Special Forces: Operation Alpha: Uncut: An Unacceptables MC Standalone Romance (Kindle Worlds Novella)

by Kristen Hope Mazzola

  “Is the baby still keeping you up all night?” Emily asked, her eyes closed as she sipped white wine from a plastic cup.

  “He’s getting better about sleeping through the night, thank goodness. But with the business kicking up, Ax isn’t home as much as he used to be. I just needed a little mom break now and then,” I responded, checking the bright red color that was getting plastered on my big toe.

  “Oh girl, mom breaks are important as hell. I’m sure Fletch is having a grand ol’ time changing poopy diapers right about now,” Emily said with a chuckle.

  “I owe him for this,” I responded.

  Emily waved me off dismissively. “He has baby fever again. Like big time. It’ll be good for him to remember what it’s actually like to have a crying, pooping baby in the house for a little bit.” She glanced over at Annie. “He even has that one set on being a big sister.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh at Emily’s dramatic eye roll as she drank down the rest of her wine.

  “Is everything set for Ryan’s birthday next week?” she asked, switching gears away from all the baby talk.

  I looked over to her. “For the most part. When we leave here, do you mind if we swing by my parents’ house? I have to make sure Nate has everything he needs.”

  “Yeah, no problem. Haven’t seen him in a while. How’s the new job treating him?” she asked with an eyebrow raise.

  “I think working with Ryan has really helped him. Seems to be getting his head on straight finally.” My brother, Nathan, had had it rough for a while, and he was finally getting back on his feet.

  “That’s good to hear. It’s been a long time coming.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  Pulling into the drive of my childhood home, I was relieved not to see either of my folks’ vehicles out front. Mom would be pissed that I didn’t bring the baby by, and Dad would do his silent treatment like usual. His cold shoulder toward my husband and me was getting old. I knew he hated that I’d married Ax, but it was time to get over it. Ryan was turning his life around for our family, and my father was completely ignoring the changes he was making to better himself. All Dad could see was the leathery tattooed skin of a trained soldier, not the kindhearted man Ryan had grown to be in the last few years.

  “Hey, Nate!” I called into the house as I knocked on the door. Annie and Emily followed me in as I heard muffled voices and the back screen door quickly slam shut.

  My brother rushed around the corner with wide eyes as he glanced around at all of us. “Hey, ladies. To what do I owe this wonderful pleasure?”

  “How’s it going, Nate?” Emily asked, holding Annie by the hand.

  Rushing through the kitchen, I watched as a man wearing a bandana kicked up dust and gravel as he rode away on a motorcycle.

  “What the hell is going on here?” I asked Nate in a muted voice.

  “Don’t worry about it. Just a friend,” he blew me off in a whisper.

  Emily shot me a look of concern as she pulled her daughter in front of her tightly.

  I got down to Annie’s level. “Wanna see a really pretty doll house?”

  She nodded vigorously. “Oh would I?”

  Looking up at my best friend, I tried to give her a reassuring smile. “Why don’t you take Annie upstairs to my old room. It’s the second door on the left. You can’t miss it.”

  “Yeah, okay.” Emily marched her daughter up the stairs. “Come on. Let’s go see what Aunt Cass has up here.”

  Grabbing Nate’s forearm, I pulled him into our father’s study.

  “Explain,” I barked shutting the door behind me.

  “Damn it, Cassidy. Will you ever mind your own damn business?” he asked, slumping into a large leather chair in the corner of the room next to the stone fireplace.

  “Fuck, Nate. Are you doing pills again?” I hated having to ask, but someone needed to.

  His eyes widened as his face got red. “Fuck no. Cass, I got clean months ago. You know that.”

  “Have you been going to your meeting?” I started to pace around the room.

  “Of course. At least once a week. Ask Father Murphy, he’s the one that runs ‘em.”

  I could tell he was lying, but there was nothing I could do in that moment with Emily and Annie in the house. I wasn’t going to drag them into the bullshit family drama I had unfortunately just walked in on.

