Rescuing Gabriella (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) (Bravo Series Book 3) Read online

  Rescuing Gabriella (Special Forces: Operation Alpha)

  Bravo Series Book 3

  Anna Blakely

  Contents

  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

  Epilogue

  Also by Anna Blakely

  About the Author

  More Special Forces: Operation Alpha World Books

  Books by Susan Stoker

  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.

  © 2020 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.

  About the book

  ONE WOMAN. TWO GUARDED HEARTS. A FUTURE HANGING IN THE BALANCE.

  He found the one…and then she vanished.

  After nearly dying on a Bravo Team op, former Marine Zade King spends the final weekend of his recovery in paradise. While reflecting on his life and what he wants going forward, he meets Gabby. She’s smart, funny, beautiful... Everything Zade’s ever wanted in a woman. But just when he thinks he’s found his future, she disappears without a trace.

  She’s not who he thinks she is.

  Growing up in the foster care system, Gabriella Stevens learned a lot of things. How to lie, how to fight, and most importantly, what loyalty means. So when the unthinkable happens and there’s no one else to turn to, Gabby must do whatever it takes in order to help the only family she’s ever known. Even if it means putting her own life on the line.

  Can she regain his trust in time to save her sister?

  When Bravo Team is tasked with shutting down the country’s largest human trafficking ring to date, they know their best chance at gaining intel is from the inside. The problem? The person best suited for the dangerous job is the same woman who ran off with Zade’s heart weeks before.

  As they work together to catch a sadistic criminal, Zade is determined to learn who the real Gabby is. When he finally does, he falls even harder for the strong, determined woman. But the future they’re both starting to envision is threatened once again when Gabby is targeted by the same monster they’re trying to destroy.

  With his Bravo brothers and Ghost’s Delta team by his side, Zade vows to stop at nothing to save the woman he loves…before it’s too late.

  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

  This book is for two of my closest friends, Angie S. and Nancy G. From day one, you’ve both been there for me. Whether it be to offer your support, share your suggestions, read over my messy, unedited manuscripts, or to talk me off the ledge when I’m convinced I need to throw out what I’ve written and start over…you’ve both always, always been there.

  You truly have no idea how much your support and belief in my writing means to me. It still blows my mind that I get to wake up every day and live my professional dream, and I couldn’t do this without you two. (Well, maybe I could…but it wouldn’t be near as much fun! LOL)

  I love you both so hard!

  XOXO

  Anna

  Prologue

  With his shoulder resting against the wooden doorjamb, Zade King stared down at the stunning, redhead sleeping in his bed.

  Taking advantage of the uninterrupted moment, he wondered for the umpteenth time in less than a handful of days how he’d gotten so lucky.

  He’d come to Grand Isle, Louisiana two weeks ago in hopes of finding a sense of peace he’d suddenly found himself to be lacking. Meeting Gabby had been the most delicious of surprises.

  Physically, he’d already healed. It was his head—and his heart—that had been in a desperate search for solace.

  So he’d decided to put some distance between himself and his team, hoping the time away would bring with it the answers he needed.

  Having been a Marine, Zade knew better than most how useless he’d be to his teammates if his head wasn’t in the game. With that in mind, he’d taken two extra weeks off to regroup and reflect on what had happened and figure out a way to move past it.

  He’d also used the time alone to really think about what he hadn’t yet accomplished in his thirty-one years…and try to decide if his priorities were in need of a change.

  The doctors had cleared him for full duty sixteen days ago, but Zade wasn’t ready to get back in the field. Not mentally, anyway.

  Most Marine’s he knew—hell, most men he knew—would never admit something like that. Not to themselves or anyone else.

  But Zade wasn’t like most men.

  As a result, he’d taken more shit from the guys than he cared to admit, but it was simply the way he was built. Since he was a kid, Zade had never been shy about sharing his feelings. He was pretty much an open book, and like it or not, what you see is what you get.

  If he hadn’t come here when he did, Zade’s teammates would’ve seen much more than he wanted them to.

  So he’d left.

  Thankfully Gabe Dawson—Bravo’s team leader—had not only understood Zade’s need to get away, but also fully supported it. Dawson was a former SEAL and knew the importance of being mentally ready before stepping back into the fire.

  Speaking of fire…

  Zade placed the cardboard drink carrier with two full cups of fresh coffee onto the small dresser to his left. Next to it, he dropped the bag of fresh pastries he’d bought at the tiny bakery up the street from his rented beach house.

