Rescuing Erin (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) (Red Team Book 5) Read online

  Rescuing Erin (Special Forces: Operation Alpha)

  A Red Team Book 5

  Riley Edwards

  Contents

  BEFORE YOU BEGIN

  Foreword

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Other Books by Riley Edwards

  More Special Forces: Operation Alpha World Books

  Books by Susan Stoker

  BEFORE YOU BEGIN

  Thank you for purchasing Recusing Erin. I’m beyond thrilled to once again write in Susan Stoker’s Special Forces: Operation Alpha universe. I’ve been a fan of Susan’s for many years and have read every book she’s published (multiple times.) While I’ve tried my hardest to stay true to her original characters (because, hello, they are already awesome) I am not Susan, I wrote them as I, the reader, experienced them.

  I want fans of Susan to feel like they’re visiting old friends when they see her beloved characters. I hope I’ve done them justice. But please remember, I’ve taken some liberties.

  In Rescuing Erin, I use Susan’s characters from her new Legacy SEAL series: Rocco, Ace, Gumby, Phantom, Bubba, and Rex. You don’t want to miss this series. Securing Caite releases January 15, 2019.

  You’ll also see Susan’s Delta Team: Ghost, Fletch, Hollywood, Beatle, Coach, Blade, and Truck.

  And of course, The King of All Things Cyber, John “Tex” Keegan.

  I hope you enjoy the world I’ve created for you as much as I loved writing it.

  Sign up for the Riley’s Rebels mailing list to receive a FREE COPY of Unbroken and stay up to date on releases, sales, and giveaways.

  https://www.subscribepage.com/rileyedwardsfreebook

  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.

  © 2018 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

  For Susan.

  This book marks one year since I started writing in Special Forces: Operation Alpha. A universe in which I’m allowed to play with awesome characters. A universe that was born from all the creativity that is Susan Stoker.

  A life changing year. Not only for me professionally but personally. It is an honor to call you my friend. Not only are you a brilliant author, but you are downright awesome. Humble, kind, giving, and did I mention brilliant. Oh, and funny as all get out. Thank you for allowing me to use your characters, I love them all. Thank you for encouraging me and helping me when I get stuck. Thank you for reading my first drafts (even though they are messy and hard to read) and offering your opinions. My books are better because of you.

  And with Susan comes Amy. All there is to say about Amy is, she is one tough chick. Steely determination and courage—that is Amy. Thank you for putting up with me. (This book was delivered to her twelve hours before my deadline and on Christmas Eve.) And Thank you for all your help.

  About the book

  Ex-Green Beret Colin Doyle has the most maddening, frustrating job in Washington D.C.—protecting the First Daughter of the United States. Erin Anderson is irresistibly beautiful, quick-witted and cunning, completely untouchable—and apparently bound and determined to lure him out of his dark shades and neutral suit.

  From the moment Colin took over her security detail, Erin has felt their sizzling connection, and caught glimpses of a heart bigger than his protective streak. Yet the cool, no-nonsense mercenary has resisted every temptation her wit and cunning can cook up.

  When she’s targeted by a home-grown terrorist, and Colin is forced to take Erin and run, keeping his distance is no longer an option. But as their attraction melts into desire, it becomes horrifyingly clear Erin is just pawn in a much bigger game—and it’ll take calling in the world’s most dangerous backup to beat a fast-ticking clock on the President’s life.

  If they fail, all hell will break loose.

  Prologue

  “You’re a coward.”

  My carefully controlled temper was being tested. Erin Anderson had to be the most spoiled brat I’d ever met. However, my dick hadn’t gotten the memo. She was too smart, too manipulative, too beautiful, too off-limits. She was the President of the United States’ daughter.

  Untouchable.

  “Not a coward, Erin, smart,” I replied.

  She crossed her arms over her chest in annoyance, the movement showcasing the pristine flesh of her cleavage. In a moment of weakness my eyes lowered of their own accord, and I had to stifle a groan. The momentary glance had my dick stiffening and my resolve faltering. However, when my gaze met her smirk, I reminded myself I wasn’t going to touch her. Not now, not ever.

