Devoted

by Shirleen Davies

  Books by Shirleen Davies

  Romantic Suspense

  Eternal Brethren, Military Romantic Suspense

  Steadfast, Book One

  Devoted, Book Two

  Haunted, Book Three

  Untamed, Book Four

  Devoted, Book Five

  Faithful, Book Six, Coming Next in the Series!

  Peregrine Bay, Romantic Suspense

  Reclaiming Love, Book One

  Our Kind of Love, Book Two

  Edge of Love, Book Three, Coming Next in the Series!

  Contemporary Romance Series

  MacLarens of Fire Mountain

  Second Summer, Book One

  Hard Landing, Book Two

  One More Day, Book Three

  All Your Nights, Book Four

  Always Love You, Book Five

  Hearts Don’t Lie, Book Six

  No Getting Over You, Book Seven

  ‘Til the Sun Comes Up, Book Eight

  Foolish Heart, Book Nine

  Macklin’s of Burnt River

  Thorn’s Journey

  Del’s Choice

  Boone’s Surrender

  Historical Western Romance Series

  MacLarens of Fire Mountain

  Tougher than the Rest, Book One

  Faster than the Rest, Book Two

  Harder than the Rest, Book Three

  Stronger than the Rest, Book Four

  Deadlier than the Rest, Book Five

  Wilder than the Rest, Book Six

  Redemption Mountain

  Redemption’s Edge, Book One

  Wildfire Creek, Book Two

  Sunrise Ridge, Book Three

  Dixie Moon, Book Four

  Survivor Pass, Book Five

  Promise Trail, Book Six

  Deep River, Book Seven

  Courage Canyon, Book Eight

  Forsaken Falls, Book Nine

  Solitude Gorge, Book Ten

  Rogue Rapids, Book Eleven

  Angel Peak, Book Twelve

  Restless Wind, Book Thirteen

  Storm Summit, Book Fourteen, Coming Next in the Series!

  MacLarens of Boundary Mountain

  Colin’s Quest, Book One,

  Brodie’s Gamble, Book Two

  Quinn’s Honor, Book Three

  Sam’s Legacy, Book Four

  Heather’s Choice, Book Five

  Nate’s Destiny, Book Six

  Blaine’s Wager, Book Seven

  Fletcher’s Pride, Book Eight

  Bay’s Desire, Book Nine

  Cam’s Hope, Book Ten, Coming Next in the Series!

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  DEVOTED

  Eternal Brethren, Book Five

  Military Romantic Suspense

  SHIRLEEN DAVIES

  Copyright © 2019 by Shirleen Davies

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  For permission requests, contact the publisher.

  Avalanche Ranch Press, LLC

  PO Box 12618

  Prescott, AZ 86304

  Devoted is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is wholly coincidental.

  Book design and conversions by Joseph Murray at 3rdplanetpublishing.com

  Cover design by Sweet ‘n Sassy Designs

  ISBN: 978-1-947680-07-4

  I care about quality, so if you find something in error, please contact me via email at

  shirleen@shirleendavies.com

  Description

  He never believed he’d have a second chance.

  She’s determined he’ll never get one.

  Devoted, Book Five, Eternal Brethren Military Romantic Suspense Series

  Nathan “Tracker” Calderon Kincaid excels as a Navy SEAL. Since joining Eternal Brethren, he’d become a valued member of the undercover motorcycle club made up of active duty military. Quiet and unassuming, he handled each assignment with the precision of an expert, proud of the missions his team completed. His job didn’t keep him awake at night. That honor was reserved for the woman who’d stolen his heart. The woman who’d shoved him from her life after a perceived betrayal.

  Juliana Stanifer Quintero’s life has been torn apart twice. Once as a young child when she and her sister were orphaned after a deadly airplane crash. The second as an adult when the man she loved Devoted her trust. She hadn’t seen the decorated Navy SEAL who’d shredded her heart since the most painful night of her life. Not until she’d traveled to Liberty Lake to interview for a position at a local clinic.

  Nate couldn’t do this again. He’d never refused an order until his commander, Wrath McCord, explained his next assignment. For a second time, he’d been assigned to a task force ordered to bring down the Quintero Cartel. He either accepts the order or kisses his career goodbye—the same choice he’d been given once before. Nate had chosen wrong.

  He’ll not make the same mistake a second time.

  Devoted is book five in the Eternal Brethren Military Romantic Suspense Series by best seller Shirleen Davies. It is a stand-alone, full-length novel with no cliffhanger and a guaranteed HEA.

  PLEASE NOTE: This series contains strong language common within the military. It is also a steamy romance with open door love scenes.

  Book 1: Steadfast

  Book 2: Devoted

  Book 3: Haunted

  Book 4: Untamed

  Book 5: Devoted

  Book 6: Exposed - Coming Soon!

