by Heather Long
A muscle twitched next to Percival’s eye.
“Your tie to MI6 though, you buried that very well, Mr. Percival. Were your employers aware of your secondary occupation? Or is it classified under Queen and country?”
The man surged to his feet, slamming his hands down and a blade slid out of his sleeve to clatter to the table.
“She’s armed!” He shouted to the camera, but Coco slid out of the chair and under the table. The knife would be useful but she didn’t need it. She scissored her legs around his and yanked. It threw him off balance.
The smack of his face to the table above rung through the room and she wrenched his leg forward to pull him the rest of the way. He slammed into the ground and lashed out with the same foot. She was already moving, but it glanced off her shoulder.
Seeing sparks, she brought her arm up to block the next blow, which never landed. The door had opened during the scuffle, and Jacko had Percival in a headlock.
The man slapped at his arm, but Jacko’s grip only seemed to tighten.
“We have him, sir. Please remand him to our custody.” One of the Brit’s requested, but Jacko didn’t comply immediately.
“Ms. Adler is released, correct?”
“Jacko…let him go. This is done.” Wagner.
Percival sagged, then and only then did Jacko release him. Coco pulled herself to her feet, ignoring the offer of assistance from one of the soldiers also in the room. Her shoulder hurt like hell. Dampness rolled down her arm and she sighed. His kick opened the damn injury.
Suddenly Jacko was in front of her. “I can beat him up again,” she told him. “But I think you knocked him out.”
“Not soon enough,” he grumbled, before he paused and frowned. “You knew?”
She cut a glance to the cameras, then gave him a small smile. “I suspected. Once I was here, and especially after he walked into the room.” The lights on the cameras went red. They’d been given some element of privacy. The Brits hauled the unconscious Percival away. “Arresting me didn’t seem like a solid play, and I was trying to work it out on the way here. He sent you after me, and put me in this exact situation? When Percival walked in though—it all fell into place. All the missing connective tissue I hadn’t been able to piece together before. I was both bait and sting.”
Ned eyed her, then Jacko. “If I get close, are you going to slug me, too?”
“Too?” She glanced from one man to other and Jacko shrugged.
“He deserved it.”
“Yes,” she said, agreeing. “He did. But next time, I want to do it.”
“There won’t be a next time,” Wagner and Jacko said in unison and Coco laughed.
“If I’m free to go, I’m hungry, my arm hurts and I quit.” The last she told Wagner. At the moment, she just wanted to go home. To walk away from all of it. And at the same time, she wasn’t sure she could. Ewan had died. Those civilians had died. In the end they netted a British spy, who’d doubled as an arms dealer.
It would all be swept under the rug and his network dismantled.
But no one would bring those people back.
For the moment, she’d had enough.
“We’re going,” Jacko said, and he put an arm around her. “Wound first or after we’re out?”
“Whenever,” she told him. “Thanks for being pissed on my behalf.”
He walked her past Wagner, halting only when Wagner caught her arm. She glanced at Ned and read the worry in his eyes. Exhaustion wore at her, but she managed a small smile. “I’m okay, Ned. This is what I signed up for.”
“You didn’t sign up for us to use you as bait.”
She didn’t have it in her to comfort him, especially not with Jacko glaring at him. “All enemies, foreign and domestic. It is what it is.”
“You’ve got months of vacation, take it. I’ll call…we’ll figure the debrief out.”
She didn’t commit one way or the other, she just left.
Jacko insisted they stop at the infirmary, a few stitches and an antibiotic shot later, she was dressed in slacks and a t-shirt with a long sweater. Someone found her tote and returned it.
They were in a car on the way to the airport when she said, “I can’t quit. Not yet.”
“I know,” Jacko said, covering her hand with his. “We’ll figure it out.”
Studying him, she said, “You know it’s still only been a little over twenty-four hours, right?”
“Then we have an anniversary to celebrate. And one the day after that and the day after that.”
Coco laughed. “I’m never getting rid of you, am I?”
“When did you figure it out?” His grin was open, warm, and all encompassing.
Holding up her left hand, she showed him the ring. “They didn’t take this, and I knew what was going on…just in my gut. It was why Ned insisted on getting me here and the roundabout route we traveled. We were putting on a show.” Twisting the ring, she said, “Just like the show you and I did. Only Ned’s show was real, and this one is…”
“Going to be real. When you’re ready, I’m putting a real one on that finger.”
