“Well, son, I’m not sure we can make requests. That ol’ stork brings whatever God tells him to. But, ya know, girls aren’t all that bad.”
“Oh yeah they are. They never play fair, they run aways from me, and they smell funny. AND...they always get the last piece of pie. Momma says I gotta give it to them because they are girls. It’s not fair!” His little bottom lip pouted out, making Michael snicker.
“Well now, I can see how that might make a man upset, but it gets better. See, when you get bigger, it’s gonna be your responsibility to make sure no one hurts them girls. They are going to need a strong man around to protect them. And, from my experience, when you help a girl, it usually means more cake and pie for you.” He half smirked a wink at the boy. Skyler’s face lit up, grinning up in a toothless smile.
“I guess a girl might not be too bad then.”
Michael chuckled, squeezing Skyler in a hug. “What do you say we go find your momma and the others and get us a hamburger. Afterwards, you can order anything off the desert menu you want. How’s that sound?”
“Really? Anything!”
“Anything.” Michael couldn’t help but laugh. The kids had brought such joy in all their lives. Being a grandpa to them all was the best redo life had given him. He might have screwed up and not been the father he should have been with Leland, but he had a chance to now.
“Yay! Let’s go! Lizzy! Heather! We gots to go!” Skyler jumped up excited and ran to fetch the girls who were playing hopscotch.
General Ashburn arrived early as always. The team had all gathered in the main living area where they could sit comfortably and go over their findings. A dry erase board had been brought in, along with a few electronics to project the images on the wall. “So, what do you have for me?” General Ashburn said, sitting in the main recliner of the room.
“Pop? Since you found the honey pot, you get the honors,” Maverick volunteered. Pop grumbled a bit but went to the front. He never was one for public speaking. Which was ironic given all of the ceremonies he had attended that required him to give speeches. And, to advance on to the next rank, each soldier had to go to a formal board hearing and be put through extensive questioning and grilling by the superior officers.
“First up, we have blue prints and documents supporting the allegations of the tragedy that happened on September 11, 2001. There are intricate detailed plans, diagrams, and supporting papers that lead us to believe that Vice President Kovak was the leader behind the attacks. He was seen having dinner with Al Qaeda exactly one month before the planes hit. During that time, these papers were created. If you look at the bottom of each of these, it has both his and Saddam Hussein’s signatures.”
“I see why the urgent meeting. Go on,” the General had sat forward, leaning his elbows on his knees with his attention so sharp he could cut the air. This was bigger than any of them had anticipated.
“They go on to show flight numbers, lessons… It is a cut and dry case. There is everything in here. Look at this one. This is a phone log of each conversation that took place during the attacks. We have VP Kovak speaking directly to the attackers while on board the bowing 787. In the next set of papers, we have lists of names, agencies, and accounts. From what I could gather, there are a number of government agencies doing the grunt work for the higher ups. We still have tons of files and the hard drives to filter through, but we have enough to put people away for a very long time.”
“And piss a lot of people off. This was covered up for a reason. Now, we get the job of digging it up and dragging those responsible to justice. I don’t have to express how delicate this mission is, troops. I will get ahold of my contacts and see what steps we need to do first. For now, put all of this in a safe location. No one is to know it exists,” the General instructed. “I will be back over for regular updates on your findings until we get the green light to move. Have an A bag ready by the door. You all will be on a 12-hour call. When it’s time, we jump.”
“Yes, sir,” they all said.
“What about the vacation? Should we cancel?” Rock asked, feeling his stomach drop at the idea of disappointing Alaina.
“No, no. That’s not necessary. It will take some time to put this all in motion. Go. Enjoy the family. But, your vacation destination has changed. I will foot the bill for the difference, but we need you close to where the cabinet is set to meet just in case something goes down.”
“Who?” Maverick asked.
“The chief of staff, VP, Gov. Tallon, Vancover, and Dante are all scheduled to meet in Cabo San Lucas during the same time as your vacation. I hope the girls will appreciate the crystal clear water and white sandy beaches over Hawaii.” General Ashburn broke his serious look when they all hooped their approval. Adding work to pleasure was never easily accepted, but hopefully the extra suite upgrades and resort features could make it easier.
“Oh, they will. Thank you again for coming on such short notice. We wanted to brief you on our findings immediately.” Dom shook the General’s hand.
“No, no. Please call me when more turns up. I need to get back before the little woman sticks me in the doghouse. Tonight is date night, and if I miss another one, this little ‘issue’ will be tiny compared to the hell she can bring down. Have a safe trip. I’ll be in contact.” He made his way through the group, saying goodbyes and headed home.
When the others got back from their outing, the team was waiting in the yard. “Holy hell, did they leave anything in the stores?” Kodiak laughed. Both truck beds were over flowing with new purchases.
“It doesn’t look like it. I see gawdy floral shirts and neon shorts in your future.” Vice laughed, punching Kodiak in the arm lightly as she walked by. He and the others all sighed, grumbling under their breath. Knowing the girls, Vice wasn’t too far off on her suspicions.
While the troops carried in all the merchandise, Rock, Maverick, Dom, and Vice walked over to them. “Well, we have a change of plans.”
