by Elle James
Hot SEAL, Bachelor Party
A Brotherhood Protectors Crossover Novel
Elle James
Twisted Page Inc
Contents
Hot SEAL, Bachelor Party
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
Epilogue
SOLDIER’S DUTY
Chapter 1
About the Author
Also by Elle James
Hot SEAL, Bachelor Party
A Brotherhood Protectors Crossover Novel
New York Times & USA Today
Bestselling Author
ELLE JAMES
Copyright © 2020 by Elle James
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
EBOOK ISBN: 978-1-62695-277-5
PRINT ISBN: 978-1-62695-278-2
Dedicated to the wonderful Paradise Authors who continue to grace me with friendship and amaze me with such fabulous stories!
Elle James
Author’s Note
Enjoy other military books by Elle James
Brotherhood Protectors Series
Montana SEAL (#1)
Bride Protector SEAL (#2)
Montana D-Force (#3)
Cowboy D-Force (#4)
Montana Ranger (#5)
Montana Dog Soldier (#6)
Montana SEAL Daddy (#7)
Montana Ranger’s Wedding Vow (#8)
Montana SEAL Undercover Daddy (#9)
Cape Cod SEAL Rescue (#10)
Montana SEAL Friendly Fire (#11)
Montana SEAL’s Mail-Order Bride (#12)
SEAL Justice (#13)
Ranger Creed (#14)
Delta Force Rescue (#15)
Montana Rescue (Sleeper SEAL)
Hot SEAL Salty Dog (SEALs in Paradise)
Hot SEAL Hawaiian Nights (SEALs in Paradise)
Hot SEAL Bachelor Party (SEALs in Paradise)
Brotherhood Protectors Vol 1
Visit ellejames.com for more titles and release dates
For hot cowboys, visit her alter ego Myla Jackson at mylajackson.com
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Chapter 1
“I thought you were retiring from the hard stuff of being a Navy SEAL.” Jacob “Rooster” Fowler clapped a hand on his friend’s back.
“I thought so, too.” Jace “Hawk” Hawkins snorted. “Not so sure I’m completely out of that business. Seems like there are a lot of homegrown terrorists to deal with, and we have to play by a different set of rules when we’re conducting ops in the States.”
Jacob nodded. “Guess I’ll find out soon enough.”
“When are you planning to separate from the military?” Hawk asked.
“Not until I have my twenty.” Jacob glanced around the bar at the men who made up his family. “Besides, I like being a SEAL. Where else can I play with guns, get paid to stay in shape and shoot bad guys?”
Hawk’s lips twisted. “It’s a great life, but some day you’ll want to marry and settle down.”
Jacob frowned. “Why would I want to do that? You know this life…it’s not made for marriage.”
Hawk grinned. “True. And speaking of marriage…I can’t believe I’m getting married Saturday.”
“You still have time to change your mind,” Jacob said. “I can have you out of here in a nanosecond.”
“No way.” Hawk stared at the entrance to McP’s Irish Pub, the bar the SEALs frequented near Coronado, California. A smile spread across his face. “You see that woman?” He nodded toward the exotic woman with long, wavy black hair coming through the door.
Jacob nodded. “She’s a woman. There are lots of women out there. You could have a new one every night of the week.”
“That’s exhausting. No, Kalea’s the one for me.” Hawk smiled and tipped his head toward her. She returned his smile and held up a finger. “I never thought I’d fall for someone as hard as I fell for Kalea. Sounds corny, but she completes me.”
Jacob didn’t get it. He never had. “How can one woman have that effect on a man?”
“She’s amazing,” Hawk said. “I’ve never known a woman as determined, courageous and stubborn as she is. I can’t wait to marry her and make her a permanent part of my life.”
Kalea Parkman turned to speak to someone coming into the bar behind her.
A smaller woman with dark, straight brown hair pulled back in a ponytail secured at the nape of her neck entered, carrying a clipboard, her cellphone attached to the board. Pretty, petite and fierce were the three adjectives that came to Jacob’s mind. “Who’s the other woman?”
“That’s Casey Wesson, Kalea’s wedding planner and best friend. They met in a self-defense class while attending college.” Hawk smiled. “She’s a dynamo, and she doesn’t put up with much. The woman demands perfection the first time and gets it. I don’t know how we could have pulled off a wedding in just under a week without her.”
“That’s it?” Jacob raised an eyebrow, his gaze taking in the diminutive brunette, impressed with Hawk’s assessment of Casey’s abilities. “One week? I thought most women took months to prepare for a wedding.”
“Not Kalea,” Hawk said, shaking his head. “The only reason it’s taking a week is that she wanted Casey to be there. Those two are like sisters. Kalea wouldn’t consider getting married without her being there. And Casey’s a wedding planner. This wedding is giving her the opportunity to display her talents to a high-dollar client who’s considering Casey for her wedding planner.”
“You’re telling me this wedding is a showcase for Casey’s business?”
