Disaster (Gentleman Wolf Book 1), page 1
DISASTER
GENTLEMAN WOLF SERIES
BOOK ONE
LEA HART
Copyright © 2019 by Lea Hart
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Lea Hart
Visit my website at www.leahartauthor.com
DEDICATION
For My Daughters, My Heartbeat
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Janell Parque for her editorial wisdom.
COVER PHOTO
Model: Tanner Dean
Photographer: Wander Aguiar
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Not all storms come to disrupt your life; some come to clear your path.
Sizzling heat meets fast-paced adventure!
Mix two black-op agents, some stolen Caesium, a bucketful of history and what do you get?
One sexy caper.
Come see what happens when Daisy and Tyler are not only tasked with tracking down stolen radioactive materials, but also finally coming to terms with their very complicated past.
Do they have what it takes to win the day and one another’s hearts?
Or will it be a DISASTER?
Grab this book and find out if these two top-agents can handle more bad-guys than they can count and more heat than they know what do with.
CHAPTER ONE
Daisy slid into the last pew, counting the operatives that filled the church and wondered if God was going to do a little house cleaning while the opportunity presented itself. Considering more than half of the mourners broke at least three commandments on any given day, it seemed too good of a chance to pass up.
Not that any of them had much choice since an operative’s failure to make a too-difficult split-second decision could mean the death of thousands of innocent civilians; a thing no one wanted to live with. And since she’d been there a time or two in the years she’d spent in the murky world of black ops, she knew exactly how incredibly tough the choice was.
Which made her wonder why she hadn’t taken the chance to stay out when the opportunity presented itself. Letting out a long breath, she allowed her coat to drop off her shoulders and tried to remember the rationalizations she’d made when making the decision to get back in the game.
And regrettably couldn’t remember one.
Ignoring the doubt that slid down her spine, she firmly instructed herself that she still had it, and the op in Bangkok hadn’t stolen a thing. She squared her shoulders, shaking off the uncomfortable uncertainty, and knew there was only one way to prove it. And it wasn’t staying in Virginia playing it safe as a Covert Operations Officer.
She mentally recited the many reasons why joining the darkest black-op group around was a brilliant idea and heard the decisive sound of footsteps. Wishing the old building had a couple of reflective surfaces, so she could determine if friend or foe was entering the church, she let her hand rest on her purse.
The moment a set of black brogues entered her peripheral vision, she prayed they wouldn’t slow down. When they stopped next to her pew, she maintained a solemn, if somewhat bored, expression, and prayed the person would take the hint.
No such luck.
Feeling the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, she cut her gaze sideways and schooled her features so the man gliding his perfect ass along the pew wouldn’t think his presence affected her in any way. Moving indecently close, he settled himself against her like they were pages in a book and let out a slow, long breath.
“Been a long time, Daisy.”
Dragging her gaze from the tips of Tyler’s shoes upward, she made sure nothing in her expression changed. Turned out it wasn’t that difficult to manage, despite the cut of his suit framing his long legs and broad chest beautifully. “Surprised to see you here. I wasn’t aware you and Xavier ran in the same circles.”
“We worked together a time or two.”
Nodding imperceptibly, she shifted away, berating herself for the tell. Not that she could do much about it since sitting thigh to thigh with the man for the whole of the Catholic service simply wasn’t an option. “Shouldn’t you be sitting with Anthony and your band of merry operatives?”
“No,” he replied as he slid his arm along the back of the wooden bench. Crossing his leg over his knee, he gave her a relaxed smile. “I just got word we’re being teamed up again, so we might as well get our first argument out of the way while we’re in God’s house.”
“If you need God’s assistance to deal with me, then perhaps you should bow out now and let one of the other men take your place.”
“No man will ever take my place, and we both know that.”
She ignored his inflammatory proclamation, along with the bolt of energy his nearness produced, and let the sound of the hymns soothe her nerves. “The op is at least a month off, so there’s no need to torture ourselves before it becomes necessary.” Feeling him stiffen along her side, she regretted her choice of words instantly.
Hearing the large church doors close, she turned and was thankful when the priest strode through the narthex, signally the beginning of the service. She ignored the tick in Tyler’s hard jaw and the frustrated lines marring his forehead and stood.
Now wasn’t the time to deal with their complicated past.
Now was the time to pay respects to a man she considered a good friend and extraordinary patriot. She stood at the same moment Tyler did and rested her fingers on the top of the pew. His large hand covered hers, and she glanced up, noticing his ice-blue eyes had only gotten more mesmerizing. “I see your need to skate the edge of ever diminishing odds hasn’t changed.”
