“What’s wrong?”
“My parents,” she bumbled the words out of her mouth. “Oh god, I’m not ever going to forget that.”
“What about them?”
“I just saw them having sex.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “It happens with adults you know.”
“They hate each other and aren’t together anymore.”
“According to you, you hate me and we’re not together either. We just had sex earlier today.”
“That’s neither here nor there.”
He moved his hand up under her shirt. The moment his hand cupped her breast, she whimpered and turned into his touch.
“Damn you,” she uttered.
“I love you, Riz. I’m going to keep saying it until you know it’s the truth.”
“You may think it’s your truth, Ralston. I’m not denying that. I’m saying I don’t believe you.”
“I know. And I’m going to say it until it is your truth.”
She squirmed when he rolled her nipple in his fingers. Wetness gathered in her pussy and she slid a hand down over belly to the waistband of her panties.
A glow filled the room and he reached for his phone with his free hand.
“Ralston. You sure? How many? We’ll be ready. Thanks for the heads up.” He put the phone beside him and sat.
Dread filled her.
“Do I even want to know?”
“Fifteen people are moving in on this location. I’m guessing if it is a family reunion, it’s not one we want to be here for.”
Panic surged.
“What about my parents?”
“We’re about to go interrupt their sex. Come on.” He grabbed his SIG from the end table and shoved it into the back of his pants before beckoning to her.
Belly in knots, Riz put her hand in Ralston’s strong one and let him lead her out to the main part of the cabin.
αβ
Ducking the glare he was leveled by Riz’s father, Ralston peered out the window, ensuring not to move the curtain much. He had no wish to give away his position. Riz’s father hadn’t been pleased about being interrupted and had been snappy since but dealing with uncooperative people wasn’t anything new to him.
His phone rang and he put it to his ear. “Talk to me.”
“We’ve got boots on the ground.”
“How many?” he asked his boss, Scott Leighton, better known as Harrier.
“Three.”
“How far out?”
Ralston was fine with three of Tungsten’s men on the ground. They were better than a group of most.
“Two clicks. We’re moving fast. Be there in a few. Coming in from the north, please don’t shoot us.”
“Roger that, sir.” The call ended.
“I thought you weren’t active duty anymore.”
Ralston looked at the man who’d made the comment. He ran his gaze over him then progressed on to where Riz waited near her mother. Sitting in silence, the pain on her face like a knife through his heart.
“I’m not. These are the men I work with.”
Scott didn’t do tons anymore but Ralston wasn’t going to lie and not think it wasn’t a huge honor that the man left his desk to come out and help him.
His phone buzzed twice and he went to the back door of the cabin and opened it. Three men in camouflage strode in, the lead man tossed him an MP-5 which he snagged out of the air with a grateful smile. The second the door shut behind them, he looked at the group holed up with him.
“Good to see you, sirs,” he said with a nod to Scott “Harrier” Leighton. “And you two as well.”
Mac was there and so was Tyson “Cade” Kincade. The men shared a look and each took up a position at each side of the cabin.
Mac stopped by and said hi to Riz which Ralston wanted to punch him in the face for. Especially the way her eyes lit up and her smile turned up her lips.
“Who are these men?” Riz’s father demanded.
“The ones who are getting us out of this.” He checked the MP-5 then did another look out the window. “What are they waiting for? It’ll be daylight soon.”
“Maybe they don’t have the desire to attack at night, I’m thinking a predawn one,” Cade said.
“Makes sense,” Harrier agreed. “People are still either sleeping or just getting started for the day and groggy.”
“How did you get here so quick?” he asked Mac.
“We’re getting a new pilot,” he replied with a smile. “Marine, female, been flying Super Cobras.” He waggled his eyebrows. “I like her.”
Ralston looked over to Harrier and Cade. “Really?”
“Kind of a test run. She’ll be our air support and ride out of here.” Harrier held up his hand and gestured.
“Stay down and be quiet,” Cade issued the order.
