Targets Entangled (33 page)
“Show me.”
Slowly, ever so slowly, Daegan began to move. The sensations Ferrin felt encompassed more than the physical. He was more than accurate in his description of belonging as they were no longer two separate souls on different paths. They had merged together as one and they were embarking on a future filled with love and an adventure that she would treasure every minute of. The build of their releases were no less intense than those times that were fast and passionate. His blue eyes darkened as they reached closer to their precipice and as her orgasm took hold, she cherished the fall.
“All the way, my siren. All the way.”
*
True to their
word, both Ferrin and Daegan had made it to the officer’s wardroom on time after a stop at the infirmary. Jerry was going to make it through, although he would be in bad shape for a while. Chief Jackson had been there to give Ferrin props for maintaining a calm demeanor throughout the ordeal, although she didn’t want to hear it. Daegan all but dragged her out of the infirmary for their meeting, knowing she’d heal emotionally faster the sooner they got this over with.
They walked into the officer’s wardroom, both dressed in civilian clothing, although he still wore his shoulder holster over his blue T-shirt. He wasn’t ready to let go of that security just yet and was glad to see that his team members felt the same. Starr, Gunny, Doc, Stick, Trigger, and Diesel were all positioned around the table, listening to the speakerphone that was located in the middle of the conference room table. Lieutenant Irvine was rubbing his chin in irritation and it wasn’t until Starr’s part of the discussion continued that signified why.
“Our contract specifically states that the details of this mission are to stay between essential team members, Agent Joel. That includes you and the crew aboard
The Promised Land
.” Starr was manipulating a pencil in between her fingers as she continued to state her case. “Agent Joel, Ferrin Hewitt has just entered the room. She can fill us in on exactly what this man said, along with his intentions.”
Ferrin slid her fingers slowly out of Daegan’s hand as she looked back at him before she took a seat in between Doc and Trigger. Diesel appeared to notice her apprehension about recalling her ordeal and unfolded his frame a few feet away to come and place his chin on her knee. She automatically rubbed the Shepherd’s head as she gave her statement.
“From what Gunny tells me, Roger Edelton was an original member of the Red Starr HRT ship’s crew roster,” Stick said, reaching into the small fridge for a Coke. He pulled the tab and took a swig before filling Daegan in on what had been discussed prior to entering the room. “This man that imitated Roger’s identity was clever enough to avoid Starr at each and every meeting, debriefing, and formation. He never showed his face, didn’t join the others in the mess hall during his off time, and kept out of the common areas.”
“How is it possible that he could have duped the other crewmembers who knew Roger?” Daegan asked, keeping his voice low so as not to interfere with Ferrin’s statement. He leaned against the bulkhead, watching her and assuring himself that she was all right. “Someone must have had some contact. He worked in the radio room, for fuck’s sake. Crewmembers had to have needed to place calls back home, thus coming into contact with him.”
“Irvine spoke with Spivey a little bit ago. Turns out he did most of the grunt work and if someone came into the radio room that the real Roger would have known, he made an excuse not to be the one to connect the ship-to-shore radio calls.” Stick looked behind him and then took a seat in one of the chairs that had been positioned against the bulkhead. Daegan followed suit, still keeping eyes on Ferrin. He was in awe of her strength and her outlook after what had taken place. She’d promised the nurse that she would come back to see Jerry and sit with him after this meeting. “Spivey said he didn’t think a thing of it. This entire plan was laid out very well, considering the radio department’s only original crewmember was Roger. When it came time prep the ship, no one was the wiser. The crewmembers within the radio department assumed the man was who he claimed to be.”
“Ferrin was told that this guy was paid by a corporation. I don’t think it’s a far stretch to assume Krasken-Mobile is the one behind this.” Daegan linked his fingers together as he leaned back in the chair, getting comfortable enough knowing they’d be here a while. Though it hadn’t been a surprise that Roger, or whatever the hell his name was, had been hired to delay or even stop their progress on this mission, it did astound him to what lengths they were willing to go. “What’s the team’s standpoint?”
“Starr already has eyes and ears on the ground, both at Krasken-Mobile and those in the government whom she feels knows more than what they’re saying. A drug lord kidnapped those girls to make a point to the leaders of the village, but it’s our government that’s lying in the same bed with Krasken-Mobile. If word got out the real reason those girls were taken, the U.S. would look just as bad as that corporation because we didn’t make their government provide the villagers the protection they needed.” Stick took another drink and then settled the can on his knee. “Unfortunately Starr can’t share that information with Agent Joel. Joel doesn’t have the clearance and it would only publicly fuck up this mission should anything be leaked to the press.”
“All this senseless killing and sabotage because of greed,” Daegan surmised in resentment, shaking his head at the futility of it all. He’d learned early on how fragile life was and he was counting his blessings now that he had Ferrin in his life. “If our government is involved, I’m betting it’s at a lower level due to the lack of control over the board members who made this deal. Starr should have relative ease in finding out who they are and launching an investigation.”
