Challenge Protocol

by Dawn Ryder

  “Good thing too, because you don’t fit into any mold. You really need someone like me who can think outside the box.” Confidence filled her as she felt his heart beating against her chest. This man was hers. They fit together better and better every time they touched. That was irreplaceable and golden. Only a fool let the details of life break something like their connection up.

  She wasn’t any fool.

  Dack released her, his hand cupping her chin in a firm hand. “That’s a fact.”

  “Just remember that I’m a fire sign as Mia likes to remind me. There’s nothing docile about me.”

  Dack was silent for a long moment, his eyes locked with hers. “I love you, but I’m not an easy man to love.”

  Three little words had never sounded as though they took so much effort to speak. Dack was actually pale when he finished, his lips pressed into a hard line as he watched her face.

  “Well, Mia’s parents love to tell her what a troublemaker I am. Destined to land in difficult relationships because I’m not modest enough.”

  “Remind me to call Trace back and tell him to ravish Mia. As a personal favor from me to her.”

  “Mia’s at the Play Yard?” Her voice rose and cracked.

  “A personal guest of the owner, Trace Kocourek. Very private accommodations.”

  Cambria narrowed her eyes at him. “If that friend of yours upsets Mia, I’ll wax your chest. Just because I love you doesn’t mean you get to bug my friend.”

  “She’s alive and safe. The bugging part is unavoidable. Trace can keep her alive, I trust him to do the job.”

  Cambria glared at him, but Dack crossed his arms over his chest. He reached up and rubbed his jaw, betraying his uncertainty. Cambria narrowed her eyes and he cussed softly as he moved his hand back to his side. “Look at it this way. Since you’re not around, Trace can see to the chore of helping Mia escape her closeted world.”

  “Now that’s something I’d love to see.” Logan’s voice was as playful as normal and far too damn cheerful for daybreak. Dack turned to look at his partner.

  “Mia is a sweetheart.” Cambria made sure she glared at both men to ensure that they understood how she wanted her friend handled.

  “Which is why she’s keeping company with Trace. I doubt she could kill a mouse, much less an assassin.” Dack had resumed his hard, commanding tone of voice. “I’m taking that son of a bitch to military court, Cambria. I’ve got the evidence to prove my innocence and Logan’s. Ramos will do anything to stop me. Until that hearing, Mia has to have someone looking out for her.”

  “You’re right, I know, but you’re also completely irritating because you’re so right.” Splitting her disgruntled glare between the two of them, she huffed with frustration over Mia’s plight. The poor little china doll was about to be taken out of her glass showcase.

  “But I’m not heartless. If there was another way, I’d take it. There isn’t.” Dack let his voice drop down into a more personable tone, leaving the commanding one off.

  “Life is annoyingly unfair today.”

  Logan chuckled at them both. “I think my heart is melting in the presence of such a tender exhibition.”

  Cambria fluttered her eyelashes at him. Logan had a unique ability to pull her tail and she wouldn’t trade it for anything. “I guess I’ll just have to endure you, for the sake of my tender feelings for you two.”

  Logan rubbed his palms together and licked his lips. “I’ll do my best to make you suffer daily. Nothing better than being in a position to take complete advantage of such a yummy package like you.”

  Shaking her head, she moved forward, sending a mock punch into Logan’s midsection. He buckled over but pressed a kiss against her mouth as their heads got closer. Dack’s warm hands smoothed over her back as she ended up between them.

  Oh yeah…now this was a buffet she was going to spend the rest of her days enjoying.

  * * * * *

  Six weeks later

  Camp Pendleton

  One golden star twinkled on the shoulders of the man sitting in the judge’s seat. His eyebrows were salt and peppered with gray but his eyes were still as sharp as a young man’s. The courtroom was so still you could hear the papers as he turned them, studying the photo entered as evidence.

  The man had already listened to an entire day of evidence. Cambria bit into her lower lip as she tried to appear calm and collected. She was actually a seething bundle of resentment that wanted to burst into action to right the injustices of the world. At least the part that concerned Dack and Logan, that was.

  Her men stood at attention, waiting for one man to make a judgment that would either seal their fate or free them from shame. Either way, life wouldn’t change very much except for the personal satisfaction factor.

  That was worth every ounce of sweat that had gone into preparing for the court battle to remove Dack’s and his men’s dishonorable discharges. The fact that a new chapter in his personal battle to stay alive would open, didn’t matter. He was an officer and it was time the honor was restored to his name and his men.

  The officer presiding over the courtroom lifted his head to stare at Dack and Logan. His eyes were sharp as he began to speck.

  “Captain Tyden and Lieutenant Brackton. I find in favor of your petition. It is the judgment of this court that your record be cleared and full rank reinstated. It is also the finding of this court that charges will be issued against Colonel Ramos along with his accomplices, to be named at a later date.” He banged his gavel against the desk a single time, the sound bouncing off the walls of the room because it was dead silent.

  The words echoed through his skull. He had trouble believing he was hearing them in the flesh because he’d dreamed of it so many times. The judge cleared his throat, a large amount of emotion coming from a practiced military man.

  “And I would like to personally add my apologies. You and your unit served this country valiantly. You are to be commended. Back pay will be extended.”

  Dack clicked his heels together as he heard his men snap to attention behind him. With a precise turn, he walked out of the court room. So many lives had been changed in the place, it practically radiated from the dry wall. Cambria and Robyn stood up and followed them.