“Yes, and no. Even if she didn’t have a client watching, she’d be doing all this for Kalea. She wants our wedding to be perfect.” Hawk sighed. “It’ll be perfect once Kalea says I do, and I get that ring on her finger.”
Jacob shook his head. “Seems like a lot of hassle for a single day.”
“Maybe, but if it makes Kalea happy…?” Hawk shrugged. “I’m okay with it. I’m just glad it’s only taking a week. I want to get it done and go on to our honeymoon. I was surprised her father didn’t insist on having the wedding in Hawaii. He’ll be here late Friday night. He has a meeting in Los Angeles tomorrow he couldn’t miss.”
“Isn’t her father John Parkman, the owner of the Parkman Ranch on the Big Island?”
Hawk nodded. “He is.”
Jacob’s eyes widened. “I am surprised he let you two have the wedding here in San Diego.”
“Kalea wanted it to be small. She knew if she had it back on the Big Island, she’d have to invite the entire island. So, we’re doing it here and fast.” Hawk grinned. “I’m okay with whatever she wants. Big or small.”
Another woman followed Casey into McP’s. Dark hair, olive-toned skin and brown-black eyes, she wore a tailored white dress that fell down to mid-calf. She towered over Casey and walked with her head held high, a sneer pulling her lip back on o
ne side as she surveyed the interior of the bar.
“That must be Casey’s potential hoity-toity client from Mexico. I hear she’s a real bridezilla,” Hawk said.
Jacob chuckled. “She acts like she smells something bad.”
Hawk’s lips twisted. “Well, the place is full of SEALs. And we tend to sweat.”
“Surely, Kalea’s Casey warned her about what she was getting into, coming here.”
“I don’t know why Kalea’s here anyway,” Hawk said, his brow furrowing. “This is supposed to be the bachelor party.”
“No females allowed,” Jacob said, nodding.
Kalea started toward them, Casey and her client in tow. When she reached Hawk, she leaned up on her toes and brushed his lips with hers.
“What’s that all about?” Hawk pulled her into his arms and deepened the kiss. When he set her back at arm’s length, he grinned down at her. “That’s more like it.”
“You might want to save some of that for after the wedding,” Jacob teased.
Kalea turned toward him. “You must be Rooster. Hawk’s told me all about you.” She held out her hand and gave him a direct look.
Jacob took it and received a firm handshake. “I hope he didn’t tell you all my secrets.”
Her lips tipped upward. “He told me enough. He told me you’re not keen on weddings or marriage. I get that. But…” her eyes narrowed, “as his best man, you have two jobs. I’m counting on you to keep him out of trouble at this bachelor party and get him to the church on time. I’m only doing this once. I want it done right the first time. There will not be a second time.”
“We’ll get it done,” Casey said, checking her list. Then she looked up at Jacob and held out her hand. “Casey Wesson, wedding planner.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Casey Wesson, wedding planner,” Jacob said with a tight grin. He wasn’t entirely sure he liked this woman. Regardless, he took her small hand in his larger one, a ripple of electricity jolting him to awareness. He cleared his throat. “Who’s your friend?”
Casey shot a glance over her shoulder at the woman. She turned and gave her a brief nod. “Sylvia Rodriguez. One of my clients.”
Jacob continued to stare at the other woman, waiting for an introduction. When one wasn’t forthcoming, he held out his hand to her. “Hi, I’m Jacob.”
The tall, thin woman gave a brief nod and took his hand.
“So, what’s the plan?” Jacob said when Sylvia released his hand after the barest of contact.
Casey gave a brief nod. “The bachelor party begins when we leave,” she said. “And you will be responsible for Hawk during that time. I have the entertainment scheduled, your room booked in the hotel nearby and a courtesy call scheduled to wake you up in time to get Hawk to the church on time for the rehearsal. Your tuxedoes, shirts and shoes are staged in your room for Saturday. The boutonnieres are in the mini refrigerators. All you have to do is get to the church for rehearsal and the following day for the wedding.”
“Who needs a best man when you’re running the show?” Jacob shook his head. “Don’t worry. I’ll have him there, if that’s what he wants.”
Kalea’s eyes narrowed.
Hawk raised his hands. “It’s what I want. I love this woman.” He pulled Kalea up against his side. “I’ll be there come hell or high water.”
“I know what the entertainment is,” Kalea said. “Save the lap dances for the guests.” She pointed a finger at Hawk. “The only lap dances this guy gets are from me.” She winked at her fiancé and turned a stern glance toward Jacob. “I’m counting on you to keep my man safe from strippers and anyone who would interfere with him showing up for our special day.”
Casey’s eyes narrowed in Jacob’s direction. “Including you. As best man, you’re in charge of the bachelor party and getting the groom to the church.” She poked a finger into his chest. “That’s only two things. Don’t screw it up.”
“I think I’ve got it.” Jacob grabbed her finger. “Are you always this bossy?”
When she tried to pull her hand free, he held tight.
“Only when it means a lot to me.” The woman was small, but she didn’t appear to suffer fools kindly. And the way she was looking at him, she probably considered him a fool.