Damn, she loved his certainty. “Do you have a plan?”
“Of course I do,” he wrapped an arm around her as she curled against him and rested her head on his shoulder. London traffic promised them a long drive to the airport.
“Let’s hear it…”
“You trust me?” He asked and she laughed all over again.
“Hell yeah I trust you.”
About the Author
USA Today bestselling author, Heather Long, likes long walks in the park, science fiction, superheroes, Marines, and men who aren’t douche bags. Her books are filled with heroes and heroines tangled in romance as hot as Texas summertime. From paranormal historical westerns to contemporary military romance, Heather might switch genres, but one thing is true in all of her stories—her characters drive the books. When she’s not wrangling her menagerie of animals, she devotes her time to family and friends she considers family. She believes if you like your heroes so real you could lick the grit off their chest, and your heroines so likable, you’re sure you’ve been friends with women just like them, you’ll enjoy her worlds as much as she does.
Follow Heather
www.heatherlong.net
[email protected]
Also by Heather Long
Always a Marine Series
Once Her Man, Always Her Man
Retreat Hell! She Just Got Here
Tell It to the Marine
Proud to Serve Her
Her Marine
No Regrets, No Surrender
The Marine Cowboy
The Two and the Proud
A Marine and a Gentleman
Combat Barbie
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
What Part of Marine Don’t You Understand?
A Marine Affair
Marine Ever After
Marine in the Wind
Marine with Benefits
A Marine of Plenty
A Candle for a Marine
Marine under the Mistletoe
Have Yourself a Marine Christmas
Lest Old Marines Be Forgot
Her Marine Bodyguard
Bravo Team Wolf
When Danger Bites
Bitten Under Fire
Boomers
The Judas Contact
Deadly Genesis
Unstoppable
Chance Monroe
Earth Witches Aren’t Easy
Plan Witch from Out of Town
Bad Witch Rising
Elite Metal
Pure Copper (Elite Metal)
Target: Tungsten (Elite Ghosts)
Asset: Arsenic (Elite Elements)
Fevered Hearts
Marshal of Hel Dorado
Brave are the Lonely
Micah & Mrs. Miller
A Fistful of Dreams
Raising Kane
Wanted: Fevered or Alive
Wild and Fevered
The Quick & The Fevered
A Man Called Wyatt
Going Royal
Some Like It Royal
Some Like It Scandalous
Some Like It Deadly
Some Like it Secret
Some Like it Easy
Her Marine Prince
Blocked
Lone Star Leathernecks
Semper Fi Cowboy
As You Were Cowboy
Magic & Mayhem
The Witch Singer
Bridget’s Witch’s Diary
The Witched Away Bride
Every Witch Way But Floosey’s
Mongrels
Mongrels, Mischief & Mayhem
Space Cowboy
Space Cowboy Survival Guide
Showdown at the Omega Kilo Space Station
Special Forces Operation Alpha/Brotherhood Protectors
Securing Arizona
Chasing Katie
Guarding Gertrude
Protecting Pilar
Wrangling Wanda
Shielding Shayna
Covering Coco
Wolves of Willow Bend
Wolf at Law
Wolf Bite
Caged Wolf
Wolf Claim
Wolf Next Door
Rogue Wolf
Bayou Wolf
Untamed Wolf
Wolf with Benefits
River Wolf
Single Wicked Wolf
Desert Wolf
Snow Wolf
Wolf on Board
Holly Jolly Wolf
Shadow Wolf
His Moonstruck Wolf
Thunder Wolf
Ghost Wolf
As you know, this book included at least one character from Susan Stoker’s books. To check out more, see below.
Delta Force Heroes Series
Rescuing Rayne (FREE!)
Rescuing Aimee
Rescuing Emily
Rescuing Harley
Marrying Emily
Rescuing Kassie
Rescuing Bryn
Rescuing Casey
Rescuing Sadie
Rescuing Wendy
Rescuing Mary (Oct 2018)
Rescuing Macie (April 2019)
Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series
Justice for Mackenzie (FREE!)
Justice for Mickie
Justice for Corrie
Justice for Laine (novella)
Shelter for Elizabeth
Justice for Boone
Shelter for Adeline
Shelter for Sophie
Justice for Erin
Justice for Milena
Shelter for Blythe
Justice for Hope (Sept 2018)
Shelter for Quinn (TBA)
Shelter for Koren (TBA)
Shelter for Penelope (TBA)
SEAL of Protection Series
Protecting Caroline (FREE!)
