabbing at Lillian’s hair, I pull my wife up to kiss her long, hard, and deep. When I let her mouth go, I tell her the truth. “You still bring me to my knees, baby. The most powerful woman in the world.”

  Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed the story of Gabe and Lillian. Grady Cain, mentioned in the Epilogue, already has his own book. Read how he and Maya find their happily ever after in Paths, the second book of my Killers Series, also available to read for free on Kindle Unlimited.

  A Note from the Author

  I have so many people to thank for their help in the final product of Blackburn. I needed this book turned around quickly and my team was there for me, just like always.

  Elle, thank you for always pushing me when I feel stuck in the writing muck. I can’t believe Gabe is a close second to Cam for you. That’s huge! Kristan, you not only fit me in your tight schedule, but polished my words to make them pretty as a picture. I adore you and the team we’ve become. Shannon Brown, thank you for our morning sprints. Could not have finished this on time without you. Laurie, Ivy, Kolleen, Carrie, Gillian, and Gi—you’re the best beta team. I don’t know what I’d do without you. To Layla Frost and Sarah Curtis, your proofs and daily support mean everything. Sonya, my cover kicks ass because of you.

  To my Review Team—I’ve come to love our group. Thank you for being there for me to read all my words.

  And to all my readers and bloggers—I can’t say enough. Thank you for coming back for more with every book. I’ll never take you for granted.

  Every time I sit down to write a book, I like to find a way to challenge myself. A different type of character or a new trope. My goal was to write a workplace romance but do it differently than I’ve ever read. I also wanted to write an over-the-top, all-in, possessive, yet sweet, egotistical hero.

  Lillian is Gabe’s yin to his yang.

  I hope you loved them as much as I loved writing their story.

  Other Books by Brynne Asher

  The Carpino Series

  Overflow – The Carpino Series, Book 1

  Beautiful Life – The Carpino Series, Book 2

  Athica Lane – The Carpino Series, Book 3

  Until Avery – A Carpino Crossover Novella

  Killers Series

  Vines – A Killers Novel, Book 1

  Paths – A Killers Novel, Book 2

  Gifts – A Killers Novel, Book 3

  Anthologies

  Little Black Dress – An Anthology

  About the Author

  Brynne Asher lives in the Midwest with her husband, three children and her perfect dog. When she isn’t creating pretend people and relationships in her head, she's running her kids around and doing laundry. She enjoys decorating and shopping, always seeking the best deal. A perfect day in “Brynne World" ends in front of an outdoor fire with family, friends, s’mores, and a delicious cocktail.

  Blackburn

  Brynne Asher

  [email protected]

  Join my Facebook reader group to keep up with my latest news

  Brynne Asher’s Happy Place

  As you know, this book included at least one character from Susan Stoker’s books. To check out more, see below.

  Delta Force Heroes Series

  Rescuing Rayne (FREE!)

  Rescuing Aimee

  Rescuing Emily

  Rescuing Harley

  Marrying Emily

  Rescuing Kassie

  Rescuing Bryn

  Rescuing Casey

  Rescuing Sadie

  Rescuing Wendy

  Rescuing Mary (Oct 2018)

  Rescuing Macie (April 2019)

  Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series

  Justice for Mackenzie (FREE!)

  Justice for Mickie

  Justice for Corrie

  Justice for Laine (novella)

  Shelter for Elizabeth

  Justice for Boone

  Shelter for Adeline

  Shelter for Sophie

  Justice for Erin

  Justice for Mil
ena

  Shelter for Blythe

  Justice for Hope (Sept 2018)

  Shelter for Quinn (TBA)

  Shelter for Koren (TBA)

  Shelter for Penelope (TBA)

  SEAL of Protection Series

  Protecting Caroline (FREE!)

  Protecting Alabama

  Protecting Fiona

  Marrying Caroline (novella)

  Protecting Summer

  Protecting Cheyenne

  Protecting Jessyka

  Protecting Julie (novella)

  Protecting Melody

  Protecting the Future

  Protecting Alabama’s Kids (novella)

  Protecting Kiera (novella)

  Protecting Dakota

  New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.

