The American Soldier Collection 6: Their Masquerade
Mariah Langcaster lost her brother, a Marine and undercover officer, to murder. His troop, four close friends, vow to protect her like a sister. Mariah doesn’t see L.T. Montgomery, Deacon Rayas, Quentin Hayes, and Axel Monroe as brothers. She wants them. But their continued denials send her further away, and into a danger none of them expected. She’s made her own vow. To identify her brother’s killer, an arms dealer, engaged in treason.
The last thing L.T., Axel, Deacon, and Quentin expect to find at the masquerade is Mariah. She’s gained the interest of some shady characters, and with masks in place, they could finally have the woman they want without the guilt they feel for loving her. The masks maintain their secrets, and it will take some serious investigative skills to figure out the good guys from the bad. One determined woman with enough inner strength and conviction to end a murder rampage and four determined Marines to prove their love once and for all. Anything can happen at the masquerade.
Genre: Contemporary, Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Romantic Suspense
Length: 55,323 words
THE AMERICAN SOLDIER COLLECTION 6:
THEIR MASQUERADE
Dixie Lynn Dwyer
MENAGE EVERLASTING
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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THE AMERICAN SOLIDER 6: THEIR MASQUERADE
Copyright © 2013 by Dixie Lynn Dwyer
E-book ISBN: 978-1-62741-076-2
First E-book Publication: December 2013
Cover design by Les Byerley
All art and logo copyright © 2013 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Letter to Readers
Dear Readers,
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DEDICATION
May you all enjoy the next addition to THE AMERICAN SOLDIER COLLECTION.
Sometimes the circumstances of life, or the need to fulfill what one might think are the most important things in life, soon prove to be not so important. Especially when those goals, those determinations, even revenge itself, bring one further and further away from love.
To be so scared, so uncertain and afraid to open up one’s heart and give love a chance because of presumptions or false ideas could truly allow true love to slip right through one’s fingertips.
This is the case for Mariah, Quentin, Deacon, Axel, and L.T.
They have all lost. They all have scars of their own, fears and uncertainties about how much they can give, or even if they are capable of loving at all.
They hide behind their own masks, in a public display of courage. They believe their own lies that they created in their minds to hide from the truth in fear of opening up their hearts, when fate steps in. One special night. Danger lingers around them, but the power of love, affection, friendship, and desire emerges in a masquerade, waiting to be revealed.
Will they remove their masks? Will they open up their hearts, their hidden desires, and follow a greater instinct and power?
Enjoy the story of their masquerade.
Hugs!
~Dixie~
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
About the Author
THE AMERICAN SOLDIER COLLECTION 6:
THEIR MASQUERADE
DIXIE LYNN DWYER
Copyright © 2013
Prologue
“Michael? You scared me. What is going on with you?” Mariah asked her brother as he snuck up behind her. She was getting in late from hanging out with her friends.
“You should have been home over an hour ago,” he reprimanded her, and then ran his fingers through his hair. He was breathing heavy and seemed upset, almost in a panic.
“Are you okay?” she asked, letting her hand fall from the doorknob and choosing not to enter their uncle’s house.
He walked over toward the front of the porch and the night sky. He appeared out of nowhere, like a shadow in the night, and without a sound.
His silence put her on edge. It always did, because since he’d retired from the Marines and was working undercover for the police department, she worried about him. Nearly losing him in battle in Iraq was enough to make her protective.
He turned back toward her and reached out his hand.
“Come here,” he whispered, and she immediately walked toward him and right into his arms. Standing at six feet tall, with lots of muscles and an authoritative attitude, he made her feel protected. He was a great big brother, and after losing their parents in a car accident, they had survived because of the strong bond between them.
“I’m sorry
that I scared you. It wasn’t my intention,” he said as she stepped from his embrace, while he caressed her hair away from her cheek. He stared down into her eyes. He seemed different.
“No big deal. You probably miss sneaking up on people, and jumping the enemy,” she teased. He smiled.
He seemed to have a lot on his mind as he looked away from her and then out toward the darkness.