Lifting his chin, he gave her a less than warm smile. “Just know that what happened in Bangkok will never be repeated. If I have to handcuff you to my side to ensure it, I won’t hesitate.”
“It’s quite funny that you think it’s possible.”
“The last time you underestimated me, you were proven wrong…are you sure that’s something we need to repeat?”
The choir sang the first line of Abide with Me, and she swallowed her response, knowing her actions would be the only thing to shut him up. Raising her gaze slowly, she watched his smile fill with lethal charm and mentally flipped her internal switch to straight savage. “I can make a human being inside my body, multi-task, and get shit done all while wearing four-inch heels. So, don’t ever think you’re tougher, or can dictate to me in any way. Because we both know I’m only helpless until my nail polish dries.”
“And not even then,” he replied as he bent down and put his mouth against her ear. “Don’t fuck with me on this op, Daisy, because you will not like the outcome. I’ll never allow you to run rogue again!”
Turning her face, so they were close enough to kiss, she took his wrist in her hand and felt his pulse. “What you’ll allow or not is of no interest to me, and the way your blood is pumping tells me you’re gripping control with slippery fingers. Which means you’re just a beast who’s all roar and no bite.”
He lifted his hand as he moved his mouth closer, running his finger over her neck. “And your body is telling me its own truth. And we both know I have all the bite you’re ever going to need. So, let’s play nice with one another for the time being.”
She stepped away and cleared her throat. “I wouldn’t dream of doing anything else.”
“Good.”
Nodding, she turned and focused on the opening prayer, knowing there wasn’t a chance in hell they’d place nice for long.
***
Tyler leaned against the bar and let the noise of the small speakeasy fall away as he allowed himself to enjoy the roll and pitch of Daisy’s hips as she entered. The woman had a body built for a man’s hands, and each generous curve made him hungry to claim her as his own.
Something she would never allow.
Loving the confidence that rolled off her, he watched her catalog the players and exits in less than a minute and knew, if the place blew, she had three escape plans.
Not that they had to worry about things like that in a private bar in the middle of the Valley. Lifting his chin, he let the bartender know he needed a drink for Daisy and then watched her cut through the small crowd. When she got close, he pulled out a red leather stool and watched her head shake imperceptibly right before she leaned in. “Guessing you spotted Luke on Charlie Red.”
Moving closer, she put her mouth against his ear. “Are the rumors true? Was he really fired from the DEA?”
“I know he parted ways with the agency, but the reasons why have been kept under wraps.”
“You think he was a dirty agent?”
“They put him deep undercover for two years, and there’s no doubt lines had to be crossed to bring down the cartel.”
“So, all the gossi p flying could be nothing more than the agency covering its ass.”
“Certainly possible.”
“If not one hundred percent probable.”
“Rumor has it, Tony pulled him into our group and offered him a chance at some reputational refuge.”
“So, he’s going to try the gentleman wolf gig for a while and see if he can stay on the right side of things?”
Putting his arm around her waist, he pulled her closer. “I don’t have confirmation yet, so let’s play it tight.”
“You just want an excuse to have your hand on my ass.”
“Two birds and one stone, D. Nothing wrong with that.” Moving his hand lower, he made sure every person in the small room understood they were together. Not only because he didn’t like the way half the men were eyeing her like a juicy steak, but also because it let any potential threat know that, if you messed with one, you messed with both.
“The show is over,” Daisy remarked before leaning away and picking up her drink. “Hope you enjoyed copping a feel because it’s not happening again.”
“It sure the hell is and pretending otherwise is a waste of time.”
“Just because we crossed the line once doesn’t mean I’ll ever allow it again. And…” she slowly raked her eyes over his face and then shrugged, “you’re not as irresistible as you think.”
“Well aware of that since you’ve avoided me for close to a year.”
“Sexing it up with one’s partner makes things messy in the spook game and…”
“Speaking of messy, what made you decide to join Tick Tock?”
“Isabel Stillman. No one better to work for in our world.”
“I heard you got out of the game after Bangkok and worked with the Teams.”
“You heard correctly. Needed a little break after…what went down and decided being an Operations Officer was the best choice.”
“You know we’re eventually going to have to talk about it.”
“Doubt it.” She picked up her glass and drained it. “Let’s grab a booth in the back and catch up.”
“All right, we’ll play it your way for now.”
“Forever, Tyler. I buried what happened and don’t plan on ever excavating it, so don’t push.”
Seeing her hands flex told him that shutting the hell up was his best option for the time being. “As you wish.”
“Keep that thought front and center, and this op should be a breeze for both of us.”
