Zero Hour: Brotherhood Protectors World Read online

  Zero Hour

  Brotherhood Protectors World

  Desiree Holt

  Contents

  Brotherhood Protectors

  Foreword

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Epilogue

  Desperate Deception

  Chapter 1

  About Desiree Holt

  Brotherhood Protectors

  About Elle James

  Copyright © 2020, Desiree Holt

  Editor: Kate Richards

  Cover Design: Croco Designs

  Beta Reader: Margie Hager

  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, locales or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.

  © 2020 Twisted Page Press, LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  No part of this book 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.

  Brotherhood Protectors

  Original Series by Elle James

  Brotherhood Protectors Series

  Montana SEAL (#1)

  Bride Protector SEAL (#2)

  Montana D-Force (#3)

  Cowboy D-Force (#4)

  Montana Ranger (#5)

  Montana Dog Soldier (#6)

  Montana SEAL Daddy (#7)

  Montana Ranger’s Wedding Vow (#8)

  Montana SEAL Undercover Daddy (#9)

  Cape Cod SEAL Rescue (#10)

  Montana SEAL Friendly Fire (#11)

  Montana SEAL’s Mail-Order Bride (#12)

  SEAL Justice (#13)

  Ranger Creed (#14)

  Delta Force Strong (#15)

  Montana Rescue (Sleeper SEAL)

  Hot SEAL Salty Dog (SEALs in Paradise)

  Hot SEAL Hawaiian Nights (SEALs in Paradise)

  Zero Hour

  Teresa Fordice didn’t want to go rogue but.…

  Arms manufacturer Reed Morgan’s secret money man is dead and wild rumors of a dangerous plot are floating. Tasked with finding out what it is, ATFE agent Teresa Fordice must flee for her life. She ignores the order to come in from the field, instead she runs to Montana and the place where Morgan’s secret plan is being hatched. But finding Jesse Donovan there, the man who walked out of her life, complicates things even more.

  He might have left the SEALs but the memories of battle still haunt him…

  The recurring nightmares made Jesse Donovan walk away from the best woman he ever met but now Fate has thrown them together and he has a chance to redeem himself. Can he get past the memories to help her on her mission to take down a man who may be plotting against the country?

  Zero Hour…

  What is it? When is it? What is Reed Morgan planning? Can Terry and Jesse find out in time and can they stop him? And what will happen with them after that? Can he walk away again? Will she let him?

  Dedication

  Almost all of my books are inspired by someone I have had the honor of meeting, but few have left an impression as great as Jack Carr, which is why I dedicated this series to him. Jack led special operations teams as a Team Leader, Platoon Commander, Troop Commander and Task Unit Commander. Over his 20 years in Naval Special Warfare he transitioned from an enlisted SEAL sniper, to a junior office leading assault and sniper teams in Iraq and Afghanistan, to a platoon commander practicing counterinsurgency in the southern Philippines, to commanding a Special Operation Task Unit in the most Iranian influenced section of Southern Iraq throughout the tumultuous drawdown of U.S. Forces. These days he is busy writing the bestselling series THE TERMINAL LIST, TRUE BELIEVER and SAVAGE SON. These are must-read books. A dedicated husband and father, he is in every sense of the word a true example of a hero.

  Foreword

  To my readers:

  Nothing ever happens in a vacuum. Even when I am writing, I am always influenced by outside influences, by my friends who brainstorm with me, by my readers who don’t hesitate to give feedback, and by my team, who makes sure each book comes to life Properly: Margie Hager, my longtime great friend and beta reader; Frauke Spanath at Croco Designs whose covers always, always capture the mood of the story; Kate Richards, special friend and editor extraordinaire who makes my stories sing; Maria Connor, the very best Virtual Assistant on the planet; Steven Horwitz, my son who helps in so many ways.

  Very special thanks go to law enforcement officer Joseph P. Trainor, for the key to the plot and all the information about Malmstrom Air Force Base. He has been an incredible source of information on most of my books for the past four years and I continue to be humbly grateful for the time he gives me and his willingness to share information. These books would not happen without him.

  Many thanks to the fabulous Elle James for inviting me into her Brotherhood Protectors World. I hope to be here for a long time.

  I write these books for you, my readers, hoping that you will enjoy each and every one. I look forward to “seeing” you and hearing from you. Find me here:

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  Love,

  Desiree

  Prologue

  “To repeat, we are saddened to bring you the news that well-known hedge fund manager Frank Vanetti was shot and killed by an unknown assailant late last night.”

