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  Guarding Faith (Special Forces: Operation Alpha)

  Guardian Seals Book 7

  Nicole Flockton

  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.

  © 2019 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 my #GlitterMonday and #SealSunday #SealSinday girls. Thanks for bringing the fun back to twitter!

  And to Faith, a friend and woman who faced adversity head on and came out on top. We may not talk as much, but I love you and you will always be my friend.

  Acknowledgements

  As always, thank you to Susan Stoker for opening her world up so my characters can come and play with hers. Also to Amy for her tireless work in getting all the books ready for publication and always answering emails.

  To Jennifer for working her magic with my cover. Can I say hot!!

  Abigail, for being my cheerleader, friend, beta reader and all round amazing girl!

  Thanks to Tara for her eagle eye in copy editing this manuscript - you are awesome.

  My Latrop Chronicles and Eharlequin buddy Karen, thank you so much for your help in making sure all my rodeo references were correct.

  Readers, thanks for continuing on this journey with me and continuing to read my books. I love hearing from you and appreciate every single one of you.

  My family supports and allows me to follow my dreams. Their patience and understanding is amazing. Thank you to my hero Jason and heroine and hero in the making, Skylar and Zane.

  About the Book

  Undercover FBI Agent Faith Timberly is close to breaking the case she’s been working on for months. The last thing she needs is a blast from the past coming back to distract her, but Greg ‘Cowboy’ Robertson is hard to resist. Long ago they’d shared one kiss that she’s never been able to forget. With a promotion on the line, she will do everything she can to ignore an attraction that years apart hasn’t dulled.

  Navy SEAL Greg Robertson is ready to spend time with his family when he finds out a former teenage crush is competing at the Houston Livestock and Rodeo Show. Faith’s beauty ignites a fire in him and he doesn’t want to douse it. But Faith is acting strange. When he discovers she’s an FBI Agent and working a case, he knows he should keep away…but he can’t. Not when Faith’s life is in danger.

  Now that he’s found her, Greg has no plans to let Faith go. But will he be too late?

  Contents

  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

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Also by Nicole Flockton

  More Special Forces: Operation Alpha World Books

  Books by Susan Stoker

  Chapter 1

  “So how about we do this again in two weeks?” Greg Robertson’s voice glided down her spine as they swayed to the music. She called on all her FBI training to keep her body’s reactions to a minimum.

  When they’d been on the rodeo circuit together, she’d always thought he was cute, in a rough and tumble cowboy sort of way. Now that he was a Navy SEAL he’d filled out in all the right places, and she had no doubt his broad shoulders had rescued many a person. She found herself thinking of doing more than just dancing with him at the wedding reception, which she had to get rid of. She had a job to do and hooking up with a guy from her past, even for one night wasn’t on her agenda.

  “What do you mean, do this again in two weeks?” she asked pulling her mind from how different Greg was compared to when she’d last known him.

  He pulled her a little tighter against his hard chest. This time she couldn’t stop the sigh of pleasure that escaped from being this close to him. “Joker and Suzie are getting married. Would you like to be my date?”

  In two weeks’ time she should be on her way to Houston in preparation for the annual livestock show and rodeo. It was a huge event that should take all her focus. But it was damn tempting to spend more time with him. She’d forgotten how much fun they had together. His invite to attend the wedding of his teammate had come out of the blue, but in a moment of weakness, she’d accepted it. Even she needed time off from her job.

  When she’d been looking at a horse at a stable in Virginia, one that was suspected to be part of the horse smuggling ring she was trying to crack, the last person she expected to see sauntering down the dusty barn that day was Greg. For a moment that day, her job had been forgotten and she was transported back to the times when they were young and thought they had everything sorted out. They’d sit on the tailgate of his truck, looking up at the night sky, talking about how he was going to be a world famous bronc rider and she was going to take the barrel racing world by storm.

  Then a trip to Paris, France had changed all that for Greg.

  “Faith? Are you okay?”

  Greg’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. Thoughts she was better off not sinking into. “Umm, I’d love to be your date, but I can’t. I have to be in,” she paused, she was undercover, she couldn’t share every location of where she was going. “Colorado for a sponsors’ event. My trip here to Virginia was always planned as just a short visit.”

  It wasn’t entirely untrue. As part of her cover she did have to meet with sponsors, except those sponsors were all going to be in Houston. Not many were planning on being in Colorado.

