by Anna Blakely
“You’ve already told me someone’s after Ellena. Why do I need you for anything else?”
Adrian’s lips curled up into a smug grin. “Because I know who is after her and why. The knowledge she has will help you and your team stop them, but you need to get to her soon.” He glanced at his watch. “It may already be too late.”
The man vanished, leaving Gabe alone in his apartment to try to make sense of what had just transpired.
You let the asshole go. That’s what happened.
“Fuck!” Gabe slammed the palm of his hand against the door, his booming voice echoing through the modest space.
He had him. He fucking had him. What the hell had he been thinking?
You were thinking about keeping Ellena safe.
From the moment Walker uttered her name, Gabe hadn’t been able to think of anything else. His instinct to protect her had always been strong.
That same innate need to keep her safe had been the driving force in his decision to leave her.
If Walker was telling the truth—and Gabe’s gut said the asshole was—Ellena was in danger. Again.
Gabe was well aware that this could all be part of some big, elaborate set-up to take him and the team down, but he couldn’t think about that now. All he could think of…all he cared about…was the woman he’d spent the last three years trying to forget.
I need to call her!
Praying she still had the same number, Gabe shoved his gun back into his waistband and pulled his phone from his jean’s pocket. Muscle memory took over as he dialed the number he hadn’t called in ages.
It started to ring.
It rang again.
Come on, baby. Pick up!
It rang again, and then, “You’ve reached the voicemail of Doctor Ellena Dawson.” Gabe’s chest tightened, her sweet voice stealing every ounce of oxygen in his lungs. “I’m unable to come to the phone right now, but if you’ll leave your name, number, and a brief message, I’ll return your call as soon as possible. If this is a medical or mental health emergency, please hang up and call nine-one-one.”
Gabe held his breath as he waited for the beep. He tried not to think about the fact that these would be the first words she’d hear from him since he’d left her years before.
“Take care of yourself, Elle. I’ll see you in my dreams.”
That’s what he said to her the last time he’d seen her. He’d always said those last six words to her right before his SEAL team would leave for an op. That and… I love you.
Gabe hadn’t said those three little words to her when he’d left for the last time. Not because they weren’t true. They would always be true.
Until the day I die.
Gabe had purposely chosen not to tell Ellena he loved her right before he walked away. Mainly because he knew she no longer believed him.
Wrapped up in the particularly shitty memory, he nearly missed the beep’s end. He swallowed hard and began to speak.
“Elle, it’s me.” He cleared the trembling fear from his throat and spoke quickly. “Listen, I know it’s been a long time, and this is going to sound crazy, but I think you’re in danger.” God, he hated to just blurt that shit out. Mumbling a curse, he ran a hand over his salt and pepper scruff before continuing, “I’m sorry to drop this on you out of the blue, and I promise I’m not trying to scare you, but…I’ll explain more when I get there, okay? I’m leaving Dallas tonight, and I’ll call you as soon as I land. Do me a favor and don’t go anywhere. Keep your doors locked, and don’t answer them or the phone unless it’s me. Call me when you get this.” Because he knew how much she hated being bossed around, Gabe added a quick, “Please.”
He barely got the message out before the phone beeped again, ending the recording.
Rushing down the short hallway to his room, Gabe began to frantically pack. Uncaring of how wrinkled his wadded-up clothes would be, he filled the large suitcase with enough to last a week, along with all the necessary toiletries.
He was zipping the suitcase closed when his phone began to ring.
Heart pounding, he snatched the phone from his mattress. He answered on the first ring.
“Ellena?” He was met with silence.
Frowning, he held the phone away and looked at the screen. The area code matched hers, but the call was from a number he didn’t recognize.
Gabe put the phone back to his ear. “Hello?” He spoke a little louder that time.
“Uh, yes. Is this Gabriel Dawson?”
His heart sunk. The female voice on the other end of the call didn’t belong to his Elle.
She’s not yours, anymore.
Ignoring the annoying prick-of-a-voice, Gabe answered the woman. “That’s me.”
“Mr. Dawson, my name is Amy Hallowell. I’m an emergency room nurse calling from the Naval Medical Center in San Diego.”
It was the same hospital where Ellena works. Except Ellena worked on the mental health floor, and this woman had said emergency room.
A ball of dread settled in Gabe’s stomach. “Yes?”
“Sir, I’m calling because Ellena Dawson was brought in as a patient this evening, and you are listed in her chart as the person to contact in case of an emergency.”
“Is she okay?”
