Code Name: Nina's Choice (Warrior's Challenge)

by Natasza Waters

  She curled up and slung her arms around his neck. “I do too, Mace, but don’t try so hard. I’m not going anywhere.” He trailed his finger over her lower lip, following the fullness, but quickly retreated when she tried to bite it. The playfulness put a mischievous smile on her expression. “I like having you here with me, but I know it won’t be forever.”

  He brushed her nose with his. “Don’t be scared of that, babe. If you build that bridge it can only connect with fear. The squad had a close call. It’s behind us. Don’t even think about it.”

  “I can’t help it.” She leaned her forehead against his. “Kayla tried to explain it to me.” Her gaze popped to his. “The life of a SEAL, I mean. I never dated anyone at work. After Gabriella, that is.”

  Nina hadn’t talked about Gabbs’ father. “Where is he?” He’d keep it simple. If she wanted to tell him she’d answer. If she avoided his question, he’d let it rest, but he wanted to know who he was. Mace didn’t like the unknowns. They could pose trouble. He needed the whole picture.

  Nina shook her head. “I don’t know.” She paused. “He’s American. He doesn’t know he has a daughter.” Mace leaned back on his haunches, and Nina curled up on the couch. “Gabbs has asked me about him from time to time, now that she’s getting old enough to understand. I’ve avoided answering the question because I don’t know the answer.”

  A tingle of doubt niggled in his gut. “Do you want to know?” He swallowed thickly with a thought dropping into his mind. “Is that why you came here?”

  “No. I came because of Kayla, Gord and Barry, and because I wanted a new start. Kayla is more of a sister to me than my own. I knew if she was here, I’d have a friend, and Gabbs loves her to pieces. I thought we’d always have her in our lives.” Nina’s hands twisted into a tight ball. “What if she’s dea—”

  He slid his knuckles gently down her cheek. Nina’s eyes glistened. “Kayla is not dead. I’d know it, and so would the captain. She’ll surface.”

  Nina shook her head. “She might not. If she does, it won’t be here. I don’t understand why she hasn’t called me. Even if she’s lying low, she’d call me if she could.” Nina blew out a long breath. “I’ve trusted her instincts from day one. She taught me everything. She was even in the delivery room with me when Gabbs was born.”

  “What about your family?”

  “My parents are wonderful people. My mom helped too, when Gabbs was a baby, but she’s involved with charity organizations and clubs. Mom and Dad are full-time parents again having Gabbs with them, but it’s time for them to enjoy being grandparents. Mom was always there if I asked, but I never had to ask Kayla, she was just there.” The tears began to rain down her cheeks. “I’m so scared.”

  He folded Nina in his arms, and they held each other tight. “I am too, babe, but I have faith in the captain. He’ll find her.”

  “I wish I could think of something to help. Maybe I should go see Lieutenant Manchester and talk to him.”

  “We’ll go tomorrow, okay?” Time to distract his lady. Ghost was doing enough worrying for all of them. “You said Gabbs’ father is American.”

  “American Navy. At least he was.”

  Concern twisted his guts. Navy. If Nina said she wasn’t here to find Gabbs’ father then he believed her—almost. “If I was a father, I’d want to know,” he whispered on her cheek. “Gabriella should know who he is. If you want to find him, I’ll help you.”

  Nina kissed him softly on the lips. “Not today.”

  Mace swallowed deeply. Not today, but maybe one day. Half of him didn’t want that day to come, because it might mean he would have to step back. His own family had a tight bond, one he’d broken since he’d come home. Three of his sisters had called at least once a day driving him nuts. Of course his mother was behind it. They respected his space, but they were chomping at the bit to see him. Should he take Nina with him? “Do you like Mexican food?”

  “You know I do.”

  “How about homemade Mexican, the best in San Diego?”

  Nina’s gaze narrowed. “Homemade?”

  “I think it’s time you know what you’re in for. If you think I’m worth hanging around.”

  Nina’s brow rose. “As in?”

  He cemented a broad grin on his mouth. “As in my family. The pressure is getting hard to take, and I may have mentioned you…once or twice.”

  “Really,” she purred. “You want me to meet your family?”

