Rescuing Samantha (Special Forces: Operation Alpha)
Nicole Flockton
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.
© 2019 ACES PRESS, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this work may be used, stored, reproduced or transmitted without written permission from the publisher except for brief quotations for review purposes as permitted by law.
This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, please purchase your own copy.
Dear Readers,
Welcome to the Special Forces: Operation Alpha Fan-Fiction world!
If you are new to this amazing world, in a nutshell the author wrote a story using one or more of my characters in it. Sometimes that character has a major role in the story, and other times they are only mentioned briefly. This is perfectly legal and allowable because they are going through Aces Press to publish the story.
This book is entirely the work of the author who wrote it. While I might have assisted with brainstorming and other ideas about which of my characters to use, I didn’t have any part in the process or writing or editing the story.
I’m proud and excited that so many authors loved my characters enough that they wanted to write them into their own story. Thank you for supporting them, and me!
READ ON!
Xoxo
Susan Stoker
About the Book
An RPG attack. A career in turmoil. A life teetering on the edge.
Empty and lost, former Navy SEAL Beck, stands at a crossroad. A job opportunity in New York is as far away from his previous world, as he can get. Only life has other plans for Beck and he finds himself back on the West Coast doing personal security for an up and coming Hollywood actress.
Samantha needs help, but won’t admit it. Her lifestyle has put her family in the line of fire. To protect them, she cut ties with everyone and decides to go it alone. After an accident on set, she concedes she needs help and agrees to a bodyguard following her every move.
The simmering attraction between Samantha and Beck escalates until they can’t ignore it. But when Samantha’s life is put in danger, can Beck face his shortcomings and keep her safe?
To Rachel, my Starbucks buddy, I look forward to our Tuesday morning get togethers
Acknowledgments
A huge thank you to Susan for entrusting me with Samantha, Rayne Jackson’s sister. I had a blast writing her story and hope that the Samantha I created is how you envisioned her.
To Abigail, girl how I’ve needed your recently. Thank you for encouraging me through my recent slump where writing one word seemed too hard. Your support and friendship are something I can count on, on a daily basis in this crazy publishing world.
Jennifer, you’ve done it again, created the most amazing cover for this book. Thank you for your amazing skills and help.
To Tara and Maddie, whose eagles eyes went over this manuscript to make it the best it can be.
I couldn’t do this if it wasn’t for you, the reader, thank you for picking this book up, for reading my stories. The messages I receive are just what I need to keep going. I love it when you reach out to me.
As always my family are my silent support. I appreciate the love and patience you always show me. I can’t do this without knowing that I have you all pushing me to do my best.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Epilogue
About the Author
Also by Nicole Flockton
More Special Forces: Operation Alpha World Books
Books by Susan Stoker
1
Cane ‘Beck’ Beckwith slouched in the reception chair waiting to go see his friend and former Navy SEAL Riley ‘Ash’ Ashton. Sitting in an office in New York City was the last place he wanted to be.
He shifted in the uncomfortable seat and glanced out the window to a view of concrete and buildings. Where he really yearned to be was on a sandy beach in San Diego, pushing his muscles to the limit as he did his morning PT with his teammates. A scenario that wasn’t going to happen again, not after the mortar attack on the building he’d been hiding in left him with a blown out ankle and shrapnel injuries to both arms. One fucking lucky strike and his career as a SEAL had been wiped out.
Over.
Ever since the day after his high school graduation, the Navy had been his life. It had taken him two attempts to complete BUD/s training. Determination to prove, not only to himself, but to his team, that he was a valuable member kept him waking up at the ass crack of dawn to punish his body over and over. He’d give anything to feel the burn of his thigh muscles as he pounded the soft sand again. Even his arms shaking from exertion as he completed his push-ups would be a sensation he’d embrace.
Why was he even sitting in this reception area? It’s not like he could provide the service that Ash’s company was known for. He should get up and walk out, but his promise to his team lead—make that former team lead—kept his butt firmly planted in the chair.
“Beck, good to see you.”
He looked up to find Ash striding toward him, a welcoming smile on his face. Beck stood and winced at the short jab of pain as he placed his weight on his ankle. Would there ever be a time when he could walk without discomfort?
He’d done everything right. Attended months of physical therapy and still his ankle hadn’t healed fully. The medical board’s decision had cut deep, but he respected it. What could he do? To be an effective member of his team he had to be one hundred percent physically fit; at best he was eighty percent. He’d planned to be a lifer, not have to be medically retired.
All he knew was how to be a SEAL.
Now he didn’t know who he was.