  Two men sat in the big room in matching leather armchairs, each holding a crystal glass of whiskey, staring at the television set. They focused on the reporter who wore a solemn expression as he delivered his latest bulletin.

  “Vanetti was alone at his home on Blue Lake when he was shot, apparently preparing to take his boat out for an evening run. The assumption at this point is that he was killed by a sniper, probably hidden in the many trees surrounding the property. His body was found midmorning when he failed to show up for a business meeting and his assistant went to check on him. Again, financier Frank Vanetti is dead, killed by a rifle shot. This is a developing story we will continue to bring you updates on.”

  Deadshot, so nicknamed for his prowess with firearms, rose from the chair where he’d been sitting and turned off the television.

  “That’s enough. It’s done, and that’s all we care about.”

  “Excellent job, by the way,�
� the man in the other armchair, known as Steel, commented. “As always.”

  “I took no pleasure in it.” Deadshot sat down again, lifted the glass from the table beside him, and took a healthy swallow of the whiskey it contained.

  “Nor do I,” said Steel. “But it had to be done. We cannot afford one weak link in this chain. This project and the results are too important.” He shook his head. “I don’t understand what happened to him. He was so dedicated to our message and this project and looking forward to the results.”

  “You’re right. It’s as if he underwent some kind of metamorphosis. He was one of the biggest supporters of the project. His infusion of cash was just what we needed since my own was already tied up. What the hell, you know?”

  “Yeah. I still don’t know what happened to him.”

  “And by the way, thank you for taking care of it.”

  Deadshot sighed. “I’m just sorry it came to that. We’re just lucky his involvement wasn’t known to anyone but us.”

  “We damn well better hope that’s the case,” Steel growled. “You checked his house for any notes he might have left? Looked in his laptop?”

  Deadshot nodded. “All clean. Good thing most of the investment is already complete. We’ll miss his money. Who would ever have imagined the man would decide to sabotage us? Especially after investing so heavily. Wonder what made him have second thoughts after all this time.”

  “We may never know, but at least he’s out of the picture.” Steel grunted. “Let’s hope he’s the only one who felt that way.”

  “I can promise you the others are all fully committed. Vanetti’s death leaves a hole to fill, but you said you handled it.”

  “Already in the works.” Steel blew a perfect smoke ring. “Beckett’s finally come on board.”

  Deadshot’s eyebrows rose nearly to his hairline. Lyle Beckett was almost as wealthy as Vanetti and even more radical. But beyond that, he had influence and power that reached far beyond Morgan’s. There were people whose backing and support they’d need when they pulled this off. When, not if. “This is not a joke, right? He’s refused to align himself with anyone until now.”

  “Because his plans were much larger than theirs. But he’s just what we need and he’s fully invested.”

  “You’re a fucking miracle worker. I think I’ll sleep a lot better tonight.”

  “We just have to make sure to keep him under control. These guys think a checkbook automatically puts them in charge.”

  Gooding sighed. “True that.”

  They sat in silence after that, gazing out at the rolling land beyond the large house. It was raining outside, and drops spattered against the big picture windows. Inside, however, it was warm and cozy, with a fire crackling and the amber lights from the lamps lighting the room and reflecting off the polished wood floor. If only it could warm the cold place in his heart left by the betrayal, Steel thought to himself.

  “How are things coming along on your end?” he asked. He had acquired the nickname because people said that’s what he was made of.

  “No problems. Like I said, everyone else on the list is on board and we are right on target,” Deadshot, so nicknamed because that’s what he’d been as a sniper, answered. “You know me. Follow the plan, cover all the details, get it done.”

  “Good, good. Just making sure we’re ready for the next step.” Steel drew a long pull on his cigar and blew perfect smoke rings. “I fixate on every little detail.”

  “That you do. “And you can be sure they’re all covered. I did a little demonstration to show you. Want to see it?”

  Steel sat upright. “Damn straight I do. You should have led with this.”

  Deadshot chuckled. “Just wanted to make sure I had your attention.”

  “You’ve got it now. Let’s see it.”

  Deadshot picked up his tablet, which he’d left on the side table next to his chair, and activated a file.

  Steel watched in fascination as an electronically created city came into view. Seconds later, what looked like a large bullet dived into the picture and into the city, which exploded instantly.

  “Damn!” Steel stared, awestruck. “And that’s how it will work in real time?”