  She knew exactly what she was doing. It was all part of her manipulation. Erin knew how beautiful she was and she’d learned to use it to get what she wanted. And over the last few months, she’d made one thing very clear—she wanted me. That wasn’t going to happen for a variety of reasons. Setting aside who her father was, I wouldn’t be used; I wasn’t any woman’s boy toy.

  As happy as I was for my team, I didn’t believe in love. Not for myself anyway. Once bitten, twice shy and all that bullshit. I also didn’t fuck women above my paygrade. Rich women who only wanted me on their ar
m because I was former Special Forces. Fuck that. My service was never going to be exploited.

  “I know you feel it, too, Colin. You’re either too stubborn or too stupid to admit it,” Erin continued.

  “Woman, the only thing I feel is annoyed.”

  “Colin—”

  “Enough, Erin. I know you’re used to the pansy, country club boys who kiss your ass, but I’m not them. You can throw whatever temper tantrum you’d like, and I still won’t bend. I’m a man, not some punk who’s gonna cave because you’ve begged enough.”

  “You’re an ass!” she shouted.

  “No, sweetheart, I’m real. I don’t sugarcoat shit so I won’t hurt your tender feelings. If that’s what you’re after, why the fuck do we keep having this same conversation?”

  “Fine. I get it. You don’t want me.” The saucy grin she’d had earlier turned into a defeated frown. A look I found I didn’t like on her pretty face, but one that was necessary. It was my job to protect her, and I couldn’t do that if every time we were alone together, she was testing my patience and self-control.

  “Erin—”

  “No.” She held her hand up, stalling my rebuttal. “Leave it. I have to get back downstairs. I have responsibilities to the charity.”

  She was right, she did. There were at least four hundred people here by her invitation, all waiting to be schmoozed by the first daughter. I had to hand it to her; she could work a room. All it took was an impassioned speech about the children she was helping and a smile, and people opened their wallets and money flowed.

  Erin was almost to the door. I reached out and stopped her before she could leave. My first mistake was touching her, the second was savoring the way her small hand fit in mine.

  “What?”

  “Listen, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be such an ass, Erin. You’re a beautiful, smart woman.” I opted to leave out what a pain in the ass she was. “But you have to know, I can’t touch you. I was hired by your father to protect you. That’s it. Whatever you think is between us is a case of wanting what you can’t have. If I were some guy off the street, you wouldn’t give me a second glance.”

  Her sexy, brown eyes narrowed into slits before she turned, bringing her closer to me. So close the flowery perfume she wore assailed my senses. When I tried to let go of her hand, her grip tightened and she leaned in close.

  “You’ve miscalculated me, Colin. You presume to know me, and why I want what I want. Has it ever occurred to you, that I’m not, nor have I ever, been attracted to the ass kissers that chase me only to get closer to my father? I don’t want a boy in my bed, Colin. I could have any number of them with a smile and a wink. I want you, not because I can’t have you, but because I’m attracted to you.”

  When her mouth pressed against mine, I did nothing to stop her. When the silk of her tongue swept the seam of my lips, I opened for her. And when she invaded, I caved, then took over. The sexy mew she made fueled my desire, and I deepened the kiss, and, in an illicit battle I knew I’d lose, I waged war. It was wrong. I shouldn’t have been devouring her like she was my last meal. I shouldn’t have enjoyed the way her tongue felt against mine. But I did and I was. She pressed her body closer and there was no way she could miss my hard-on. The slacks I was wearing gave little by way of a barrier. Her hands roamed my back, and mine grabbed her ass and kneaded the firm muscles. Goddamn, she was sexy.

  “More,” she whispered against my mouth.

  What the fuck am I doing?

  “Stop, Erin.” I grabbed her hands as she fumbled with my belt.

  She kept her hands where they were but pulled back enough to focus on my face.

  “What?”

  “We can’t do this.”

  “Why not?”

  I pulled her hands away and stepped back, needing the space to gather my thoughts.

  “I told you why. We can’t do that again.”

  Her cheeks heated, and instead of embarrassment she looked pissed.

  “If you try and tell me you weren’t into that kiss just as much as I was, you’re a goddamn liar.”

  I stood in silence, watching her get madder by the second. There was nothing for me to say. She was right, I was into the kiss just as much as she was, and had she not broken the spell by asking for more, there was a good chance she’d have my cock in her hand. But she did speak, her voice reminding me I couldn’t touch her.