  Visit my website for a list of characters for each series.

  https://www.shirleendavies.com/books/character-lists/

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Books by Shirleen Davies

  DEVOTED

  Chapter One

  Eternal Brethren Clubhouse

  Liberty Lake, Arizona

  Nathan “Tracker” Kincaid took the shot, hitting the target. As if anyone would’ve bet otherwise. The Navy SEAL was a crack shot, a man everyone depended on in risky situations. Displaying no reaction, he lined up the next target, blinking before taking the shot. This time, he straightened, a slow smile curving one side of his mouth.

  “Yo
u’ve been practicing since the last time.” Rock grabbed his beer, taking a long swallow before putting his cue stick away. “I want a replay.”

  “Not tonight, man. I’ve got plans.”

  “With what? A washing machine?”

  Ghost and Wrangler didn’t even try to stifle their chuckles as they grabbed their own cues and began pulling balls from the pockets.

  “Don’t tell us you’re actually meeting a woman.” Finishing his beer, Rock leaned a hip against the pool table. “If so, maybe we ought to give you some tips on how to act, what to say. You know, so you don’t go ruining the reps of the rest of us.”

  Tracker’s gaze moved from Rock to Ghost, then to Wrangler, before he snorted. “The last I knew, you three are married and no longer care about your reps with the ladies.”

  “Hey, Becca and I haven’t set a date yet,” Wrangler said.

  “Doesn’t mean you aren’t already whipped.” Tracker lifted a brow, then an arm to block the empty soda can Wrangler threw at him. Picking it off the floor, he held it in the air. “Cola? Really, man? How the mighty have fallen.”

  Scratching the messy goatee he’d been growing, he tugged on the end of his mustache, waiting for what he knew would be a sharp rebuke from Wrangler. Instead, he went on alert at the sound of Wrath’s voice, the president of Eternal Brethren and their commander.

  “Ghost, Moses, Fuse, Gunner, and Fargo. In my office. Now.”

  “Looks like fun and games are out this evening, boys.” Ghost set aside the cue, grabbed a beer, and handed it to Wrangler. “Enjoy.”

  Taking it, he followed the men’s retreat. “What the hell, Rock? Why aren’t we included?”

  “Rock and Tracker,” Wrath yelled from down the hall. “You, too.”

  Smirking, Tracker shrugged, turning to follow the others. “Guess he just wants the big guns tonight.”

  “What the hell?” Wrangler muttered to himself, eyes narrowing when Rock and Tracker walked back out several minutes later.

  Rock stopped near Wrangler, looking at Tracker. “You heard Wrath. Get Banner and meet me back here. We need to get the weapons and load the truck and SUV.” He looked at Wrangler, understanding his confusion at being left out.

  “Raider’s got some kind of stomach thing going on. Probably food poisoning. Wrath needs you here to handle the comm center.”

  “That’s more like it.” Setting down the beer, Wrangler headed straight to Wrath’s office.

  Tracker found Banner in the gym, finishing his last rep on the bench press. He picked up a towel, tossing it at his teammate.

  “Workout’s over. Wrath needs us. Get dressed and meet Rock and me out front.” He didn’t wait for Banner. Stopping next to Rock, he crossed his arms. “You already knew about this mission, didn’t you?”

  Heading to the back door, he glanced over his shoulder. “Maybe. Get moving. We’ve got to be ready to roll in twenty.”

  Tracker waited for Banner, then headed to the locker room. They grabbed their go bags and continued outside.

  Over the last month, Wrath had revamped the security inside and around the compound, including access to their arsenal. Using the keypad on the first door, he closed it behind them before bending down to the retinal scanner next to the second door. When it opened, they stepped inside, moving directly toward Rock, who’d already set out what the team would need.

  “Grab what you can and load Blackie. The gear over here goes into the van.” He nodded to three M4s with scopes and ammunition. “I see you’ve got your own go bags.”

  Taking as much as possible, Tracker and Banner headed outside to the new vehicle they’d christened Blackie. A formidable Hummer-style SUV, it was a modified version of what the Border Patrol used for apprehending and transporting illegals. Their vehicle, however, was a bit more advanced.

  Using the security code to open the back, they stored the gear, went for another load, then closed the door as the men filed out of the clubhouse. Their features were bland, showing nothing of what they thought of the upcoming mission.

  Tracker didn’t let the fact he knew little of the actual assignment bother him. Rock would give him details when they got on the road. He was simply glad to be doing something that would fill his time and occupy his mind.

  “You two ready?” Rock walked toward them, nodding at the van, carrying three rifles and his own gear.

  Picking up their go bags, they followed, tossing the gear inside the van. Tracker climbed into the passenger seat across from Rock, who’d be driving. Banner got into the back, setting the M4 he’d gotten from Rock beside him.

  Neither Tracker nor Banner asked about the mission, and Rock didn’t offer any information until they’d entered the interstate heading south. It was well after dark, the traffic thinning. They followed Blackie, making certain to stay within the speed limit.

