Daniel's Choice: Brotherhood Protectors World

by Pam Mantovani

  “Army. Rangers. I got hit in the hip by sniper fire. It’s better now, but not really stable enough for deployment into the field.” He shrugged, and she guessed there had to be more to the story. He nodded to the stairs and they began to go downstairs. “A friend of a friend of a friend told me about Hank’s group. Since my enlistment was up, I decided to check it out.”

  “I’m sorry you were injured, but I’m hard pressed to complain when your choice to come here is helping me out.”

  She stopped at the bottom of the stairs, realized he’d also stopped – a few steps above her. She looked up, her heart suddenly pounding. His eyes drilled into hers, made elicit promises with the hot look that had her going wet. Again.

  “Hard pressed is how I want you. Against me, as I fill you with this dick that’s been long and hard since I had eyes on you.”

  She had one foot back on the stairs, ready to go to him, to see just what he could do, when she felt the buzz of her cell phone in her back pocket.

  She slipped it out, glanced down and cried out. As her legs crumbled beneath her, Daniel was beside her. His arms wrapped around her, held her steady as he slowly lowered her to the floor. Avery rocked. “My baby.”

  Daniel pried the phone from her hands, swore softly at the photo, taken from a distance, of Cole stepping off the school bus. At the end of the lane where she and Daniel had sat in his truck, discussing how to explain his sudden presence in her life. Avery buried her face in his shoulders, tears brimming in her eyes.

  “How does he get home from the bus?”

  Her head shot up, nearly clipped him on the chin. She glanced down at the phone, shuttered at still finding the photo rather than the lock screen showing the time. She looked across the room to the mantel clock. She’d already started to stand when the front door swung open.

  “Mommy.”

  Avery ran across the room, scooped her son up into her arms. As she struggled to force back the tears she didn’t want him to see, Cole wiggled in her arms.

  “You’re squeezing me.”

  “You’re just so squeezable.” She forced out a laugh as her heart lifted in joy and relief. “Like a big orange.” She made slurping noises as she kissed his cheeks. Knowing she had little choice, she then relaxed her grip and let him slide to the floor.

  “How was your day?” she asked, inching away to give her room to study him and brush back a lock of light brown hair from his face. She couldn’t let anything happen to him. She’d never live through it.

  “’Kay. ‘Lisbeth had a bloody nose. It went all over her shirt. I’m hungry, can I have a snack?”

  “’Kay.” She smiled at him.

  “Why didn’t you meet me at the bus?”

  “Oh, I guess I got distracted.” Guilt rolled through her. She’d been so caught up in the hunger that Daniel stirred in her she’d forgotten all about picking Cole up from the bus stop. “Did you walk home?”

  “Nah. Randy gave me a ride. On his horse,” Cole added, and she knew that was a thrill for him. “I didn’t see your truck.” Then her baby’s hazel eyes, a legacy from the father he’d never known, widened. “Who’s that?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

  “This is Daniel. He’s a friend, that is, he came to see your daddy.”

  “I never knew my daddy.”

  Avery held her breath and blocked the regret as Daniel crossed the room, knelt down beside her. “I know how you feel. I never knew my daddy either.”

  “Do you have a Mommy?”

  “Yes,” he finally answered after a long pause. “I haven’t seen her in a long time.”

  “It’s a long time when I’m at school.”

  Daniel chuckled. “I hear that.”

  “You have hair like Mommy’s.”

  “I, oh.” Daniel smiled and swiped a hand over his stubby tail. “I was in the hospital and couldn’t get a haircut.”

  “You wear a bracelet, like a girl.”

  Daniel touched a finger to the cord connecting a brass rectangle embossed with the American flag that surrounded his left wrist. “A buddy of mine gave me this. It’s for an organization that raises money to give dogs to wounded veterans. A veteran is a soldier who’s no longer a soldier.”

  “Are you a soldier?”

  “I was.”

  Cole slid a glance at his mother. “I want a dog. I’m gonna ask Santa for a dog and I’m gonna name him Pete.”

