by Margaret Kay
She stepped into the elevator. “That’s fine. I’d prefer not to either.”
He noticed how exhausted she looked. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “I’m sorry I can’t stay with you.”
Her eyes gazed deeply into his. “Danny, I don’t expect you to. I love that you want to take care of me, but you have a job to do. A very important job. You love me. That’s more than enough for me. I will be just fine here.”
He pulled her from the now open elevator doors on the third floor. He pressed her against the wall and kissed her with everything he had in him. He so wished he could take the night off from staking out the smoke shop. He wanted to lie with her. He wanted to hold her so she would feel safe. He wanted to make love to her. Later.
When he pulled his lips back, he took a minute to gaze over her beautiful face. He saw not only the real her but the sexy cartoon avatar he had forged a deep friendship with. “I love you and yes, I want to take care of you. I want to make sure that nothing ever hurts you again.” He took a second to just hold her.
Annaka laid her head against Danny’s solid chest. Beneath, she knew, was his EGA tattoo. This man was a walking embodiment of the vows he had taken to become one of the few, the proud of the United States Marine Corp. Semper Fidelis, always faithful, as tattooed on the underside of his arms. He exemplified these words as well. “I am proud to be with a man like you, Danny. I love you. I can accept your job. It’s who you are, not just what you do.”
She finally got what the other women had said. The fact that she could lose him was less scary than not being with him. Until she loved him, she hadn’t realized how much she could love someone. When she thought she might die earlier, even then, her thoughts were on Danny and the time they wouldn’t have together if it had been her end. That was the moment that she had gotten it. He could have lost her. It wasn’t about the danger of his job. The possibility was there for everyone to lose the person they loved. Danny wasn’t immune to that possibility. None of the men who worked for Shepherd Security were immune. That was what her new sisters-in-law had realized that allowed them to not be consumed with worry when their men were at work.
“Let’s get you to the room,” he said softly, prompting her to walk down the hall. He pulled the keycard from his pocket and opened the door, flipping the switch which turned on the floor lamp. He set the room key on the table near the door. “In case you need it.”
Annaka glanced around the comfortable room. The entry opened into a sitting area with a chair, a couch, a table, a desk, and a television. Beyond, she saw doors to both the bedroom and the bathroom. She stuck her head into the bedroom. There was one large king size bed. How she wished they could lie down there now. She longed to feel his body pressed against hers. She longed to have the feeling of safety that his embrace brought.
Mother kissed her again, feeling gratitude for so many things. First and foremost, he was thankful and relieved that she was okay. Fearing that something had happened to her was the worst dread he’d ever faced. Being pinned down by enemy fire and knowing the terror of RPGs exploding all around him, hadn’t scared him as much as the thought of losing Annaka. The fact that he hadn’t been there to help her when she needed him, made him feel horrible. He was grateful that she understood his job. She’d said it was important. That was huge.
“Go back to work, Danny. I’ll be here waiting in bed for you when you’re done.”
He passionately kissed her again before he left the room. It was time to go back to work to a job that he loved. His brothers waited for him. His cariño was safe. He loved her more deeply than he thought was possible. And she fit into his life. She was a strong woman. Together they were invincible. His life was perfect because she was in it.
The End
The Shepherd Security Series
Book 1: Operation Protected Angel
Book 2: Operation Recruited Angel
Book 3: Operation Dark Angel
Book 4: Operation Fallen Angel
Book 5: Operation Departed Angel
Book 6: Operation Bayou Angel
Book 7: Operation Unknown Angel
Book 8: Operation Beach Angel – Coming Soon
Book 9: Operation Healing Angel – Shepherd’s Story – Coming Soon
Book 10: Operation Trusted Angel – Coming Soon
Acknowledgements
I truly say thank you, to you, the reader, for choosing this book. If you enjoyed it, would you please leave a review, so others might find this book to enjoy, as well? As an Independent Author, without a publishing house to help advertise my work, I rely on reviews from readers such as you and followers on social media to promote me. Thank you! I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you to my sisters, RK Cary and Charlie Roberts, who are writing their own Romance books. RK has finished up her Destined & Redeemed series and has several other Science Fiction/Fantasy stories in the works. Charlie is working on a contemporary romance series, the Stevens Street Gym Series. Both have been wonderful friends with the honesty and encouragement that only a sister can give. Check out their work on Amazon! Links directly to all our books on Amazon can be found on our website. The link is below.
