A SEAL's Mission

By Rachel Kall

"Rachel Kall writes gritty, fast-paced, realistic romantic suspense that carries a punch to the gut and a twist to the heart. Don't miss a word!" —Roxanne St. Claire, New York Times bestselling author
A Love and Scandal Novel (#2)
When renowned journalist Rowena Murphy uncovers the biggest story of her career, she was prepared to take some risks. But when she learns that more than her life is at stake, she doesn't know who to turn to...
After Navy SEAL Scott Ranger rescued investigative reporter Rowena Murphy in Afghanistan, he thought his mission was complete. But it’s six months later, and he still can't get her out of his head. The game changes when her life is threatened once again...
As they start to uncover just how deep the conspiracy runs in Washington and abroad, Scott vows to keep Rowena and her sources safe—even if that means temporarily dropping the story. But for Rowena putting her investigation on hold isn't an option.
Loyalties are tested and passions ignite as Rowena and Scott race to complete A SEAL's MISSION.

• Language: English
• Publisher: NYLA
• Release date: Jul 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781625175175

Rachel Kall

Rachel Kall writes romantic suspense. She likes writing spicy and suspenseful stories to keep readers guessing. She loves animals and is active in animal rescue. She enjoys adding loveable pets to her stories. She lives in Georgia with her husband and five furkids—two dogs and three cats. Connect online: Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorRachelKall Twitter: http://twitter.com/RachelKall Website: www.RachelKall.com

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A SEAL’s Mission

A Love And Scandal Novel (#2)

Rachel Kall

Copyright

This e-book is licensed to you for your personal enjoyment only.

This e-book may not be sold, shared, or given away.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the writer’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

A SEAL’s MISSION

Copyright © 2014 by Rachel Kall

Ebook ISBN: 9781625175175

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

No part of this work may be used, reproduced, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without prior permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

NYLA Publishing

350 7th Avenue, Suite 2003, NY 10001, New York.

http://www.nyliterary.com

Dedication

For my furkids.

Acknowledgments

I am so thankful for my wonderful agent Sarah Younger and everyone at the Nancy Yost Literary Agency for believing in the Love & Scandal series. To my husband for being so patient and for listening to me talk about Scott Ranger all the time. I love you.

Chapter One

Rowena Murphy settled down in her tent for the night. Being an embedded reporter in the middle of Afghanistan wasn’t exactly how she’d pictured it. But the opportunity for her as a journalist was just too good to pass up. Unfortunately, it meant that she had to focus less on the story that was running hot before she left the states. She was getting closer—much closer—to finding out how deep the conspiracy went.

When she got the call approving her request to embed with an army unit—albeit a year and a half after she made the initial inquiry––she accepted. It wasn’t exactly an active war zone now, like it had been a few years ago. But there was still plenty of danger. Insurgents, militants, and Al-Qaida were all still alive and well. The Taliban was increasing its efforts to try and regain a measure of control in the region. Luckily, or unluckily, though, she’d been embedded a month and had no close calls.

She often lay awake in her tent trying to put together the puzzle pieces she’d discovered before she left Washington. But there wasn’t much she could do about it now, thousands of miles away. She wouldn’t let this assignment stop her though. Things might be a little delayed, but once she went back home she’d pick back up where she left off. She’d reconnect with her sources and keep moving forward.

As her eyes flitted closed, she wondered how her career would be impacted if she could break the story that was bigger than anything she’d ever worked on before. A conspiracy that included some of the highest ranking officials in the U.S. government.

She was jolted awake by rough hands grabbing her. No, she yelled.

Uncertain of what was happening, but regardless she sure as hell wasn’t going to give up without a fight. She was trained in self-defense; however, she soon realized she was outnumbered, dammit. She felt at least two, no, three sets of hands on her. She screamed again, but then a rough hand covered her mouth.

The men spoke in either Arabic or Pashto. She couldn’t tell, as words in rapid fire ricocheted between the men.

She bit down hard on the man’s hand, and he dropped it from her mouth. Get your hands off of me. She struggled against them, but nothing was working. She couldn’t break free from the multiple men who were trying to subdue her.

