Brooks (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) (Gold Team Book 1)

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Brooks (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) (Gold Team Book 1) Page 21

by Riley Edwards


  I nodded but never took my eyes off Tatiana’s face. I wasn’t calling her bluff. I was a man who knew what I wanted, and if she was serious, she’d be my wife before the end of the night.

  “I vowed never to take another road trip with you all. Last time it was a near-death experience for me.” She smiled.

  “Nothing bad happened,” Max complained.

  “You and Thad talked about sports for seven hours. The only thing that stopped me from throwing myself from the car was I hadn’t updated my will and I was afraid my bank account would go to fuckstick Monroe.”

  “Who’s going to Vegas?” Zane cut in.

  “We are. We’re getting married,” I told him.

  “Christ. I better expand the fucking daycare center I’m being forced to build at the office. Can’t anyone just use regular babysitters? Or better yet, birth control?”

  “You are so full of shit, Zane Lewis, I’ve seen you with your nephews. And what about you? You ever heard of birth control?” Tatiana gestured to a pregnant Ivy.

  “Ouch,” Zane mumbled and looked down at his wife. “Mark this, woman. I’m keeping track, and after you pop my son out, I’m bending you over my lap and spanking you for every time you’ve pinched me over the last six months.”

  Holy shit, Zane was having a boy. The world better brace. There was no doubt Lewis genes would prevail.

  “Well, what are we all still standing around for? You wanna get married or what?” Zane tapped his foot with impatience.

  “You ready to become Mrs. Miller?” I asked Tatiana.

  “Hell, yes.”

  “Let’s roll.”

  Chapter 37

  Thad

  I was seriously questioning my life choices. It had been three days since I’d drunk way too much while celebrating in Vegas. Three days, and the headache was still present. Throbbing behind my eyes like someone was pounding a drum in my skull. The heat and stench of fermenting garbage wasn’t helping.

  Zane hadn’t felt an ounce of pity when he sent us down to Mexico only a day after Brooks and Tatiana had said, ‘I do.’ The fucker had drunk as much as the rest of us, yet he woke up the next day bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, barking orders like he hadn’t polished off a bottle of Knob Creek himself.

  Now he and his wife, Ivy, were enjoying something she called a babymoon. Whatever the fuck that is. All I knew was, I was walking down Avenida Revolucioń with Max by my side and my Gator sunglasses were doing not a damn thing blocking out the bright rays of the afternoon sun.

  Even the brightly-colored buildings were pissing me off.

  “You need an attitude adjustment,” Max complained. I gritted my teeth in an effort not to tell him to fuck off.

  It wasn’t his fault I was in a bad mood. Hell, I didn’t even know why I was annoyed. We’d all had a great time in Vegas and we’d been stateside for nearly three months. It was the longest I’d been out of the sandbox in recent memory. Maybe that was what my problem was. Three months was a long time to go without a purpose. But that didn’t explain my piss poor mood now. We were back on the hunt. Tex had picked up a trace on Leon Brown. It wasn’t a great lead but it was a start. Brown had been seen in Venezuela with a woman. With any luck it would be Ashaki Maloof. Though I had a feeling, being CIA she’d be in the wind and back undercover in no time. And as much as I hated loose ends and not fully understanding who she was and what role she played, she wasn’t our mission. Omni was. And even if we hadn’t been the ones to take out Prince Al Issa, he was dead. Soon Omni would be scrambling.

  I needed to snap out of it and get my shit sorted. It may’ve been broad daylight but there was nothing particularly safe walking the streets of Tijuana. Statistically, I was safer taking a stroll in Kandahar. At least according to OSAC.

  “You think Zane put us up in a lime green house just to be a smartass?” I asked Max as we arrived at the Cantina National.

  I’d never seen a color so bright on a house in my thirty-two years. It was like a huge neon beacon flashing, alerting all of the homeboys on the block of our presence. We might as well hang a sign outside, too: White boys staying in the lime green house.

  “Probably. Something he would do. The color is obnoxious. But it blends into the neighborhood. The one next door is flamingo pink. He coulda put us in that one.”

  A pretty brunette with long shiny hair cascading to her waist greeted us. She was stunning. And young. Way too young for me to be ogling. Maybe that was part of my problem. It had been a very long time since I’d had the pleasure of anything other than my hand. So goddamn long I couldn’t even remember the last time I had female company.

  “This okay?” the woman asked.

  “Yes. Thank you.”

  I sat at the table the hostess had guided us to and was grateful Max had been paying attention.

  “Earth to Thaddeus.” Max knocked on the table, pulling me from my depressing thoughts.

  I felt it before I heard it.

  A crackle of energy. High-frequency, high-voltage, alternating current. I remembered that feeling. There had only ever been one person who could evoke the phenomenon. Her touch was like my own personal bolt of lightning.

