Stranger Mine: a Base Branch novel

by Megan Mitcham

  Gabriella and Matthew blushed. Manuel found an interesting spot on the ceiling. Old man Varrera slapped the table with his leathery hand and giggled. In Spanish he said, “It’s about time these old beds got put to good use.”

  The couple at the table blanched. Gabriella hid her face in her napkin, which only made Matthew pale all the more.

  “Listen, chica.” At his place at the head of the table, Varrera stood. He used the table as leverage and leaned to his left, grabbing Gabriella’s hand. He removed the thatched hat from his head. When he placed it over his heart the thing crackled like his joints did when he moved. “You love my son. I love my son. But he’s gone and it is a beautiful gift to be able to love another. Don’t squander it on my account or anyone else’s.”

  He set the hat over his halo of white hair and shuffled right. “Son, stand and give me your hand.” Matthew stood and placed his big, strong hand in the old man’s well-used one. “If you love her, tell her so, and prove it every day. If you don’t, tell her so as to keep from breaking her heart again. Know that if you hurt her, you won’t have to worry about Guzman, Gabrone, or Izar. I’ll handle you myself. I may be old, but I’m a decent shot.”

  Matthew glanced at Piper. She blinked the tears from her eyes and offered him a smile. His gaze hopped to Ryan, and then made the rounds to Manuel and Gabriella for a moment longer than the rest. He smiled at Señor Varrera. He surprised her by speaking Spanish. “I love her, Señor. I’ve told her and I plan to prove it every day. I love Manuel too. And I’m fond of you as well.”

  “You love me?” the little boy screeched and jumped from the table. His small feet thundered across the wooden floor. Five feet away he leaped toward Matthew. Her brother-in-law lurched forward, catching the trusting boy in mid-air and pulling him to his chest.

  “Of course I love you,” Matthew whispered.

  With all the commotion Piper didn't have time to feel awkward. Now that things wound down her wheels began to creak and squeak. She’d told Ryan she loved him, and she did with everything she had. She didn’t say it to get him to respond in kind. Heck, she hadn’t even thought about it until the wise man’s speech. Life was too short to horde your feelings, or worse, not allow the possibility for them to develop in the first place. Well, she’d come a hell of a long way in a short time. She’d allowed Ryan into her heart. She’d said her piece, and she’d be at peace with it. No matter the outcome.

  Varrera eyed her and Ryan. “Same advice goes for you two.”

  “Sí, Señor.” Ryan looped his index finger around her pinky and lifted it to his mouth.

  The old man patted his belly. “Now that the kissy stuff is out of the way, come sit, and we’ll eat.”

  Gabriella wiped her eyes and stood. She kissed her father-in-law on the cheek, smiling at Matthew and her son. “One moment and I’ll be back with the food.”

  “Please, let me help,” Piper offered.

  Her pretty brown gaze widened on Piper and her smile fell. Still, she nodded. “Certainly.”

  Ryan released her hand and headed for the table.

  As she and Gabriella walked toward the kitchen she heard Matthew. “Red or white?”

  Off the dining room stood a gorgeous garden kitchen. Herbs sat in boxes on each of the four windows and houseplants’ vines snaked across the cabinet tops. The bowl at the center of the wood-slab island overflowed with fresh fruits and vegetables. Gee, all Piper had were two dead ferns on her back patio and frozen dinners in the freezer. She hadn’t had anyone to entertain or cook for in a long time. Still didn’t. Not really.

  But she’d like to.

  Gabriella’s brown waves swished about her shoulders as she hurried around the kitchen, stirring pots and arranging food.

  “How can I help?” Piper asked.

  The woman set the lid back on the pot and turned to her. She opened her mouth. Closed it. Then covered it with her hand.

  “It’s okay, Gabriella. Just say what you’re thinking.”

  She batted at more tears. “I’m sorry.” Her palms smoothed over her teal-blue sundress. “I mean, you must hate me. And—”

  Piper raised her hand and shook her head. “Quite the opposite actually. You and your family are perfect for Matthew.”

