Saving Love
Page 1
Saving Love
Brotherhood Protectors World
Jen Talty
Contents
Brotherhood Protectors
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Epilogue
Also By Jen Talty
About Jen Talty
Brotherhood Protectors
About Elle James
Copyright © 2020, Jen Talty
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.
© 2020 Twisted Page Press, LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this book may be used, stored, reproduced or transmitted without written permission from the publisher except for brief quotations for review purposes as permitted by law.
This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, please purchase your own copy.
Brotherhood Protectors
Original Series 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 Strong (#15)
Montana Rescue (Sleeper SEAL)
Hot SEAL Salty Dog (SEALs in Paradise)
Hot SEAL Hawaiian Nights (SEALs in Paradise)
SAVING LOVE
A Brotherhood Protectors Novella
Book 1 in the Saving Series
Welcome to my brand-new Saving Series in the Brotherhood Protectors world. I hope you will enjoy this as much as you did the Out of the Wild series in the same world. I want to thank Elle James for this wonderful opportunity!
For Kimberly. Thanks for all that you do!
Chapter 1
Alabama Love made the turn into the Broken Spur Ranch with a little too much acceleration of the gas pedal. She’d spent the last three weeks of her life trying to convince herself that she’d made the right decision by changing her plan at the very last minute. However, her near empty bank account reminded her that she had to find work, and fast.
She drove past a shiny SUV and stared at what could only be described as a massive log cabin while big white snowflakes dropped from the sky. Each time she pulled into the small parking area by the garage, she couldn’t stop staring at the unique structure. She’d never seen anything like it in her entire life. Well, she’d seen mansions before. Hell, she’d lived in one. But a log cabin that had to be a good five to six thousand square feet?
Never.
Not to mention the real live cowboy that lived inside. If she were any other woman, she’d probably be falling at his feet, like she suspected every female in a hundred-mile radius did. But she’d keep sexy Dakota Newark at a safe distance. No matter how nice he seemed, he’d eventually show his true colors.
They always did.
A large porch wrapped around the front and side of the house, and she loved how it wrapped all the way around to the back. She’d only been inside the house twice. Considering a single father lived there, the décor was impressive with its masculine country feel. It was a unique blend of leather and lace, literally. And he kept the place spotless.
She glanced in the rearview mirror, which showed another mirror facing the car seat. Her son, Wyoming, kicked wildly while he chewed on the corner of his favorite truck. How she lucked out with such a sweet and easy child, considering how he came into this world, would always be a mystery.
She just hoped his father’s genetics wouldn’t play any role in how Wyoming turned out as a man.
“Ma Ma,” Wyoming babbled as he kicked and waved his hands wildly.
“Well, Wyoming. Should I ask him for job recommendations since the waitress job didn’t pan out?” Alabama stepped from her vehicle and shivered. Sure, it could be cold in Manhattan, but not this biting cold. She pulled open the back door and lifted her eleven-month-old son into her arms and gave him big kiss on his chubby cheek. He quickly opened his mouth and tried to catch the snow in his mouth. “You’re too cute,” she said. “I can’t believe you’re going to be one next month.”
Now it was time to put her tail between her legs and ask her landlord for help. He’d offered enough times. He’d even offered his nanny, though Candice hadn’t been too keen on the idea without proper compensation and no way would Alabama let Dakota pay his nanny on her behalf. Besides, Alabama didn’t like Candice. She’d seen a few behaviors that the nanny had exhibited that made Alabama uncomfortable.
She tossed her purse over her shoulder and took a step toward the tiny house she rented from Dakota. “Can you believe spoiled mama is living in something the size of what used her shoe closet?” It amazed her how quickly she’d become accustomed to having nothing to her name and only a few dollars in her pocket. Of course, it had been an easy decision once her son had come into this world.
Her only concern was making sure Wyoming had everything he needed, which meant she had less than a month to find a job before what little money she had left ran out, and then she was really screwed. The underground had gone above and beyond the call of duty. They had kept her and Wyoming safe and gave them food and shelter much longer than they did most women on the run.
But when Chauncey handed her the keys to this clunker and a chunk of cash, he told her she was on her own. That there was no looking back.
“Do I wait for Candice to leave? Or shall we go talk to Dakota now?” She sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. For the first time since she left the prison her husband had kept her in, she felt like she could finally relax. Sure, she assumed she was still on a fugitive list, but she’d actually traveled on an airplane last month, and no one looked at her with any suspicion at all. Not to mention, there was no way in hell Josh would ever consider she’d live on a ranch in the middle of nowhere fucking Montana. First off, she couldn’t stand animals or pets. She was terrified of dogs, so being around horses was even worse, and the fact that the cattle ran free still made her race from her front door to her car every morning in fear one might actually charge.