  I finally turned toward the clatter of dishes and had to do a double-take. I blinked and tried looking again. The mirage remained, the same beautiful woman at the next table over was staring at me. Green eyes wide in shock and full, kissable lips pulled down into a frown.

  She quickly schooled her features and looked back at her lunch companion.

  What the fuck?

  Max lifted his chin in a silent question, asking if I knew her.

  The answer was complicated. Did I know the well put-together woman sitting there eating lunch with a man in an expensive, perfectly pressed suit, donning a watch that cost a year’s salary, and douchey haircut that would put you back a whack? No, I did not know that woman.

  Did I know Emerson Pierce? Intimately. I’d spent hours getting to know every inch of her. That seemed like a lifetime ago. A silly young man who was so stupid he’d mistaken phenomenal sex with love. It had been more than a decade since I’d seen her. I was twenty-two. The sex couldn’t have been as good as I’d remembered. Back then, I was so inexperienced I’d probably embarrassed myself. It couldn’t have been that great for her, she’d walked out on me.

  Emerson stood and straightened the hem of her stylish short red dress and briefly glanced in my direction. Her pretty eyes weren’t dancing with desire and lust like they had been the last time I’d been lost in them. They were pleading. She shook her head ever so softly, begging me not to acknowledge her. A part of me wanted to stand and demand answers. But I remained in my seat, not drawing any attention to the fact I could still recall every breathy moan, every groan she made while she rode me. I could still feel her hands in my hair, pulling as my tongue thrashed between her legs. She was a wild thing. Totally shameless in her quest for pleasure.

  Her expensive heels clacked on the worn wooden floor as she made her way past our table. If I’d thought the front of her skin-tight dress showed off her curves, it had nothing on the back. Not only did it hug her ample ass but it exposed the smooth skin of her back. My eyes were eating up every sexy inch until they stalled on the thick black lettering of her tattoo.

  The last word I’d use to describe the lettering would be feminine. It was bold, going from shoulder blade to shoulder blade, the characters unmistakably Greek. The name unmistakably mine.

  Θεοδωρος.

  She had insisted on calling me Thaddeus. She said it was strong and sexy, just like I was. She said she’d never forget it. Seemed she was telling the truth.

  “You okay?” Max asked.

  “Not even a little bit.”

  For the second time in my life, Emerson Pierce had rocked my world.

  *

  Emerson and Thad coming soon.

  About the Author

  Riley Edwards is a bestselling multi-genre author, wife, and military mom. Riley was born and rai
sed in Los Angeles but now resides on the east coast with her fantastic husband and children.

  Riley writes heart-stopping romance with sexy alpha heroes and even stronger heroines. Riley's favorite genres to write are romantic suspense and military romance.

  Riley Edwards Newsletter –

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  Add Riley Edwards on Goodreads

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  Other Books by Riley Edwards

  Available on Amazon

  The Red Team

  Nightstalker

  Protecting Olivia

  Redeeming Violet

  Recovering Ivy

  Rescuing Erin

  The Gold Team

  Brooks

  The 707 Freedom Series

  Free

  Freeing Jasper

  Finally Free

  Freedom

  The Next Generation

  Saving Meadow

  Chasing Honor

  Finding Mercy

  Claiming Tuesday

  The Masters Collection

  The Awakening

  The Collective

  Unbroken 1 & 2 – Season One

  Trust – Season Two

  Standalone

  Romancing Rayne

  There are many more books in this fan fiction world than listed here, for an up-to-date list go to www.AcesPress.com

  You can also visit our Amazon page at:

