Special Forces: Operation Alpha: Rescuing Annabeth (Kindle Worlds) (Team Cerberus Book 2)

by Melissa Kay Clarke

  It was an old joke between them. Joselyn's husband was an ex-SEAL and one of Hick's former team members. Like the rest of them, he was buff and beautiful - if one could call a badass alpha male beautiful. The first time they had met, she had tried, unsuccessfully, to get him a contract with one of her model representative friends. As always, he laughed then pulled her into his arms for a warm hug. "Nope, sorry, I don't have time for lying around and eating bonbons."

  The hug ended, and she took a step back. "Oh, yeah, the breeding thing you and your cousin are doing. It must be doing well."

  He grinned and bobbled his head in a non-comitial manner. "Shaun and I are doing well. After my uncle had to give up his program years ago on the farm, he thought he couldn't get it back. We've got it off the ground now. We even got a new bull that has an excellent pedigree. It's only been a year so we have a ways to go before we can see a difference in the cattle and expect our profit margin to increase. But that breeding program is not what's keeping me busy." He emphasized the word 'that' as he wrapped an arm around Joselyn and gently splayed a hand over her midsection. Looking at Annabeth, he waggled his eyebrows suggestively. Jos placed her hand over his and looked over her shoulder, smiling gently as her eyes filled with tears.

  Annabeth's hand flew to her mouth. "Oh my God. Are you? I mean she? You? Oh my God!" Annabeth squealed and grabbed them both and hugged tightly. "I'm going to be an Aunt?"

  Jos nodded as she wrapped her arms around her best friend. "Not only an Aunt but also a godmother. If you are willing?"

  Annabeth felt her throat clamp up. Swallowing back the tears she looked at the two and nodded. "I couldn't be more honored." Wiping her face, she took a deep breath. "Congratulations, you two. I'm so happy for you both. How far along are you?"

  "Just thirteen weeks. We wanted to wait to tell everyone until I was a little further on. You're the first we told outside of our parents. I swear his mother already has a nursery built."

  "We'll this sells it. I've been thinking about getting a new car. Mine is over ten years old and good for local stuff. But, if I'm going to be burning up the miles between Atlanta and Mississippi, I'll need a new one."

  Joselyn laughed. "You'll have plenty of time to go shopping. He or she has a long time to bake yet. How is everything else?"

  "It's going well. I've picked up a part-time apprentice, Oscar. Nice kid, young, eager to learn the ropes but a little high strung. I'm trying to calm him down a bit. I told him if he didn't learn how to chill, he was going to have a heart attack before he hit twenty-five. He wanted to come this time, but he's a senior in college and taking summer classes so he can walk next June. I told him to study, get good grades and if he still wanted to be in this business after hanging out with me a year, I'd pay for him to go to next year's convention in Seattle."

  "You're a good woman, Annabeth Switcher."

  Annabeth smiled. "So are you, Joselyn Benson."

  "I don't see Hick. I figured with you being only a few hours from California; he'd be here." River looked around the almost empty room.

  Annabeth's face fell. "He's not going to make this trip, but we're planning some time next weekend. I'm taking a few days off. With everything that's been going on lately, he's had to stay close to home. Plus, tomorrow morning is the memorial service for the SEALs that died. I wish I could be there for him."

  "I'm sure he knows, honey," Joselyn murmured as she squeezed Annabeth's arm. "I told Maddox he should go. They are like brothers."

  "My place is here with you." River slid his arm around her waist and pulled her against him. "Uncle Sam and the team had me for twenty years. Now you and the sprout need me. The guys would understand that. It doesn't mean I care any less for them. Hell, Diablo and I went through sniper training together. But he'd be the first one to tell me to stay here." He nuzzled her neck tenderly. "I couldn't leave you now if I tried. There's no way I'm letting you out of my sight until the baby is born and maybe not even then."

  Annabeth's cell chimed, and she pulled it out of her pocket. Andrew Stinger's name flashed on the screen. With an exasperated sigh, she lifted it up. "I need to take this. I'll see you guys on the floor."