Thank you to my wonderful and supportive husband for his patience and love while I spend hours upon hours to research and write this story. Also, for advising me on any parts of this story requiring knowledge of the military or weapons that I did not have.
Thank you to my mother who shared with me her love of books. As a child, the wonderful example my mother set for me as an avid reader led my sisters and me to write our stories. She has encouraged me to publish and I thank her for her support.
My friend, photographer, and graphic artist, Harry R., shot all the covers for this series. Thank you, Harry!
A big thank you to my girlfriends who have encouraged me and made me feel that I could do this at the times I felt insecure in my ability to accomplish this. You know who you are ladies! You hold a special place in my heart.
Thank you to my editors, a special callout to Evelin, who gave of her time selflessly to help me with the grammar, not my strongpoint.
The model for this cover, is Tony, a friend of mine. He is a father, a grandfather, an animal lover, a man very much like Danny ‘Mother’ Trio. A person with a strong moral compass, common sense, and compassion. Thank you, Tony, for posing for this cover! Your support is appreciated!
About the Author
Hello! I am Margaret Kay. They say being a Military wife is the toughest job in the Armed Forces even though there is no MOS for the position. As the veteran of more than a few deployments, I have to agree. My husband proudly served eight years in the United States Navy in the 80s. That was before cell phones and the internet.
For anyone who’s never had a loved one who’s served, being associated with the military is being part of a special community of people who support each other, who understand what the day to day is like when your loved one is deployed half-way around the world.
Saying goodbye to your loved one as they leave on a lengthy deployment is unlike saying goodbye to someone for any other reason. It’s not like dropping a son or daughter at college or hugging an aging parent after a visit. Your military member is being deployed, part of a mission. You cannot go visit when you miss them too much. You know it’s different. You plan for it differently. They may be getting deployed into harm’s way. And even if they are not, you know what their purpose is and that they could be in harm’s way at any time.
The emotions you feel when you stand with other families, when the unit, boat, or flight returns after many months of separation cannot be described in words that bring adequate justice to it, but I will try. There is a level of excitement equaled only by a child’s wonder on Christmas morning. A pride in your country, in the unit, and in your loved one that surges through your vein’s as you, your children, and all around you hold American flags and signs welcoming them home, waiting all together sometimes for hours before they app
ear and make their way towards you. As a spouse, you’re hungering for your partner’s touch, for their lips to meet yours, and for the reunion that will occur later, when you’re alone. With that excitement also comes nervousness because it has been so long since you’ve been together as a couple, sharing your bed.
My husband honorably separated from the Navy and easily transitioned to civilian life, but I never forgot what it was like while he served. Many of our returning servicemen and women have not had it so easy. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they recover from physical and emotional injuries. Many struggle to find employment. If you have the ability in your work to encourage the hiring of a Vet, please do.
Our military members are special! I honor all past, present, and future members of our military with my stories. Salute the flag, stand for the national anthem, and thank a Vet for their service. Freedom is not free, a lot of people sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy.
Don’t ever forget!
Margaret
Please stay in touch. I love to hear from readers! I have more books in the Shepherd Security series in process plus two more, separate stories I think you will enjoy. There just isn’t enough time to write all the stories in my head! And remember to check out my sister’s books. You can be kept abreast of my sister’s work and mine at our website:
Visit our website at: www.sistersromance.com
Email me at: [email protected]
Follow me on Facebook at: @MargaretKayAuthor
Subscribe to my Newsletter to be kept informed of when my next books are due out at:
Subscribe to Margaret Kay’s Newsletter