  “You asked for a snack.”

  “I could have both.”

  “Today you only get one of the brownies I made this morning,” Avery said, knowing Cole had a weakness for them, in addition to providing a way to shift the conversation onto a different track.

  “Brownies are my favorite,” Daniel said. Two pairs of brown eyes, so different in age and experience, and yet similar in their plea, turned to her. “Plus I’ve never known a female who could resist chocolate.”

  “Then you’ve met your first.” Avery stood, held out a hand to her son. Thankful for the warmth, the inherent trust of his little fingers linked with hers, she could think of nothing she’d deny her son today. That didn’t mean she was any less aware of Daniel following them into the kitchen. “But, you’re in luck that this particular female can’t resist her favorite guy.”

  “Can I have two?” Cole asked.

  “One.” She flicked a fingertip down his nose. “Then we need to feed the horses.”

  From the corner of her eye she watched Daniel studying the room. She assumed he checked the layout, noted the doors and windows as he gave the appearance of watching her take the foil off a platter on the center of the island. If not for two terrifying rushes of panic, coupled with an incredible sexual awareness, she might have relaxed and enjoyed the moment. Only, after sliding one small square onto a plate followed by a larger serving on another, she glanced up, shivered at the dark, inviting look in his eyes.

  “How come he gets a bigger piece?” Cole asked from where he climbed onto a stool across the island from her.

  Because he’s big in all the right ways. While she managed to keep the words from tripping off her tongue, she couldn’t stop the quiver low in her belly. It took all of her will to resist indulging in a once-over of Daniel’s hard body.

  Instead, she focused on him slicing a thin sliver of his brownie – hardly enough to bother with and yet she knew it would mean the world to her son - and placing it on Cole’s plate. “Anything else happen at school today, Cole?”

  “Nope. Mommy, can I have some juice?”

  “Milk,” Avery corrected on auto-pilot as she headed for the cupboard next to the refrigerator.

  “Can I have some?” She looked over her shoulder to see Daniel staring at her. He smiled a little, doing nothing to reduce or diminish the heated sensuality of his gaze. It was a look that reminded her she was a woman as well as a mother. “I love a good glass of cold milk.”

  Swallowing, she nodded and turned away, closing her eyes for one long indrawn breath before she opened the cabinet and took down two glasses. While Cole and Daniel enjoyed their brownies and milk, she nursed a cup of coffee and observed their interaction. Avery slowly realized Daniel kept up a running dialogue meant to pry information out of Cole about the day, and any potential danger he might have faced, without Cole becoming suspicious or afraid.

  Amused, she listened as Daniel explained to Cole that a soldier always cleans up after himself rather than expect someone else to do the job. The serenity of the moment vanished with the knock at the back door.

  Daniel instantly moved, sweeping up Cole, ducking a little and moving to the far side of the back door. Kneeling he looked at Cole and placed a finger over his lips. Her little boy’s eyes were wide but he nodded. It unnerved her to see how quickly Cole went along with Daniel’s instructions.

  Daniel pivoted a little, his hand going to his back. That’s when she realized that while he didn’t wear the shoulder holster she’d felt earlier today, he must have a gun at the small of his back. His eyes blaze
d with intensity when he looked at her, when he nodded for her to answer.

  Her mouth dry, heart pounding in her chest, she looked at Cole who silently watched. With a forced smile to reassure him, she swiped her damp palms on her jeans and reached for the knob.

  “Hi, Avery.”

  Every bone and muscle in her went limp at the sight of the young man standing on the porch, his hat in his hand and his dark hair damp with sweat. From the corner of her eye, she saw Daniel straighten, place a comforting hand on Cole’s shoulder. “Hi, Randy. What’s up?” she asked.

  “I was about to knock off for the day. Wanted to make sure you were here since you didn’t pick up the little guy from the bus.”

  “I guess I lost track of time. But, thanks, Randy for bringing Cole home.” She managed a smile. “You know he loves riding a horse whenever possible.”