Making a strategic decision to save her strength, she stopped fighting back. Her body ached from being manhandled, but right now she needed to focus on survival.

Two of the men picked her up. One holding her arms and the other her legs. They kept chattering, but she couldn’t understand them. Where were they taking her? She couldn’t see much in the dark, but she heard the sound of a car’s engine. Then she was thrown down onto a hard surface. Likely the back of a van.

Don’t move or I will kill you, one attacker said in a heavily accented voice.

Are you looking for ransom? Do you know who I am?

We know exactly who you are.

A blow to her temple and her world spiraled into darkness.

Wake up, Ranger.

Scott Ranger jerked awake. He’d probably only gotten about three hours of sleep. Luckily for him, he was used to that—SEAL training at its best. When he’d heard the news that Brock was going to be okay, he’d shut his eyes for a power nap. Now what was going on? He looked up and saw Med peering down at him.

What is it?

Med, short for Ahmed Jabar, was wired with excitement. A new mission. Hessell let you catch-up on sleep while everyone else was briefed.

What type of mission? Scott sat up.

There’s been a female reporter taken hostage by militants. They are demanding an insane ransom. We have intel tracking them to a compound near the Pakistani border.

We’re extracting then?

Exactly, we’re not to engage the opposition unless it’s unavoidable. We leave within the hour.

"Any updates on Brock?

Word is that he’s stable now. He’s en route to Ramstein, in case they need to do more complicated procedures. But they say he’s going to make it.

Scott nodded and got up from his bunk.

In less than an hour, they were in the Humvee, headed toward the border to save the journalist.

Who is this woman? he asked Med.

A reporter for CNC. She’s embedded with an army unit outside of Kabul. Was swiped from her tent in the middle of the night. That’s the part no one can really comprehend. How did the militants infiltrate the unit and get to her without anyone else noticing anything?

You think they had inside help from one of our own?

Unfortunately, that’s the only scenario that seems plausible.

Damn.

Yeah. We have orders to extract. That’s our only mission objective. If we catch the tangos great, if not, at least we’ll have the woman. Her name is Rowena Murphy. Thirty-three, five foot six, brown hair and eyes. Code name Lark.

You know reporters aren’t high up on my list of favorites. I put them alongside the politicians. That Steve Scrubbs guy is the worst. Always trying to get his hands on leaked classified information. What business does the press really have here anyway?

She’s probably trying to make a name for herself. Although Hessell said that she’s actually pretty famous and well liked on the talking head circuit in DC.

These reporters sit around a table acting like they have a clue as to what is going on.

Well, Ranger, look at it this way. She’s out here now. So maybe, just maybe, she’s trying to educate herself on what’s really happening.

You’re always the optimist, Med. But regardless of why she’s here, she’s an innocent civilian just trying to do her job. We’ll get her out of there. Hopefully, before those bastards do anything drastic.

The sooner the better.

You got that right.

Man, am I ready for some R&R, Med mumbled. A stiff drink and a woman under me.

Scott laughed. Yeah, like it’s been so long since you got laid.

Long enough. And what about you? What are you doing when we get back stateside?

Sleep.

We can sleep when we’re dead. You’ve got to get back out there. Have some fun again.

The one night stands are getting a little old.

Med coughed. Don’t tell me you’re ready to settle down?

Hell no. I’m just saying I haven’t found anyone who can hold my interest.

You’re going soft, man.

If you say so.

The Humvee wound its way down the mountain. Scott’s eyes began to close again until he heard the Officer in Charge’s voice booming. Hessell meant business. They’d reached their destination, and their mission was a go. An eight-man team would be sent in for the rescue attempt, as was their standard operating procedure.

We’re going to start moving in on foot ahead of nightfall. Then we’ll make our move tonight after we get eyes on the ground and assess the security of the area, Hessell said.

Scott fell into step beside Med. There was no time to relax out in the field. Especially given how close they were to the Pakistani border. The situation could go from cold to hot in less than a second. Insurgents were literally tucked in every nook and cranny in these mountains. The allegiances of those they could encounter were unknown.