  “Does all the traveling around get tiring after a while? Don’t you wish you had somewhere you could hang your hat and call your own?”

  If only he knew her home base was actually in Richmond, Virginia, a little under two hours away from where he lived and worked. “I’m still young. Got plenty of time to settle down,” she shrugged and fixed her gaze on a spot over his shoulder, hoping it was enough to get him off that line of questioning.

  The music stopped and she pulled out of his embrace. Faith needed to put space between her and Greg. Getting close to him again was frying her brain. They’d always been friends when they
’d been on the circuit a decade ago. But she’d had the biggest crush on him. And those times when they were in the back of his truck, she always wished he would kiss her. Did he remember the one night her wish had come true? That kiss had been more than she ever thought it could be... a kiss she thought about often. The next day though, she’d woken up and he’d acted like it had never happened. Their friendship had been strained for the next couple of months, but they’d found their way back to each other and she contented herself with just being his friend.

  “Robot.”

  “Robot.”

  “Robot.”

  A chant had broken out among the guys, Greg was chanting loudly by her side. Faith looked around the room and found Robot, the best man, handing his jacket to his wife, before giving her a solid kiss. He walked out to the middle of the floor and took up a classic robot pose.

  Faith laughed and clapped as Greg’s team lead, who she’d only met that night, went through his dance movements. “I guess that’s how he got his name? I didn’t think his real name was Robot.”

  Greg glanced her way before looking back at the man in the middle of the floor. “Yep, it’s his nickname and we all have one.”

  “I’d heard that about SEAL teams. What’s yours?”

  Greg didn’t respond and she wasn’t was sure if it was because he didn’t hear or he didn’t want to share.

  Faith couldn’t deny it hurt a little. After all, they’d been friends once. But seeing as they weren’t going to see each other again after tonight, it didn’t matter.

  Watching the display going on the dance floor, she pushed her feelings aside and enjoyed the show. It had been a long time since she’d seen anyone dance the robot and she had to say he was doing an excellent job at it.

  Faith looked over at his wife, Antonia, and her eyes were shining brightly with the love and laughter she felt for the man on the dance floor. A quick look at Robot again, showed he was watching Antonia with an intensity that could set the whole room ablaze. Everyone in the room could see for themselves, this man loved his wife and she loved him right back.

  God, Faith ached for someone to look at her that way. As if she single-handedly hung the stars and moon. As if she were the most important person in their life. She’d always wanted to have a special someone in her life.

  When he finished the whole room cheered and clapped loudly, Robot bowed but then strode over to Antonia and swept her up in a kiss that should’ve been kept in the bedroom. Anyone would think they were the bride and groom and not Erin and Carlos, although those two had been giving just as an impressive display of love as Robot and Antonia.

  “Whew,” she waved her hand in front of her face. “There’s a whole lotta love flying around this room tonight. Who’d have guessed big tough Navy SEALs could be such softies?”

  “Once we fall, we fall hard,” Greg murmured, rubbing his hand up and down her back.

  Another wave of shivers rippled through her, only she was too scared to look at Greg’s face.

  Damn, she’d thought she’d gotten over her crush on the guy years ago, but now she had to wonder if maybe she’d just put it on hold while they’d gone their separate ways.

  He couldn’t be talking about him having feelings for her. It was entirely too ridiculous to even allow the thought to manifest in her mind.

  Besides he could’ve been talking about someone else and not her. Shit, if he was talking about someone else, then he was a jerk to say that and then caress her back.

  Faith stepped to the side, breaking the contact. “I think I’m going to sit down. My feet are killing me. They’re not used to standing in heels all day. Thanks for the dance.”

  Oh geez, could she sound anymore formal? They’d come to the wedding together. She’d just thanked him for a dance as if he was a total stranger.

  Shaking her head at herself, she plopped down in her chair and picked up her glass of water, grimacing as she took a sip. The liquid was warm and she only enjoyed water if it was ice cold.

  “Faith, tell us a little about yourself. How long have you known, Cowboy?” Erin, the bride asked as she sat down next to her.

  “You dance well together, it certainly didn’t look like your first dance. Did you two used to date?” This from Antonia who took the other vacant seat next to her.

  Faith took another sip of the warm water. Anything to avoid the Spanish inquisition from Antonia and the bride, Erin. Both of their lipstick was smudged but neither one seemed to care. Before she could say anything else, two other women turned up at the table.

