Men of Mercy: The Complete Story

by Cross, Lindsay

  "Don't wake him." Evie turned to see Maxine, dressed in a robe and long satin nightgown, standing in her doorway. Her mom crept into the room and gestured for Evie to follow her out. She helped Evie from the bed and they quietly walked from the room. Evie had to hold onto her mom for support, and was out of breath by the time they reached the kitchen.

  She eased down into the kitchen chair, careful to keep her back from touching the back of her seat. She pulled her robe together and put her head in her hands. Maxine started a pot of coffee, then sat down beside her and took her hand.

  Maxine stayed silent as she stroked Evie's hand. She started to speak before stuttering to a stop, and Evie could tell she was fighting back the tears. Evie was about to say something, but Maxine held up a hand.

  Evie gave her mom time. When Maxine finally spoke, her voice was ragged. "I should have known, baby. I'm so sorry. I can't believe I let you stay with that monster for so long." Maxine started crying.

  Evie felt her own tears rise. "It's my fault. I kept it secret. I learned how to hide the bruises. You couldn't have known."

  "I'm your mother. It's my responsibility to know when my only child is in trouble." More tears ran down Maxine's cheeks and Evie realized this was the first time she had seen her mom without make-up in years. Small lines had grown around her brown eyes and mouth. She was paler. Her cheeks redder.

  "Mom." Evie squeezed Maxine’s hand and scooted closer, even though the action sent a wave of fire shooting across her back. "Mom. You couldn’t have known. No one did. Cheri just happened to find me one night. If it hadn't been for her, I would probably still be with him. Or dead."

  "Oh, baby." Maxine broke forward, crying hard, her head bent over their entwined hands. Evie soothed a hand down her mom’s head.

  "Please stop. It’s not your fault. It’s no one's fault but mine."

  "No. It’s mine." Hunter's deep voice dragged her attention from her mom.

  He filled the doorway, his shoulders almost touching the frame. His T-shirt and sweatpants were rumpled from sleep. But his gaze was alert. Focused on her. He stepped into the room. "I left you. I let my past cloud my judgment. It’s my fault you ended up with him."

  Evie lifted her chin and held his gaze for just a second before looking away. His expression was raw and open and filled with longing.

  Maxine patted her hand and stood. "I think you two need to talk."

  "Mom..."

  Maxine shushed her and leaned close. "I think you should listen to him, honey." Then her mom was gone and Evie was alone with Hunter.

  The liar.

  She turned from him, unable to look at him for fear that she would relent.

  Hunter took her mom's seat. "Evie, I have to tell you something."

  She still couldn’t look at him, but he took her hand anyway, his touch sending sparks up her arm.

  “I should have trusted you. I should have known you wouldn’t cheat on me with Marcus.”

  Evie gave him her attention then, her anger too hot for her to hold it back. "That may be true. And it's forgivable. But not this. You used me. You used me and didn't care if I was hurt." Her lips trembled and she ripped her gaze from his, unwilling to let him have the satisfaction of seeing her cry.

  Hunter turned her chin gently until she faced him again. "You’re right. In the beginning, my intention was to use you. But after we talked, after we touched, after I spent more than five minutes in your presence, I knew I couldn't do it. I couldn't use you and turn you in."

  "Do you think I'm stupid? I heard you at your dad’s. I heard you tell them." Her words weren't tinged with bitterness. They were filled with it. She jerked her hand from his and stood. The familiar pain shot up her back.

  "If you’d stayed a minute longer, you would’ve heard me tell them I knew you weren't involved. That I planned to keep you safe no matter what." Hunter rose, his voice desperate.

  "You expect me to just believe you? After everything you've done?" Evie's chin rose even as tears fell.

  "You should believe him. He's telling the truth."

  Evie turned to see a sleep-rumpled Hank in the doorway. He walked to the coffee pot, poured two cups, and met Evie's gaze head-on. "Can't you see how much he loves you?"

  With those words, Hank left the room and Evie slowly turned back to Hunter. Her whole body shook. Could it be true? Or was Hank just covering for his adopted son?

