by KaLyn Cooper
Unbeatable Love: Lady Falcon (Tori) & Marcus
Novel #5 - Black Swan Book #9
KaLyn Cooper
Contents
A Letter to Readers
Acknowledgments
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
Epilogue
Also by KaLyn Cooper
About the Author
Unbeatable Love
KaLyn Cooper
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Cover Artist: Drue Hoffman
Editor: Trenda London, Rebecca Hodgkins
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Published 2019
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Published by Black Swan Publishing, LLC
Copyright © Published 2019, KaLyn Cooper
Printed in the United States of America
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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.
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This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and dialogues in this book are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.
A Letter to Readers
Dear Reader,
Welcome to novel #5, story #9, of the Black Swan series.
Unbeatable Love is a stand-alone contemporary romance novel that picks up the Black Swan story at the end of the novella Choosing Love, but it can be read by itself.
If by chance you haven’t read it, or have forgotten the action line, in Unguarded Love the Nicaraguan government had a coup. The civil unrest was over the new canal that would replace the Panama Canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The increase in tourism would invigorate Nicaragua with billions of dollars. By the way, this canal is real and on the drawing boards. Construction was to have started in 2018 but funding was delayed.
In Unbeatable Love, the international gang, Salvadorian Vipers has decided to unite the neighboring countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras to take advantage of the tourists. When they steal nuclear warheads intended for a submarine, the Ladies of Black Swan are called upon to stop them.
You may remember Marcus Hernandez from Uncaged Love. He was kidnapped in the U.S.A. and beaten by the Colombian Cartel to force Harper Tambini to make the CHAZ bombs. Although he’s terribly scarred from his torture and subsequent surgeries, he’s still an explosives expert with the ATF. When paired with Tori Denton, the former fashion model and current Black Swan sniper, Marcus’s desire for her threatens to explode.
Thank you for purchasing Unbeatable Love. If you enjoy this book, consider purchasing the other books in the Black Swan series as well as the related Guardian Elite series.
Always,
KaLyn Cooper
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Consider other books by KaLyn Cooper:
Click on the titles to learn more and for BUY links.
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Black Swan Series
Unconventional Beginnings: Prequel (Black Swan Novella # 0.5)
Unrelenting Love: Lady Hawk (Katlin) & Alex (Black Swan Book #1)
Noel’s Puppy Power: Bailey & Tanner (A Sweet Christmas Black Swan Novella #1.5)
Uncaged Love: Harper & Rafe (Black Swan Book #2)
Unexpected Love: Lady Eagle (Grace) & Griffin (Black Swan Book #3)
Challenging Love: A Katlin & Alex novella #3.5 (Black Swan Series Book #6)
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Guardian Elite Series
Double Jeopardy (Novella #1 Guardian Elite series crossover with Hildie McQueen’s Indulgences series)
Smoke and Mirrors (Novella #2 Guardian Elite series crossover with Paige Tyler’s Dallas Fire and Rescue Kindle World)
Rescuing Melina (Novella #3 Guardian Elite series crossover with Susan Stoker’s Special Forces: Operation Alpha Kindle World)
Snow SEAL (Novella #4 Guardian Elite series crossover with Elle James Brotherhood Protectors Kindle World)
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Cancun Series
Christmas in Cancun (Cancun Series Book #1)
Conquered in Cancun (Cancun Series Novella #1.5)
Captivated in Cancun (Cancun Series Book #2)
Claimed by a SEAL (Cancun Series crossover Novella #2.5 with Cat Johnson’s Hot SEALs Kindle Worlds)
Crisis in Cancun (Cancun Series Book #3)
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For the latest on works in progress and future releases, check out KaLyn Cooper’s website
www.KaLynCooper.com
http://www.kalyncooper.com/
Follow KaLyn Cooper on Facebook for promotions and giveaways
https://www.facebook.com/kalyn.cooper.52
Sign up for exclusive promotions and special offers only available in KaLyn’s newsletter http://www.kalyncooper.com/newsletter.html
I dedicate this book to active-duty women who get put into equally dangerous situations as their male counterparts.
Acknowledgments
To bring a book to you, takes so many people. I’d like to send a special thanks to all the members of the Ladies of Black Swan Book Club. You ladies are invaluable! A special thank you to Tamara Kasyan and Beth Cotter for helping me find the models used in the ads. My reader group also selected many of the character names for the new Black Swan Team Two which was fully introduced in this book. Thank you Angie Bengston, Nora Cardin, Beth Cotter, Misty Dawn, and Nancy Mathias. A very special thanks to my new content editor Trenda London who made me dig deep into these characters, understand why they did the things they did, then show the readers in the most dramatic way possible. Thank also to my new copy editor Rebecca Hodgkins for finding my many “dragonisms”.