  If gambling was second nature to her she’d lay down money that Suzie and Brielle were joining the party.

  Looking at the group of women she could see the same gleam in each of their eyes—the matchmaking gleam.

  Okay, this needed to be nipped in the bud right now.

  “Cowboy?” Now that wasn’t what she had planned on saying, but clearly that was the only word that stuck in her mind.

  “Yeah, Cowboy. You know, the guy you were dancing with,” Erin responded.

  “Cowboy,” she murmured before laughing out loud. “Greg’s nickname is Cowboy? That is perfect for him.”

  Antonia leaned closer to her. “You mean you didn’t know?”

  Faith shook her head. “Nope, he never mentioned it and I’ve always known him as Greg.”

  “Hmm if you guys are dating, I wonder why he wouldn’t tell you,” mused Suzie. “When we first met, Joker introduced himself to me as Joker. I didn’t find out until he was shot and in the hospital that his name was Ryan.”

  Faith’s mind whirled. As an FBI Agent she was very familiar with being shot, and she had the scar on her upper arm to prove it. But the way Suzie was so blasé about her fiancé’s injury astounded her.

  “That’s because all he wanted to do was get into your pants, Suz. He wasn’t looking for a long time, just a good time.” Erin winked.

  “Oh my God, Erin, you’re so crass,” Brielle waggled her finger at the bride, a smile on her face tempering the words.

  Erin smiled and shined her knuckles against her dress. “But you all love me for it.”

  The girls all laughed, the camaraderie between them evident. It made sense they were close. The guys were a SEAL team. She’d worked with enough of them, and she was well aware that for any team to be successful they had to be close knit. If their significant others didn’t get on well it could mean rifts within the team and that could be deadly.

  What would it be like to have the closeness these women shared? To know that no matter what, they’d always be there for you?

  She shook away those thoughts real quick. As much as she would love to be in a close group of girls, her job didn’t allow for it. She may not go off into war torn countries, but she’d been in some serious situations herself where she’d thought she wouldn’t make it out.

  What she would do was enjoy tonight, and when she walked out of the room, she would leave them all behind—including Greg.

  Greg “Cowboy” Robertson withstood the slap on his back from his teammate Ryan “Joker” Smith. “Cowboy, dude, the girls have circled their wagons around your woman. Be afraid. Be very afraid.”

  He looked over to the table he’d sat at for the food part of the evening. Joker was indeed correct, Faith was surrounded by his teammate’s significant others. “Faith can hold her own. She’s a tough rodeo competitor. Nothing will phase her.”

  He kept his voice cool, calm and evenly modulated, the last thing he wanted to let his teammate know that everything in him was screaming to rush over there and rescue her from the girls.

  “You know, E’s not going to let up until she has all of Faith’s details, including all her deep dark secrets.” Carlos “Italy” Porcelli, joined in the conversation.

  “I’m not worried. As I said, Faith can hold her own.”

  “You’re awfully calm, what’s the story between you and Faith?” This came from Robot.

  Greg didn’t want to delve to deeply into
his and Faith’s past relationship. He’d acted like an asshole after their one and only kiss. At the time he was young and brash and didn’t like the feeling of rightness that had flowed through him, kissing her. No way was he going to be spilling his guts to his teammates, they’d never let him live it down.

  “Fuck, since when did we become a knitting club?” he said while grabbing his beer and took a large gulp, grimacing at the nastiness of the brew.

  “Oh, who’s avoiding the question now,” sing songed T-Rex.

  “Shut up,” Greg mumbled. The more he avoided the subject the more they’d hassle him. Before all of the guys hooked up with their partners, they’d all done the usual dick talk about the women they’d hooked up with.

  Now that more than half of the team was settled down, the more touchy feely they seemed to get.

  He and Red were now the only single guys on the team, so as far as he was concerned they had to stick together. But Red, surprisingly, was nowhere to be seen. Usually when the team got together, whether it be for drinks or for talking smack about each other, like they were currently doing to him, they were all there.

  “Hey, where’s Red?” Greg asked.

  “Getting us beers, so don’t use him as an excuse,” Robot said, using his usual team-lead voice.

  A second later the man in question arrived, six of the team’s favorite beer bottles in his arms. “Isn’t this a wedding? Shouldn’t a waiter be getting us our beers?”