  “But he’s still married to your sister.” Gabriella’s hand settled over her bosom. “I’m not okay with that. I don’t see how you would be. But I do love him,” she rushed to add.

  A smile etched Piper’s face. “My sister made Matthew suffer miserably for her selfishness. When you betray someone so deeply as to sell the one you supposedly love it makes a marriage no more than a technicality. A piece of paper.” She walked around the island, stopping a few feet away from Gabriella. “I know you love him. And he loves you. I saw it before you were willing to admit it. That’s why it’s okay.”

  Gabriella lunged forward and wrapped her arms around Piper’s neck. No question where Manuel learned the art of physical displays of affection. She smelled of dirt and flowers, was as petite as a miniature horse, and hugged like a bear.

  “It’s a piece of paper I’d like you to sever for me,” Matthew said from the doorway. He stepped into the room and slid an envelope across the table. His fingers pinched his lips, and then he sighed. “You know you’re always my sister, right?”

  “And you’re always my brother.”

  Gabriella flagged him over with a hand and shoved Piper at him. “Hug. You two are making me a mess.” The hand that flagged now fanned another gush of tears.

  Ryan strode into the kitchen. “All right, enough mushy stuff.” He smiled. “The men are hungry.”

  “Yeah, they are,” Matthew agreed. He kissed her hair, and then set her back next to Gabriella. “How can we help?”

  His new love’s weep grew to a wail. She covered her mouth with her hand to stem the noise. With her other hand she hugged her arm, until Matthew pulled her into his. Ryan’s brow furrowed. Instead of high-tailing it into the dinning room, he advanced around the island, stopping only a few feet away.

  “You know Piper is happy for us. So, what is the matter, Gabriella?” Matt smoothed a hand over her hair and held her close.

  “She is, but the Sinaloa won’t be. Guzman and Gabrone are dead, but the Federation still lives. If anything happened to you…” Her head shook. “Izar knows you’re here.” She wept onto his shirt.

  At once the men both spoke. “My aim has improved. I can shatter a bottle at a thousand yards. Now—” Matt offered. “They won’t be a problem for you anymore,” Ryan said.

  Piper and Gabriella returned the favor by gasping, “What?” at the same time.

  Matthew turned to Ryan. “What did you say?”

  “By nightfall your records with the Sinaloa Federation will be erased,” he answered her brother. “As will your family’s, Gabriella.”

  Joy swirled in the room. The lovers said and showed their appreciation in big hugs. But dread sucked Piper into a vortex with no air. This was it. Why he’d told her to wait until tomorrow. He would leave to handle the cartel and she’d never see him again. It made sense, really. She was safe. He’d made her brother and his new family safe. Now he’d crush her heart. Piper hadn’t lied. She’d love Ryan forever, but damn, she wanted to like him too.

  His warm, wet mouth glided over hers. “It’s not my mission, Piper. When it’s time, you and I will leave here together.”

  And then what?

  She didn’t know, but she wouldn't waste good time borrowing trouble. It would find her soon enough. It always did.

  “Ewww. Disgusting.” Manual teetered into the kitchen, carrying three wine glasses.

  The old man shuffled behind him, hauling three more and a tall glass of water. “I thought we were done with all this mushy stuff.”

  “I’m sorry,” Gabriella offered. She rushed forward to help the men. “What are you doing?”

  “Figured since the majority of us were in the kitchen with the food, we’d eat in here,” Varrera answered. />
  When all the bustle was said and done, the old man and women sat on stools around the island while the younger men stood. Manual’s head scarcely cleared the wooden top, but he managed to eat and not ogle her covered breasts too many times. His head was at an inconvenient height, though.

  Near the end of the meal, Ryan filled everyone’s glasses and raised his. “To family and future.”

  “And the present too,” Matthew added.

  31

  The Varrera’s plied them with food, drink, and stories until he was beyond the definite line of gluttony. His face and stomach ached from laughter. Outside the sun sidled toward the horizon. Ryan rubbed damp palms against his jeans. He’d officially put this off long enough to be considered a coward. Sure, he could use the boisterous family as an excuse, but that’s what it would be.

