Dax: Military Heroes (The One I Want Series Book 4)
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Dax & Dani
The One I Want
Jet Masters
Ellie Masters
JEM Publishing
We believe in Soulmates, True Love & Romance.
Jet & Ellie Masters
Copyright © 2019 Jet & Ellie Masters
Dax & Dani: The One I Want series
Book 4
All rights reserved.
This copy is intended for the original purchaser of this print book ONLY. No part of this print book may be reproduced, scanned, transmitted, or distributed in any printed, mechanical, or electronic form without prior written permission from Jet & Ellie Masters or JEM Publishing except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it to the seller and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.
Image/art disclaimer: Licensed material is being used for illustrative purposes only. Any person depicted in the licensed material is a model.
Editor: Erin Toland
Interior Design/Formatting: Ellie Masters
Published in the United States of America
JEM Publishing
This is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, businesses, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
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AISN: B07QMK9572
Created with Vellum
Dedication
This book is dedicated to our amazing readers.
True Love
Jet and I believe in true love. We believe you can look into the eyes of your soulmate and JUST KNOW. Many people may not believe us, but for us, we are one of the lucky few who fell in love at first sight.
Jet and I are writing THE ONE I WANT series together. It's a collection of contemporary, love at first sight, romance stories. These stories are about strong women. We're talking helicopter pilots, commercial boat captains, wildlife adventure guides, veterinarians…you get the picture. Strong, accomplished women who don't need a man in their lives, but who can't help stumbling across
THE ONE.
Sparks will fly.
These stories are about love at first sight. They’re heartfelt and true to what Jet and I believe about love. We believe that special spark exists, and we're bringing it to you, one story at a time.
The men in these stories are pretty amazing too! You'll see Green Berets, Delta operatives, Air Force Para-jumpers, and more. Of course, strong women deserve strong men. Right?
It’s with great pleasure that we launch THE ONE I WANT series. We conceived this concept together, argued plot points, sketched out scenes, and worked to bring you stories with all the feels. In the end, we want to bring you a Happily Ever After that will stay with you long after the last page is read.
Amazon Links Also by Ellie Masters
Sign up to Ellie’s Newsletter and get a free gift. https://elliemasters.com/FreeBook
Contemporary Romance
The One I Want Series
By Jet & Ellie Masters
each book in this series can be read as a standalone and is about a different couple with an HEA.
Aiden & Ariel
Brent & Brie
Caleb & Caitlyn
Dax & Dani
Rockstar Romance
The Angel Fire Rock Romance Series
each book in this series can be read as a standalone and is about a different couple with an HEA. It is recommended they are read in order.
Ashes to New (prequel)
Heart’s Insanity (book 1)
Heart’s Desire (book 2)
Heart’s Collide (book 3)
Hearts Divided (book 4)
Dark Romance
Captive Hearts Series
each book in this series can be read as a standalone and is about a different couple with an HEA. It is recommended they are read in order.
She’s MINE
Embracing FATE
Romantic Suspense
Changing Roles Series:
this series is about one couple and must be read in order.
Book 1: Command
Book 2: Control
Book 3: Collar
HOT READS
each book is a standalone novel.
Off Duty
Nondisclosure
Down the Rabbit Hole
Romantic Suspense (standalone)
each book is a standalone novel.
Twist of Fate
The Starling
Redemption
HOT READS
Becoming His Series
this series is about one couple and must be read in order.
Book 1: The Ballet
Book 2: Learning to Breathe
Book 3: Becoming His
Sweet Contemporary Romance
Finding Peace
~AND~
Science Fiction
Ellie Masters writing as L.A. Warren
Vendel Rising: a Science Fiction Serialized Novel
Contents
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
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Final Thoughts Jet&Ellie
Amazon Links Also by Ellie Masters
About the Author
Connect with Ellie Masters
THE END
Chapter 1
Dax
Florida's ever-present humidity and oppressive heat clotted the air and made the scars on Technical Sergeant Alexander (Dax) Kingston's back itch. He swiped at his brow, flicking sweat off the tips of his fingers, and glared at the Military Personnel building.