Ralston found Riz’s gaze and gave her a silent second command. One to keep safe. He loved how she didn’t back away from the situation but encouraged her mother to get down more, and wrapped her arms around her, instead of being the one who had more protection. Even the two men who’d come with her father were down there. Their weapons were ready but they were on either side of the father.
He put his attention back out the window and as the sun’s first rays began creeping over the land, he saw what Harrier had already picked out. Men moving in a staggered pattern toward the cabin. Automatic weapons and scowls on their faces.
“Engage.”
The single word from Harrier was akin to a match being lit and applied to gasoline. Flames erupted in his blood and Ralston had no way of denying the adrenaline that pumped in his veins.
Seconds later, the cars exploded. Short rapid bursts from his weapon dropped incoming men and Ralston frowned when a bullet tore along the flesh of his upper arm.
Glass shattered around him and he narrowed his eyes, protecting them. Two men dashed toward him, bullets ripping from the muzzles of their weapons. He lifted his and fired, dropping them then he went out the window that had been blown out, running to meet the oncoming tangoes.
In his periphery he saw a man kneeling by the edge of the forest. The RPG up against his shoulder sent fear streaking through him.
“RPG!” he yelled. “Get out. Get out. Get out!”
He whirled back as the projectile raced to its target. Riz! Seconds later, the explosion rocked the area, engulfing the cabin in flames. His heart clenched and for a second his feet were frozen to the ground.
Fear submerged him into a deep hole. He pushed by the enemy trying to keep him down and moved. Ralston and the others took care of the killers sent after Riz then he turned back to the cabin. Flames flickered out the windows, burned through the roof and ate at the walls.
“Riz!”
Ralston dashed for the building, throwing his arm up to ward off the heat. He tried to peer in but couldn’t see through the vibrant orange, red, and yellow fire.
Nothing. His legs buckled and he took two steps forward when someone yanked him back. Mac had him by the collar, his mouth moved but the sound didn’t register. He pulled against the strong man but couldn’t budge, for Mac somehow dragged him away from the growing inferno.
“What the fuck, man. She’s in there. I have to get to her.”
“You’re not going to survive if you go in there.”
“I don’t care.” He punched Mac and dashed for the door. This time is was Cade and Harrier who stopped him.
The sounds of a helicopter filled the air and he glanced over his shoulder to see a low flying bird nearing their destination. With a final desperate lunge for the door, he released a bellow of pain when the stopped him again.
“She’s fine,” Cade whispered, holding him up.
It took a bit for the words to sink in his scrambled brain. “What?”
He peered between both men. Harrier pointed off to the left and he followed the directional gesture. Sure enough, Riz stood there, between her parents, clothing singed but she was alive.
“Riz.”
The men let him go and he stumbled down the remaining step and ran to her. She met him halfway and launched into his arms.
“Sweet hell, woman,” he rumbled. “I thought I lost you.”
Her arms nearly severed his air but he didn’t care. She was alive and damn it all, she was his.
Their lips met in a frenzy. Sinking to his knees, he growled in pleasure when she wrapped her legs around his waist, anchoring them closer.
“I’m not letting you go,” he stated.
“I love you, Ralston.”
Her four words lifted his heart past the gates of Heaven.
“Are you okay?” he demanded, leaning back, touching her face, trying to ascertain if there were any injuries. A few scrapes but she would be fine.
“I am now.”
The sound grew louder and he watched the chopper land. He got to his feet and without releasing the woman in his arms, he headed for their ride out of here. Her parents got on, the rest of the team and he followed.
“I’m marrying your daughter,” he announced. “I’m not asking your permission, either. I can’t live without her.”
The pilot turned and smiled at him.
“Shea?”
A thumb’s up was his response.
“Do you know her?” Riz asked, still tucked against him.
“Yes. Shea Worthington. One hell of a Marine pilot. Guess she’s looking into joining Tungsten.”
“Where did you meet her?”
“Kabul.” He looked at the woman in his lap. “Are you jealous?”