  “We’ll deal with this later.” I ran my hand over his shoulder, a look of defeat assaulting every muscle on his stubble-ridden face. “Is everything a go for the fire for Ryan’s birthday next week?”

  He glanced up at me, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, I put the word out and everyone should be there.”

  “Good. I gotta get home to Mikey. Let me know if you need anything.”

  I squeezed his hand as he got back to his feet.

  “Yeah, okay.”

  I left Nate in the study to join my friends for a bit. Walking into my old room was surreal. The yellow flower wallpaper, the worn white carpet, the sweet lilac smell—it all took me back to a simpler time.

  “This is the best!” Annie held a tiny doll in her hand, making it bob down the stairs of the house.

  “Everything all right?” Emily asked as I sat next to her on my bed.

  I shrugged. “Not sure, but I’ll figure it out.”

  She put her hand on my knee. “Let’s get you home to the baby. He’ll make you feel better.”

  “Good idea.”

  Chapter 3

  Ryan

  The sun was setting as I walked into the house. The consuming aroma of a delicious dinner wafted into my nostrils as I stood in the doorway of the kitchen, watching Cassidy for a minute. She hadn’t heard me come in as she danced with Mikey on her hip while stirring sauce on the stove. Music played as she bobbed and sang along, smiling down at our little boy. So adorable.

  Tank’s goofy ass clambered into her side, excited to be home. Cassidy twirled with a huge smile on her face as her eyes met mine. “You are just in time.”

  “Hey baby.” I kissed her cheek before taking Mikey from her. “How was your day?”

  Petting Tank, she forced a smile. “All right. Saw Nate this afternoon.”

  Laying Mikey down in his playpen, I enquired, “How’d that go?”

  She dished out spaghetti, smothering it in my favorite bison Bolognese sauce that she rarely made for me. “I think we might have a problem again.”

  I helped her bring everything to the table as she explained what she had seen while at her folks’ place that afternoon.

  “Damn it,” I muttered while pouring us both much-needed glasses of red wine.

  “What do I do?” she asked in a hushed tone, worry pulling at the corners of her beautiful eyes.

  I hated how sad she looked while taking her seat across from me. I ran my hands over my beard. “Nothing. I’ll take care of it.” I reached across the table, gripping her tiny hand with my callused fingers. “I’ll think of something, baby. I promise.”

  “Thank you,” she said sincerely before taking a huge bite of bison and penne.

  “Anything for you, baby,” I replied.

  We ate in silence for the rest of the meal then Cassidy grabbed our plates and made her way to the sink to start cleaning up.

  Walking up behind her, I wrapped my arms around her shoulders. “I got this. You’ve dealt with enough for one day.”

  Leading her by the hand, I walked my wife to the large claw foot tub in our bathroom that we didn’t use nearly enough for how expensive it was. I started the bath, filling it with Epsom salts and bubbles, then lit her favorite candles around the small space.

  “You’re amazing.” She started to undress before kissing me sweetly.

  “You deserve to unwind a bit. Ease that mind, babe. I’ll go clean up the kitchen and put Mikey to bed.”

  “How’d I get this lucky?” she asked, sinking into the warm water with a sigh.

  “I could ask you the same thing, my love.” I watched he
r for a second. Cassidy was the most gorgeous person in the world to me and I just couldn’t get enough.

  As I made my way back down stairs, I checked on my son. Mikey was content in his playpen, adorably blowing spit bubbles as he reached his fat fingers up to me.

  “C’mon little man. Let’s get you to bed.” I kissed the top of his head, breathing in the scent of his shampoo. I was relieved that Cass had already given him a bath so I didn’t have to.

  After putting Mikey down, I made quick work of getting the dishes in the dishwasher, washing pots, and wiping down the counters. Cleaning helped me decompress. I scrubbed everything until that kitchen was sparkling. I was still pissed about the shipment Buck had forced on me, but a week would fly by and then we could get back to business as usual. I was just concerned that it would become a habit or there would be some type of blow back. But that was a worry for another time.