  Jace and Nash tossed Robyn into the air between them, swinging her around in circles as she laughed. Cambria couldn’t maintain her dignified expression as she moved towards Dack. She ran one polished fingernail across his chest as her lips twitched with happiness.

  “Hmmm…you do look good in uniform, honey.”

  “That so? Sorry to say, I’m about to resign my commission.” Reaching for her hips, he cupped them in a firm grip. “Right after we get married.”

  She jerked, but a flicker of emotion crossed her face. She couldn’t mask the delight that entered her eyes even as she tossed her head in refusal.

  “That’s my condition for you being on the team.” His voice was hard again but his eyes were full of need.

  He leaned down, keeping her prisoner with his hands on her hips. “If I end up dead in the next few weeks because Ramos is gunning for revenge, you are going to collect every cent owed to me. Got that, baby?”

  She shivered as she considered the fact that Raul Ramos and Black Watch now had another reason to come looking for him and Logan. Knocking her knuckles against his chest, she glared up into his eyes.

  “I look awful in black. It clashes with my skin, so you’d better plan to remain among the living.”

  “We’re going to the base chapel right now.”

  His eyes glowed and her heart twisted. She just couldn’t say no. Knocking him with her fist once more she swallowed the lump in her throat. “You’ve reduced me to an emotional fool.”

  His lips curved. “I love you too. But you’re the one who intoxicated me the first time we met. My inner child needs you to be his best friend.”

  Someone cleared their throat, loud and obnoxiously. With a groan, Cambria turned to face the only man
she knew who would be so annoying. Rem smirked at her, completely unrepentant. A long scab ran across his forehead from his brush with death. He flashed her a smile before offering his hand to Dack.

  “Congratulations.”

  She stood back and watched them shake hands. Both men were symbols of dignity and honor in their uniforms. Tears sparkled in her eyes as she watched the rest of Dack’s men gather in close. They closed ranks around them as Dack placed her hand on his forearm and escorted her to their wedding.

  The ceremony was simple but perfect. She hadn’t grown up dreaming of a fairytale dress. The thing that had kept her dreams lit was the idea of love. The kind that surrounded you so completely, you forgot that loneliness even existed. It was just a shame that she couldn’t exchange vows with both of the men she loved. Logan stood to her left, refusing to take the step back that the chaplain asked him to.

  That was what she called love.

  * * * * *

  “What the hell is going on?”

  It was too damn early in the morning for noise. Rolling over, Cambria glared at the clock and cussed as the bedroom wall shook. Jumping out of bed, she grabbed a pair of sweatpants and tugged them on along with a tee shirt before yanking the balcony door open.

  “Who wants to die?”

  Logan turned around, a tool belt buckled across his lean hips. “Don’t tell me you were sleeping?”

  “Jackass, you were lying beside me most of the night. Keeping me awake.”

  He shrugged, flashing her a smug grin as Dack and Rem came around the side of the cabin, a large wooden beam balanced on their shoulders.

  “Hey, Sis. I brought you a wedding present.”

  They dropped their load as Rem pointed at the beam. “This is from your new husband. I’m just the delivery boy.”

  “You bought me a beam?”

  Dack grinned like a boy on Christmas morning. “I’m building you another paradise.”

  “Only this one will be enclosed to keep it warm.” Logan wiggled his eyebrows.

  A smile covered her face as she met the wicked grin on her husband’s face. “Well, I guess I’ll just feel right at home.”

  “That’s the idea.” Her husband’s voice touched off a tiny shiver of apprehension. “Nothing like a hammock.”

  Kane rounded the cabin next and she squinted at the charcoaled item in his grip. A squeal escaped her lips as she moved out of his way. Climbing the stairs up to the deck, he let his load down with a heavy thunk.

  “Finding that wasn’t easy.”

  Her safe. Kneeling, she worked the dial, listening for the tumblers to release. The door opened smoothly, in spite of the condition of the outer surface. Her passport and documents were all there, looking perfect. But what made her squeal again was her jewelry. Safe and sound, exactly as the fire safe company had promised. Not a single melted earring.

  The black soot clinging to the exterior sent a shiver down her spine. The contents of the safe were the only things that had survived. Dack climbed the stairs and knelt next to the open door. He nodded approval at the condition of the contents.

  “Ah, dare I ask about Mia?” she said.

  Dack’s face went blank. Suspicion ran through her as she glared at his military, “I’m not telling you nothing” expression.

  “Dack…!”

  “Paradise won’t build itself.”

  He ran back down the steps like a dog. Leaning over the rail, she aimed her disapproving look at Logan, who promptly left around the side of the cabin, Rem hightailing it behind him.

  “Dack…”

  Her husband turned a mocking grin towards her. “Don’t worry, honey, I think she’s holding her own. Trace sounded mighty frustrated when he checked in with me.” With an arrogant slant to his lips he turned and disappeared around the cabin.

  Oh, China Doll… You’re in trouble now.

  A smile lifted her lips as she laughed. It just might be what Mia needed. As she’d recently discovered, love was worth some frustration. She watched Dack and Logan carry more beams around the side of the house and her heart melted at the sight of them doing something just to make her happy.

  Yes, love was worth it. No doubt about it.

  But she’d just let Mia discover that truth for herself.

  About the Author

  Email: DawnRyder@hotmail.com

  Dawn welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

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  Also by Dawn Ryder

  Hawk’s Prey

  Hidden Urges

  Improper Lessons

  Improper Longings

  Improper Pursuits

  Janus’ Conquest

  Outside Protocol

  Reaching Back

  Talon’s Trophy

  Tempting a Lady

  Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.

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