Speed King (Men of Action)
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Speed King
Men of Action Series
Ahren Sanders
Copyright © 2022 by Ahren Sanders
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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, locales or events is entirely coincidental.
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Editing: Kendra Gaither at Kendra’s Editing and Book Services
Cover Photo: Rafa Garcia
Cover Model: Alex Badia
Cover Design: Melissa @MG BookCovers and Designs
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Men of Action Series
Contents
Prologue
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
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Epilogue
A Little Something Extra
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Author Links- Keep in touch!
Other Books by Ahren Sanders
Prologue
Almost 11 Years Ago
Achilles
“I can’t believe today’s the day.” Harley’s voice quivers.
My fingers lace with hers and squeeze lightly. “We’ve talked about this. You promised you wouldn’t cry.”
“Doesn’t change the fact that I hate it. It feels like punishment.”
“Joining the Marines isn’t punishment. It’s an honor.”
Her blue eyes are loaded with misery. “I know. It’s selfish of me. But you are my best friend. I don’t have many of those. Girls are so complicated. With you, it’s always been easy.”
“That’s because high school girls are bitches. Plain and simple. They’re jealous of you.”
Her eyes bulge in disbelief, and she makes a waving gesture up and down her body. “Jealous? Please. Look at me. There is nothing special here. My hair’s a mess most days, my style isn’t cool, and people think I’m a nerd.”
I grind my teeth at her perception of herself. My gaze roams down her body, appreciating the way her sundress highlights her curves. She’s wearing her favorite faded pink Chucks. “Your hair is pretty, your style is cool, and being smart isn’t nerdy. It’s commendable. You’ve already been awarded scholarships to two of your top colleges.”
“If there is any jealousy, it’s none of that. They’re envious of you. After prom, the rumors started you took me as your pity date. Tons of girls wanted you to ask them. That makes me think I may have coerced you into going with me.”
Fury boils in my gut. I’d heard that rumor, too, and now regret not shutting that shit down. I bring our joined hands to her cheek, running my thumb along her jaw. “Fucking bitches, Harley. Every girl in that school knows they had no chance. If it wasn’t for you, I’d have ditched the whole thing. It wasn’t coercion; it was a privilege.”
Her lips curl, and she gives me a small smile. “I’ll miss you.”
“Boot camp is no joke. But I’ll message if I can.”
“You better. Dad, Mom, and I will be at your graduation.”
“Don’t break too many hearts your senior year.”
This time, she rolls her eyes high to the sky. “Forget about that. Dad won’t let me date. You’re the only guy he ever let me go out with alone. He’s so protective.”
“Rich is wise and knows how precious you are. I understand exactly where he’s coming from.”
“Recruits! Board up!” A man in uniform barks out the order sharply.
“Do you need to say goodbye to Sandy again?”
I follow her line of sight to my mom, who is standing with Harley’s parents, Amanda and Rich. Notably absent is my father. Harley didn’t mention it, but her expression when Mom arrived alone gave away her curiosity.
She knows my home life was messed up, but she doesn’t know the extent of it. Rich and Amanda are salt of the earth, good-to-the-soul people. They may have some faults, but I doubt it. Whereas my parents, Pete and Sandy Kingston, have a lifetime of fuck-ups behind them. Dysfunction is putting it mildly.
My dad’s currently sobering up in a detox facility. Rich has promised to monitor his progress and push to keep him on track.
“Nah, Mom will start crying again and it will be awkward.”
I’ve barely turned my head when Harley lunges into me, wrapping her arms tight. She lightly pecks over my cheek, neck, and ear before whispering, “I’m so proud of you. Please be safe.”
I clear my throat, her sweet floral scent washing over me, and the skin she kissed tingling.
God, she feels good against me. The teenage boy comes alive. My cock stirs, and I bite my tongue to tame it down. “I’ll be good.”
She steps away, reaches inside her pocket, and shoves a folded piece of paper into my hand. “Don’t read this ‘til you’re gone.”
I nod.
Slowly, she backs away, not breaking eye contact until she gets to her parents. I give them all a chin jerk and shift the bag in my hand, then get on the bus.