  http://www.amazon.com/author/operationalpha

  Special Forces: Operation Alpha World

  Denise Agnew: Dangerous to Hold

  Shauna Allen: Awakening Aubrey

  Shauna Allen: Defending Danielle

  Shauna Allen: Rescuing Rebekah

  Shauna Allen: Saving Scarlett

  Shauna Allen: Saving Grace

  Brynne Asher: Blackburn

  Jennifer Becker: Hiding Catherine

  Julia Bright: Saving Lorelei

  Julia Bright: Rescuing Amy

  Victoria Bright: Surviving Savage

  Victoria Bright: Going Ghost

  Victoria Bright: Jostling Joker

  Cara Carnes: Protecting Mari

  Kendra Mei Chailyn: Beast

  Kendra Mei Chailyn: Barbie

  Kendra Mei Chailyn : Pitbull

  Melissa Kay Clarke: Rescuing Annabeth

  Melissa Kay Clarke: Safeguarding Miley

  Samantha A. Cole: Handling Haven

  Samantha A. Cole: Cheating the Devil

  Sue Coletta: Hacked

  Melissa Combs: Gallant

  KaLyn Cooper: Rescuing Melina

  Liz Crowe: Marking Mariah

  Jordan Dane: Redemption for Avery

  Jordan Dane: Fiona’s Salvation

  Riley Edwards: Protecting Olivia

  Riley Edwards: Redeeming Violet

  Riley Edwards, Recovering Ivy

  Nicole Flockton: Protecting Maria

  Nicole Flockton: Guarding Erin

  Nicole Flockton: Guarding Suzie

  Nicole Flockton: Guarding Brielle

  Casey Hagen: Shielding Nebraska

  Casey Hagen: Shielding Harlow

  Casey Hagen: Shielding Josie

  Casey Hagen: Shielding Blair

  Desiree Holt: Protecting Maddie

  Kathy Ivan: Saving Sarah

  Kathy Ivan: Saving Savannah

  Kathy Ivan: Saving Stephanie

  Jesse Jacobson: Protecting Honor

  Jesse Jacobson: Fighting for Honor

  Jesse Jacobson: Defending Honor

  Jesse Jacobson: Summer Breeze

  Silver James: Rescue Moon

  Silver James: SEAL Moon

  Silver James: Assassin’s Moon

  Silver James: Under the Assassin’s Moon

  Becca Jameson: Saving Sofia

  Kate Kinsley: Protecting Ava

  Heather Long: Securing Arizona

  Heather Long: Guarding Gertrude

  Heather Long: Protecting Pilar

  Heather Long: Covering Coco

  Gennita Low: No Protection

  Kirsten Lynn: Joining Forces for Jesse

  Margaret Madigan: Bang for the Buck

  Margaret Madigan: Buck the System

  Margaret Madigan: Jungle Buck

  Margaret Madigan: December Chill

  Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Baby

  Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Bride

  Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Twin

  KD Michaels: Saving Laura

  KD Michaels: Protecting Shane

  KD Michaels: Avenging Angels

  Wren Michaels: The Fox & The Hound

  Wren Michaels: The Fox & The Hound 2

  Wren Michaels: Shadow of Doubt

  Wren Michaels: Shift of Fate

  Wren Michaels: Steeling His Heart

  Kat Mizera: Protecting Bobbi

  Mary B Moore: Force Protection

  LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Butterfly

  LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Goddess

  LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Vixen

  LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Heartbeat

  MJ Nightingale: Protecting Beauty

  MJ Nightingale: Betting on Benny

  MJ Nightingale: Protecting Secrets

  Sarah O’Rourke: Saving Liberty

  Debra Parmley: Protecting Pippa

  Lainey Reese: Protecting New York

  Jenika Snow: Protecting Lily

  Jen Talty: Burning Desire

  Jen Talty: Burning Kiss

  Jen Talty: Burning Skies

  Jen Talty: Burning Lies

  Jen Talty: Burning Heart

  Megan Vernon: Protecting Us

  Megan Vernon: Protecting Earth

  Fire and Police: Operation Alpha World

  Freya Barker: Burning for Autumn

  KaLyn Cooper: Justice for Gwen

  Aspen Drake: Sheltering Emma

  Barb Han: Kace

  Reina Torres: Justice for Sloane

  Stacey Wilk: Stage Fright

  As you know, this book included at least one character from Susan Stoker’s books. To check out more, see below.

  SEAL of Protection: Legacy Series

  Securing Caite

  Securing Brenae (novella) (April 2019)

  Securing Sidney (May 2019)

  Securing Piper (Sept 2019)

  Securing Zoey (TBA)

  Securing Avery (TBA)

  Securing Kalee (TBA)

  Delta Force Heroes Series

  Rescuing Rayne (FREE!)

  Rescuing Aimee (novella)

  Rescuing Emily

  Rescuing Harley

  Marrying Emily

  Rescuing Kassie

  Rescuing Bryn

  Rescuing Casey

  Rescuing Sadie

  Rescuing Wendy

  Rescuing Mary

  Rescuing Macie (April 2019)

  Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series

  Justice for Mackenzie (FREE!)

  Justice for Mickie

  Justice for Corrie

  Justice for Laine (novella)

  Shelter for Elizabeth

  Justice for Boone

  Shelter for Adeline

  Shelter for Sophie

  Justice for Erin

  Justice for Milena

  Shelter for Blythe

  Justice for Hope

  Shelter for Quinn

  Shelter for Koren (July 2019)

  Shelter for Penelope (Oct 2019)

  SEAL of Protection Series

  Protecting Caroline (FREE!)

  Protecting Alabama

  Protecting Fiona

  Marrying Caroline (novella)

  Protecting Summer

  Protecting Cheyenne

  Protecting Jessyka

  Protecting Julie (novella)

  Protecting Melody

  Protecting the Future

  Protecting Kiera (novella)

  Protecting Dakota

  New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bes
tselling Author Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Tennessee where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, Indiana, and Texas. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.

  She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.

  If you enjoyed this book, or any book, please consider leaving a review. It’s appreciated by authors more than you’ll know.

  www.stokeraces.com

  www.AcesPress.com

  [email protected]

 

 

 


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