This would be his last official military act, an ignominious end to a career full of sacrifice, heroism, and selfless service to his country.
A female officer approached and Dax snapped a pristine salute to the unknown second lieutenant.
"Ma'am." His Texas twang vibrated in the air, bringing an attention-grabbing smile from the woman.
The pretty lieutenant was years younger than him and returned his salute with much less alacrity than how he delivered his. Pink colored her cheeks. Her eyes widened at the scar on his face, a jolt of horror, but then her gaze slipped and a sly smile slipped out. His face might be trashed, but women still liked a well-built man.
With the exception of her wince at the scar, he was used to the reaction from women. He knew exactly what she would see and how the gears in her head churned wondering if the stories were tru
e about the stamina of men such as him.
They were.
Not that she would find out.
The entirety of his life had been dedicated to being in the best physical condition possible. He had what others called an imposing presence and his buddies claimed women found him easy on the eye. He didn't know about that last part, but the first was true. He turned heads everywhere he went. He'd better. Other people's lives depended on it.
Or, they had.
He barely registered the impact of what the lieutenant's gaze meant. He wasn't interested in chasing some nameless lieutenant into bed. Although, from the look the baby officer gave him a romp in the sheets was his for the taking.
They were all like that.
Women who saw the maroon beret, and made the connection with what it implied, wanted the bragging rights which came from saying they'd slept with a man in special ops.
He had other concerns on his mind. Like what the hell he was going to do with the rest of his life.
The pretty officer stopped, her mouth opening to lure him in, but he kept his attention focused straight ahead, intent on his purpose, and marched away, leaving her to wipe the drool from her mouth.
For him, this was the end. There would be no celebration, either with alcohol flowing in his veins or a woman filling his bed.
The rim of the maroon beret dampened with his sweat and his Air Force uniform clung to his skin. A badge of honor, the beret designated him as one of the most elite in the special forces community.
He wouldn't wear the beret after today, or his uniform.
After everything he'd given to his country, the United States Air Force decided too much damage made him unworthy of continued service. Some of those injuries were forever etched in the scars decorating his back. Other more concerning damage hid in the cracks of his mind.
During his exit physical, his doctor tried to explain how the trauma locked in his head made him a liability to his team, and damn if he didn't agree.
Didn't mean he didn't fight to stay.
But in the end, he lost against the bureaucracy of a military medical system caught between balancing the needs of the mission against the injuries military service inflicted on its Airmen—on him.
Cool air conditioning blew down on him as he entered the building. A quick check of the directory and he found his way to the waiting room for Military Separations. He signed in and took a seat.
One hour later, he exited with honorable discharge papers in hand and an uncertain future staring him in the face.
His cell phone rang. One glance at the screen and his lips drew back. He didn't need a lecture from his old man. Not now. Not ever, not that his father cared what he thought about anything.
"Dax." He answered with his nickname, more of a reflex than anything else and cringed. His father would surely have something to say about that.
"Alexander." His father's deep voice rumbled across thousands of miles, heavy with a lifetime's worth of judgment threaded in four simple syllables.
One word.
His name.
A name he hated.
Alexander.
That's all it took to send him back to the vulnerable ten-year-old who wanted nothing more than to hear his father say his name with pride. Seth Kingston never did, and Dax learned long ago he'd never earn his father's love.
A child shouldn't have to work so hard for a father’s approval. The man Dax had become most certainly didn't care to start now.
"Father." Never dad, or daddy. He’d always been forced to be formal with his father. He kept his response to a single word, not encouraging conversation.
"Your mother said we would be expecting you." Disappointment hung heavy in those words.
With the Air Force behind him, Dax had nowhere to go but home, but his father made it sound like an unwelcome event.
He’d called his mother a week ago. She begged him to come home. It had been years since he'd been to the ranch, and he had no intention of returning anytime soon. In the end, her tears had him promising to visit.
He wouldn't stay. He couldn't, but he would go home for a little while. At least until he figured out what came next.