  Thankfully, I was fast enough to catch Cassidy still soaking in the bubble-filled tub. I climbed in behind her, and she relaxed into me.

  “This is nice,” she said as she breathed out, resting her head on my chest.

  “Sit up, gorgeous.” I helped her shift her weight, grabbing her favorite tea tree shampoo.

  Massaging the lather into her scalp, I took in the moment. Simple moments were what life was made of, and I didn’t want to miss any of them.

  After rinsing out her hair and draining the water, I toweled both of us off. Cassidy’s fingers trailed down my abs as lust built behind her eyes. Pushing me against the counter, she kneeled down on the plush white rug.

  Looking up at me, she licked the tip of my cock, letting her luscious lips rest on my sensitive skin. “I think we have some unfinished business, babe.”

  Lacing my fingers through her damp curls, I slammed my eyes shut. As she licked the shaft of my growing dick, I gripped her hair harder. Opening her mouth wide, I thrust to the back of her throat, letting it crash and making her gag a bit. I loved watching her tits bounce as I face-fucked my wife. Fucking glorious.

  Looking down, I could see the enjoyment playing on her lips as she sucked and gurgled with my cock in deep.

  I growled, “I need you right the fuck now.” I picked her up in my arms then threw her onto the bed. Grabbing her hips, I pulled her to the edge, helping her get her footing on the floor and putting a pillow under her to grab on to.

  Smacking her perfectly round ass, I gripped her sides, forcing myself into her soaking cunt as she cried out with pleasure.

  “Oh, Ryan…” I loved hearing my name roll of her lips as I pleasured her.

  Her back arched as her head leaned back. Mouth open, her breathing got fast and heavy.

  A light layer of sweat coated my body as my nails dug into the tender flesh of her sides.

  “Fuck, right there, Ryan,” she whimpered as I rode her spot perfectly with the head of my dick.

  Every cell in my body buzzed as pure ecstasy consumed me. My cock twitched and pulsed as I came hard deep inside Cassidy’s dripping pussy.

  Getting down on my knees, I licked the sweetness from her clit as she shook in my arms, moaning as her own euphoria consumed her.

  Climbing onto the bed, Cassidy fixed the comforter and pillows. Taking a towel from the bathroom, I cleaned both of us up before crawling into be next to her. I pulled Cassidy into my arms, kissing the top of her head.

  “Two orgasms in one day, a mani-pedi with the girls, a relaxing soak in the tub—today has been quite the day.” She cuddled into my side as I pulled the blanket up over us.

  “I’m glad, babe.”

  “Thank you,” she muttered into my chest.

  “For what? You have nothing to thank me for.”

  She nodded. “I do. I couldn’t have asked for a better life and it’s all thanks to you.”

  Chapter 4

  Ryan

  Go get it, Tank,” I encouraged as my pup sprinted toward his tennis ball in the front lot of the warehouse. I was killing time, waiting for Nate to show up for work.

  As Tank happily brought back the drool-covered toy, I glanced at my phone. Nate was already over an hour late. Usually, that wouldn’t really bother me, but with what Cass had witnessed the day before, I was rightfully worried and starting to become enraged.

  Nathan had been one of my best friends since we were kids. His life had unraveled after I selfishly dropped out of his life while I was dealing with my brother’s untimely death, in the military and joining the club, and I felt guilty about it all. I wasn’t going to sit idly by while all his hard work was flushed down the damn toilet. I’d had my suspicions for a while, and Cass had confirmed my worst fear.

  Finally, his old Chevy dually loudly rumbled into the lot. My blood ran cold as it swerved into his space, parking slanted in the lines as he back her in.

  “Fuck,” I grumbled to myself as I made my way over to the driver’s side.

  “Hey, man.” Nate’s eyes were squinting and glassy as he hopped out of the truck.