  “It is. This is only one of many simulations we did to make sure we had all the information necessary. I’d say it’s time for the next stage. We should plan to start moving people out to the ranch.”

  “I think it’s almost time,” Steel agreed.

  “These assholes will never know what hit them,” Deadshot pointed out. “They all live in a deep comfort zone of denial, never realizing what needs to be done. And they never listen.”

  Steel shook his head. “I’m tired of running my mouth at them and getting nothing accomplished. It’s time for action.”

  “We agree on that.”

  “I’ve got this place all prepped for them, so let’s start moving people in small groups. We need to start their training now, so we don’t run into complications. Everything in this project has to be exact and to the minute.”

  “I agree.” Deadshot took a sip of his fine aged whiskey. “Good thing nobody knows about this place yet except you and me.”

  “Which is why it’s owned by a shell corporation. And it’s going to stay that way. The men need to be aware of that. No hint to anyone of where they are going or who owns it.”

  Deadshot thought for a moment. “I’ll be sure they know that, and what will happen to them if it leaks. “I’ll schedule them in small groups. Don’t want that little town asking questions about a new group descending on them.”

  Steel was silent for a moment. “We’ll do it so people will hardly notice. The ranchers out there have things happening all the time. We’ll tell our people how to dress to blend in.”

  “Fine. Give me a date certain, and I’ll pass along instructions about getting out here.”

  “All the supplies will be laid in by the end of the month so the first of next month works. I’ve picked a date to execute the plan. This gives us time to get everyone drilled on what to do.”

  “Do we need to vet them all again?” Deadshot asked. “Just to be sure?”

  “Good suggestion. Better to be 100 percent safe. We can’t afford any leaks.” He took out his phone and tapped a message in the Notes app. “I’ll get that put into motion right away.”

  “And no running their mouths,” Deadshot reminded him.

  “They know the penalty for that.” Deadshot smiled. “This is the big one, Steel. The one that will forever cement our name in history.”

  “The country will be shocked,” Steel agreed, “but maybe that’s what it needs.”

  “I’m with you. Time to make a statement.”

  “And this will be a big one.”

  He leaned back in the chair. Anticipation raced through his blood. No one would be ignoring him after this.

  Chapter 1

  “You look too relaxed.” The man standing in the bullpen, an Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives team member, grinned at his teammate, Terry Fordice. “Usually that’s when the shit hits the fan.”

  “Don’t tell me that,” she groaned and made a face.

  Terry, a topnotch ATFE agent herself, was relishing a rare moment of relaxation in the office, chatting with the other agent. She’d been immersed in an assignment with a three-man team and was taking advantage of a short lull in assignments.

  He shrugged. “What can I say? It is what it is.”

  At that moment, as if prompted by his words, the phone on her desk rang.

  “God forbid I should take a moment to enjoy myself,” she joked as she picked up the receiver. “Fordice.”

  “It’s Jaeger.” The tone of voice was sharp and clipped. “In my office now, please.”

  “On my way.” She hung up and turned to the other agent, who was grinning. “I’ve been summoned. And wipe that smartass look off your face.”

  “Jaeger?” he asked.

  “Yeah. With Max Jaeger you
never know if he’s going to give you a medal or kick your ass. Wish me luck.”

  She hurried down the hallway, wondering what was up that prompted such a terse order.

  Maybe whatever her boss had on his mind would challenge her and occupy her. God knew her social life was a big cipher. Ever since he had walked out of her life without looking back, she’d pretty much cut herself out of social activities. She knew she needed something to erase the painful memories that all these months later still clung to the edges of her mind. Something that would deal with Jesse Donovan’s abrupt departure, but she hadn’t found it yet.

  One minute he was there, and things were growing between them. The next minute he was gone. Not even a goodbye. After the best night they’d had together, when she woke he was gone along with his motorcycle and every trace that he had ever been there. If she only knew why, maybe she could feel better about it.

  Maybe.

  At least she kept trying. If she could just block him out of her mind.

  It’s over. Terry’s mind kept repeating that. Over, over, over.

  But she hadn’t been able to move forward yet. She kept reliving the memories of the two of them naked in bed, having the wildest sex she’d ever imagined. Or just sitting together, having quiet time, relaxed in each other’s company. Or riding that big motorcycle of his, her seated in front so his hard cock, barely shielded by the denim of his fly, tried to insert itself between the cheeks of her ass. And it pissed her off. She’d never been one to let the end of a relationship wear on her.