“Mariah, I need to tell you something. I need you to promise me that you’ll never repeat any of this to anyone. Please,” he asked her, and she instantly felt concerned.
“What is it?”
“Do you promise me?” She nodded her head.
“There are things going on with work. Things I can’t discuss, but I need to try and ensure your safety, and Uncle Jeb’s.”
“What things?”
“Just things. Not for you to worry about, but because of what’s going on, I want to be cautious.”
“Cautious? Is it serious?”
“Things are going on. It’s come to my attention that some people I’ve thought of as close friends, really aren’t. I want you to be careful with whom you share things. I mean your emotions, the family events that have taken place. I don’t want you to trust so easily.”
“I’m confused. What would your job and a situation have to do with me?”
“It could affect you. Just please, listen to me. Be careful and wary of those claiming to be friends of mine. I’ve found out some things, and I’m worried about you.”
“Sure does sound like a lot of ‘things’ as you keep calling them are going on. Can’t you completely confide in me?”
“No. I can’t, because I don’t want you to get caught in the middle of something. Can you please just remember this conversation? Remember, people aren’t always who they say they are. Friends can even stab you in the back when you don’t expect it.”
“Okay. I will.”
Mariah felt the tears roll down her cheeks as she recalled the last conversation she’d had with Michael. It had been so cryptic and she couldn’t help but wonder why he’d told her those things. Who was a true friend and who wasn’t? Was there more to his death than what the department was saying? She wondered, and in her mind she prayed that she would find the answers and prove Michael’s innocence.
As she looked around the funeral home as friends and family paid their respects, she couldn’t help but wonder who was faking sadness, and who Michael’s true friends were. Jax and Jameson Spaulding were there. They had been friends of Michael’s for years. Duke, Big Jay, and Sandman were also there. Sandman was a Federal Agent. Perhaps he wasn’t to be trusted? She looked toward the right. Gunner, Garrett, and Wes were there. Gunner was a Texas Ranger. Maybe he knew something, or had been involved? Wes was a football coach. He couldn’t be involved, and Garrett was just too damn nice and worked at Casper’s. No way would he be dishonest. She took a deep breath and pressed her fingers over the bridge of her nose. All this conspiracy was getting to her. She was smarter than this. She knew what she needed to do. Applying for her master’s abroad was her best option. She wasn’t a trained killer. She didn’t have resources like the rest of these men and women did. She only had her determination and her knack for numbers.
Her brother had trained her well, and without anyone’s knowledge of a damn thing. Sure, Michael had trained her for the soul purpose of handling herself and not becoming a victim. But the things she’d learned how to do, and was capable of doing, fell into the category of lethal force. She may not be able to pull a trigger, but she would do what was necessary to seek revenge. She just needed to identify Eduardo DeLacruz.
* * * *
L.T. Montgomery swallowed hard as he waited in line to pay his respects to one of his best friends and fellow troop. They had all been a team in the special service unit for years. When they retired, they retired together.
He watched Mariah, Michael’s sister, as she looked around the room, almost as if she were in another world. His heart ached for her. He knew how much Michael had loved his sister. He had chosen to move closer to his uncle’s house, taking a position in the police department and commuting to the city. In a matter of two years, so much had changed.
Michael had become distant, and their visits with him were few and far between. The rest of the team, Quentin, Deacon, and Axel felt it, too. It seemed that they were the ones who had become dependent on one another and probably to a fault.
Seeing Mariah again brought back the memories of those visits the past two years, and a fondness for her that he really shouldn’t be having.
It was only a year ago that he’d held her in his arms and she’d tried to kiss him. He wanted that. He’d craved it every night thereafter, but he couldn’t let her kiss him. He wouldn’t give into a temptation that would only lead her to heartache. He and his team were one unit. She was young and impressionable, and Michael’s little sister.
But Mariah had that way about her. She was very pretty, but she was also innocent and sweet. Something a man his age, with his history of hard experiences, should stay clear of.
It was his turn to approach the casket, and with one look at Mariah, he felt the emotion clog his throat.