The mood is solemn and quiet, nothing like the chatter and bustling outside. I nab a window seat and look out in time to see Harley crumble into her dad, her body rocking violently. Tears streak down Mom and Amanda’s cheeks. Rich stares back at me with a look that blows straight through me, piercing somewhere deep.
Pride, admiration, respect.
The bus drives away, and I open the note.
Achilles,
Thank you for being my friend.
Thank you for being the best, most wonderful, most loyal friend in my life.
Thank you for letting me know the incredible person you are hiding from the rest of the world.
Thank you for not embarrassing me that first day when I declared we were friends and you weren’t getting rid of me.
There are a thousand little things to thank you for, but last, I’ll say thank you for being such a good man.
Harley
A knot coils tight in my stomach, and my heart thunders in my chest.
I type a quick text to Rich—Take care of her.
His reply comes back within the minute—Always. Do good, son. Go become the man you want to be.
I power the phone off, knowing that was the last communication with my life as I know it. In a few hours, all personal belongings will be stripped and bagged.
Go become the man you want to be, replays in my head, fueling my determination.
This is the beginning, the first step of finding the man inside me that is good enough for Harley Christine Jacobs.
No matter how long it takes. Because when I find that man, I’m coming back for her.
1
Achilles
“We’re applying for SWAT.” I lay it out, not wanting to prolong this more than necessary.
Major and Talon stand to my right and Ford to my left. Without looking, I know we stand in solidarity—legs planted, arms crossed, and serious expressions. This is not up for discussion. Our decision is firm.
The statement hangs in the air as Chief Boyd’s face hardens and his eyes move over us. He has no idea who the four of us are outside of our applications and any documentation of records in the academy. I’m surprised he even accepted my request for a meeting today
“Pardon me?”
“We’re applying for SWAT,” I repeat.
“I’m not deaf. I’m wondering where you four rookies got the balls to come into my office and make that announcement. You haven’t completed your first round of field training, and you’re already looking to move up the ranks.”
“It’s not balls, it’s respect.”
“Respect? You men may be ex-Marines, but you’re on my force now and I call the shots.”
“Marines,” I correct him. The temperature in the room chills, all giving off the same disapproval of his assessment.
“What?”
“Marines. We’re not ex-Marines. We’re Marines.”
“Being in the Reserves doesn’t make you active.”
Major lets out a low, bitter sound, pulling Captain’s attention to him.
“I’ve already had to jump through hoops and fast track your asses through the academy. There are some pissed-off people in this department who think you received special treatment because of who you know.”
This is another trigger point and I close my eyes, mentally getting a hold of my temper. It pisses me off when anyone insinuates we’ve gotten here because of special treatment. The four of us have worked our asses to the bone, risking our lives countless times for this country, and we are exactly where we deserve to be.
“SWAT division has a waiting list that takes years to get through. Men and women with much more experience are already chomping for the call to interview,” he goes on. “Hell, you four are so green, there’re barely any scuffs on your shoes.”
“We know what we need to do.”
“Yeah? You think? What makes you think you’re SWAT material?”
“We know,” I reiterate.
“The probability of the four of you moving so quickly is improbable.”
“We’re a team,” Talon speaks up. “We go together.”
“Cocky big shots who have no regard for how things work. Funny how that was missing in your personnel files.”
“We’re not cocky; we’re good at what we do,” I correct him.
“How could we know that with less than a month on the streets?”
I raise an eyebrow, remaining quiet while the guys chuckle. Captain Boyd leans back in his chair, not amused. “You think one arrest makes you a novice?” There’s a little less anger in his tone.
“Nope, just getting started.”
“Cocky,” he says, shaking his head.
“You don’t even qualify for —“
“Eleven months,” I cut him off, finishing his sentence.
“It takes the best of the best for consideration. Not to mention a recommendation.”
“Best of the best is not a problem. And we’re counting on you for the recommendation.”
“Why are you here telling me this? To fire me up? Piss me off that you’ve barely started and already have a foot out the door? Not sure it’s a good way to start a relationship.”
Once again, I remain quiet. He scans my face, his eyes piercing into mine, and it’s obvious the instant it dawns on him. It’s like watching the proverbial light bulb switch. He’s figuring me out.