  “I didn’t see your truck anywhere.” He glanced over his shoulder to where you could just make out the rear fender of Daniel’s truck.

  “I had some engine trouble when I went into town. Lucky for me an old friend of Brad’s was following so I was able to ride with him.”

  “Hello.” Daniel stepped around Avery, Cole held secure by his left arm as he extended his right hand to Randy. “I’m Daniel Sawyer.”

  If Avery hadn’t been so nervous she might have smiled at the way skinny Randy swallowed his awe at the appearance of a muscular Daniel. After a few moments of friendly talk, Randy left. Closing the door, Daniel lowered Cole to the floor.

  “Cole.” Avery drew in a deep breath. “Why don’t you go get your boots and we’ll go out to check on the horses?” Her suggestion did exactly what she’d hoped, Cole ran off like a bullet. She spun to face Daniel.

  “You’re wearing a gun.”

  “And I will until I put an end to the threats against you.” He stepped closer, crowding her even as she refused to back away so much as an inch. “I’ve been hired to protect you. And your son.” She knew he’d added that last bit to goad her. Still, she couldn’t argue when Cole’s safety mattered more than her own. “What I’ve not been hired to do is this. But, I’ll be damned if I wait until I’m done before I do it.”

  With his hand curling around her neck, he pulled her against his hard chest. She looked up, seeing in his gaze his intent to kiss her. He hesitated, long enough for her to voice denial or push him away. Banding her arms around his waist, she shivered when she grazed the gun at his back. Moving her hands lower, she cupped his ass as she rose on her toes.

  And had her world rocked to her core.

  She wasn’t a virgin, and even before she’d had her first lover she’d kissed several boys. Nothing in her experience prepared her for the feel of Daniel’s mouth on hers.

  He all but devoured her. His lips were firm, demanding, as he covered hers. As he had hers opening, inviting, accepting, making demands of her own.

  This was no sweet, soft seduction. This was insistent passion refusing to be calmed. This was a kiss promising all kinds of naughty ways to make her body explode. She moaned a little, tightening her hold on the hard muscle of his ass, craving the climax his kiss incited within her. She nearly boosted herself up to wrap her legs around him so she could have, even through layers of material, the glory of his thick arousal satisfying her. Or, her dizzy mind considered, she could drag him to the floor, not caring one whit where they were, how long they’d known one another, or who might come upon them.

  Only, that someone would be her son.

  Like a cold splash of water in the face, the realization hit her, stopped her. She jerked her mouth free of his. Her hands were slower to get the release message. Daniel’s fingers relaxed but didn’t relinquish his hold on her neck.

  “I probably broke one of the Brotherhood Protector rules,” he said, the claim soft under his labored breathing. His eyes remained locked on hers, searching for how she felt about his behavior. “But damn if I can care.”

  “Since I was a more than willing participant, I could hardly ask that you be removed.”

  He smiled, and a part of her wanted to throw caution to the wind and reach for him at the way his face changed from dark and dangerous to open and inviting. “Willing participant, hell. You practically jumped me.”

  “I wanted to.”

  Her bold statement had him taking a step forward. The loud clomp of small boots on the stairs stopped him.

  “He’s your first priority,” Avery said, reaching out a hand and clamping it around his wrist. Her palm covered the cording and brass in the bracelet he wore. “I don’t care what you and Hank discussed. If it comes down to a choice between Cole and me, you choose my son.” Her fingers flexed a little. The needs Daniel had ignited within her were quieted for now by her concern for her son’s safety.

  “Promise me that you’ll choose my son.”

  Chapter 4

  Years of conditioning, first out of necessity in his childhood and later out of habit in the military, had Daniel awake early. It surprised him he’d slept as well as he had.

  He would never forget the feel of Avery Lanier pressed against him, answering his kisses with her own. If not for her backing away, and then only because little Cole had been coming down the stairs, he would have lowered them both to the floor. Instead, hours later, he’d had to settle for self-relief in the shower. God knows he’d had to succumb to that kind of method in the past. But not when the woman who had him hard and aching was within reach. And had earlier in the evening been as willing as he could hope for.