"Yes, sir."
“Do you mind telling me when we may expect you?”
A stiff formality hung between him and his father. The brusqueness of the question irritated Dax, not that he should expect anything else.
He hadn't given his mother a definite date. He could be there in a few hours if he hopped on a plane, but he was in no rush to go home. Not when it meant staring into his father's eyes and seeing the proof of everything his father believed etched in the hard, unforgiving lines of his craggy face.
Dax was not a failure. No matter what his father believed.
He was a war decorated hero, one of the very few awarded the Air Force Cross, the second highest military award that could be given to a member of the Air Force and he wore it with pride. It was awarded only for extraordinary heroism in combat and he’d earned the honor.
Not that his father cared.
All his father saw was a son who the Air Force kicked out for being unworthy.
He needed a moment before heading home.
“I’m driving, so a few days.” He didn’t have a vehicle. He sold his previous car before the last deployment to save on insurance, but he would buy some piece of crap if only to delay his arrival by a few days.
“Can you be more specific?” His father ground out the words.
Can you be less of an ass?
“No, sir. I have a few things to tie up here. When I hit the road, I’ll give mother a call and let her know when to expect me.” Unlike his father, his mother smothered him in love and praised all his achievements. He’d stay home if it weren’t for his father.
And if he worked things out, he could waste nearly a week before he had to pass beyond the heavy gates of Kingston's Ranch, one of Texas’s largest cattle ranching operations. Someday, it would pass to him. At least, if his father didn’t write him out of the will before then.
“Please do that. You know how she doesn’t like surprises.”
His mother wouldn’t care. The best surprise would be to see her son come home unannounced. She lived for shit like that. Unlike his father, she didn’t need advance notice to prepare for his homecoming.
What his mother saw in his father Dax would never understand. She claimed it had been love at first sight, something Dax didn’t believe in. But to his father’s credit, that man put Elizabeth Kingston on a pedestal. He moved Heaven and Earth to make sure her life was as perfect as it could be.
For that reason alone, Dax granted grudging respect for his father, and may even look up to him, despite the way Seth Kingston treated his one and only son.
“Yes, sir. I will call as soon as I know.” It was best to agree with his father and not give any reason to start an argument.
“Good. When you get here, we need to talk.”
He didn’t want to talk. There would be nothing good his father had to say, but he kept all emotion from his voice and gave the easiest answer.
“Yes, sir.”
Without a goodbye, his father ended the call, leaving Dax to consider his next step. Medically discharged, it was time to come to terms with the fact he could no longer do the job he'd been trained for.
A quick stop at a used car dealership off-base and he drove away from Eglin Air Force Base in a beat-up pickup truck with more rust than paint. He hit the road, then veered off when he spied a sign for an SPCA shelter.
His doc wanted him to sign up for one of those wounded warrior companion animal programs, but he didn't want to be associated with wounded anything. It would be admitting he had a problem, but he wasn't so arrogant to think a dog might not help ease the loneliness an uncertain future brought.
The woman at the shelter greeted him with the same slack-jawed expression as the baby lieutenant. With her eyes sparking with attraction, and her cheeks turning pink, she asked him abou
t dogs.
"What are you looking for?" Her lashes fluttered over the arch of her cheeks as she tried not to stare.
"Just a mutt, ma’am.“ He wanted a reject like him.
"Well, do you want a large dog, small dog? Something in between?"
"No ankle biters and nothing too big. I like smart dogs with energy."
Her eyes lit up. "Oh, we might have the perfect dog for you."
"Take me to her."
"It's a him. Is that a problem?"
"Nope. It doesn't really matter." Bitches were easier to control, but he could make it work. He'd grown up around cattle dogs his entire life. On a ranch with thousands of head of cattle, dogs did a lion's share of the work. He'd take what he could get.
"Well this one is a Blue Heeler.”
What were the chances this pound had a herding dog? It felt like fate had a hand in this. Blue Heelers were originally developed in Australia, but now used extensively in America because of their innate skill in driving cattle over long distances and across rough terrain.