  As the two turned to leave the room, Annabeth took a deep breath and forced a pleasant tone. "Hi, Andrew."

  "This table will not do. The space is too small. I specifically told you I wanted to be against a wall. I'm going to get paranoid with all the people walking around behind me."

  Annabeth rolled her eyes and gritted her teeth. "I'll be right there," she calmly replied as she gathered up her things. Disconnecting the call, she dropped her cell into her pocket and rubbed her already aching head. Normally, conventions were one of the things she loved the most about her career. She enjoyed networking with other professionals, meeting new potential clients and watching her current ones experience meeting their fans. Normally it was a tiring but rewarding experience.

  Then there was Andrew Stinger.

  She sighed as she pushed through the door of the small meeting room she had booked for the orientation talk she always gave her clients before a big convention. Because of him, the next four days were going to last forever. But after that, God willing, she would get several days with Hick, and that would be worth it.

  Chapter 14

  The men assembled in the small backyard, dressed in identical black clothing. The man watched as Amir inspected each one carefully including their weapons and extra rounds. He could feel the thrum of excitement running through the cell as they were given the last commands including the one to load the truck.

  5 hours

  The early morning memorial service had finished. Still, in their dress white uniforms, Bruiser and his team gathered at his house. It was new, and even though Olivia had several candles burning, the smell of sawdust and paint laid heavily underneath. The couple announced yesterday that several weeks ago they had eloped to Las Vegas. Bruise had no family, so they had taken Olivia's brother and aunt with them. Toad assured the team, the eventual reception thrown by the SEAL team would be of epic proportions.

  Even with Bruiser's good news, the mood in the room was somber. Saying goodbye to four brothers had been difficult, and each of them felt the loss deep in their souls. Even though they hadn't worked too closely together, SEALs were still a family, and they mourned the death of their brothers.

  "I'm surprised the Navy gave us seventy-two hours leave. I figured they would have us back on Fedora's trail first thing." Railroad took another drink of his soda.

  Bruiser tightened his grip on Olivia sitting next to him with her head leaning on his shoulder. She had her eyes closed and appeared to be sleeping. "We'll need to have our heads in the game," he said as his thumb made slow, lazy circles on her arm. His eyes wandered over her face. It was easy to see how much he loved her. She opened hers and looked longingly into his.

  Hick was reminded of Annabeth and the hundreds of miles currently between them. What he wouldn't give to be able to hold her, touch her and just be with her right now. He shook off the thought. It would drive him crazy if he let it. Instead, he turned away and lifted his chin at Cowboy. "How's your dad? Are you back home for good?"

  His friend sighed heavily and shook his head. "I'm only here for the service and to take care of a few things before going back to Wyoming. They finally found a chemotherapy that is shrinking the tumors, but it also knocks Dad down hard. He's got another two rounds, and then they'll discuss surgery. The only way to get rid of it completely is to remove his leg. Dad has always been a strong man intent on doing everything himself. It's hard to let us kids take care of things. The Navy gave me six weeks emergency family leave which should take me through his surgery. Afterwards, I'll be back."

  "We've missed you."

  "Aww, Toad, I didn't know you cared," Cowboy puckered his lips and made a kissing sound.

  "Damn right we do. There's nobody to save us from Hick's cooking while you're gone."

  Hick frowned. "I haven't cooked, Toad."
/>   "And if you had, nobody would have saved us."

  A chuckle filled the room then died away as the others talked among themselves. Hick walked to the back door and out onto the small deck. Leaning on the railing, he turned his face to the sky. It was a beautiful day with the sun shining and the sounds of happy people everywhere. It felt wrong, somehow. Where was the justice in a gorgeous day when they had said goodbye to four brothers who gave everything to keep this country and every inhabitant safe? He drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly, turning his mind from the maudlin thoughts. The air was filled with the scent of the ocean. Even though he had lived here for years, it still felt unnatural to him. California was his home but sometimes he didn't feel it. Right now, he felt a little homesick. The problem was it wasn't Boston he was longing for, but rather Annabeth. His fingers itched to touch her cream speckled skin. His heart ached to see her smile. Instead of the salty sea air, he wanted to wrap himself in her scent and drown.