  With one of the lidded to-go cups in hand, he walked over to where the woman of his dreams lay. The mattress dipped from his weight as Zade placed one knee beside her and leaned down.

  Using his free hand, he gently wafted the aromatic steam tow
ard her gorgeous face in hopes the scent of freshly brewed beans would break through her subconscious.

  Gabby’s eyelids fluttered, their naturally long lashes lifting from her cheeks as a set of emerald green eyes found his.

  Zade’s heart kicked against his ribs, just as it did every time she looked at him. “Mornin’, beautiful.”

  She smiled, her drowsy eyes filling with genuine happiness. “Hey.”

  Her voice’s natural raspiness was even rougher from the hours she’d spent resting. The sexy sound made his greedy cock twitch with desire.

  Ignoring it, for now, he tipped his head toward the dresser at the foot of the bed. “I brought you some breakfast. Thought you might want to start with the coffee, first.”

  With a deep inhale, Gabby scooted herself up to rest against the bed’s headboard. Swiping some of her long, auburn hair from her face, she held the sheet in one fist and cleared the sleep from her throat before taking the cup from his hand.

  With an appreciative nod, she said, “Thank you.”

  Zade watched as she closed her eyes and savored that first sip, the tip of her tongue running along her plump bottom lip to catch a drop before it fell onto her chin. A low moan escaped from her throat, mimicking the way she sounded when he’d slid into her welcoming heat just hours before.

  Now achingly hard, his greedy dick pressed against his boxer briefs, ready to tear through those and his thin, mesh gym shorts in order to return to the promised land. But Zade was more than a little sweaty from his run on the beach and needed a quick shower before that could happen.

  When Gabby opened her eyes again, one corner of her mouth rose into a knowing grin. “I recognize that look.”

  “Yeah?”

  She nodded, the green in her eyes darkening with desire. “I would’ve thought you got enough of that last night.” Her lips quirked. “And the night before.”

  Zade carefully took the cup from her hand and set it on the nightstand before bringing himself closer and taking her lips between his. With a teasing nibble, he cupped one side of her beautiful face and whispered, “No such thing as enough when it comes to you.”

  Beneath his, Gabby’s perfect mouth spread into a full smile. “I know the feeling.” In a bold move, she gently bit his bottom lip as her hand slid down over his rippled abs, straight into the elastic waistband of his shorts.

  Closing his eyes, Zade slid his tongue into her mouth. She tasted of coffee and seduction, her soft, warm fingers wrapping tightly around his hot shaft.

  Hissing in a sharp breath, he slid his fingers into her thick hair, fisting it at her nape as Gabby began moving her hand up and down in slow, deliberate strokes.

  “You like that?” She nipped at his chin.

  “You know I do.” Zade kissed her again. “But I’ve been running. Need to shower.”

  “Later.” Gabby squeezed his cock a little harder to literally hold him in place.

  Pulling his head back slightly, he raised a brow at the gorgeous temptress. “You sure?” He looked down at himself. “I’m kind of sweaty.”

  With a playful smirk, she shrugged a bare shoulder. “You’re just going to get sweaty again, anyway, right?”

  Zade shook his head, but grinned. “Damn, woman. I love the way you think.”

  Within seconds, he’d stripped off his boxers and shorts, covered himself with one of the condoms from the box he’d left on the nightstand the evening before, and had the sheets ripped away from her delectable, naked body.

  After kneeling on the bed at her feet, Zade gently tugged on her ankles, pulling her until she was lying flat on the mattress. Before he could make the move, Gabby gave him a sly grin and spread her legs wide, allowing him all the access he needed.

  His mouth watered at the sight of her glistening sex, but his impatient dick had him climbing the length of her body. Before he could give it a second thought, Zade was pushing himself inside her velvet heat, a guttural moan rumbling from deep inside him as Gabby’s smoldering core sucked him in.

  The sensation was unlike anything he’d ever experienced before. Being with Gabby this way, making her body come alive beneath his, was the most incredible, indescribable feeling in the world. Of course, from the second he first saw her, Zade knew everything with this woman would be different.

  He began pumping himself in and out, using the tantalizing rhythm they’d created together. With his elbows keeping his weight from crushing her, he brought his mouth to hers and began to feast.

  For the next several minutes—or hours, he wasn’t sure—their bodies danced together as one. Their movements were slow. Deliberate. And unbelievably satisfying.