  He stood and held his hand out to Piper. “I hate to interrupt this, but I need to steal her away for a little while.”

  The old man had started snoring twenty minutes ago. Before that Manuel had taken to his room and toys. The lovers smiled at one another.

  “I’ll make sure he knocks,” Gabriella said.

  “Ah, it’s the little one I’m worried about.” Ryan laughed.

  “Oh, Madre Maria, help me,” she said, burying her face in Matthew’s shoulder.

  Ryan tugged Piper from her seat and toward the screened door.

  She gave a small wave before turning to follow. Her raised hand moved to a lock of her loose copper strands, twirling it as she walked beside him. With a small tug he angled her away from the bunkhouse and into the vines.

  “Walk with me?” As they ambled down the green-cordoned path, his nerves quivered.

  “I’m liable to lapse into a food coma, if I sit again. But…I could be okay with a sex coma. At least I’d get some physical activity.” The seductress wound her hair and bit her bottom lip as she gave him a sidelong glance.

  “I almost blew you up, Piper.”

  Her steps faltered. Dust wafted from gritty earth. Afraid of what he’d see in her eyes, Ryan continued walking.

  “But you didn’t.” Her sweet voice crossed the distance between them.

  His steps ground to a halt, but he continued to stare at the infinite rows of green. “I knew about the shipment and had decided to leave them. It wasn’t my mission,” he scoffed. “I didn’t want to step foot inside the prison because I was a guilty coward. Didn’t want to see the future I’d doomed them to. Alma. Alisa. I only saved them because of you.”

  The truth tasted bitter on his tongue.

  “That’s not true. You wouldn’t do anything you didn’t believe to be right. No matter the orders.”

  “I’d like to think so, but I’ve done so many bad things in the name of good.”

  Her head nuzzled between his shoulder blades and her long, surprisingly strong, arms hugged his middle. “Your good outweighs the bad. The needs of the many outweigh that of the few. It doesn’t make the decisions any easier. Most people don’t have the courage to make those difficult judgments. And the hardest part is living with them.”

  Through his shirt she kissed him, and then stretched onto tiptoes. Her soft lips brushed his nape. “You are good. Honest. Brave. Caring. Selfless. Loyal.”

  “Because of you. For you.” Ryan turned toward Piper and held her face. Every question found its answer in her eyes. He smothered her face in kisses. “I’ll be right back.” He stepped around her with a big, stupid grin on his face.

  “Oh, hell no.” Her hands shot to her hips. She tried for pissed, but couldn’t quite hide the smirk. “I’m done with this cloak and dagger business. What is it? Where are you going?”

  “Seriously, you didn’t like it? The adrenaline? Sense of accomplishment at the end of the mission?”

  “Sure, scared out of my mind. Heart beating out of my chest.” Her voice laced with sarcasm. Her forceful huff billowed a few strands around her hair, and then she shrugged. “Aside from the fear of you getting shot again and the killing part, I love it.”

  “I love you,” he blurted.

  Her mouth gaped. She brought her hand up to cover it, but stopped. She pointed. “I said, I love it. What did you say?”

  Ryan ran at her and caught her below her perfect ass. He hoisted her up high on his chest. Her legs cinched around his torso. Locking on her bronze eyes, he spoke slowly. “I love you, Piper Vega. I don’t want to live a day without you.”

  Her teeth gleamed in the final rays of sunset. “I knew it. Well, hoped it really.”

  He kissed between her breasts, turned, and headed for the bunkhouse.

  “Sex coma was a good idea, huh?” she asked, her fingers sliding gently through his hair.

  “Perfect, but first I have to make two calls. One to tell my mother I’m moving to Los Angeles. The other to my commander to make certain Izar is eliminated, tell him I’m transferring to the L.A. office, and see about getting you a job. If you want it?”

  “You think I’m cut out for this line of work?”