  Hunter cursed and paced the kitchen. He looked awful. Tortured. Dark circles under his eyes. A couple days’ growth of beard on his cheeks. But it was his eyes that held her. There was torment in their dark depths.

  "Evie, I know I screwed up, but I swear on my mother's grave I'm telling the truth." He strode over to her then and took her hands in his, his eyes pleading.

  Evie felt her heart melting as she searched his gaze.

  "Please, you have to believe me." Hunter dropped to a knee.

  Evie touched his cheek, his hair. He closed his eyes and leaned into her touch. "Okay."

  Geez. She needed a new brain. But her heart screamed for him. Was drawn to him.

  Hunter looked up then, his expression filled with hope, and Evie nodded.

  "I love you, Evie. I've loved you since I’ve known you."

  "I love you too, Hunter."

  Epilogue

  A few months later, Evie and Hunter stood on a sandbar of the Mississippi, holding hands in the very spot where they’d first kissed. The sunset cast warm hues of gold and amber on the crowd gathered behind them.

  “I now pronounce you man and wife.” C.W., it turned out, was not only a POW, but an ordained minister. For the first time that Evie could remember, he wasn’t wearing camo pants. The pressed jeans looked good on him, if not weird.

  “I love you.”

  Evie tilted her face up to her husband, Hunter James. The fierce possessiveness in his dark gaze stole her breath, but not as much as the consuming kiss that followed his declaration.

  When they broke apart, her husband’s lips broke into a huge grin and he turned her to face their friends and family. “My wife.”

  Everyone clapped and cheered. Maxine stood with Hank, his arm anchored around her waist. Ever since that night, Hank had barely let her mother out of his sight. The only family member absent from the crowd was Hayden, Hunter’s little sister.

  Maxine strode forward, her arms outstretched and pulled Evie into a fierce hug. “I’m so happy for you.”

  Hank approached and held out his hand to Hunter. Evie stepped back, just as he pulled Hunter into a hug. Evie’s cheeks hurt from smiling so much.

  Ranger came next, squeezing his brother tight. He leaned down and kissed Evie on the cheek. When he stood, she caught his quick glance away and followed it. Amy stood off to the side, her arms wrapped protectively around her middle.

  Evie felt a pang of regret. Amy had buried her husband, Shane Carter, not long ago. If it hadn’t been for Hunter’s insistence on such a quick wedding, Evie would have put if off longer. But her man gave the word stubborn a new meaning.

  Amy’s gaze caught Ranger’s and a blush stole through her cheeks. A scorching look passed between them. What the heck?

  Evie didn’t have time to question her new brother-in-law, though. The rest of Hunter’s team filed through, offering their congratulations. Even Greer and Rayland Wilde, her cajun cousins, were here to give their congratulations.

  Cheri marched up, her short dress drawing the attention of Hunter’s entire team. “Remember what I said about fish bait?”

  Confusion sliced through Evie. “What?”

  “Ask your husband.” Cheri grabbed Evie into a hug and turned to Hunter.

  “You don’t have to worry. She is my life.” Hunter held out a hand.

  “As long as we’re straight.” Cheri slid right past his hand and hugged Hunter.

  “Would you two tell me what you are talking about?”

  Hunter let go of Cheri and pulled Evie into his embrace. “Just a little conversation about fish and
balls. Nothing important.”

  “Time for the party!” C.W. said. “Hoyt, hit it.”

  Hoyt started the music. Hunter and Evie shared their first dance together as husband and wife. “How can he do that with that little speaker?”

  Hunter shrugged and then dipped her. “I have no idea.”

  Evie swayed with the beat, warm sand squishing through her toes and the man of her dreams in her arms. Her friends and family joined in, forming a loose group around them. “I love you, husband.”

  Hunter leaned down and rested his forehead to hers.” I love you too, wife.”

  * * *

  Sherriff Lee Brown lay limp in the river. The dull roar of the boat barely registered as Evie sped away, leaving him to bleed out in the river. Brown floated on his back, staring up at the night sky, waiting for the blackness to swallow him whole.