Many thanks to Donna Kilroy for copy editing this book. Drue Hoffman, I can’t thank you enough for help with this and every book I write, before, during and after. My cover is awesome, my ads are effective, and your advice always appreciated. Last, I want to thank my husband for his support of my “hobby.”
Rara avis in terris
is Latin for
“a rare bird in the lands.”
In the ancient world, it was believed that the landing of a single black swan created a change that would affect the entire world.
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In today’s world, that change can be seen almost instantly…9/11 is the best example.
True fact: Nicaragua is looking to build a new canal between the Caribbean Sea/Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean that is wider than the aging Panama Canal.
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True fact: There is a brutal international gang that was founded by immigrants to the U.S.A. from El Salvador. Their popularity has grown international.
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True fact: Men always underestimate beautiful women.
Chapter 1
Tori Denton was completely in Lady Falcon mode as she smoothly slid into the left lane of the Interstate and slowly overtook the long, unmarked, silver semi-trailer. She pulled up even with the red cab which bore no logo or identifying marks other than those required by the Department of Transportation.
The truck was meant to blend with the two million others that traveled the U.S. highways every day.
Less than twenty people knew its leth
al cargo, all with top-secret security clearances. Even though she had one of the highest security clearances in the United States government, she had no clue what was inside. She, and her entire team, the Ladies of Black Swan, were one of the best kept secrets in the world. Five women clandestinely trained in special operations, they were more lethal than any team of Army Special Forces or Navy SEALs. No one ever suspected the beautiful women to possess their skills or abilities.
“Command. Red team passing target now,” she announced over the SUV’s communication system to everyone monitoring the mission.
“I think my M-4 is making the driver of the semi a little nervous,” Lady Harrier commented from the passenger’s seat where she was literally riding shotgun.
Over the car speakers, General Lyon, Commanding Officer of U.S. Special Operations Command replied, “He’s going to be thankful you had that machine gun if it all goes from sugar to shit.” Nervous chuckles chorused in agreement.
“Command, red team moving into position one. We’re coming up on our transition exit in two miles. Confirm our next vehicle is ready to roll.” She sped up and pulled in front of the tractor-trailer.
“Red team, command. You are to trade to a green Honda FJ parked on the off-ramp. Standard switch.” This would be the third time her team had changed vehicles. They had the transfer down to thirty-four seconds.
“Command, white team in position two.” Lady Hawk, Black Swan team leader, moved directly behind the tractor-trailer.
“Command, blue team moving into position three,” Lady Eagle announced from quarter of a mile behind everyone else.
“Command, black team catching up. We’re about a mile out from position four.” Lady Kite had changed from the pickup truck she’d been driving to a sporty BMW two exits ago.
As Lady Falcon scanned the road ahead and checked all her mirrors, the hairs on the back of her neck suddenly stood at attention. “Get eyes on those two cars up ahead,” she ordered. “Standby, command. I think we’ve got company.”
Lady Falcon’s exit was coming up quickly. She had to make a decision.
The two cars ahead were traveling side-by-side, well below the speed limit.
As though the entire car had suddenly been charged with electricity, everyone went hyper alert.
“Windows are blacked out on both vehicles.” The CIA man she only knew as SOG seven, his designation within the Special Operations Group attached to this mission, leaned between the front seats with a set of binoculars to his eyes. The cha-chink from the back seat indicated that SOG eight chambered a round.
“Command, red team. Aborting vehicle trade.” Lady Falcon drove past the turn-off for the exit.
“Red team, command. Copy that. Maintain position and continue constant reporting.”
SOG seven called out the license plate numbers, what he could read of them between the caked-on mud splats. Everyone on this op knew they would come back stolen, but it was essential they played by the book. There were too many alphabet agencies involved, and they were on U.S. soil, to function the way the Black Swans normally operated, loose and lethal, reactive and always ready, dependent only on each other.
Traveling at the speed limit, they quickly approached the slower vehicles, which took up both lanes.
“Command, blue team. I have two bogeys quickly approaching from the rear.” Lady Eagle’s SUV contained a similar team to her own, so they’d be okay.
“Command, black team. I’m right behind the bogeys. They seem to be clueless of my position or threat level.” Lady Kite was bringing up the rear of the convoy. She only had one SOG with her, but they had enough firepower between them to start a war.
“Heads up. Play has begun,” Lady Falcon announced as they were all forced to slow down.
“Blue team, command. Pull up next to red team.”