  “Zade,” Gabby panted his name as she tore her lips from his. With her eyes closed, she tilted her head back against the pillow and lifted her lean but supple hips upward to meet his. “God, you feel so good.”

  A rush of heat filled his cock, and Zade felt himself become impossibly harder. Her encouraging words spurred him on, and he knew he wasn’t going to last much longer.

  “So do you, sweetheart,” he promised. “Better than anything I’ve ever felt before.”

  In response to his claim, Gabby’s inner muscles clenched tightly around him. Even through the condom’s thin barrier, he could feel the rush of hot liquid coating him as he continued thrusting himself in and out of her drenched channel.

  A sudden and familiar tingling began spreading from his lower spine upward, his balls tightening with their impending explosion.

  “Ah, hell, Gabby.” Zade’s chest heaved between thrusts as he tried to hold off. “I’m not gonna…last…much…longer.”

  Knowing what he needed, Gabby started to slide her hand between their bodies, but Zade stopped her. Though the thought of her getting herself off was hot as hell, he wanted to be the one to get her there.

  Gently swatting her hand away, Zade put his weight on one elbow and used his free hand to reach down to where they were connected. Gathering some of her essence onto his fingertips, his body jerked when he inadvertently touched his sensitive shaft in the process.

  Determined to get her there first, he did everything he could to hold off his own climax as he brought his fingers to her swollen clit. Rubbing in small, tight circles, Zade pushed himself in and out of her body while at the same time paying close attention to the bundle of nerves begging for his touch.

  Gabby cried out, her body jerking below his, and when her thighs began to tremble, he knew she was almost there.

  “Oh god, Zade. I’m close. So close.”

  Zade’s hips reflexively thrust harder. Faster. His body demanding he give it the release it so desperately needed.

  “I can’t hold off any longer, sweetheart.” He moved his fingers faster. Pressed a little harder. “Come on baby. Let go. Now!”

  A loud, keening cry tore from the back of her throat as she fell apart beneath him. Gabby’s entire body arched, her pussy clamping down onto his cock with incredible force, sending Zade into his own amazing orgasm.

  With a loud roar, her name echoed off the tiny room’s paneled walls as he began spilling his hot seed into the tip of the condom. His movements became jerky, almost uncontrollable as the powerful climax rolled through him from head to toe.

  Minutes later, with their bodies depleted of all the pleasure they could possibly share, Zade held on to the condom as he pulled himself out of her trembling body and lay there, panting and sweaty beside her.

  “Just when I think…it can’t get…any better…” He barely managed to breathe out.

  Despite his eyes being closed, he could hear Gabby’s smile in her rough voice as she finished for him. “It does.”

  Chest swelling from primal pride, Zade turned to face her. A set of heavy-lidded, satiated eyes stared back into his. “Glad you feel the same.”

  She smiled lazily. “How could I not?”

  Because he could, Zade leaned up and pressed his lips to hers. Before when he’d kissed her, he’d been hungry. No, not hungry. Starved. N
ow that he’d temporarily whet his carnal appetite for this woman, he wanted to take his time. Savor every drop.

  When the deep, emotional kiss finally ended, Zade used his fingertip to brush some hair from her face as he looked down at her. “Come to Texas with me.”

  The presumptuous question was out before he could stop it. Yet, he didn’t regret it for a second. At least, not until he saw her eyes widen with surprise.

  “I-I’d love to, Zade. But I can’t.”

  “Why not?” he pressed. “You said your school doesn’t resume from spring break for another week.” He leaned up onto his elbow while running his fingers along the slope of her flat belly. “Come on, Gabby. Come to Dallas with me. You can even stay at my place, so you won’t have the expense of a hotel,” he added quickly, “but only if you’re comfortable with that. If not, I’ll pay for a room for you while you’re visiting.”

  “I’d love to, but…” She shook her head.

  His big heart fell, and he started to pull his hand away. “You don’t trust me enough? I get it. It’s probably too soon for you to—”

  “No.” She grabbed his hand to stop him. “It’s not that. I mean”—she glanced down at their naked bodies—“if I didn’t trust you, I wouldn’t have spent the last three days with you.”

  That made him feel a little better. “Then what is it?”

  “Actually, I got a phone call while you were running. My mom and dad want me to come stay with them in Chicago for a few days before I have to go back to work. I already told them I would.”