  “Does that make you nervous?”

  “I don’t know. Is your mom going to give me a bad time for stealing her favorite son?”

  “Probably.” He grinned at her. “But my dad will think I hit the jackpot.”

  The phone interrupted his imminent swoop in a friendly takeover of her mouth. Nina jumped up and answered it.

  “Yes, he’s home. Oh yeah, Sheila, right, I remember.” Nina’s fingernails tapped on the counter impatiently.

  Sheila, uh-oh. Not good. He scrambled to his feet, but when he looked up she had her hand out in the universal “stop where you are” signal.

  “Yes, I’m staying here.” A pause. “No, he hasn’t moved. Why do you ask?” Nina’s shoulders went straight as a board. The green in her eyes sparked with anger. “It’s for you,” she said holding out the phone.

  “Uh, yeah, okay.” He cleared his throat as he took the phone. Nina’s arms were crossed tightly against her chest. Even standing there butt naked and obviously angry she frazzled his brain cells. “Hello.”

  “Hey, gorgeous, how are you?”

  “Sheila, hello. Your tour’s over?”

  “Yeah, I was thinking we could hook up tonight.”

  Sheila was one of his go-to girls. He’d struck most of them off strength when Nina walked into Base Command. Sheila had shipped out seven months ago. Calling him after returning stateside meant a few no-strings attached nights between the sheets.

  Nina swiped the towel from the floor and promptly left the kitchen.

  “I had a run-in with a few bad guys, Sheila. Took me out of commission.”

  “I heard. That’s why I’m calling. I met Nina in the galley a couple weeks ago when I got back. She told me what happened to you. I wanted to come by. I just wanted to see you and have a drink. I also need your opinion on something. Life-changing stuff, you know. In between, well…great sex, you were always so easy to talk to. I could use that right now.”

  “Uh, sure. I mean let’s grab lunch or something next week. To talk,” he added hurriedly.

  “Tomorrow?” she asked with a sweet plead attached.

  “That important?”

  “Kinda is.”

  “I’ll be finished my physio around noon. Tinman and I can meet you at Breakers.”

  “I don’t really want an audience, Mace. I get that you and Nina have something going on. I just want to talk.”

  He cranked a look over his shoulder. Nina hadn’t surfaced. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Bye, sweetie.” Sheila hung up.

  He hoped that was just a friendly goodbye. When he stopped in the doorway of his bedroom, Nina was fully dressed and furiously straightening up the room. She’d taken it over while he threw a sheet on the couch at night. He’d hoped after today that would change. Nina swept through the space like a tornado, straightening, tucking and re-straightening. “Look at me.” Stubborn Nina was full speed ahead. Did she really think that he would meet up with a woman with her in his life? “She’s a friend, Nina.”

  “Sure.” The tight response was tossed over her shoulder as she attacked the small closet.

  “Friends, Nina. That’s it.”

  “You don’t need to explain.”

  “If I don’t, you’re going to be painting the place next.” He couldn’t keep the grin from sprouting. It quickly vanished when she whirled around and glared at him. “Baby, I don’t deserve that look.”

  “I need to go grocery shopping,” she said trying to whistle past him, but he grabbed her around the waist h
alting her progress.

  “Nina, she wants a shoulder. That’s all she’ll get from me. I trust you. Do you trust me?”

  Nina searched his eyes, biting down on words she wanted to spill. “She drilled me to find out when you were coming home from Germany. I’ve been fielding lots of calls since you’ve been gone, Mace.” Nina illustrated with her fingers. “Jacie, Connie, two Susans, Tammy, a Karen and a Sadie.” Her expression went stone cold. “You’re a busy guy with lots of ready and waiting nursemaids. I didn’t write their numbers down; I trust you have them all.”

  His redhead’s temper torqued. “I do, but I don’t need them anymore, and I’ve never asked any of them to come home with me. Nina, we both have a past, but it’s you I want in my future. Are we going to make one?” He took a chance leaning closer and brushing her lips with a gentle kiss. “I don’t want to sleep on the couch anymore. It’s going to drive me nuts, but I want you in my arms at night.”