“Command, blue team. In position.”
Out of her peripheral vision, Lady Falcon could see the dark Buick Encore driven by Lady Hawk in the lane next to her, pacing about twenty-five feet in front of the semi.
The blacked-out Escalade pulled in front of the slow-moving Chevy Tahoe where someone stuck an arm out of the driver’s window, signaling for them to go around.
“Well, aren’t these fucking considerate terrorists.” Lady Harrier moved a second magazine to her duty belt and opened the sunroof. “They don’t want to involve civilians in their hijacking.”
“More like they don’t want witnesses.” SOG eight lowered the window on his side.
“Our tangoes are slowing down even more.” Lady Falcon held her position, the nose of her vehicle in line with the front of Lady Hawk’s. She wondered how many shots the bulletproof windshield and reinforced steel could take. Glancing in her rearview mirror, she saw the semi had straddled the centerline like a quarterback, using the Black Swans as blockers.
It was time. Her heartrate increased. In position number one, Lady Falcon was the chase vehicle in addition to being first line of protection for the valuable cargo in the trailer behind her.
The Escalade pulled back into the left lane and continued to slow.
“Let’s play.” Lady Falcon said quietly when the Tahoe was less than twenty feet in front of her. The windows on the darkened SUV slid down and gun muzzles poked through as both cars slowed even more. This was not the tactic they had expected. They hadn’t been given permission to do anything but accompany the precious cargo.
“Command, red team, eight guns visible and pointed at us from open windows,” she reported the development.
Damn joint task force bullshit. If someone didn’t do something soon, they’d all be sitting ducks.
“Sir, this is Lady Hawk, do we have direct communication with the truck driver yet?”
Lady Falcon checked her rearview mirror. All she saw was a shiny chrome grill.
Well, fuck.
“Color Guard, command.”
And wasn’t that a mission name created by committee. Lady Falcon wanted to roll her eyes, but they needed to stay pinned on her tango, and the four black guns pointed at her.
“I’m in direct communication with transportation division of Department of Energy.” General Lyon sounded pissed. “They had previously been made aware of this operation, since they asked for our help, but I just informed them we’re taking over. The state police are diverting traffic back at the last exit so anyone on the road is to be considered in play. Color Guard, you have permission to return fire only if fired upon.”
“About fucking time,” SOG seven mumbled as he sighted through his scope. “I have six, maybe seven, heat signatures, but that’s damned thick steel. Probably reinforced with armor.”
SOG eight grunted in agreement. “Same.”
They were barely rolling down the road at fifteen miles per hour.
All at once, the vehicles in front of them opened fire. Nita flipped up the bulletproof steel with a slit in the middle and propped her sniper rifle in the steadying sling that would keep her barrel straight no matter how many bumps the car went over.
The two men in the rear seat, who were members of the most elite fighting group in the world, leaned out and started picking off shooters from the cars in front of them. The echo of gunfire was deafening as Tori fought to hold the car smooth and steady while bullets pinged off its metal exterior.
A small dent appeared in the windshield pushing silver lines through the glass. Cracked but holding. Lady Falcon wanted to duck with every strike but held her position. She was safe. She had to report in. “We are under attack. Returning fire. Windshield has been hit. Minor cracking.”
The other cars were reporting similar exchanges of fire, but her team was safe.
Lady Harrier methodically shot out the tires of the Tahoe directly in front of them, so the tangoes were practically running on the rims. Guess they didn’t know about run-flat tires.
“I’m gonna ram this son of a bitch off the road and push them as far away from the tractor-trailer as possible,” Lady Falcon announced.
>
“Sounds like a plan.” Lady Hawk said from the car beside her. “I’ll follow you to the right shoulder.”
“Command, Lady Hawk. Tell the driver we’re clearing a path for him.”
“Copy that.” There seemed to be a great deal of conversation at operations command before the tech ordered, “Color Guard, target is pulling over with you. Protect at all cost. Lethal force is authorized.
Well, fuck. Something went wrong. That certainly wasn’t the plan. What happened to the backup team?
Not Lady Falcon’s problem at the moment. She moved as far left as possible to get the correct angle on her target.
“Black Swan team, this is General Lyon. You are the only ones authorized to interrogate these assholes.”
“Copy that.” Echoed over the air from her team.
“Command, black team is in fast pursuit of tangoes heading south in the northbound lanes.” Lady Kite sounded calm and collected for speeding down an Interstate going the wrong direction. “Can you get the state police to—” There was a short pause filled with screeching tires. “Cancel that. We’re headed back north again. Guess they didn’t like playing chicken with oncoming traffic in the dark.”