  “Hell yes. I’m not keen on you dodging bullets, but you’re a natural problem solver, quick on your feet, and ballsy.” He set her down inside the door and snagged the phone. “You have ten minutes to get naked, sweet. If I go missing, one of the two of them has snatched me through the phone.”

  She stretched up and pulled his lower lip through her teeth. “I’d travel through hell to find you, Ryan.”

  “I know you would.”

  With one hand, she shoved him back. “I’ll be waiting.” She smiled and closed the door in his face.

  He chuckled and hit redial, putting off the call to his mother as long as he could. Old habits and all. After beeps and his call sign and more beeps, Rhonda answered. “Voice confirmation complete. Agent Noble,” she sniffled, “how may I direct your call?”

  “Commander Tucker, please. Are you okay?”

  “Commander Tucker…is dead, sir.”

  Did you enjoy this book?

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  BOOKS by Megan Mitcham

  BASE BRANCH NOVELS

  ENEMY MINE

  JUSTICE MINE

  STRANGER MINE

  WARRIOR MINE - JANUARY 2015

  DANGER MINE - JULY 2015

  BUREAU SERIES

  FOR ALL TO SEE - APRIL 2015

  PAINTED WALLS - OCTOBER 2015

  ANTHOLOGIES

  SEX OBJECTS: EROTIC ROMANCE FOR WOMEN - 2015

  COWBOY HEAT: WESTERN ROMANCE FOR WOMEN

  HIGH OCTANE HEROES: EROTIC ROMANCE FOR WOMEN

  WILD AT HEART VOLUME II

  Warrior Mine

  A Base Branch Novel

  A silver fox learns new tricks.

  * * *

  The Base Branch office in Washington D.C. is so heavily fortified it makes Fort Knox look like a 7-11. After twenty years in covert ops, nothing fazes Commander Vail Tucker. When a lighting bolt of feminine fury crashes into the interrogation room, holds him at gunpoint, and takes over the task with his prisoner, he’s more than surprised. Even his elite operatives would have one hell of a bad day breaking into the fortress and a harder time leaving.

  She escapes without a trace, but Vail is unable to remain dispassionate. He must know what is so important the beguiling woman would risk her life to find. Following instinct, he’ll stop at nothing to find the answer.

  Carmen Ruez is deadly and desperate—a combustible combination. Born into the remnants Arellano Felix Organization, drugs and violence kept her in a gilded cage. Until a turn of fates showed her the roots of their riches, making her yearn for freedom. She works for it. Fights for it. But her brother crosses the line to keep her loyal to the
treacherous family she is determined to leave behind.

  Vail struggles as a bond he never expected forms. It’s not with the woman who stirs his every desire. But with one, young and vulnerable, who galvanizes a protective instinct he hadn’t known he possessed. Now, he just has to get the other one to come around. Though none of it will matter, if they can’t work together to take down those loyal to Carlos Ruez and the AFO.

  Danger Mine

  A Base Branch Novel

  One determined to avoid it. One determined to conquer it. Both on a wayward mission and unable to deny it.

  * * *

  Khani Slaughter has dealt with danger from the day of her conception. Thirty one years of dealing with the bullshit and she knows how to attack it, defeat it, and avoid it. Yet, for some unfathomable reason, she gravitates toward. When you’re the head and sometimes deadly hands of the Base Branch, the special operations force for the United Nations, hazard pervades. Her personal life, though, is restricted territory for trouble. No strings flings. That’s what she went for. Uncomplicated rolls in the sack. That was all she allowed. Or it had been until, the rookie showed up.

  Base Branch operative, King Street takes danger and molds it to his benefit. Only, there’s not much advantage in screwing the boss when apparent regret sends her across an ocean. The desire to make her see him for more than the a mistake on her and humanity’s part places his wide frame directly in her path.

  He’s cocky and way too brash. Not at all what she wants. But when her brother goes missing he is who she needs. Someone willing to navigate a jungle, dodge bullets and her prickly demeanor to help rescue her only family. And maybe, in the process, they can save each other from their painful pasts.