Chapter 6

ZQ carried his beer into his office and closed the door. He hadn’t heard a peep from Ashley since he’d offered to come for her in his helicopter. Time to touch base. He dialed her number. No answer. He waited fifteen seconds and dialed again. This was the first time he’d called her. He’d always waited for her to reach out to him.

“Hello?”

She sounded weak. “Ashley, how’s your day going? Are you dressed?” An inappropriate question, but he knew how his mom strayed to that point after Dad died. A trauma too hard to accept in one’s mind or heart drained the energy required for ordinary tasks, like getting dressed on a daily basis.

“No. I’m in the closet in my bedroom. Quieter here. Safer.”

She was in a bad emotional place. Time to drop his little bomb, see if it jarred her any. “Do you remember my mom’s kittens I told you about? JJ’s been helping out with two of them. Drives Nance crazy. You know how she feels about her JJ.”

“JJ’s there? With you?” For the first time, her voice sparked with some life.

“Sure is. He and Nance got here over two months ago. We’ve got plenty of room in the ranch house. It’s one of those combo homes. The original log homestead, added to over the decades, and just this last year I built a brick one-story addition. The ranch is over twenty thousand acres. Plenty of room, inside and out.

“Far as I’m concerned the two of them can stay forever. Dustin Franks came about a week ago. He lost part of his left leg and has a lot of scarring on that side of his body. His wife divorced him as soon as she saw how bad he looked.”

“How awful! Dust was always nice. JJ was different, though. Special.”

“Nance lost her right ear. Had it shot off. JJ adopted her when his time in the Navy was up. Wouldn’t you like to see everybody? Nance? The kittens? You ride horses, don’t you?”

Her breathing became rapid. He’d pushed her far enough. “Listen, Ashley, I have to go. I just called because I hadn’t heard from you in a long time. If you decide you want to spend a week or two or longer in a quiet place that’s safe, call. I’ll drive my SUV to come get you. Have a good day, sweetheart.” He ended the call, pleased with how things went. She’d talked, no matter how constrained her responses to him. She’d talked. He wouldn’t bother her again. The next step was hers.

He swung his office chair around and leaned forward to the dial on his safe. Spinning in the combination, he pushed on the lever and removed a manila envelope stamped “Confidential.” After closing the metal door, he removed photos, intel, and court documents pertaining to two branches of the Russian Mafia—the Bashmakov Gang and the Morozov Circle—both were heavy into child sex trafficking, computer hacking, and drugs. Their brand of violent evil had infiltrated American soil.

The CIA in conjunction with the Navy had approached ZQ several times about heading an underground task force to identify and combat terrorists as well as unlawful threats here in the States. A tall order. He had to be careful of the caliber of men he approached to join his newly formed black ops force of former SEALs. They had to be top-notch and have worked through the worst of their PTSD. Plus, their current jobs had to afford them the ability to leave on a minute’s notice, without explaining why, and be gone for Lord knows how long—which was damn near impossible. One good thing was their pay grade; a few jobs a year would more than equal what they were probably earning now.

Both the Navy and CIA had chosen the name Black Eagle Ops since Eagle Ridge Ranch would be its home base. They’d funded his helicopter and training equipment. They also built an underground bunker, stocked with weapons, ammo, and high-tech gear, accessible by an underground tunnel from a vacant block chicken coop. His men would have the newest and best.

While out riding the range today, he’d talked to JJ. He was in. That made four, including himself. Scratch was moving his family to Warrior Falls as soon as the school year was over in the spring. His wife, a teacher, needed to finish out her contract if she hoped to get a teaching job elsewhere. Titan was single and planning to stay at the ranch and work. Ghost was still mulling over his offer.

After doing a lot of research, ZQ had five more potential associates at the top of his list. He’d choose three of the five, after he’d checked in on each one. This part, the vetting part, took time. He had to be cool and nonchalant when he visited them, so they didn’t know they were being interviewed.

If only Dust was emotionally stronger and to a point where he was ready to accept the medical discharge he’d been offered. His natural curiosity and the way he had a gift for sensing when things weren’t right would prove invaluable, to say nothing of his sniper skills. ZQ would have to give Dust time to make up his mind before he approached him.

Maybe, just maybe, a sweet redhead would help him decide to stay on in Warrior Falls. If so, this black ops gig would be perfect for him once Dust convinced Kelcee sudden trips out of town a few times a year were necessary. Poor guy would have to learn to shoot with either eye closed to accommodate the black eye Kelcee was sure to give him. Every time Dust told her he was leaving on a business trip to someplace he couldn’t tell her about, doing top secret stuff, and having no clue how long he’d be gone, her Irish temper would smack him upside the head. ZQ snorted. A match made in heaven.

Once more, ZQ was going to read every word in the top secret file. Study the photos. After all, there was more than one way to keep his country safe.