  “Grayson got word several women are being held in a warehouse northwest of Phoenix. We’ll stay behind while Ghost and the team breach the building, deal with any tangoes, and secure the hostages. We’ll provide backup as needed.”

  Tracker sent him an incredulous look. “Wrath’s sending in six of the best. You want to place a bet on whether or not we’ll be needed?”

  Rock chuckled at the thought. “Hell no. This is going to be quick. Besides backup, our real job is to provide transportation for the hostages. As soon as they’re loaded, we’re gone.”

  “To where?” Banner asked.

  “We’re meeting our contact near Camp Verde. He and his team will handle the transfer and return the women to their families.” Rock growled out the last. “And I use the term women loosely. Wrath and Grayson believe we’re dealing with females between fifteen and twenty-five.”

  “Nothing new.”

  Rock glared at Banner in the rearview mirror, but the younger team member spoke the truth. These kinds of missions were coming more often. It wasn’t what the Eternal Brethren had expected when they signed on, believing most assignments would involve eliminating terrorist cells, disrupting distribution of illegal and prescription drugs, and interrupting the movement of stolen and counterfeit goods.

  “No. It doesn’t mean it becomes easy.”

  “Nothing about the assignments is easy.” Tracker leaned his head against the seat, closing his eyes.

  It didn’t take long for his thoughts to turn to Juliana Stanifer Quintero. It had been six years since he’d seen her. When she’d shown up a couple weeks ago at the McCord ranch, Freedom Meadow, he’d been stunned. So had Julia. They’d had a brief conversation, which he couldn’t shove from his mind.

  “Let me be real clear on this. I have no desire to see, talk to, or be within miles of you, Nate.”

  Her firm assertion hadn’t surprised him, although the hate in her voice had. Julia thought he’d betrayed her. Not with another woman, but by going after her adopted family.

  When Tracker had been ordered to join a task force comprised of the FBI, DEA, local police, and undersheriff, he’d balked. More accurately, he’d refused after learning of the task force’s mission. They were going after the Nuevo León Cartel, and Nate’s connection with Julia was the reason for his inclusion.

  He’d assured his commanding officer Julia knew nothing of any illegal activities by her father. Tracker had met Armando Quintero, as well as his sons, Diego and Antonio, several times. Even then he’d known of their involvement in drug and human trafficking. Julia had no idea the family business, Grupo Quintero, hid more sordid activities. Not once had she given a small hint she knew her father and brothers made the vast amount of their fortune through illegal trading.

  Tracker had been given an ultimatum. Accept the assignment or leave his SEAL team. His commander and the task force personnel insisted all they wanted him to do was confirm Julia knew nothing about her family’s activities. Once assured she had no knowledge or involvement, they’d focus on other options and allow Tracker to return to his team. It was supposed to be simple and clean. It turned out to be anything but. />
  “Hey, Tracker. Are you with us?” Rock shoved his shoulder.

  Opening his eyes, he straightened in the seat. “Yeah, I’m with you.”

  It wasn’t the complete truth. He was still trying to shove thoughts of Julia from his mind. The same as he’d been trying to do since seeing her again.

  “We’re five minutes to target. I’m going to drop back from Ghost. We don’t want to arrive too close together.” Rock glanced in his rearview mirror, seeing Banner checking his M4.

  A few minutes later, Ghost pulled down an almost deserted street. By the time Rock caught up, the lead team had already turned into a parking lot on the side of a large warehouse. He slowed, parking under a large shade tree fifty yards away.

  Blackie was parked at the far side of the building, hidden in the shadows. Most people wouldn’t notice, but Rock had selected a spot with a good view of three sides.

  They watched as Fuse jumped from the back of Blackie, his SIG 9mm in one hand, a small tool kit in the other. Dressed all in black, his cap pulled low on his forehead, he rushed to a spot on the side where they were parked.

  “He’s going to shut down the electricity,” Tracker said.

  “Which should kill any alarm system or electronic door locks,” Banner added.

  Rock focused his attention straight ahead, the familiar feel of adrenaline rushing through him. When the parking lot lights when out, he felt his heart rate rise a little. Over the years, he’d learned to control his breathing, the ripples of anxious tension. His body’s instinctive reaction allowed him to shut everything out except the mission.

  He touched his earpiece, the same as Tracker and Banner, when Ghost’s voice came through the comm system.

  “Electricity disabled. We’re a go.”

  Tracker watched through his night vision binoculars, his jaw tightening. When the rest of the men left the vehicle, he let out a slow breath. “Damn, I wish we were out there with them.”

  “I hear you, man,” Banner said, looking through his own binoculars.

  Moses, Fuse, Fargo, and Gunner crouched as they rushed to the side of the building closest to them. Silence followed, until Gunner’s voice came through the comm system.

  “In position to breach. One, two, three.”

  Tracker recognized the muffled noise of an entry ram. As the team’s main breacher, he wondered at Wrath’s decision to keep him in the van instead of part of the direct action mission.