“Sir, Ellena was in a pretty bad car accident. She’s currently unconscious and listed in serious but stable condition.”
Ah, God.
Gabe grabbed his suitcase from the bed and raced down the hallway. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Walker’s warning ran through his head. “Do not let anyone other than hospital personal in her room.”
There was a pause and then, “Sir?”
“Amy, I need you to listen to me. I am a retired Master Chief Special Warfare Operator.” Because she worked in a Naval hospital, she should understand what that means. “Less than five minutes before you called, I was made aware of a threat to Ellena’s life.” He stepped out of his apartment, locked his door, and jogged to his truck. “I’m in Dallas now, but I’ll be there as soon as I can. In the meantime, Ellena needs security posted outside her room. Do you understand?”
Obviously flustered, the woman attempted to respond. “I-I…um…”
Shit. He needed to make her understand. “Amy?”
“Y-yes?”
“I’m going to give you a phone number, and then I’m going to hang up. I want you to wait three minutes and call that number.”
“Who am I calling?”
Gabe got into his truck and started the engine. Tires squealed loudly as he tore out of the parking lot and headed for Jake McQueen’s ranch.
More specifically, the private airstrip located on his ranch.
“The number I’m giving you is a direct line to Agent Jason Ryker with Homeland Security. He will be able to verify who I am and that this is not a hoax or some type of prank. The threat to Ellena is very real, and I need for your hospital to take it seriously.” He rattled off Ryker’s number. “I’m going to hang up now, Amy. Please. Call the number. Ask for Agent Ryker.”
“How will I know this man is really a Homeland agent?”
“Trust me. You’ll know.”
Another pause. “What exactly is your relationship to the patient? It doesn’t say in her chart.”
Gabe swallowed before answering, “Ellena’s my wife.”
Also by Anna Blakely
Other Books by Anna Blakely
Bravo Team Series
Rescuing Gracelynn
Rescuing Katherine
Rescuing Gabriella
R.I.S.C. SERIES:
Book 1: Taking a Risk, Part One (Jake & Olivia’s HFN)
Book 2: Taking a Risk, Part Two (Jake & Olivia’s HEA)
Book 3: Beautiful Risk (Trevor & Lexi)
Book 4: Intentional Risk (Derek & Charlotte)
Book 5: Unpredictable Risk (Grant & Brynnon)
Book 6: Ultimate Risk (Coop & Mac)
Book 7: Targeted Risk (Mike & Jules)
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*Unexpected Risk was originally released as part of the Because He’s Perfect charity anthology. It is now only available through this link, and brings you Kole & Sarah’s trying experience while dealing with shocking news and a malevolent stalker.
About the Author
Author Anna Blakely brings you stories of love, action, and edge-of-your-seat suspense. As an avid reader of romantic suspense herself, Anna’s dream is to create stories her readers will enjoy and characters they’ll fall in love with as much as she has. She believes in true love and happily-ever-after, and that’s what she will always bring to you.
Anna lives in rural Missouri with her husband, children, and several rescued animals. When she’s not writing, Anna enjoys reading, watching action and horror movies (the scarier the better), and spending time with her amazing husband, four wonderful children, and her adorable granddaughter.