  She looked uneasily at him. “I’m a mother, Mace. Gabbs is my one and only mission. With everything going on here and her so far away—” She put a little distance between them. “As soon as the Shark is caught I’m a full-time mom again, and I’ll be bringing Gabbs to San Diego. School, sports, sleepovers, trying to find someone to care for her when I’m at work, and juggle a single mom’s life, it’s a handful.”

  He nodded understanding. When they were together they lost sight of their priorities. His was getting back on combat duty. Hers was creating a home for Gabbs. He hadn’t even thought of the ramifications when life returned to normal. Maybe they should slow things down. “We’ll work it out, Nina, but one thing won’t change.” Twisting a curl of red hair around his finger, he watched it unravel, waiting for her to let go of the breath she’d taken, but hadn’t released. “No matter how you fit me in your life, it’s only you, not Sadie or Karen. Nina has my full attention.” She didn’t move. “Do you copy, over?”

  “Good copy,” she breathed.

  Pinning her against the wall, he kissed the pulse beating in her neck. With small nips he made his way to her ear. “You’re so beautiful when you’re tense with need.” Her eyes closed, and he gently bit the edge of her jaw. “Your pleasure is my one and only mission right now.” Her nipples hardened and peaked against her T-shirt. His hand slid under her shirt, and his pulse deepened with the feel of her skin. Grasping her hand, he led her into the bedroom, depositing her near the bed. He slowly sat down in the leather chair. “Undress,” he ordered in a low voice, and leaned back. “On the bed, and you’re going to do exactly what I tell you.” Heat wavered between them as he watched his sultry drink of water and her incredible body kneel, her legs spread just enough to make his temperature rise to boiling. She had the greatest pair of thighs in the world. Sleek. Toned. They were meant to be spread, and her body cherished. “How do you want me to touch you, baby? Show me.”

  A heavy knock landed on the front door, and his head dropped back in frustration, smacking the wall. “We’re not home,” he growled.

  Nina shimmied off the bed and quickly dressed. “Yes, we are. It could be about Kayla.”

  He followed her into the living room, waiting by the kitchen table. Every time he looked at it from this point forward he’d grin. Nina answered the door. Martin Davis, Team Three, the SEAL on duty stood with a serious scowl on his features.

  “Spill it, Davis,” he said, but he knew what was coming.

  “Thought you’d want to know. They’ve just found another body.”

  “Where?” Nina said gripping the door.

  “Garbage bin, east side of the Grinder.”

  Mace held his breath and he could see Nina’s body tense. “Is it…?” Oh fuck, please God, no! “Is it Kayla?” he asked because Nina had gone stiff as marble.

  “Don’t know,” Davis said, shaking his head.

  Nina blinked and turned to look at him. “Let’s go.”

  “Okay.”

  The pain in his leg forgotten, the three of them walked to the Grinder. The scene was easy to find because it swarmed with people. They cut through the crowd. None of them had spoken a word on the way over. Lieutenant Manchester, the lead NCIS investigator for the Blood Shark killings, saw them and intercepted.

  His brow was pressed into hard lines. “It’s not her,” he said, answering their unspoken question.

  Nina actually bent over releasing a deep breath. Mace corralled her in his arms. “Who then?”

  “Lieutenant Manchester,” another man in the NCIS division they’d all gotten to know called out. A few people moved aside and the body became visible. Mace’s blood ran cold. He’d seen the pictures of the other slaughtered women. Nina hadn’t.

  “Oh, my God,” she said, her hand covering her mouth.

  “Two women have gone missing in the last week. This is Casey Todd, a Marine.”

  “Casey Todd,” Mace choked on her name. Nina squeezed his waist.

  “Did you know her?” Nina asked.

  “Yeah,” he said, his eyes wandering to the slaughtered remains lying on the pavement.

  Lieutenant Manchester surveyed him like he did everyone with a reserved look that tipped more on the side of suspicion. Even though he knew the team, until the Shark was caught, anyone could be guilty.