  She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.

  If you enjoyed this book, or any book, please consider leaving a review. It’s appreciated by authors more than you’ll know.

  www.stokeraces.com

  [email protected]

  More Books in the Special Forces: Operation Alpha World!

  Brynne Asher - Blackburn

  Denise Agnew - Dangerous to Hold

  Shauna Allen: Awakening Aubrey

  Shauna Allen: Defending Danielle

  Shauna Allen: Rescuing Rebekah

  Shauna Allen: Saving Scarlett

  Shauna Allen: Saving Grace

  Jillian Anselmi: Protecting Ava

  Jennifer Becker: Hiding Catherine

  Julia Bright: Saving Lorelei

  Victoria Bright: Surviving Savage

  Victoria Bright: Jostling Joker

  Victoria Bright: Going Ghost

  Kendra Mei Chailyn: Beast

  Kendra Mei Chailyn: Barbie

  Kendra Mei Chailyn: Pitbull

  Melissa Kay Clarke: Rescuing Annabeth

  Samantha A. Cole: Handling Haven

  Samantha A. Cole: Cheating the Devil

  Sue Coletta: Hacked

  KaLyn Cooper: Rescuing Melina

  Liz Crowe: Marking Mariah

  Jordan Dane: Redemption for Avery

  Jordan Dane: Fiona’s Salvation

  Delilah Devlin: Between a SEAL & A Hard Place

  Delilah Devlin: Headover SEAL

  Riley Edwards: Protecting Olivia

  Riley Edwards: Redeeming Violet

  Nicole Flockton: Protecting Maria

  Nicole Flockton: Guarding Erin

  Nicole Flockton: Guarding Suzie

  Nicole Flockton: Guarding Brielle

  Fifi Flowers: Protecting Maya

  Fifi Flowers: Shielding Alice

  Casey Hagen: Shielding Nebraska

  Casey Hagen: Shielding Harlow

  Casey Hagen: Shielding Josie

  Desiree Holt: Protecting Maddie

  Kathy Ivan: Saving Sarah

  Kathy Ivan: Saving Savannah

  Kathy Ivan: Saving Stephanie

  Jesse Jacobson: Protecting Honor

  Jesse Jacobson: Fighting for Honor

  Jesse Jacobson: Defending Honor

  Jesse Jacobson: Summer Breeze

  Silver James: Rescue Moon

  Silver James: SEAL Moon

  Silver James: Assassin’s Moon

  Becca Jameson: Saving Sofia

  Heather Long: Securing Arizona

  Heather Long: Guarding Gertrude

  Heather Long: Protecting Pilar

  Heather Long: Covering Coco

  Kirsten Lynn: Joining Forces for Jesse

  Margaret Madigan: Bang for the Buck

  Margaret Madigan: Buck the System

  Margaret Madigan: Jungle Buck

  Margaret Madigan: December Chill

  Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Baby

  Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Bride

  KD Michaels: Saving Laura

  KD Michaels: Protecting Shane

  Wren Michaels: Shadow of Doubt

  Wren Michaels: The Fox & The Hound

  Wren Michaels: Kisses from the Kremlin

  Wren Michaels: Shadow of Doubt

  Kat Mizera: Protecting Bobbi

  LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Butterfly

  LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Goddess

  LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Vixen

  LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Heartbeat

  MJ Nightingale: Protecting Beauty

  MJ Nightingale: Betting on Benny

  MJ Nightingale: Protecting Secrets

  Sarah O’Rourke: Saving Liberty

  Debra Parmley: Protecting Pippa

  Caleb Pirtle: Lovely Night to Die

  Lainey Reese: Protecting New York

  Jenika Snow: Protecting Lily

  Lynne St James: Protecting Faith

  Lynne St James: Protecting Ariana

  Jen Talty: Burning Desire

  Jen Talty: Burning Kiss

  Jen Talty: Burning Skies

  Jen Talty: Burning Lies

  Megan Vernon: Protecting Us

  Megan Vernon: Protecting Earth

 

 

 


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