Sliding his hand around her arm, he firmed his grip. “I’ll give you all the control you need while were gathering intel, but just know that when we are out in the field, I’ll be the one giving orders.”
“A man who’s in control doesn’t need to be controlling, and I hope you acquaint yourself with that concept before too long.”
“I almost lost you, D, and don’t plan on letting it happen again. So, get your mind right because our SOP is going to change for the thing we’re about to take on.”
“I went off the reservation in Bangkok, and how things went down wasn’t on you.”
“Have to disagree since I was the one responsible for your safety.”
“You were responsible for snatching the intel, not for my life.”
“Agree to disagree.” He watched her eyes close momentarily and knew she was done talking about it. “You ready to catch up?”
Pulling herself to her full height, she shook out her hair and smiled. “Absolutely.”
He lifted his hand and grinned. “Ladies first.”
Daisy threw him a wink and then turned, sauntering toward the back booth. Biting the inside of his cheek, he showed no reaction, knowing the extra sway in her hips was meant to torture him. He peeled his eyes away from her ass and watched her mane of inky black hair brush across her shoulders. It brought up an unbidden memory, and he knew that if he let it settle, it would plague him for days.
Their past was complicated, and for every incredible thing they had experienced together, there was something equally horrific.
Good and bad.
Light and dark.
Love and hate.
They had it all.
And if they were lucky, they might actually have a chance to determine what they were supposed to be to one another.
Once and for all.
CHAPTER TWO
“You don’t have enough purple glitter, Auntie.”
Daisy opened one eye and glanced in the mirror her niece held up. “Are you sure, Lola?”
“Yes, on account that I’m the queen of glitter.”
“Alright, Queen Glitter, go ahead and put on as much as you want.”
“I hope you don’t have any important meetings in the next week,” Maribel called from the kitchen. “Because that stuff doesn’t wash off very easily.”
“That’s okay,” Daisy called back. “I think a little purple glitter in my world will only make me more impressive.”
Lola pushed Daisy’s cheeks together and grinned. “I make you pressive, Auntie.”
“Thank you, sweet girl.”
“She no sweet,” Pete announced from his place on the couch. “She a bossy poopy pants.”
“Moooooom,” Lola shrieked. “Pete called me poopy pants.”
“Pete, make better choices or lose the iPad,” Maribel called out.
“Poopy pants is good choice,” he muttered.
Daisy blew a kiss to her nephew and knew being Lola’s little brother wasn’t easy. Her five-year-old niece had inherited the Garcia know it all attitude and often did her best to show anyone who came in contact with her that she was the real deal. “After I’m done getting glittered up, Pete, do you want to go jump on the trampoline?”
“Yeah, as long as Lola no come.”
“It’ll just be you and me.”
Rolling off the couch, he wrapped his little arms around her neck and squeezed. “You my favorite.”
Absorbing the love, she hooked her arm around his waist and peppered him with kisses until he squealed and wiggled away. “I’m ready for more glitter, Lola bear.”
“Good ‘cause I’m gonna give you special colors today.”
“Can’t wait.”
Hearing footsteps, she opened her eye and watched her sister approach with two mugs of coffee. “I probably shouldn’t drink anymore.”
“True, but you’re going to anyway since you’re powerless to refuse my famous café con leche.”
She took the mug her sister held out and sipped her favorite drink. “Where’s your husband this morning? Did he run away to the circus to find a little peace?”
“He might’ve, but I’m guessing he stopped at Home Depot on his way home from the gym. He’s obsessed with building the perfect outdoor kitchen and finds people there who are willing to discuss it ad nauseum.”
Pete crawled into his mother’s lap and flopped back. “I builder like Daddy.”
“Daddy is a doctor, Pete, not a builder.”
“Doctor is girl job. Daddy needs boy job too.”
“No such thing,” Lola announced.
Daisy high-fived her niece. “Right on.”
“All done!” Lola said firmly.
Daisy lifted the mirror and rolled her lips together, so she wouldn’t break out into a laugh. “That’s a lot of sparkles.”
“You needed them, Auntie.”
“I can’t argue with that.”
“You two go wash your hands, and then you can have your snack.”
“Okay,” Lola said before pulling her brother behind her. “I make sure Pete does it right.”
“I’m sure you will,” Maribel murmured.
Leaning against the couch, Daisy sipped her coffee and studied the orange nail polish that Lola had applied earlier. “I have to admit; I don’t hate the look.”
“Me either.” Maribel lifted her sister’s face and clucked her tongue. “Better than your usual spy-girl look.”
“As if that were a thing.”