“Yes.”
Riz’s swift announcement told him everything he needed to know.
“You don’t have any reason to be. I’ve never stopped loving you. Whether I’m here with you or down range, my love for you won’t waver a second.”
She buried her face in the crook of his neck. Her warm tears dampened his neck but he didn’t care. She smelled of fire and burning wood but to him, it was okay for she was in his arms and in his life.
Additional books by Aliyah Burke:
Sensual Romance Publishing
Holiday Surprise: Unwrapped
Raw Exposure
A Knight’s Vow
Lion of Midnight
If You Dare
His Purrfect Mate
Megalodon Team
Kincade’s Rose
Harrier’s Healer
Connelly’s Flame
Greeley’s Spyce
Vittano’s Willow
Dimitri’s Moon
O’Shea’s Love
Chayton’s Tempest
Haikon
A Love for Lera
Rakes & Rogues
What the Earl Desires
Her Reluctant Viscount
Her Pirate Rogue
Cottonwood Falls
Relentless
Fracture
Ravish
Spark
Savor
Intensity
Inferno
Snake’s Salvation
Born to Fly
Landing in Love
Zulu Spectre
Hearth, Holly, & Honor (3 in 1)
It Could Happen Again
Tungsten Protective Services
Down Range
All In (Kindleworlds Hot SEALs/Tungsten Protective Services crossover novella)
Twisted E-Publsihing
Graham Family
Justice Is Always Ready
And We’ve Come Full Circle
Denim & Spurs
With This Ring
Dream Lover
You Don’t Know Jack
Totally Bound
Preconception
Seducing Damian
Through the Fire
Serial
Keeper of the Stars Pt. 1
Keeper of the Stars Pt. 2
Keeper of the Stars Pt. 3
Keeper of the Stars Pt. 4
Keeper of the Stars Pt. 5
Astral Guardians
Chasing the Storm
Highlands at Dawn
Fields of Thunder
Branded by Frost
Driven by Night
Moon of Fire
Interludes
Temporary Home
Alone with You
Till We Ain’t Strangers Anymore
In Aeternum
Casanova in Training
Harbour of Refuge
Protected by Shadows
Code of Honour
A Marriage of Convenience
The Lieutenant’s Ex-Wife
A Man Like No Other
When Stars Collide
All Romance E-Books
D.A.R.K Cover, Inc.
Breaking All the Rules
Trust Me
Alphas series
It Was Always You
Fearless series
One Cold Night
Dubious series
Say You’re Mine
Entangled
Code Name: Papa
Kindleworld
Icy Dare (Dare to Love Kindleworld series)
The Wedding Snafu (Four Weddings & A Snafu Kindleworlds series)
Delay of Game (Game of Love Kindleworlds series)
Watching You (Lone Star Burn Kindleworld series)
Other collections
Dutch & Lobo (in In the Trenches collection)
On the High Seas (in What White Boyz Desire collection)
Love Under the Endless African Sky
Co-written with Taige Crenshaw
Unbreakable Bonds
Kemet Uncovered:
Talios
Devi
Linc
Saffron
Taber
Ashia
Co-written with McKenna Jeffries
McKingley:
All the Wright Moves
The Best Thing Yet
Risky Pleasures
Pure Harmony
Irresistible Forces
Seductions Dance
About the Author:
Aliyah Burke is an avid reader and is never far from pen and paper (or the computer). She loves to hear from her readers and can be reached here. She can also be found on Facebook, Twitter: @AliyahBurke96, or Pinterest. And on TSU: @AliyahBurke
She is married to a career military man. They are owned by three Borzoi, and a DSH cat. She spends her days sharing time between work, writing, and dog training.
I hope you enjoyed reading, Down Range. If you could help others to find and enjoy this book as well, I would appreciate that act of kindness. You can do this by recommending it to your friends and/or reader’s groups. Also by reviewing it to let others know you liked it—and why—on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ARe, and other places.
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