  "You okay?"

  Hick whirled around. "Yeah, hey, Toad, I'm fine. I'm just thinking about things."

  "Things like Annabeth? I saw how you watched Bruise and Livy. It was almost envious."

  "I do envy them." He blew out a breath and gathered his thoughts. "I know Livy is still recovering from her ordeal and Bruiser is beside himself worrying. But at least they are together. It's killing me being so far away from Georgia. Whoever said long distance relationships sucked wasn't just whistling Dixie. It sucks big time."

  "Then do something about it."

  Hick threw his hands up. "What? What can I do? It's not like I can ask for a transfer to Atlanta. It's either here or Virginia Beach. Those are the only two options available for SEALs. I mean, Virginia Beach would be closer, but you guys are here. I'm a part of this team, and it's where I belong."

  "Simple, move her here. You said yourself that her job is not static. She can do her thing anywhere." Toad beamed at his obvious solution. "Easy peasy, gotta squeeze me."

  Hick laughed. "I don't think that's how the saying goes. Besides, her family is there. Her history and everything she has is there. I can't ask her to give that up."

  "Have you?"

  Hick's eyebrows wrinkled in confusion. "Have I what?"

  Toad huffed. "Have you asked her to give it up?"

  "Jesus, Toad, of course not. It's not fair of me to do that."

  "But you two hurting from the distance between you, that's fair?"

  "Hush it. You don't know what you're talking about," Hick growled. "What Annabeth and I have is something strong. It's a special attachment. When you care about someone, you don't make demands on them."

  His friend choked out a laugh. "You think just because the girls I date are one-night-stands, I don't understand what it feels like to have a connection to someone?" He moved over and leaned against the railing beside his friend. "I know what it means to connect to a special person. I understand it a hell of a lot more than any of you guys ever knew." He picked at a splinter on the rail, pulling at it until he ripped a long thin sliver of wood away. Using it, Toad poked at a splat of bird droppings resting between them. "Did you know I had a sister?"

  Hick startled. "No. I thought you were an only child. I remember you saying you were an only child."

  "I am. Now." He studied the splat intently a few moments before continuing. "Rayna wasn't just a sister; she was my twin."

  "What happened?"

  "She died."

  "Ah, jeez, man. I'm sorry. "

  Toad lifted his shoulders in a shrug. "It is what it is. Things that we experienced shape who we become. I'd like to say I've gotten over it, but I haven't. I never will and to be honest I don't want to. Losing her was losing a piece of my soul. To get over it, that would be like forgetting her."

  "You don't have to talk about it," Hick told him mindful of the pain radiating off his friend.

  "I want to." He shook his head. "No, I don't want to, but I think I need to. It's time."

  The two stared out over the yard as the wind meandered through the tall palms and shrub making a soft sighing sound. Somewhere, down the block, a set of wind chimes sang softly. It was tranquil and cathartic, and neither man said anything for a while. Finally, Toad cleared his throat.

  "Growing up, I was the one that always got into trouble. I was the class clown. She was the nerd. I would spend time in the principal's office, and she'd be in the library. I did sports; she did debate and chess. You couldn't get any more different between us if you tried."

  He tossed the sliver and turned back to stare at the house." Even though we were opposites, we were always close. Sharing a womb will do that, or so they say. 'You are so brave, Reese,' she would say. 'I wish I was more like you.' I'd do anything for her. She had me so wrapped around her pinky, I couldn't breathe, and I was happy to be there. Nobody messed with her because everyone knew she was Reese Harkin's sister and I didn't give a shit if it was a guy or a girl, adult or teen, you screwed with Rayna, and I'd bring hell on your head like it was Armageddon. I was very protective of her. To the extreme at times. The first week of high school, a senior pushed her down some steps. She nearly broke her ankle. She told me what happened and the next day, I found him bragging to his cronies about it. He thought it was funny so I showed him how much fun a broken ankle could be. I got my ass handed to me by the three of them but I made my point. Didn't regret it then, don't regret it now. The only reason I didn't get expelled was he didn't rat me out. Come to find out, his dad was a bigger bully, and if he found out a freshman had whipped his son, he would get twice as much at home. He insisted it was an accident even with witnesses saying different. The best part of it, afterward, everyone stayed clear of me and her."