  His whole life he’d been a follower. He’d followed his brother and nearly ended up in jail. He’d followed his friends and nearly ended up addicted to drugs. He’d followed Marcus, and all for the promise of money. And now he would die. Alone.

  Two boats sped by, not ten feet from where he floated. Brown saw Hunter James in one, surrounded by his friends. Another boat followed, full of more reinforcements. Good. At least Marcus would die too.

  Leaving nearly ten million dollars worth of weapons to rot where no one would find them.

  Ten million. What he could do with that kind of money. Fuck, he could do anything with half that. But he’d never get the chance.

  Or would he?

  How was he still alive?

  Brown lifted a hand to his neck, feeling the hot sticky blood there, dripping into the water. Dripping, not squirting out.

  Realization dawned. She’d missed his artery. Fucking hell, the bitch missed.

  Steeling his resolve, he turned his head to the side to take in his location. Pain, white hot and burning seared across his neck. His heart thudded hard in his chest, working overtime to deal with the surge of adrenaline. He was almost to the shore. The current moved swift, carrying him along the shoreline.

  Slowly, testing his strength, Brown struck out with one hand, the other held tight over his wound. He dipped below the surface, but forced himself to come back up for air. He could do this. He could survive.

  His hand hit solid ground. He pulled himself out of the river, collapsing face down onto the muddy bank. His feet remained submerged, but he couldn’t move another inch. His arms and legs were numb, cold seeming to creep into every pore of his flesh.

  But he was alive.

  And he knew where the weapons were.

  THE END

  Want to see what happens next with Ranger and Amy? Resurrection River: Men of Mercy

  Ranger James accepted his best friend’s death like a good soldier. With guilt. Regret. Vengeance. But a forbidden desire keeps pulling him from his mission…

  Desire for his best friend’s widow.

  Killed in Action. That’s why Amy Carter’s husband wasn’t coming home.

  A war widow, alone and broke, Amy struggles to revive her family’s crop dusting service to survive. Now she takes to the skies to find escape. Escape from the pain. From the guilt. From the earth-shattering desire for her husband’s best friend.

  Amy and Ranger can’t fight the attraction between them any longer. But one fateful night cleaves their new found love in two...

  Can they find the will to fight for true love? Or will an evil so shocking destroy their lives for good?

  Want to see what happens next with Ranger and Amy? Resurrection River: Men of Mercy

  Resurrection River: Men of Mercy

  Ranger James accepted his best friend’s death like a good soldier. With guilt. Regret. Vengeance. But a forbidden desire keeps pulling him from his mission…

  Desire for his best friend’s widow.

  Killed in Action. That’s why Amy Carter’s husband wasn’t coming home.

  A war widow, alone and broke, Amy struggles to revive her family’s crop dusting service to survive. Now she takes to the skies to find escape. Escape from the pain. From the guilt. From the earth-shattering desire for her husband’s best friend.

  Amy and Ranger can’t fight the attraction between them any longer. But one fateful night cleaves their new found love in two...

  Can they find the will to fight for true love? Or will an evil so shocking destroy their lives for good?

  DOSSIER

  TASK FORCE SCORPION (TF-S)

  A branch of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC)

  Ft. Grenada, MS

  MACK GREY: Detachment Commander, Captain

  ♣Recruited from the 75th Ranger Regiment, Ft. Benning, GA

  ♣Specialized Skills: direct action, unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance, interrogations specialist, psychological warfare

  ♣First in Command. Responsible for ensuring and maintaining operational readiness.

  ♣Height: 6’

  ♣Weight: 195lbs

  ♣Combat Experience: Operation Gothic Serpent, Somalia. Operation Desert Storm, OIF, Operation Crescent Wind, Operation Rhino, Operation Anaconda, Operation Jacana, Operation Mountain Viper, Operation Eagle Fury, Operation Condor, Operation Summit, Operation Volcano, Operation Achilles

  HUNTER JAMES: Warrant Officer, Detachment Commander

  ♣Recruited from the 75th Ranger Regiment, Ft. Benning, GA

  ♣Specialized Skills: direct action, unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance, psychological warfare

  ♣Responsible for overseeing all Team ops. Commands in absence of detachment commander.