Protecting Alabama
Protecting Fiona
Marrying Caroline (novella)
Protecting Summer
Protecting Cheyenne
Protecting Jessyka
Protecting Julie (novella)
Protecting Melody
Protecting the Future
Protecting Alabama’s Kids (novella)
Protecting Kiera (novella)
Protecting Dakota
New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.
She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.
If you enjoyed this book, or any book, please consider leaving a review. It’s appreciated by authors more than you’ll know.
www.stokeraces.com
[email protected]
More Books in the Special Forces: Operation Alpha World!
Brynne Asher - Blackburn
Denise Agnew - Dangerous to Hold
Shauna Allen: Awakening Aubrey
Shauna Allen: Defending Danielle
Shauna Allen: Rescuing Rebekah
Shauna Allen: Saving Scarlett
Shauna Allen: Saving Grace
Jillian Anselmi: Protecting Ava
Jennifer Becker: Hiding Catherine
Julia Bright: Saving Lorelei
Victoria Bright: Surviving Savage
Victoria Bright: Jostling Joker
Victoria Bright: Going Ghost
Kendra Mei Chailyn: Beast
Kendra Mei Chailyn: Barbie
Kendra Mei Chailyn: Pitbull
Melissa Kay Clarke: Rescuing Annabeth
Samantha A. Cole: Handling Haven
Samantha A. Cole: Cheating the Devil
Sue Coletta: Hacked
KaLyn Cooper: Rescuing Melina
Liz Crowe: Marking Mariah
Jordan Dane: Redemption for Avery
Jordan Dane: Fiona’s Salvation
Delilah Devlin: Between a SEAL & A Hard Place
Delilah Devlin: Headover SEAL
Riley Edwards: Protecting Olivia
Riley Edwards: Redeeming Violet
Nicole Flockton: Protecting Maria
Nicole Flockton: Guarding Erin
Nicole Flockton: Guarding Suzie
Nicole Flockton: Guarding Brielle
Fifi Flowers: Protecting Maya
Fifi Flowers: Shielding Alice
Casey Hagen: Shielding Nebraska
Casey Hagen: Shielding Harlow
Desiree Holt: Protecting Maddie
Kathy Ivan: Saving Sarah
Kathy Ivan: Saving Savannah
Kathy Ivan: Saving Stephanie
Jesse Jacobson: Protecting Honor
Jesse Jacobson: Fighting for Honor
Jesse Jacobson: Defending Honor
Jesse Jacobson: Summer Breeze
Silver James: Rescue Moon
Silver James: SEAL Moon
Silver James: Assassin’s Moon
Becca Jameson: Saving Sofia
Heather Long: Securing Arizona
Heather Long: Guarding Gertrude
Heather Long: Protecting Pilar
Kirsten Lynn: Joining Forces for Jesse
Margaret Madigan: Bang for the Buck
Margaret Madigan: Buck the System
Margaret Madigan: Jungle Buck
Margaret Madigan: December Chill
Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Baby
Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Bride
KD Michaels: Saving Laura
KD Michaels: Protecting Shane
Wren Michaels: Shadow of Doubt
Wren Michaels: The Fox & The Hound
Wren Michaels: Kisses from the Kremlin
Wren Michaels: Shadow of Doubt
Kat Mizera: Protecting Bobbi
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Butterfly
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Goddess
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Vixen
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Heartbeat
MJ Nightingale: Protecting Beauty
MJ Nightingale: Betting on Benny
MJ Nightingale: Protecting Secrets
Sarah O’Rourke: Saving Liberty
Debra Parmley: Protecting Pippa
Caleb Pirtle: Lovely Night to Die
Lainey Reese: Protecting New York
Jenika Snow: Protecting Lily
Lynne St James: Protecting Faith
Lynne St James: Protecting Ariana
Jen Talty: Burning Desire
Jen Talty: Burning Kiss
Jen Talty: Burning Skies
Jen Talty: Burning Lies
Megan Vernon: Protecting Us
Megan Vernon: Protecting Earth
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Heather Long, Covering Coco (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) (Special Forces & Brotherhood Protector Series Book 7)