“Please don’t tell me we aren’t going. I got most of this on sale and it is nonrefundable.” Alaina’s face scrunched up in worry.
“No. Instead of Hawaii like we originally planned, we have upgraded to a fancy resort at the fabulous Cabo San Lucas! Two long weeks of fun in the sun, white sandy beaches, and crystal blue waters to melt your stresses away. Pack your bags people, we are traveling in style!” Maverick said in his best radio voice.
“What! No way!” Bella squealed, grabbing on to Violet who jumped up and down in place. Alaina teared up, overwhelmed by happiness at the surprise. Her hormones had already started to take its toll, setting Rock and Maverick into comforting duty.
“Aw, baby, don’t cry! We can cancel if you don’t want to.” Rock hugged her tight.
“No! No. I am just so happy! I don’t know why I’m crying.” She sniffled with a smile, erupting the group in laughter.
Three days later, they were all sitting first class on the way to the tropics. Dom glanced over at Vice who seemed consumed in the book she was reading and grinned. He had bored of the inflight movie, crossword puzzles, and games he had installed on his phone for just this occasion and had an idea to make the time go by. He leaned in close to her ear, brushing his lips, “I can’t wait to see you in that tiny little bikini. Just thinking about it makes me hard.” His hand grasped hers and pulled it towards the bulge in his pants, rubbing her palm along the seam.
Without looking up, she smiled and handed him a little remote out of her pocket. “What took you so long?” Her eyes met his and his jaw dropped. He knew the little pink remote well. It was the same one he had used when she had been gifted the pink plug. His finger flipped on the switch, and she squirmed. Son of a bitch, she had it in!
“Mmmm. You naughty little minx. Get to the bathroom now!” he growled in a whisper. Her saucy little wink about did him in. She was taunting him wickedly, and he was loving every minute of it.
“Yes, Sir. I may have come when I put it in before we left… I might need a good span
king first.” She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, gazing up through her thick lashes with those turquoise pools of lust and love. Oh, she was going to get a spanking all right, and so much more the minute they landed. He nodded toward the restroom and watched as she jumped up and made her way down the aisle. When she got half way, he flipped the remote to high and snickered. Vice twisted and turned. Her legs almost gave out from under her from the intense vibration that roared to life in her ass. If her dead run to the bathroom wasn’t obvious enough, him following was sure to leave no doubt. He got a few winks and catcalls on his way, but with what waited for him in the mile high club it was worth it.
Epilogue
Hulk stepped off the plane, half tempted to turn around and head home. With all that had happened over the past few months, he was having more and more problems containing his PTSD from the others. Admitting it to himself was hard enough, there was no way in hell he could voice it out loud. With the military offering services that half ass assisted with these types of situations and then ended your career, he couldn’t risk it.
Violet must have sensed his unease and walked up beside him, nudging him with her shoulder. “What do you say we drop this crap off and find a quiet spot on the beach with something frozen and fruity to drink? I don’t know about you, but I could use a little RR.”
He couldn’t help but smile. She had a sixth sense at knowing when he was in need of escape, and offered an out. Over the past few days, anxiety had hit harder than before. The crowded airport, seating in an over packed plane, each time she came to the rescue. He had feelings for her, and knew she felt something too. It just wasn’t fair to act on them until he could pull it together. “That’d be great.” He offered up a somewhat relieved smile, hoping he could settle down before he erupted in an embarrassing fit of emotion.
“Whatever is great, I’m game.” Kodiak came waltzing up, tossing an arm around them both. Hulk grumbled under his breath, knowing Kodiak was fully aware of his untimely appearance. His shit eating grin said it all. It was evident he had a crush on Violet, and given the circumstances was probably the best choice for her. Hulk just couldn’t let her go. He needed her, as selfish as it sounded. It didn’t piss him off to think of the two together really, which was odd…but the thought of losing her drove him insane. Jealousy reared its ugly head.
“Hey, fucker, don’t you have something else to do or somewhere to be? I heard there is a strip club not two blocks from here.” Both Violet and Kodiak turned to look at him in shock. He half laughed, trying to pass it off as normal chiding but by the looks he got, it didn’t work. To add salt to the wound, Kodiak stared him down.
“Why would I want to leave when the view here is perfect? Violet, care for a swim?”
Violet looked at them both, feeling the tension rise like a dense fog. “I…well…Hulk and I were going to go hang out. You can join us if you want. I don’t know about you two, but I need a little quiet time after that flight from hell.” She stepped away from them both unsure what was happening, stepping backwards a few feet. Finally Kodiak backed down, slapping Hulk on the shoulder.
“Sounds good to me. Nothing like the crashing of the waves and warm sun to melt the stress away.”
“Awesome,” Hulk grumbled sarcastically, walking off to dump his bags in his little cabana room.