As soon as Kelcee closed the bookstore for the day, she charged up the steps to her apartment. She had some indoor plants to repot into containers that matched the new paint job in her living room. Maybe if her hands were busier, she could get her mind off of Dustin’s kissing her face and neck. She’d been lucky her legs hadn’t given out. Despite his few scars, this man was a handsome, powerful package of testosterone. He was appealing, not just sexually but deep inside, where it counted.

She changed from her work clothes into a T-shirt and a pair of capris. The large bag of potting soil was outside on the little balcony. In a few minutes, she happily had her hands in dirt, Lady Gaga blaring through her earbuds as she removed plants from small plastic containers to large green pots for her living room and a couple white ones for her blue bedroom.

A couple squeals caught her attention and she leaned over the wooden railing. Two teenaged lovebirds were swimming in the pool of water at the base of the falls. Did they know about the little cave behind the waterfalls? The couple held hands and walked under the force of the tumbling water—the girl shrieked. Kelcee smiled; yeah, they knew.

Could Dustin swim with his prosthesis? Would he have the balance to walk under the falls to enter the little grotto hidden behind them? She’d love to show it to him. Then what? She scoffed and repotted another plant. Like either one was interested or ready for anything that serious. Although being held in his arms felt phenomenal, especially the way his mouth moved across her face and neck. Her body had responded all needy and wanting and willing. What foolishness.

He’d be in the area for only a short time and then he’d probably move back to his hometown or return to continue his time in the service. She’d do well not to get too emotionally attached. If only he didn’t have such a nice side when his PTSD wasn’t showing itself. She’d never known a man to pack a woman lunch and make a special trip to bring it to her.

All her planting accomplished, she turned on the outside spigot and hosed down the greenery in addition to the dirt she’d spilled on the balcony. Her gaze swept across the cobalt sky, nearly the same color as Dustin’s eyes edged in a dark color, one might call a black rim. She exhaled a deep sigh. Oh, God, his hugs, firm with muscles, and strength were enough to make her panties wet. Girl, you’re getting it bad. Surely you can keep all this on a friendly level. She jumped and yelped when she accidently hosed her bare feet with cold water.

Kelcee was jogging to the bank after closing the bookstore at noon when Dustin eased his truck to the curb. “Where are you going, little girl? Want a ride with the big, bad wolf?” He waggled his eyebrows that were almost hidden under the bill of the ball cap he wore, tugged low over his face.

She jerked her thumb over her shoulder to her floral backpack. “I was taking a deposit to the bank. I haven’t been there in a few days and it’s irresponsible to have this much at the store, whether it’s locked in a safe or not.” He looked so good with his muscles straining his T-shirt. “Is that your aftershave or my pizza I smell?”

A muscle ticked in his jaw and he pointed a finger to the passenger seat. “Get your teacup ass in this truck.” He removed his safety belt, set the pizza on her lap, and jerked the passenger seatbelt across her to lock in place. Tossing his hat on the dashboard, his eyebrows lowered into a “V” and his face approached hers. “Why in the hell are you carrying money on foot, out in the open to the bank?”

“I don’t have a car. I do have a bicycle, but I was in the mood to run off some nervous energy.” Why did he look so pissed?

He cocked his head to the side. “So, let me get this straight. You don’t want your work counter in front of the window because people might see you, but you’ll run to the bank with a bag of money in your cute little flowery backpack?” His lips came closer and his minty breath washed over her face. “You wanna tell me how that makes any damn sense?”

The heat of a blush warmed her face. In defense, she hiked her chin and glared at him. Damned if she’d listen to him. “Go ahead and pick out a bench. It won’t take me long to get to the bank and back.” I can see this is going to be a pleasant lunch with macho grumpy ass on duty.

“Yeah, like I’m going to freaking sit here while you run to the bank. You need a damn keeper.” Dustin fastened his seatbelt, drove to the turnaround just beyond her store, and made a U-turn.

“Look, bossy pants, you need this damn pizza socked over your head. Don’t presume you can tell me what to do. I had enough of being ordered around when I was growing up. I’ll not take it from you.”

He snatched the ball cap from the dash and jammed it on his head. “Could you put aside your tantrum long enough to tell me how to get to the bank?”

“I’ll tell you how to go to hell because I know you didn’t just use the ‘tantrum’ word on me!”

He aimed sorrowful eyes on her. “I’ve already been to hell, sweetheart. Just direct me to the bank.”

Crap, didn’t she feel like an ass? “I’m sorry for that remark, Dustin. My temper flares and my mouth just runs amuck. Make a left at the traffic light and go one block. The bank is on the corner on the right. Drive through, and we’ll slip the bag into the night deposit slot.”

Instead, Dustin pulled into one of the bank’s five parking spots. “Go make your deposit. I’ll take a few minutes to use their ATM to get some cash.”