  She wasn’t anything at all like the usual woman he took to bed. For one thing she was a mother. He didn’t do mothers. Ever.

  Too often from where he’d slept on the pull-out sofa he’d watched his mother stagger into their crappy apartment, trailed by any number of strange men following her into bed.

  Besides, he’d had time enough to think while Avery, Cole and he had been in the barn. Even with the distraction of Cole telling him the name of every horse, he’d been able to take a mental step-back and examine the situation.

  He’d been hired by Hank Patterson, a man he only met yesterday. Yet Hank trusted Daniel to protect Avery and Cole. He wouldn’t let them down. Any of them. Especially when he recalled Avery’s insistence that Cole’s well-being came before her own.

  With that in mind, he got out of bed, dressed, arranged his things in such a way he’d know if anyone touched anything, and left the room. Both Avery and Cole’s bedroom doors were still closed. Not surprising since it was shy of six in the morning.

  Only, when he entered the kitchen, he found Avery, placing a wicker basket on the island counter.

  “Good morning,” she said, jumping a little when she caught sight of him.

  “Where the hell have you been?”

  “Outside.” She frowned as she picked up the basket, with about a half dozen eggs he saw now, and carried them over to the sink. “I had to feed the animals.”

  “It’s not even light outside.”

  “Daniel, I’ve lived here my whole life. I know how to move around.”

  “So does anyone who might want to hurt you.”

  That stopped her. She leaned straight-armed on the counter, lowered her head and took several deep breaths, as if straining for control. “I appreciate more than I can say what you’re doing. I know we all need to be extra careful and keep a closer watch on everything around us.” With a deeper breath, she swung around. In her gaze he recognized the light of battle, a willingness to confront an enemy, the courage every soldier had to find within himself.

  The same kind of fiery passion he’d tasted in her kisses.

  “But I’ll be damned if I hide in my own damned house.”

  “I don’t expect you to hide.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “But I do need to know your schedule.”

  She leaned back against the counter, apparently losing the steam that had fired her confrontation. In fact, the barest light of humor sparkled in her eyes. “Daniel, I’m a ranch owner and a mother.
My schedule, such as it is, is flexible at best and chaotic at worst. Animals or children get sick. Young, foolish hands call to say they’re too hungover to work.” She reached behind her and drew out a small baby monitor from her pocket. “Which is why I did the early morning feedings.”

  “Does this happen often?”

  “Randy’s young.” She turned and drew down two cups of coffee, then glanced back over her shoulder with a questioning lift of her brow. He nodded. “I’m sure you’ve had your share of mornings when you wished for a little more time in bed.”

  He knew she meant mornings after a night of drinking. Not that he’d done much of that. He limited his alcohol intake, to the point where his unit often razzed him about it. Even if his childhood hadn’t soured him on the thought of being out of control, too often he’d seen smart men make dumbass decisions while drunk. As for mornings after sex, well the women he usually fucked didn’t care one way or the other if he stayed around afterward.

  “What about your other hand?”

  “Carl is two months shy of turning seventy. I will not ask him to get out of bed this early. It’s not as if Randy does this kind of thing very often.” She smiled a little. “But rumor has it there’s a new waitress at Blue Moose Tavern and Randy’s got a little crush on her.”

  “A new waitress?” She nodded, her lips going flat. Daniel might not have any training as a bodyguard, but he had an internal alarm that had held him in good stead during battles and recon. It hummed along his spine now. “How long has she been working there?”

  “I don’t know. You’d have to ask Randy.” She sipped her coffee, kept the mug shielding part of her face. “I know you’re here for my and Cole’s protection.” She blew out a breath, met his gaze only for it to then slide to the right. “You probably wish you were free to go into town in the evenings. That is, I know living on a ranch out in the country isn’t what you’re used to.”

  “I’m looking forward to some peace and quiet,” he said, then shrugged his shoulders. “Besides, I’ve never been one to hang out in bars and go home with any willing waitress for a night of sex.”