Books by Willow Brooke
Twisted Fate Series
Twisted Time
Coming Soon: Book Two
Breaking Protocol
Cadence of Love
Broken Battlefield, Mended Hearts
Mission: Compromised Submissive
Coming Soon: Book Four
Standalone Titles
Cabin Fever
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Excerpt from Cabin Fever
by Willow Brooke
Jammi pondered her life, going over the ‘if's’ and ‘why didn't I's’ the entire trip. She had no collage degree, besides a few hours at the community building in the small town she had grown up in. Friendship, Texas, wasn't known for much of anything. The jobs were all blue collar with no extra education needed unless you moved a hundred miles in any direction. She had planned on staying there forever, just like her parents had, and some day settling down to have a family and plant roots with Danny Lawson. So much for that idea. Now, the open road was the door to new opportunities, and she was in the prime of her life. This little thought fueled her to press on, giving her the ray of positivity to bring a small little smile to her face.
With only five miles left to go, Jammi eased down the road, remaining in a hydroplane most of the way. When her tires hit something that had floated into her lane, she set off in a dead spin. “Shit!” Just like her daddy had taught her, she turned the wheel in an attempt to correct the wheels and get the vehicle to a stop. She watched as the edge moved in closer and closer, sending her heart up into her throat. If she didn't get stopped now, she was going to slam into the guardrail. “Please let it hold up!” Her voice squeaked the moment her front bumper made contact with the metal. Three more times she turned, smashing against the tiny barrier that kept her from pummeling over the side to instant death. She finally screeched to a stop, just as the car made a clunking noise and shut off. Her first reaction was relief that she had survived and was alive. “Oh my God. Thank you, Jesus.” Her head leaned back against the headrest. Tears welled in her eyes, streaming down her cheeks in rivers of relief.
The throbbing in her fingers came to her attention as she unlocked the death grip she had on the steering wheel. Wiggling and rubbing each hand, she tried to work blood back into them to help with the ache. If it weren't such a dangerous spot, Jammi would have been half tempted to recline her seat back and sleep in her car until daylight. As the weather stood, there was no telling if or when the mud slides and drain off would gush over the side of the cliff, and take her with it. Plus, with her being on the bend of a rather nasty curve, any passerby could slam into her and send her tumbling over the edge.
Rubbing the tears away, she sat back up and cranked the ignition. The first crank resulted in a few sputtering sounds, then nothing. Her second attempt was about the same, and the third, it refused to even turn over. “Shitty-shitballs!” she yelled in frustration. “Great! I get to walk in a downpour on this twisted, dark, spooky ass road and hope I don't get hit by a friggin' Mack truck. This day keeps getting better and better!” With one final pound to the steering wheel, she unbuckled and turned to the back seat, rummaging for her raincoat buried in the over-stuffed trash bags that held everything she owned. After tearing holes in four bags, she spotted the bright pink plastic material and yanked it out the side, shredding the bag in two. “Ughhh!” Coat in hand and her cell tucked safely in her bra to keep it dry, she grabbed her keys and suited up. With any luck, the coat would keep her from getting totally soaked to the bone and she wouldn't catch pneumonia before she found the small amount of civilization that lay only half a mile from her destination.
On the count of three, she opened the door and stepped out into the torrential downpour. Her feet were soaked through before she could even step away from the car. With a small shoulder on each side of the road, she knew it was either hurry or risk becoming road kill. The water sloshed up to her knees, making the trek even more rugged. “Lord, please don't let this be how I die. If it is my time, let me go out more gracefully. I don't want to fall to my death from the bumper of a vehicle or from pneumonia. Send lightning or something that will be fast and painless.” She spoke to the darkness, wishing now she would have grabbed the flashlight out of the glove box. The car was at least half a mile back, and there was no way in hell she was going back to get it. The pitch-blackness started screwing with her mind, setting fear into her gut. What if's began snowballing in her mind, making each step pure torture. She began to jog, ignoring the burn that set into her thi
ghs and calves. Oh, she was sooo taking a hot bath when she got to her new home. “Shit! That is going to be kinda hard when all of my dry clothes and toiletries are in the damn car!” Now, she ran on anger. It helped some, keeping the negative ways she could die at bay. Lights showed ahead, giving her the little boost of hope she needed. Her feet were so cold and numb that pins and needles shot up her legs, making each step agonizing.
By the time she made it to the parking lot of the small little store, she couldn't fight the tears that flowed. The past few days had taken its toll, and now her walls were finally starting to crumble. She ran into the parking lot of the tiny convenience store using the last little bit of energy she had left. Most of the lights were off, but there was a pick-up truck parked in the front, and she prayed someone was still there cleaning up for the night. Her hand felt like it would fall off as she rapped against the glass door. Jammi looked in, watching for any sign of movement. She huffed a deep sigh of relief when a figure walked out of the back toward her. She couldn't make out his face from the rain that gushed down her face, but knew inside meant warmth and dryness, and if she was lucky, something hot to drink.
Excerpt from A Place for Her
Hades Temple Book One
by Lynn Ray Lewis
As Ventura walked into the building that her father helped build, she tried to feel a sense of pride. Not an ounce would come to her call. She didn’t remember the place at all. She told herself it was just as well she had no emotional ties to the company. Obviously, the building had been redecorated and refitted several times over the last twenty years. Everything was sleekly modern and shiny. Even the reception desk was new, and the receptionist was a man who tried to stop her from entering the elevator to get to the fourth floor.
Mission: Compromised Submissive Page 13
