Soldier With Benefits (Military Men Book 2)
Page 14
“The cafe isn’t private.”
“We’ll get coffee to go and wander down by the river. I think better on my feet.”
Fifteen minutes later they strolled along the bank of the river. Leaves crunched under their boots, sun streamed from overhead and a brisk wind rustled their hair.
“Talk,” Luke ordered.
“One of the young cult girls approached me and Alice yesterday. She wants out of the cult.”
“Why doesn’t she just leave?”
“From what she told us she was born there. According to her once they’re in, it’s difficult to leave without resources. Any money they earn goes into a central pot. They’re not encouraged to leave. She told us their long-term leader died six months ago. His son has taken over and he has new ideas regarding the direction of the cult.”
“Six months ago is about the time the farmers started complaining of missing cattle,” Luke mused, interest sparking in his features.
“Yeah, the thought occurred.”
“How is that going to help us get inside?”
“I thought Sorrel—that’s the woman we met—might know of a way we can get someone inside, and once our man is in, she can help to smooth his path.”
Luke nodded. “That’s a possibility. Where can I meet her? When?”
James paused once they reached the bridge. He stared at a group of six ducks, quacking loud demands for food. “Do you have another plan?”
“No, other than going in with guns and shooting the weirdos. That’s my stepmother’s suggestion.”
James spluttered out a laugh, the shake of his head flopping his dark hair over his eyes. He shoved it aside with a careless hand. “Hinekiri is a handful.”
Luke snorted. “Where do you think my wife got if from? Janaya takes after her aunt. Yeah, I’ve thought about planting someone in the cult to spy for me. I have a guy, one of my cousin’s friends who needs something to keep him busy. He’s a special services soldier on sick leave. My cousin reckoned he’d be perfect since he looks scruffy. Feeling sorry for himself, according to Louie.”
“You’ve given this some thought. Sorrel told us she’d try to get away this afternoon after she delivers new supplies to their shop. She can’t meet us in a public place. Any suggestions?”
“We can intercept her once she leaves the shop. If you see her beforehand, ask her,” Luke said. “We’ll meet her wherever she feels safest. I don’t want to make her life any more difficult than it is now. She obviously feels she can’t leave if she approached you in a clandestine manner. Ring me with details once you’re set, and I’ll be there. If I can’t make the meeting for some reason, I’ll send Janaya. Tell her that, will you?”
“Alice promised she’d meet her. Sorrel indicated a meeting with a man would raise suspicion. One of the other cult women is bound to notice and report back to the men running the place.”
“Makes sense. What’s your impression of the woman?”
“Solemn and plain. Not much to look at, and a bit on the dumpy side.”
”Yeah, but is she telling the truth? Could she be setting us up?”
James sipped his coffee. “No, I think she’s genuine in wanting to get out. She was jumpy. Kept looking over her shoulder, and she doesn’t think much of the new leader. You met him?”
“Yeah, he’s charming, but slimy with it. You know the sort. I can see him being the controlling. What was Alice’s take?”
“She wanted to help and was ready to take Sorrel home with us then. I’m not such a soft touch.”
Luke shot him a swift glance. “She might be genuine.”
“Maybe. Maybe not.” He checked his watch. “I’d better go. We have a board meeting this afternoon. I’ll call you the minute she gets in touch.”
Purchase Safeguarding Sorrel
About Shelley
Shelley lives in New Zealand with her husband and a cheeky Jack Russell/mystery breed puppy.
Typical New Zealanders, Shelley and her husband left home for their big OE soon after they married (translation of New Zealand speak – big overseas experience). A year long adventure lengthened to six years of roaming the world. Enduring memories include being almost sat on by a mountain gorilla in Rwanda, lazing on white sandy beaches in India, whale watching in Alaska, searching for leprechauns in Ireland, and dealing with ghosts in an English pub.
While travel is still a big attraction, these days Shelley is most likely found in front of her computer following another love – that of writing stories of romance and adventure. Other interests include watching rugby (strictly for research purposes), cycling, baking bread and curling up with a good book.
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Other Works
Contemporary
Playing to Win
Spies, Lies and Sapphires
Stranger Things Happen
Wild Child
Tea for Two
Cat Burglar in Training
One Night of Misbehavior
Blindside
Fringe Benefits
Lovers at Last
Ain’t Misbehaving
Love and Friendship series
The Bottom Line
Past Regrets
Farmer Wants a Wife
Clare Chronicles
Part-Time Lovers
Enemy Lovers
Fancy Free series
Fancy Free
Christmas is Coming
Feeling the Buzz
Military Men
Innocent Next Door
Soldiers with Benefits
Safeguarding Sorrel
Paranormal
Price of Love
Curse of Brandon of Lupinus
Sea of Change
Sci-fi/Futuristic
Sex Idol
Interplanetary Love
Middlemarch Capture
Snared by Saber
Favored by Felix
Lost with Leo
House of the Cat series
Sampled & Seduced
Captured & Seduced
Claimed & Seduced
Merry & Seduced
Stranded & Seduced
Seized & Seduced
Alien Encounter series
Janaya
Hinekiri
Alexandre
Gay Romance
Eye on the Ball
Lone Wolf
Seeking Kokopelli
Stoned
No Defense
Best Man
Last Wish
Historical
Mistress of Merrivale
The Spurned Viscountess
Unforgettable
Copyright Page
Soldier With Benefits
Copyright © 2015 Shelley Munro
ISBN: 978-0-473-33035-4
Editor: Mary Moran
Cover Art: Kim Killion of Killion Group Inc.
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any manner whatsoever without the prior written permission from the author except in the case of brief quotation embodied in critical articles and reviews.
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