That didn’t bother him. Well, not the way she intended. If anything, it turned him on. He lifted her hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss to the tip of her finger. “I like a feisty woman.”
Her eyes rounded.
Kalea chuckled. “Casey is feisty enough for two people. I’d take her into any fight with me.”
“Hello,” Casey said. “I’m standing right here in front of you. You don’t have to talk about me like I’m not here.” This time, when she tugged to free her hand, he let go. She rubbed it down the side of her trousers. With her hand safely behind her back, she lifted her chin. “Just do what I said. Two things. That’s all, and we’ll get along just fine.”
Jacob crossed his arms over his chest. “I think I can get my friend to his wedding on time. Especially since you’ve got everything pre-arranged.”
Casey snorted and glanced down at her clipboard. “You would be surprised at how many grooms don’t make it to their wedding on time. Even when everything is laid out for them. They either get too drunk to haul themselves out of bed, or they forget how to get to the church.”
“I’ll be there,” Hawk said. “I’m not letting this amazing woman get away. I love her.” He bent and kissed Kalea again.
Kalea cupped his chin and returned the gesture. “I just know things are never boring around us. Something always happens.”
“Rest assured, your groom will be there—and not a minute late,” Jacob said, giving Casey a challenging glance.
“Okay then,” she said and checked off a box on her list. “Then we’ll leave you men to have fun with the bachelor party. I’ve got it all planned.”
“Just not too much fun.” Kalea gave her fiancé another kiss. “I’d like you there tomorrow in one piece.”
“I’ll be there.” Hawk kissed her again and finally let go.
Jacob was happy for his friend, even if marriage and weddings weren’t his own thing. He’d do his part and make sure Hawk made it down the aisle to the woman he loved.
The ladies headed for the exit, pausing at the door for a mini conference.
Casey spoke to the tall potential client, pointed back toward the bar full of Navy SEALs and waved toward the rear exit.
Jacob turned toward that exit but didn’t see anything to look at but a door. He shrugged and clapped a hand to Hawk’s shoulder. “Can I buy you a beer?”
“Make it a pitcher,” Hawk said. “I think I’ll need more than one mug to get me through the evening.”
“Let’s join the others. They look like they can’t wait to razz you about getting married. I don’t want you to miss out on any of that.” Jacob steered him toward McP’s back patio where the rest of their team was already partaking of the beer.
As they approached, beer mugs rose, and the men shouted in unison, “Hip, hip, hooray!”
Hawk sank into a seat and C-Note passed him a mug full of beer. “Drink up, buddy. It’s your last night of freedom.”
“You mean, the last night on the meat market,” Hawk corrected him. “I don’t envy you single guys. It’s hard to find just the right woman who’ll make you happy.” He chuckled. “I went through a few doozies before I found Kalea.”
Jacob glanced around the bar. “Hopefully, none of your doozies show up here tonight.”
“Yeah, whatever happened to your stalker?” Pretty Boy, the best-looking guy on the team asked. “Never understood why she went for you when she could have had me.” He spread his arms wide. “She was hot.”
“And crazy,” Hawk said. “Trust me, you don’t want that kind of attention.” Hawk glanced around the bar. “She used to hang out here, waiting for me to show up.”
“I remember,” Trigger said. “Didn’t she hide out in your Jeep one nig
ht?”
Hawk nodded. “I didn’t know she was there until I got to my apartment and she jumped me from behind.” He shook his head.
Jacob grimaced. “How did you get rid of her?”
Hawk grinned. “I separated from the military and went to Hawaii on my first assignment for Hank Patterson.” Again, he glanced around the bar.
“Expecting her to show up?” Jacob laughed.
“Seriously,” Hawk said with a worried frown. “I wouldn’t put it past her. She was like a leech. I dated her twice, which was my mistake. She thought that made our relationship permanent.”
“If you see her, point her out. I’ll have Ray escort her off the premises,” Jacob said. The grizzled old, retired Navy bartender was good at keeping the peace at McP’s.
“I’m counting on you,” Hawk said. “She’s trouble. She might even be connected to a drug cartel. I didn’t stick around long enough to verify.”
“We’ve got your six,” Jacob assured him. With Casey’s warning in mind, he kept an eye out for the female stalker and started counting the number of beers Hawk drank. He’d be damned if Casey came back to him with an I told you so. And Kalea looked like she could take him down if anything happened to her groom.
The night appeared to be more of a chore than he’d expected.
Casey walked with Kalea and Sylvia Rodriguez to where they’d parked their cars, speaking in Spanish to Ms. Rodriguez about the options she offered for planning a wedding. She switched to English to include Kalea. “I knew they were on a tight schedule, so I planned the bachelor party for them, knowing this was their favorite hangout. I worked with Ray, the bartender, to make sure it would be okay to bring in a stripper to pop out of a cake. It’s just cheesy enough to make the boys happy.” She held up a hand to stop Kalea’s protest. “I’ve spoken with the stripper and made her promise not to lap dance with Hawk. She can collect all the tips she wants from the rest of the men.”