  There was no wasting time. I wasn’t one to ever beat around the bush with anyone. “Are you high right now?” I barked the question at one of my best friends as he steadied himself with the side of his vehicle.

  “What?” he asked, shoving his hands in his pockets.

  “Just answer the fucking question.” I was getting heated quickly.

  He violently shook his head. “No. I wouldn’t do that. I’m sober.”

  “Empty your pockets,” I ordered, taking a step closer.

  Without protest, he turned the pockets of his jeans inside out and tossed me his cellphone and wallet. “See, I got nothing on me. Cassidy talk to you?”

  I nodded. “We’re just worried about you.”

  “I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night. Sorry I’m late, but that is really it.”

  I didn’t believe him as far as I could throw him, but we had work to get to and the truth would come out eventually.

  “All right. It’s because we care,” I reassured him as I patted him on the back before leading the way into the warehouse. “I need those crates moved into the short-term storage section. Guys will be by next week to pick them up.” I pointed to the crates that Buck had dropped off the day before.

  “You got it, boss.”

  I led him into the makeshift kitchen. “Get some coffee first. Can’t have you tired and driving a forklift—you’ll fucking kill yourself. Let’s a whole lot of paperwork I don’t want to deal with,” I teased, giving him a quick wink.

  After filling my own mug up, I sank down in my chair. I fielded calls, listened to way too many messages, responded to emails, and set up delivery and pickup dates that needed to be taken care of.

  A while later, I grabbed a yellow pad from the desk drawer.

  Mikey,

  Even though you’re just a little guy right now, eventually you’re going to grow into a man. I promise, son, that I will always do my best to lead by example and help you become a strong and good man. A man that you can be proud of. You have the whole world in front of you and I never want you to feel like you cannot come to me with any problem, big or small. We’re family, and no matter what, I will help you without judgment. Never forget that.

  With that being said, there are some things I want to tell you. There is a code every man must live by in his life. Follow your code, son. Never let anyone compromise your moral compass.

  Over the years, I have learned some lessons that I want you to take very seriously. Read them carefully and hold on to them.

  Never shake a man’s hand sitting down. Stand tall, look him in the eye, and grip tightly.

  A man’s bike is his baby, and you must respect that.

  Never make the first offer during a negotiation—this’ll give you the high ground.

  When you’re at a hotel, always request an early check in and a late checkout—they come in handy more times than not.

  Your word is your bond, and you must never tell secrets.

  Stay away from petty drama and trash-t
alking. It’s unbecoming.

  Hold anyone you look up to to the highest of standards, and always treat them with respect.

  Treat everyone with respect, even when they don’t return the favor.

  Always return a car you have borrowed with a full tank of gas.

  Live your life with passion and purpose.

  Don’t let a wishbone grow where a backbone should be.

  Never forget that when you marry a woman, you marry her family too, and there’s good and bad that comes with that. Never let your woman face anything on her own. Her struggles along with her happiness are yours to share in equally.

  Try to be like a duck: let shit roll off your back, remaining calm above the water while paddling like hell underneath.

  Don’t be scared to be alone—sometimes you’re the only one you can trust.

  Always thank a veteran when the opportunity presents itself.

  Be kind to the new kid and be his friend.

  Never be quick to judge, and always give only one second chance. People make mistakes but you mustn’t be a doormat

  Never send a letter that was written out of anger. Write it, but never send it. It’s good to get your feelings out, but once it is sent, the words cannot be taken back.

  Always respect your mother and never talk back to her—she is always right.

  Never underestimate the power of good manners.

  Always stand up to bullies and protect the ones who are being bullied. There is no room in your world for that type of mindless cruelty.

  Don’t be scared to follow your dreams. It’s all right to fail, and that’s how you learn to succeed.

  Friends are as good as family—treat them accordingly.

  Always be confident, but learn to balance it with humility. Always be humble.

  When in doubt, ask the hard questions.