“I don’t like going into a mission feeling like we’re missing part of the key elements.” Stick’s fingers tightened on the aluminum can and when Daegan shot a look his way, it was evident something else was bugging him.
“Did I miss something in this last hour?” Daegan asked, setting his eyes back on Ferrin. She was halfway through her story and she was subconsciously rubbing her temple, making him want to walk over there and kiss the area that was affected. She’d feel that pressure for a while. “Did something else arise from Irvine’s investigation?”
“Monte is on duty in the radio room right now.” Stick’s leg started to bounce up and down in irritation. “He alerted me to an email my parents sent me a couple of hours ago while we were otherwise occupied. The man that left my sister paralyzed has received parole.”
Daegan couldn’t imagine the rage that was going through his friend’s body at the moment and did the only thing he could. He sat by Stick the remainder of the meeting, sharing more details about what had taken place with Kayla’s killer. It was no longer hard to talk about and if his experiences could help guide Stick to make better choices than he had, then so be it.
“I think your lady needs you, Einstein.” Stick sighed and finally stood, the aluminum can nothing but crunched up metal. “It’ll be good to get this mission completed so that we can get back home to our families.”
“It sure will,” Daegan said, watching as Stick joined the others as they stood up from the table. He wasn’t sure if their conversation had helped his friend any, but at least Stick seemed a little more relaxed. Ferrin broke Daegan’s line of sight with her beautiful face and he couldn’t prevent himself from reaching up and tucking a flyaway strand behind her ear. “Hey, siren. You held up well.”
“Gunny thought I did an okay job in getting Roger to talk.” Ferrin turned her pink lips to the side in thought. “It’s hard not to call him that. Anyway, I hope the information I got from him will help figure out what company hired him to stop us from reaching our AOR. I really want this mission to be over with so we can go home.”
Daegan didn’t like that he was subjected to keep information from Ferrin and he would ask for permission at a later date to get her caught up to speed. She’d gone through enough to warrant a reason why. He glanced Starr’s way, catching her determined gaze and having no doubt the woman would put the puzzle pieces together to give them a clear picture of what they were facing. For now he was going to take to heart that the woman he loved was safe and that he was able to keep her by his side during the rest of the mission.
“Ferrin,” Daegan said, sliding his arm around Ferrin’s waist and pulling her close to his side, “you are my home.”
She tilted her face up toward him, her long hair falling behind her back and brushing his hand. He was in awe of her strength. Just as he was her anchor, she was his and he would never take a single day they’d been given for granted. This beautiful woman had entangled his heart with hers and he was more than a willing target.
The End
Thank you for reading Targets Entangled (Red Starr, Book Two). To follow Stick’s story—Igniting Passion (Red Starr, Book Three) is now available for pre-order here:
http://amzn.to/1H12na1
Risking everything…
Aaron “Stick” Scott spent twelve years of his life protecting his country. He diffused well over fifteen hundred bombs during the course of his military career, expecting each one to be his last. Luck had a huge part in his survival but it was fate that had a laugh at his expense by having a woman shatter his heart.
Playing it safe…
Simone Laurent’s career as a cultural attaché wasn’t exciting by any means, but she did love promoting the culture of her homeland. What she hadn’t anticipated was getting caught up in political war where her life would be at risk. Her situation goes from bad to worse when the man she left behind is the only one who can save her.
Igniting Passion…
Stick’s hostage rescue mission becomes sidetracked when he’s ordered to protect the one woman who couldn’t handle his job. Seeing her in the light of day brings back memories they’d both rather soon forget, but it’s the long evenings together that lights a fuse neither one can ignore. Will their reignited passion survive the highly explosive danger that’s coming their way?
Captured Innocence (CSA Case Files 1)
Sinful Resurrection (CSA Case Files 2)
Renewed Faith (CSA Case Files 3)
Campaign of Desire (CSA Case Files 4)
Internal Temptation (CSA Case Files 5)
Radiant Surrender (CSA Case Files 6)
Starr’s Awakening (Red Starr, The Prequel)
Hearths of Fire (Red Starr, Book One)
Targets Entangled (Red Starr, Book Two)
Igniting Passion (Red Starr, Book Three)
First and foremost, I love life. I love that I’m a wife, mother, daughter, sister… and a writer.
I am one of the lucky women in this world who gets to do what makes them happy. As long as I have a cup of coffee (maybe two or three) and my laptop, the stories evolve themselves and I try to do them justice. I draw my inspiration from a retired Marine Master Sergeant that swept me off of my feet and has drawn me into a world that fulfills all of my deepest and darkest desires. Erotic romance, military men, intrigue, with a little bit of kinky chili pepper (his recipe), fill my head and there is nothing more satisfying than making the hero and heroine fulfill their destinies.
Thank you for having joined me on their journeys…
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