Later, they were on a bench in the shade, eating pizza and talking about the legend of the falls. Dustin had read one of the books he’d bought from her, but not the other. She told him about the little cave behind the tumbling waters and how some teens used it as a make-out spot. Dustin shared the description of the favorite make-out place in his hometown with Kelcee. He asked her about hers and she had to manufacture a quick lie.

“What do you do in the SEALs? Jump from airplanes and all that cool stuff?”

“Yeah.” He laughed. “I do all that cool stuff. I hump my ass off. We each have a specialty, but ZQ has us trained so we can do anything.”

“So, what’s your specialty?” Kelcee picked up a slice of pizza and twirled a long string of gooey cheese around her outstretched tongue.

He seemed fascinated by the way she ate and took a long gulp of his soda. “I’m a trained sniper. We typically hide in upper floors of buildings, aiming out of windows. Roofs. Or what we call ‘blinds’ out in the open, covered with brush. We keep in contact with personnel through wireless headgear.”

She swallowed and gaped. “Oh my God, you mean like that guy in the movies?”

“The team went to see it together on our last break in Coronado. I know what movie you’re talking about, so yeah. Our jobs, as snipers, are to provide over-watch, warning troops when enemies are coming or where they might be hiding, and usual sniper duties, taking out enemies so the team remains safe. I’ve also worked at demolitions and as point man.”

“How many kills have you had?”

He stretched out his long legs. “I don’t think I want to talk about that. Tell me, how long did you have to let your hair grow to get it this pretty?” He twirled a curl around a finger. “Here in the sunlight, it looks like a pot of red gold at the end of a rainbow.”

She laughed out loud. He could be so cute at times, especially when he gave her that wicked grin. “Now, aren’t you the silver-tongued charmer?”

“I’m a man of many talents.” He waggled his eyebrows.

Their lunch was soon over and he walked her back to the store where she threw away their trash. “Thanks for the pizza. It was a nice break. So was the conversation once we got through arguing.”

Dustin wrapped an arm around her waist and pressed her against him. “I think we’ll always argue from time to time.” He turned his hat backward and nuzzled below her ear. “Keeps things interesting.” He bit her earlobe just enough to make her gasp. “Makes us want to make up and get closer. At least it does me. Have a good rest of the day. We need to make plans for that dinner date one day soon.”

“Yes, we do.” Oh, Lord, much more and she’d be a puddle of estrogen at his feet.

“Is there a theater in the metropolis of Warrior Falls?” He tossed her a sexy-as-hell grin, scars and all.

“Yes. And tonight is fifty-cent night. I was going to ride my bike there and indulge in a large popcorn, but after that pizza, I better get a small.”

His eyebrows dipped into that damn annoying “V” again and he leaned his six-foot-four frame over her. His fingers wrapped around her braid and jerked it slightly. “You’re riding your bike around town at night? Woman, are you determined to get hurt?”

Odd he should say that when she had so much to hide from. When he put her actions in that context, she realized how reckless she’d been. “But I feel safe here. It’s a small town where everyone knows everyone.”

“Why can’t you look me in the eyes when you spew that mouthful of bullshit? Do you know that strange son of a bitch who comes into your store and takes pictures of you with his cellphone? For all you know, he could be some pervert with his sights set on you.”

“Okay, I’ll be honest. You’re making me rethink my activities. Frank always told me I was safe in this small town. Once I got used to Warrior Falls, I saw he was right.” She shrugged. “I guess that wasn’t so wise.”

“No, I guess not, especially if you’re hiding from someone.”

She winced. “If you’re going to step on my toes, be careful of the smallest one. I’m a little partial to it.”

Dustin chuckled. “You’re a piece of work, you know that? How about a movie date tonight? Not that I’m a cheap person but, hell, a buck for the both of us? Wait! What’s playing?”

“A spy movie, I forget the title.”

“Okay, I can handle that. I wasn’t too keen on watching a kids’ animation flick unless you promised to sit on my lap during the showing. What time should I pick you up?”

“Six-thirty.”

“Make it six. We can make out in the parking lot until we work up a taste for popcorn.”

“I feel like you’re rushing me. We’ve only just met.”

His forehead touched hers. “SEALs rush in where cowards fear to tread. Seriously, I feel like me when I’m with you or talking to you over the phone. You’re helping me find myself again.” His warm knuckles stroked her cheek. “Bet you didn’t know you had a therapeutic personality, did you?”

“I’m Irish, and I know a load of blarney when I hear it.” God, this man was so charming.

He took her hand, brought it to his lips, and turned it to press a long kiss to her palm. She shuddered when he ran his lips and tongue up her forearm to the inside of the bend of her elbow. “Six o’clock.” Her panties were soaked when he crawled into the truck to pull away.