She also used to joke she’d been afraid of fresh air. If she wasn’t inhaling smoke and exhaust, then what was the point. Big cities. That’s where the old her belonged. Her previous self had servants and lived in mansions and got her hair done once a week. Hell, she wouldn’t even spend the night in a regular hotel room. It had to be a suite or the penthouse, or she wouldn’t go.
Spoiled and entitled would be two words that the world would use to describe her, only no one knew what went on behind closed doors. She might have had all the comforts money could buy, but she lived in fear.
But that wasn’t her life anymore.
The front door flew open, smashing into the side of the log cabin.
“Don’t ever come back; you’re not welcome here anymore,” Dakota
said. In the few weeks she’d known him, he’d never raised his voice.
True colors.
Instinctively, Alabama covered her son’s ears. She should turn around and follow the path to the other side of the bushes where the tiny house stood, but she was like a doe in headlights.
“You can’t fire me,” Candice said, pulling a leather bomber jacket over her shoulders. “My grandfather is going to be so pissed. He’ll make you hire me back.”
“Your grandfather is going to be happy I stopped the cops from arresting you between the pot smoking and the stealing.” He planted his hands on his hips. “I gave you a warning when you started dating Chad, and you ignored me. He’s bad news, and he’s got you doing things, like drugs, that you’ve never done before.”
“I have a medical marijuana card. I have anxiety and pain. It’s perfectly legal for me to have it.”
“That’s bullshit and you know it.” He shook his head. “And you’re not allowed to be on it while employed as a childcare provider, and you never told me, but it doesn’t matter at this point. Just leave, Candice. And stay away from my girls. Don’t make me regret going easy on you.”
Candice flipped her long hair and pushed out her hip. “I’m going to tell everyone what a pervert you are. I’ll tell Hank Patterson you made a pass at me. That you tried to rape me. Everyone will have to believe me.”
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Dakota said.
“Oh, so now you’re threatening me? I need to be recording this,” Candice said. “That way I can show everyone what a violent man you are.”
Violent?
Could he really be like that? No. He was different. He had to be different.
Alabama really needed to slip away. She shouldn’t be listening to this, only all she could think about was how crazy his nanny sounded and the potential job opportunity it created.
Dakota held up his phone. “I already am,” he said with a smile. “I thought it might be a good idea considering you’ve lied about a few things in the last twenty-four hours.”
“You asshole,” Candice said under her breath. “You have no proof it was me who stole anything. For all you know it could have been your housekeeper. Or maybe it was that bitch over there.” Candice pointed to Alabama. “You don’t even know anything about her, and she’s been living in your backyard. For all you know she’s some big con artist sent here to rob you blind.”
Wonderful. She pushed out a puff of air, wishing she could slink under a rock. Instead, she just stood there like an idiot.
“Stop blaming others. The pawn shop security camera has you on video pawning my late wife’s ring,” Dakota said. “Now get off my ranch. Stay away from me and stay away from my girls, or I will make your life a living hell.”
“Lunar wouldn’t appreciate the way you’re—”
“Don’t you ever talk about my wife.” Dakota took two steps forward and stopped, shaking out his hands. “You barely knew her. Now leave before I change my mind and call the locals.”
“Oh, fuck you,” Candice said under her breath as she made a beeline for her SUV.
“Uh-oh, Daddy. Candice swore,” River said as she skipped through the front door wearing her pink tutu, cowboy boots, and a fleece jacket, unzipped. That little girl beat to the tune of her own drummer, but it was a shocker the poor kid wasn’t an icicle. “She should have her mouth washed out with soap. Isn’t that what Pappy used to do with you when you swore?”
“He sure did,” Dakota said. He held the door open as his big yellow dog raced past, wagging his massive tail. Only about an inch of snow stuck to the grass, but Buster, the crazy dog, managed to stir it all up.
“Oh, no, no, no,” Alabama said under her breath as she held her son tight and tried to climb back in her car before the vicious creature attacked.
“Daddy, you know how Alabama feels about the dog.” The little girl’s voice was barely audible over the roar of the engine as Candice peeled out of the driveway.
“Buster,” Dakota yelled. “Get back here.”
The dog kept running.
“Alabama, tell him to sit,” Dakota said.
“Sit. Sit. Sit,” she said, holding her son as tight as she could.
Thankfully, the animal skidded to a stop, moaned, and plopped to the ground at her feet.