  ♣Height: 6’3”

  ♣Weight: 230lbs

  ♣Combat Experience: Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Crescent Wind, Operation Anaconda, Operation Jacana, Operation Mountain Viper

  RANGER JAMES: Team Daddy/Team Sergeant, Master Sgt.

  ♣Recruited from the 75th Ranger Regiment, Ft. Benning, GA

  ♣Specialized Skills: direct action, unconventional warfare, special recon

  ♣Plans, coordinates & directs Team intelligence, analysis and dissemination.

  ♣Height: 6’4”

  ♣Weight: 225lbs

  ♣Combat Experience: Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Crescent Wind, Operation Anaconda, Operation Jacana, Operation Mountain Viper, Operation Eagle Fury

  JARED CROWE: Weapons Sergeant, Sgt. 1st Class

  ♣Recruited from Delta Force, Ft. Bragg, NC

  ♣Specialized Skills: direct action, unconventional warfare, special recon, Sniper

  ♣Weapons expert. Capable of firing and employing all small arm and crew served weapons

  ♣Height: 6’0”

  ♣Weight: 220lbs

  ♣Combat Experience: Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Crescent Wind, Operation Anaconda, Operation Jacana, Operation Condor, Operation Summit, Operation Volcano, Operation Achilles

  HOYT CROWE: Asst. Weapons Sergeant, Staff Sgt.

  ♣Recruited from Delta Force, Ft. Bragg, NC

  ♣Specialized Skills: direct action, unconventional warfare, special recon, Sniper

  ♣Weapons expert. Capable of firing and employing all small arm and crew served weapons

  ♣Height: 6’0”

  ♣Weight: 210lbs

  ♣Combat Experience: Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Crescent Wind, Operation Anaconda, Operation Jacana, Operation Condor, Operation Summit, Operation Volcano, Operation Achilles

  AARON SPEIRS: Medical Sergeant, Sgt. 1st Class

  ♣Recruited from Delta Force, Ft. Bragg, NC

  ♣Specialized Skills: direct action, unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance, medic

  ♣The life-saver. Employs the latest field medical technology and limited surgical procedures

  ♣Height: 6’1”

  ♣Weight: 195lbs

  ♣Combat Experience: Operation Anaconda, Operation Jacana, Operation Condor, Operation Summit, Operation Volcano, Operation Achi
lles

  RISER MALLON: Asst. Medical Sergeant, Staff Sgt.

  ♣Recruited from Delta Force, Ft. Bragg, NC

  ♣Specialized Skills: direct action, unconventional warfare, special recon, medic

  ♣The life-saver. Employs the latest field medical technology and limited surgical procedures

  ♣Height: 6’2”

  ♣Weight: 215lbs

  ♣Combat Experience: Operation Anaconda, Operation Jacana, Operation Condor, Operation Summit, Operation Volcano, Operation Achilles,Operation Mountain Viper, Operation Eagle Fury

  MERC: Engineer Sergeant, Sgt. 1st Class

  ♣Recruited from Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

  ♣Specialized Skills: direct action, unconventional warfare, special recon, Demolitions, psychological operations

  ♣Demolition expert. Trained in psychological warfare, conducts field interrogations.

  ♣Height: 6’5”

  ♣Weight: 250lbs

  ♣Combat Experience: Classified

  ETHAN SLADE: Communications

  Sergeant/Commo Guy, Sgt. 1st Class

  ♣Recruited from the 75th Ranger Regiment, Ft. Benning, GA

  ♣Specialized Skills: direct action, unconventional warfare, special recon, communications

  ♣Communications expert. Employ latest FM, multi-channel, and satellite communication devices.

  ♣Height: 6’0”

  ♣Weight: 200lbs

  ♣Combat Experience: Operation Condor, Operation Summit, Operation Volcano, Operation Achilles

  CORD CARTER: Weapons Sergeant, Staff Sgt.