If the guys could see him running, they’d laugh their pants off. He looked as awkward as he felt, but he still persisted because when he was pounding the pavement he could let his mind imagine that his life was what it had been twelve months ago. Reality always came crashing down when he stepped the wrong way and a sharp pain shot through his ankle making him stumble.
Yeah, life was a fucking bed of roses.
“Ash, it’s been a while.” He reached out and grasped Ash’s outstretched hand.
“It has. Come on, Storm’s waiting to meet you too.”
Beck assumed Storm was Grayson Warren the other partner in the Alliez Security Forces firm. Storm was also a former SEAL. He and Ash had been on the same team. How had they coped with the transition from active service to civilian? Probably easier than him, because it had been their decision to leave the Navy, it hadn’t been forced on them like it had him.
Looking at Ash it was plain to see his friend had kept himself in shape. Ash still resembled the lean fighting machine required to be a SEAL. He’d also heard that Ash was married to a surgeon. Beck had been away on a mission when they’d gotten married.
Ash had done well for himself since he’d left the service, maybe I can too.
Ash stopped by a door and indicated for him to precede him into the room. Beck concentrated on making sure his gait was even and showed no hint of a limp. He suppos
ed it didn’t matter, considering Ash probably knew all about his injuries from his former team lead, Knox ‘Fort’ Porter. Fort had encouraged him to attend this meeting, even though it was the last thing Beck wanted to do. He didn’t need a pity job. Fort assured him it wasn’t that at all. He’d told Beck that Ash and Storm were good guys whose business was flourishing so they needed all the help they could get.
Another man stood by the bank of windows, a phone up to his ear. “Lil, I gotta go. I love you too. Give Ava big kisses for me. And yeah, I’m definitely looking forward to seeing your latest design.”
Beck cleared his throat. “Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Storm pocketed his phone and walked towards him. “Nah, it’s fine. Grayson Warren, good to meet you Beck. We’ve heard some good things about you from Fort.”
His instinct was to scoff, but he swallowed it down. “Cane Beckwith, but call me Beck. And thanks, I hope I can live up to his words. I’m not as useful now as I was before.”
Ash took a seat at the table and indicated for Beck to do the same. “Stop right there, Beck. We know you’ve been injured and the nature of it. I’m sure you’re probably wondering why we wanted to meet with you.”
He grimaced. “Yeah the thought has crossed my mind a few times.”
Storm nodded and leaned forward. “How about I give you a little history about the business and why we think you’ll be a good fit for us.”
“Sounds good.”
“I started the business with another guy. Let’s just say it didn’t work out well and I almost lost everything. Then Ash came on board as a partner, and, between us, we’ve built the business from the usual PI surveillance shop to providing security for some of the biggest names in the music and film industry here in New York. We’re looking to expand, and one of our guys is currently in LA looking at office space so we can set up shop there in the next couple of months.”
Beck tensed at the mention of Los Angeles, that was too close to San Diego for him. Too close to his former base and where his team all lived. Were they wanting him to be part of the new office? He wasn’t sure he could do that. When Fort had told him Ash lived in New York and his business was based there, he’d looked at it as an opportunity to get as far away from the people and places that made him heart sore. He didn’t have a lot of stuff so he boxed it all up, put it in storage and moved over to New York. He rented a room in a shared house on a month to month basis and it worked for him.
“Right, so what are you saying? That you want me to be part of your LA team? Because I’m not sure about that.”
Ash leaned back and studied him. Beck met his gaze head on. Never show weakness in the face of an enemy was something that had been drummed into them in BUD/s. Ash wasn’t his enemy but his plans for Beck could make him one.
“Not really. We’ve sent Ox out there to manage the LA office. With him gone, we need someone here to fill his spot.” Ash paused and Beck waited for the but to be spoken out loud. “But, I won’t rule out asking you to go to LA to help Ox with setting it up if he needs it. You know the area and may be able to help him with find the ideal location, as well as assist with recruiting guys who will be a good fit for our organization. I’m not saying it’s going to happen, and I expect you to get on the next plane. Only that it’s a possibility.”
A breath whooshed out of Beck, could he do this? Could he take this new position even with the chance that he may have to head back to the West Coast for an extended period?
Yes. Yes he could go back and forth if they needed him to.
A SEAL never gave up or gave in to his doubts. If he did, he could die. While Beck’s career might be over, he couldn’t stop living. He’d risked his life on too many occasions to just give up because of a roadblock.
Besides he felt comfortable around Ash and Storm. It could be because they were former servicemen and they’d made a new career for themselves. A career that obviously proved lucrative given the fact they were looking at opening up an office on the West Coast. Fort had been right in chastising him for wasting away and giving up on life. He owed his former team lead. He owed his former teammates who still called him up to shoot the breeze with him.