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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18650841.Anna_Blakely
There are many more books in this fan fiction world than listed here, for an up-to-date list go to www.AcesPress.com
You can also visit our Amazon page at:
http://www.amazon.com/author/operationalpha
Special Forces: Operation Alpha World
Christie Adams: Charity’s Heart
Denise Agnew: Dangerous to Hold
Shauna Allen: Awakening Aubrey
Brynne Asher: Blackburn
Linzi Baxter: Unlocking Dreams
Jennifer Becker: Hiding Catherine
Alice Bello: Shadowing Milly
Heather Blair: Rescue Me
Anna Blakely: Rescuing Gracelynn
Julia Bright: Saving Lorelei
Cara Carnes: Protecting Mari
Kendra Mei Chailyn: Beast
Melissa Kay Clarke: Rescuing Annabeth
Samantha A. Cole: Handling Haven
Sue Coletta: Hacked
Melissa Combs: Gallant
Anne Conley: Redemption for Misty
KaLyn Cooper: Rescuing Melina
Liz Crowe: Marking Mariah
Sarah Curtis: Securing the Odds
Jordan Dane: Redemption for Avery
Tarina Deaton: Found in the Lost
Aspen Drake, Intense
KL Donn: Unraveling Love
Riley Edwards: Protecting Olivia
PJ Fiala: Defending Sophie
Nicole Flockton: Protecting Maria
Michele Gwynn: Rescuing Emma
Casey Hagen: Shielding Nebraska
Desiree Holt: Protecting Maddie
Kathy Ivan: Saving Sarah
Kris Jacen, Be With Me
Jesse Jacobson: Protecting Honor
Silver James: Rescue Moon
Becca Jameson: Saving Sofia
Kate Kinsley: Protecting Ava
Heather Long: Securing Arizona
Gennita Low: No Protection
Kirsten Lynn: Joining Forces for Jesse
Margaret Madigan: Bang for the Buck
Kimberly McGath: The Predecessor
Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Baby
KD Michaels: Saving Laura
Lynn Michaels, Rescuing Kyle
Wren Michaels: The Fox & The Hound
Kat Mizera: Protecting Bobbi
Keira Montclair, Wolf and the Wild Scots
Mary B Moore: Force Protection
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Butterfly
Angela Nicole: Protecting the Donna
MJ Nightingale: Protecting Beauty
Sarah O’Rourke: Saving Liberty
Victoria Paige: Reclaiming Izabel
Anne L. Parks: Mason
Debra Parmley: Protecting Pippa
Lainey Reese: Protecting New York
TL Reeve and Michele Ryan: Extracting Mateo
Elena M. Reyes: Keeping Ava
Angela Rush: Charlotte
Rose Smith: Saving Satin
Jenika Snow: Protecting Lily
Lynne St. James: SEAL’s Spitfire
Dee Stewart: Conner
Harley Stone: Rescuing Mercy
Jen Talty: Burning Desire
Reina Torres, Rescuing Hi’ilani
Savvi V: Loving Lex
Megan Vernon: Protecting Us
Rachel Young: Because of Marissa
Delta Team Three Series
Lori Ryan: Nori’s Delta
Becca Jameson: Destiny’s Delta
Lynne St James, Gwen’s Delta
Elle James: Ivy’s Delta
Riley Edwards, Hope’s Delta
Police and Fire: Operation Alpha World
Freya Barker: Burning for Autumn
BP Beth: Scott
Julia Bright, Justice for Amber
Anna Brooks, Guarding Georgia
KaLyn Cooper: Justice for Gwen
Aspen Drake: Sheltering Emma
Deanndra Hall: Shelter for Sharla
Barb Han: Kace
EM Hayes: Gambling for Ashleigh
CM Steele: Guarding Hope
Reina Torres: Justice for Sloane
Aubree Valentine, Justice for Danielle
Maddie Wade: Finding English
Stacey Wilk: Stage Fright
Laine Vess: Justice for Lauren
Tarpley VFD Series
Silver James, Fighting for Elena
Deanndra Hall, Fighting for Carly
Haven Rose, Fighting for Calliope
MJ Nightingale, Fighting for Jemma
TL Reeve, Fighting for Brittney
Nicole Flockton, Fighting for Nadia
As you know, this book included at least one character from Susan Stoker’s books. To check out more, see below.
SEAL of Protection: Legacy Series
Securing Caite
Securing Brenae (novella)
Securing Sidney
Securing Piper
Securing Zoey
Securing Avery
Securing Kalee (Sept 2020)
Securing Jane (Feb 2021)
SEAL Team Hawaii Series
Finding Elodie (Apr 2021)
Finding Lexie (Aug 2021)
Finding Kenna (Oct 2021)
Finding Monica (TBA)
Finding Carly (TBA)
Finding Ashlyn (TBA)
Delta Team Two Series
Shielding Gillian
Shielding Kinley (Aug 2020)
Shielding Aspen (Oct 2020)
Shielding Riley (Jan 2021)
Shielding Devyn (May 2021)
Shielding Ember (Sep 2021)
Shielding Sierra (TBA)
Delta Force Heroes Series
Rescuing Rayne (FREE!)
Rescuing Aimee (novella)
Rescuing Emily
Rescuing Harley
Marrying Emily (novella)
Rescuing Kassie
Rescuing Bryn
Rescuing Casey
Rescuing Sadie (novella)
Rescuing Wendy
Rescuing Mary
Rescuing Macie (Novella)
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
<
br /> Justice for Hope
Shelter for Quinn
Shelter for Koren
Shelter for Penelope
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 Kiera (novella)
Protecting Alabama’s Kids (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 Tennessee where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, Indiana, and Texas. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.
www.stokeraces.com
www.AcesPress.com
[email protected]