  “I—” The other women who’d been murdered were strangers to him. There was no connection, until now. “I knew her.” Casey was a beautiful young woman. She had the brightest smile, and an image of it settled in his mind. Her deep brown hair spread across a pillow and big beautiful brown eyes looking up at him. They’d laughed a lot, and loved a lot, but she’d wanted a ring, and at twenty-three, still wet behind the ears as a SEAL, marriage wasn’t on the radar.

  “When was the last time you saw her?” Manchester queried.

  He shook his head. “I’ve been gone since February. I don’t know, uh, maybe last summer?”

  “Were you friends or more than that?” Manchester asked.

  He stalled. Nina squeezed him again. “It’s okay, Mace,” she said quietly.

  “More than that.” They’d hooked up once early last year. By that time she wasn’t looking for a ring anymore, she’d just wanted to have a good time, and they had.

  Manchester evaluated his answer and nodded. “Her boyfriend is over there,” he said twisting.

  It was easy to identify him. The guy stood within a circle of Marines who all had a hand on him. He wept, his hands gripping his friends’ arms to steady himself.

  “He’d just asked her to marry him.” Manchester’s scowl deepened. “Shame.”

  Manchester’s sympathy was as cold as he was, but Mace imagined it came from many years of dealing with death. It was hard to keep your empathy intact.

  Someone called Manchester again and he waved. “There’s still nothing on Kayla. I’ll let you know if there is.”

  “Sir, if you don’t mind, I’d like to come see you tomorrow. I want to look through Kayla’s things,” Nina asked.

  “Why?”

  “I want to check something. Can I come in the afternoon?”

  Manchester pulled out his phone and tapped something into it. “One o’clock, I’ll be in my office.” He wandered into the melee of men hovering around the body.

  Nina pulled on Mace’s arm, but he couldn’t take his eyes off Casey. Blood. Death. It was a staple in a warrior’s life on the battlefield, but not here. Not with someone like Casey, who deserved a long, happy life. He swallowed a dry lump and twined his fingers with Nina’s. Her warmth seeped into him, and a flag of determination flipped up, waving in his conscience. His gaze veered to the grief-stricken Marine, who no doubt thought if one of them would be taken, it would be him. How fucking awful to fall in love and have it ripped away like this.

  Nina tugged on him. “Come on, Mace. Let’s go home.” She kissed him on the cheek and clutched his hand.

  “Yeah.” He took a step and stalled. “Wait.” Nina set her green gaze on him. He palmed her cheeks. “I’m not infatuated with you, N
ina.” His brow tightened. “I’ve fallen in love with you. This is crazy fast, but it’s true. I’m not going to play the macho guy role and wait for the appropriate time. There is no such thing when you fall in love. And I’m in love with you.”

  Nina’s eyes closed, and she wrapped both arms around his neck. “Good, because I love you too,” she whispered in his ear.

  They took their time walking back to the apartment, arm in arm. His thoughts drifted from Casey to Nina to Kayla. They had to find the Shark, because they were all living in a nightmare right now. He needed to get Nina out of San Diego, at least for a while. Casey’s death scared the hell out of him. He needed to take Nina home to Canada.

  Chapter Five

  In his twenties, Mace had brought a few girls home he’d dated. This was different. This time it meant something.

  His parents’ urban bungalow sat in the middle of a humble neighborhood. His mom and dad worked hard and made ends meet when he was growing up, but barely. There was a time when both of his parents worked two jobs, but there was always plenty of food on the table and love to spare. Mace gazed at the modest home and wondered what Nina would think of his unpretentious beginnings.

  “You’re not helping,” Nina said an octave higher than she normally spoke.

  He laughed, realizing his silence had her worried. “Nah, babe.” He parked and twined their fingers together. His brothers and sisters cars were already parked hood to bumper on the street. Sunday afternoons were a big family affair, but he’d bet no one was skipping out today. “I’m the youngest, and it’s been my sister’s prime directive to hitch me up for years. My family thinks you can only be happy if you’re married and making grandbabies for mom. I’m the only one left in the family who’s not married.” The word had spread like flame in a puddle of gasoline that he was bringing his girl with him. “Any time you want to leave, just give me a sign. My sisters aren’t going to let off of the gas pedal until they see me standing at the altar.”