The time had come to start living again.
“When do I start?”
“Excellent.” Ash smiled and pulled a folder that was sitting in the middle of the table toward him. Opening he extracted some pages and handed them to Beck.
“This is our standard contract,” Storm said. “It outlines base salary, benefits and bonus details if you’re working for a high profile client and they require you twenty-four seven.”
Beck scanned the pages, raising his eyebrow at the generous salary that was being offered. Who knew a private security business could be so lucrative? Being medically retired entitled him to receive some retirement benefits, but no way could he sit on his ass for the rest of his life. He needed to do something, be useful, otherwise he’d fall into a black pit of nothingness and never get out.
Everything in the contract looked good and a buzz of excitement filled him. A sensation he hadn’t experienced since his accident.
“We’re not out to take advantage of anyone. One of the things Storm and I discussed when we went into business together was to employ as many ex-military people as we could. Do you have any questions?” asked Ash.
“I think everything looks good.” Beck looked up and eyed his friend. “It’s a generous contract.”
“As I said, we want good men and are willing to do whatever is necessary to keep them.” He slid a pen toward Beck.
A knock at the door had everyone in the room looking up as it opened. The receptionist who’d greeted him poked her head in. “I’m sorry to interrupt. Riley, Ox is on the phone and he says it’s important.”
“Thanks, I’ll be right back.” Ash stood and strode out of the room.
Beck picked up the pen and turned to the signing pages. He hesitated before signing his name. This was it. This was the start of the next chapter of his life. A life after the Navy and opposite to the one he’d been expecting to live out.
“Beck, if you want to take it and have your lawyer look it over that’s fine,” Storm said.
Beck smiled. “No, I don’t need to do that. I trust you and Ash. It’s just, well…”
“You didn’t expect to be doing something like this. You thought you’d be a lifer in the Navy.”
How had Storm known that’s exactly the thoughts he’d been having?
“Yeah, in my mind they’d come knocking on my door and force me to retire. Having to stand in front of my commanding officer and listen to him tell me the medical board had given me two options: a desk job or to be medically retired, was the worst day of my life.” Beck closed his eyes as he recalled the rush of disappointment and anger coalescing in his belly at the news.
How hard it was to keep from yelling out his frustration. Even now the emotions were so tangible he could almost taste them. Shaking them off he looked at Storm again. “After thinking about it for a week the decision had been relatively easy. I couldn’t imagine sitting behind a desk so I accepted the discharge offer, signed the papers the next week effectively ending my career.”
“Fuck, man, I’m sorry. Ash and I are excited to have you join our team. Some of the guys we’ve got haven’t been in the military and while they’re excellent, they lack that instinctual knowledge of reading situations. Or knowing, when the shit hits the fan, how to come up with a change of plan on the spot. They’re learning but we know we don’t have to worry about that with you. We know that when we send you out, you’ll be ready to go.”
“Even with my physical limitations?” He asked, needing to reinforce to Storm that he wasn’t how he’d been when he’d been in the Navy.
“Even with them. I have no doubt that you’re doing everything you can to get back to peak physical condition. I also know you’ll power through anything should the circumstance call for it. You’ll pay for it when everything sett
les down, but you won’t let anything happen to the client if he or she is in danger.”
“Yes, exactly. I will put my life on the line and suffer any injury to keep my client safe.”
Any hesitation and or doubts Beck had disappeared in that moment. Hearing himself say those words, having Storm and Ash believe in him. Belief in his skills was all he needed to cement his decision. Gripping the pen he placed his free hand on the papers, anchoring them so they wouldn’t move. In a flourish he signed his name and slid the papers back toward Storm.
Storm pushed back from the table and came around to where Beck was seated. He quickly stood so that he was eye to eye with one of his new bosses. “Welcome to Alliez Security, Beck.” He held out his hand and Beck grabbed it, shaking it firmly.
At that moment Ash walked back into the room, his expression grim. “What’s wrong?” Beck’s senses going on high alert.
“What did Ox want?” Storm asked at the same time.
“Something’s come up in LA and he needs some help.”
“Okay,” responded Storm. “What’s going on?”
A mix of emotions zoomed through Beck. Adrenaline at the thought he may be considered to go help Ox. Dread because the job was back in LA—the last place he wanted to return to. All he wanted was to see some action. Feel like himself again.
“I’m ready to help, if needed.” Beck didn’t care if he sounded eager. Didn’t care if he stepped on anyone’s toes. The second he signed on that dotted line, he was all in. Just liked he’d been all in when he joined the Navy.
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