“Come, Buster,” he called. This time, the dog took his sweet time heading back to the porch.
“You know he’s never going to hurt you.” Dakota took the steps two at a time and outstretched his arms. “Hey there, big man. Are you walking yet?”
“He’s close. Any day now,” she said.
He took Wyoming into his arms and tossed him up toward the sky. “You love the snow, don’t you?”
Wyoming let out a belly laugh.
“Snow, yes. The cold? We both can live without.” She always tried to keep the small talk small, but Dakota had a way of making her feel comfortable, and that frightened her because she didn’t want to rely on him.
For anything.
“It’s not so bad,” Dakota said. “I’m so sorry you had to witness my confrontation with Candice.” He handed her back her son. “I probably could have handled firing her better. I really tried to keep my cool. I could have been a little forgiving of the pot, but she stole my wife’s rings, and that’s just a low blow.”
“That’s terrible. I’m sorry she did that.” Alabama nodded. The word fired bounced around in her mind. She’d interviewed for five jobs, and she hadn’t gotten a single offer. The rest of the employment opportunities in the area were for office or sales jobs, but she didn’t feel qualified to do them.
But childcare? That she was more than qualified for.
Well, minus the dog.
“I probably should have fired her a month ago. I know she’d never harm my kids, or at least I thought she wouldn’t, but these last two weeks she’s changed. It’s that damn new boyfriend of hers, and no one seems to be able to talk any sense into her. I just can’t have that around my children.”
“I don’t blame you.” If anyone had tried to tell Alabama that Josh had a mean streak, not only would she not have believed them, but she would have defended Josh to the bitter end. “Unfortunately, she’s a grown woman, and everyone can express their concerns, but it’s her mistake to make.”
“Maybe, but men like Chad are master manipulators, and he’s doing a bang-up job of exploiting her weaknesses,” Dakota said. “But you know all about that.”
“Excuse me? What does that mean?” Her throat went dry. “Why would I know anything about exploiting people?”
“Nothing. I didn’t mean it like that. I just figured like every grown lady you’ve seen at least one asshole in your life.” Dakota shrugged as he patted Wyoming on the head. “This kid is too adorable. Does he ever cry?”
She swallowed her fear. Dakota didn’t know anything about her past. How could he? They’ve had maybe ten conversations since she moved in, and they were all superficial and mostly about kids. Though, there was the one awkward single parent chat when he sort of asked her out, and she flat out said dating wasn’t in her wheelhouse. He took it well and had been nothing but a gentleman ever since.
“Trust me, he can toss a fit like every other baby out there,” she said. For years, she’d let her husband muzzle her voice to the point she didn’t know if she even had one anymore. Now that she could stand on her own two feet, she lacked the necessary confidence to ask for what she wanted or needed.
“Do you have family here?” she asked. “Who’s going to watch your girls?”
He ran a hand down his face, scratching at the side of his cheek. “I’ve got a couple of buddies who have wives who stay at home with their kids so they can help out, I guess,” he said. “Didn’t you have a job interview today?” he asked. “How’d it go?”
“Unfortunately, there were eight women applying for the same job, and two of them used to work at the diner, so I got a thanks for coming in, we’ll keep your resume on file.”
“That’s never fun. I’m sorry,” he said.
“Daddy, we’re going to be late,” River said as she pushed the dog inside the house before running to her father and hugging his leg. She stared up at him with a smile and stars in her eyes.
Dakota pinched the bridge of his nose. “River, honey. I’m going to have to drop you off while I go get your sister.”
River drew her little lips into a tight line. “But, Daddy, you promised you’d stay and watch my dance class. You never stay and watch when it’s parent observation. You always have to work, and you always spend more time with Sky.”
Fired.
A buddy’s wife might be able to help out.
All Alabama had to do was step in and save the day. Just open her mouth and make the suggestion. How hard could that be?
Obviously impossible because she stood there like an idiot, saying absolutely nothing.
Dakota bent over and scooped up his daughter, giving her a kiss on the cheek, only she turned her face, sticking her nose in the air.
“I’m sorry, River. If we didn’t have to let Candice go, it would be different,” he said. “But I can’t leave your sister sitting at the school alone, now can I? Or expect the troop leader to stay with her while I’m an hour late?”
“No, I guess not.” River rested her head on her father’s shoulder. “But this isn’t fair.”
Wyoming dropped his head, copying River.
“I have an idea.” Alabama adjusted Wyoming on her hip and stiffened her spine. “Why don’t I go pick up Sky?”
“I would hate to impose on you like that. I’m sure you have lots to do.”