L.T. stared in shock as he knelt in front of the casket. It was closed, and for good reason. The man had been tortured and shot multiple times. They couldn’t let Mariah know the details they’d discovered, thanks to Sandman. His comrade, his best friend, Michael Langcaster was dead. Three fucking years. Three years in that Godforsaken hellhole in the middle of Iraq with mortars firing off around five of us, roadside bombs, sneak attacks by the enemy, and Michael dies on American soil, execution-style? What the fuck?
He looked to the left. There stood Mariah and her uncle, Jeb. Michael’s only family, his baby sister, twenty years old, was dressed all in black, tears streaming down her cheeks, still in shock. They all were.
L.T. glanced over his shoulder as he stood up and prepared to give his respects to Mariah and her uncle, next. His brothers. What was left of his team, Axel, Quentin, and Deacon, lined up behind him to say good-bye to Michael.
“Mariah, I’m so sorry for your loss. I…I just can’t believe that he’s gone,” L.T. stuttered. He was so taken aback by this. He couldn’t believe it.
Mariah nodded her head as the tears rolled down her cheeks. She pulled L.T. into a hug, and he thought he would lose it. She was youthful, beautiful, and so damn sweet and innocent. Michael had protected her like a good big brother. L.T. was worried about her safety now. He and his team would need to ensure her protection. It’s what Michael would have wanted.
“It is a shock, L.T. I still can’t believe he’s gone. Thank you for coming, and for helping out with the arrangements,” she whispered and then pulled back.
He felt a twinge of regret from the loss of her embrace. He wasn’t a cuddling kind of guy. In fact, he preferred remaining disconnected from people. It made things easier when he had to leave on a mission or when the person disappointed him and left. It stemmed from his intense training in the Marines and their special division.
He stared down into her eyes. The color was always so blue and bright, but not today.
She stepped away to give a hug to Axel, as L.T. shook Uncle Jeb’s hand.
Axel was a big man. Six feet three, huge muscles, tattoos down his arm. When that man approached, people moved out of the way immediately. He was the epitome of intimidation. But then again, they all were.
L.T. watched as his men, his good friends, one by one greeted Mariah and then Jeb. Quentin wrapped her in his arms so tightly, he lifted her off the floor, causing her to not quite chuckle, but almost sob. The tears flowed. Quentin was always greeting Mariah the same way, each time they came to visit. Which hadn’t been too often. Quentin was a wild one, and had always had that special charm that all the ladies liked. Mariah wasn’t resistant to it either.
She stepped back and Deacon, the quietest, most compassionate one of the group, placed his arm around her waist and pulled he
r into his embrace. She laid her cheek against his chest. Her head barely made it to any of their upper chest levels. She was average height, about five foot five, and in college.
This was going to really set her back emotionally.
“We appreciate you men coming out here. Just last week, Michael said that you all were so busy with work, and that you planned on coming out next week for the camping trip,” Jeb stated.
L.T. felt bad about that. It had been months since they’d all gotten together. Michael had mentioned being involved with an intense undercover case. He hadn’t had much personal time at all.
L.T., Axel, Quentin, and Deacon worked closer to Dallas. There was a lot of retired military living in the surrounding areas.
He listened as the others talked about the camping trip and the plans that now wouldn’t happen. Michael was gone.
Just then another man approached. He was Hispanic, well dressed, and completely focused on Mariah. L.T. caught his men watching the scene unfold. It didn’t sit right with him, as the man pulled Mariah into an embrace, his hand way low on her back, borderline the top of her ass, as he hugged her.
Mariah smiled up at him. L.T. felt his stomach contract. The emotions, the jealousy, hit him instantly.
What the fuck? She’s Michael’s sister. Why the hell would I feel jealous?
“Who’s this?” Axel asked, with an attitude. One look at his buddy, and L.T. could tell Axel was in protective mode.
He walked closer, placed his hand on Mariah’s shoulder, and placed himself between her and the stranger. The stranger looked none the happier about it.
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