“What’s your full name, rookie?”
“Ace Kingston.” I don’t disclose my birth name. Almost everyone knows me as Ace.
“Holy shit, you’re the one.” His expression takes on a new form of understanding. “Achilles Kingston. How in the hell did I miss this? You’re Rich’s boy.”
A knot curls in my gut, and I force myself to stand still. A new round of tension fills the air as he puts the pieces of my screwed-up puzzle together. And from the look on his face, he knows a hell of a lot more than I’d hoped. I’d come this far with only a few people knowing my story. Rich Jacobs is the pinnacle that helped get me on track. And that is why I came clean with the captain about my future plans—Rich suggested it.
“Rich thinks highly of you,” is all I say.
Boyd rises, coming to stand in front of us, and keeps his eyes locked with mine. “We have rules, regulations, and protocols in this department. You understand?”
“I know all about living a strict code.”
“That’s why I’m not kicking your asses to parking patrol for the next year.”
“Appreciate it.”
His lips twitch, and he breaks our stare, shaking his head in amusement. “Fucking ex-special forces, badass fighters, awards of excellence. Right here on my team.”
The guys shift uncomfortably as he summarizes us.
“Your files are locked tight. I didn’t understand why there was so much pressure to push you through the academy at rapid speed. I have gone rounds with my team about who would work with y’all because of the rumors swirling of special treatment.”
“We didn’t think it was necessary to tell our life history.”
“Not my place to do so, but I see things in a whole new light. You men want SWAT, I won’t stop you. But I’m also not softening the expectations.”
“No need.”
“A word of advice. Keep your intentions under wraps. It won’t make you popular amongst your peers if they think you aren’t committed to the department.”
“Advice appreciated, but we’re not here to be popular.”
He moves his gaze toward us again. “I didn’t think so, but remember who’s in charge.”
“Of course.” I jerk my chin and turn to leave, the others doing the same.
“One more thing,” he calls out, and my heart sinks at the sound of his tone. I can guess what’s coming.
I glance over my shoulder, waiting.
“Rich and I have worked together for a long time. Even though I didn’t know you, I was around years ago when all that went down with your dad. He took it personally that they involved you in the mess. Glad to know it’s worked out for the best.”
I dip my head and walk out. It goes without explanation I owe Rich more than I can ever repay. What no one knows, except the three men at my side, is that Rich shaped my life.
But it was his daughter who was the driving force. Harley Jacobs… my Harley.
Everything I’ve done, everything I’ve accomplished… everything that has gone well in my life up to this point… it has all been for her.
And hopefully soon… for us.
“We’ve got company,” Talon announces, strolling into the room with another round. “Security cameras show a grey SUV.”
We all know who the vehicle belongs to. He’s laying it out to gauge my reaction. I’ve been in a shit-fucking mood since we came home and, besides the occasional comment on the game, no one has spoken directly to me.
“Guess I shouldn’t be surprised.” I pop the cap off a cold beer and straighten from my lounging position.
“Want privacy?” Talon asks.
“No need. My guess is he isn’t alone.”
There’s a quick rap at the door before Ford answers. My guess was right. Amanda is standing next to Rich with her motherly smile bright.
I stand and wait my turn to greet them. There are a lot of muffled voices as Amanda doles out congratulatory hugs and Rich gives strong-armed handshakes.
When they get to me, Amanda’s eyes pool with tears. “God, Ace! I am proud of you!” she gushes, throwing herself in my arms. She’s said this many times over the years, but today is different.
“Thanks, Amanda.” This is the first time I’ve seen her in months. A twinge of guilt creeps in, knowing I should have attempted to visit, but my focus was on other things. “It’s good to see you, but you could have called instead of driving all the way out here.”
“I wasn’t giving you a chance to come up with an excuse. It was time I saw you face to face.” I’m aware they were at the graduation a few weeks ago, but we ducked out immediately after the commissioner finished speaking. It was a dick thing to do, but there was a good reason.
Rich has been a member of the Nashville Police Department for over thirty years. The last fifteen as a detective. He exchanges a look with Amanda that tells me all I need to know. This is more than a social drop-in.