  Toad braced his hands on the railing and leaned back, lifting his gaze to the cobalt blue sky above.

  "Rayna wanted to live a little more, explore a bit. So, I tried to give her those opportunities. When we graduated, we were going to be going separate ways. She got a full ride to Rice. I was going to Clemson on an athletic scholarship. It was going to be the first time in our lives that we weren't living in the same city, much less the same part of the country. I thought this would be an opportunity for her to get a little fun under her belt, so I talked her into going to a party. I wanted her to see a little of the world around her before she immersed herself in school without me there to make sure she was alright. That was such a mistake."

  Hick put his hand on Toad's shoulder, silently lending him strength. Toad took a few cleansing breaths and continued. "She hadn't ever had alcohol before, and it went straight to her head. She started dancing on a table with some other girls, and before I could get through the crowd to get her off of it, the table fell, tossing her over the side of the balcony. She hit the concrete head first. Three weeks in the ICU and she never woke up. My parents had to decide to turn off the life support."

  "Damn, Toad, I'm sorry. I didn't know."

  He shrugged. "Nobody knows. Not even Bruiser. It's not like that's a conversation you have with your friends. 'Hey, let's have another round at the bar. By the way, my twin sister died when I was a kid. Pass the pretzels.'" Toad's tone was tight.

  "And you didn't go to Clemson but joined the Navy?"

  "The day after her funeral, I enlisted, and I haven't been home since. My parents blame me for her death, and they're right. It's all my fault."

  "No, it's not your fault. It's a stupid accident. They're hurting just like you."

  "Maybe. But since then, I don't form relationships. They just don't work for me. Why work for a relationship when they never last? My sister had been there with me every moment of my life until suddenly she wasn't. Nobody could ever be that close to me again. When she died, my family died. Nothing can replace that, and I don't even try."

  Hick understood now. Toad was the way he was to keep from feeling anything real for someone else. He emotionally cut himself off from others to protect himself. It was his defense because in his eyes, people you cared for left. His sist
er, his family, the people that should always be there for him was gone, leaving him with nothing. He couldn't blame him.

  "Hey, I know this hurt you, but it's no reason to lock out the possibility of something with someone else. There are good people out there. You deserve to be happy, too, Toad. Let someone in every once in a while."

  "Stop analyzing me. I'm fine. I'm happy just like I am. I have the team and my career. It's more than enough. You and Bruiser can have your relationships. That's what makes you happy. Me, I enjoy the freedom of being perpetually detached."

  "It sounds painful."

  "Says the man pining over a woman living on the other side of the country."

  "Touché."

  The two stood in silence, listening to the sounds of people around them. Inside, one of their team members laughed at a joke.

  "I got an idea."

  Hick raised an eyebrow. "I'm afraid to ask."

  "No, this is a good idea. We've got three days leave. How about we take off for Phoenix and spend them there."

  Hick almost got whiplash from the 180 Toad had just thrown. "She's working."

  Toad snorted. "She's got to sleep sometime. She'll need to eat and don't you think it would be nice to spend what time you can with her? You were just bitching about not seeing her enough."

  "True." Hick thought about it a minute. "It would be nice to spend whatever time I can with her. But why would you want to go?"

  "Two reasons. First, it's a five-hour drive, but I can get us there in three and a half. Second, did you know there will be models there? I've been checking up on those conventions. Have you seen the women for some of those book covers? Big eyes, big lips, big...." He cupped his hands before his chest.