  She stomped to the door and paused, looking back she tried one more time. “Come on, Colin, tell me you don’t want me,” she taunted. “I may be a virgin but I know a hard dick when I feel one.”

  A what?

  A fucking virgin?

  How in the hell does a sexy, beautiful, pain in the ass woman get to be Erin’s age never having had sex? I was getting ready to call bullshit when her shoulders hunched just enough to tell me she was trying to be tough. Erin Anderson was a fake. All her bitchiness and attitude were a put on. A façade she hid behind.

  Fuck me, what was I supposed to do with her now?

  “I wasn’t. And since you’re a virgin and all, I’ll explain to you that when a woman sticks her tongue in a man’s mouth and rubs her tits on him, his dick gets hard. Hell, you could’ve been anyone and my cock would’ve been begging for attention.” That was a lie, but it sounded like a good story to excuse my behavior.

  “Fuck you.”

  In a move I would’ve been impressed by if the lamp she’d picked up off the side table hadn’t been sailing through the air straight for my head, I ducked out of the way just in time. I have no idea how she’d managed to yank the cord out, but she had. The proof was laying shattered next to me.

  “You’re not only a coward but a liar, too.” And with that parting shot, she walked out the door.

  I was no coward—but I was a bold-faced liar.

  “Anyone have a twenty on Sparrow?” I asked into my two-way radio about Erin’s location.

  “Negative,” one of the secret service agents replied.

  I waited for the other five men to report in before I left the main house and went in search of her. Her disappearing act was beginning to piss me off. I thought we’d gotten past her trying to ditch her security detail. Even though we were on a three-hundred-acre private estate it still wasn’t safe for Erin to wander off. Movement by the guesthouse caught my attention and I slowed my step, waiting to see what it was. I saw it again, only this time it was a reflection from a lens. On silent feet I moved to the side of the guesthouse just as a man was lifting his camera, pointing it at the window. He was too interested in what was going on inside to notice me moving in behind him.

  In a smooth, well-practiced move, one arm slipped around his neck and my hand covered his mouth. Five seconds later, he was choked out and on the ground. I picked his camera up and peered in the window. My blood instantly boiled. Erin was naked and there was a man in the room with her. What the fuck? So much for the blushing virgin act.

  I quickly made my way to the door and was even more fucking angry that the door was unlocked. Anyone could’ve walked in.

  “What the fuck?” I roared, and Erin jumped back and tried to cover herself with her hands.

  “It’s not what it looks like.” The man put his hands up.

  “Put your hands down, this isn’t a fucking stick-up, asswipe. Give me your phone.”

  The man fished his phone out of his suit jacket that was neatly placed over the back of the chair.

  “Here.” He thrusted it in my direction.

  “Is this your only device?”

  “Yeah. That’s all I have.”

  “Get gone.” I took his phone and motioned to the door.

  “Sorry, Erin,” he said, picking up a large, spiral bound pad and bolted faster than a speeding ticket.

  Pussy.

  “Why’s he sorry?” I asked. “Did he hurt you?”

  “No,” she mumbled.

  “Put some fucking clothes on.” I looked around on the floor trying to find her dress when I finally spotted
it on the same chair the man had laid his suit jacket. I didn’t bother looking for her bra and panties, if she had even worn them under her fancy gown. “Here.” I tossed the dress to her and turned my back.

  But it was too late. Erin’s naked body would be forever seared into my memory. Every sexy inch of her.

  Shit.

  “It’s not what you think,” Erin said.

  “It isn’t?” I turned to face her.

  “No.”

  “Funny, it looked to me like you were getting ready to fuck one of your country club boys, not even an hour after you were begging me to fuck you,” I mocked.

  Erin adjusted her tight-fitting, strapless dress and offered no further explanation. Not that she owed me one. She was no one to me, a woman I’d been hired to babysit. If that was the case, why did it piss me off so badly?

  “Virgin, my ass,” I mumbled and walked to the door. “Let’s go. I’m taking you home.” She didn’t protest and followed me.

  “It really wasn’t—”

  “Save it, Erin. I don’t give a shit.”

  I heard something that sounded like a sob but I didn’t dare ask her what was wrong. The last time I fell for her wounded doe act, she’d sneak attacked me and shoved her tongue in my mouth. That wasn’t going to happen again.