They trekked for about two hours until they were a mile outside of where their intel said the reporter was being held.

We’ll wait here until it gets dark, which should be within half an hour, Hessell said. Then Operation Lark is a go. Ranger, you and Med are in charge of locating and securing Lark. The rest of us will divert and cover. Goal is to be in and out in less than ten minutes, before anyone realizes we’ve come and gone.

Roger that, Scott said. He’d been on more missions than he could count. This one didn’t seem particularly challenging, but you could never account for unknowns. Intel could be misreported, it didn’t happen all that often, but when it did, ops went to shit and quickly. So he wasn’t going to let down his guard. Ever. That’s how you got yourself killed.

Darkness descended on the area and with his night vision goggles in place he was ready to go. Adrenaline pumped through his veins, and he clenched his fists then let out a breath.

It was game time. As he and Med moved closer to the tiny village that surrounded the compound, they stayed close to each other with Scott in the lead as they approached the target. The other guys fanned out around them. The hair stood up on his neck and every part of him was screaming that something was wrong.

Then gunfire rang out.

Damn, he said. This was starting to smell like an ambush. Firing a couple of shots, he quickly took out two men. Seeing them hit the ground through his night vision goggles was satisfying.

Get Lark, he heard in his ear. We’ve got this under control now. Finish your mission. I repeat, finish your mission. Meaning his other teammates had neutralized the threat enough for them to make a run for the hostage.

Med was to his right as he kicked down the side door to the makeshift hut.

I’ll go for Lark, Med said. You secure the hut’s exterior, so I’ll have a clear path out.

Weighing that option for a split second, Scott decided against it. They were stronger and safer as a team. No. We’re going in together.

Clear, Med yelled.

Nothing in the first room. He turned the corner and saw another closed door. Med nodded and pushed the door. It creaked open.

And that’s when he saw her. The journalist. The woman. Rowena. She was bound to a chair. Her eyes wide.

He rushed over to her. Ma’am, we’re going to get you out of here.

He pulled a knife out and cut the rag wrapped tightly around her mouth. She let out a breath but still didn’t speak.

Med was busy freeing her arms and legs.

Scott lifted up her chin and made eye contact. He gently brushed her long dark hair out of her face. She didn’t have the benefit of his night vision goggles, and the room was dark. With the frequent pops of gunfire outside, he wanted to reassure her. He bent down to her ear and whispered, We’re Navy SEALs, ma’am, and you’re going to be just fine.

She tried to stand, but it was obvious she wasn’t going to be able to move at the pace they needed to successfully exit the compound. Scott scooped her up tightly, one arm under her knees the other around her shoulders. Med, who was right beside him, took the lead as they retraced their steps.

Lark is secure, he said into his radio. Making our exit now.

All clear on the outside. Meet at extraction point.

He could feel the woman shivering the tiniest bit in his arms. No doubt this was the worst experience of her life.

She clung to him tightly, and even though he didn’t know this woman, he worried about her. What she’d been through. What they’d done to her. Hurting an innocent was an unforgivable offense. Talk about being in over her head. This was as far as one could get from a sound stage and television studio.

Six months later

At home in Arlington, Virginia, cuddled up on her plush couch, Rowena stopped tapping on the laptop keyboard. She closed her eyes and thanked God again for the Navy SEALs. It was the six-month anniversary of her rescue in Afghanistan, and the aftereffects of the kidnapping still weighed on her.

But her thoughts often went back to her rescuers. Especially the SEAL who had saved her life. He was like an angel. She couldn’t get a good look at him in the shack where she was being held, but she could feel the kindness emanating from him. His voice gentle yet reassuring. His strong arms protecting her. Ultimately saving her from almost certain death.

But she’d never even been able to talk to him, thank him. As soon as they landed, she was whisked away and then taken to an airbase where she showered, was debriefed, and was promptly shipped back home to the states. She hadn’t had a chance to thank him. And she definitely wanted to.

Rowena drummed her fingers on the end table. She knew something was off about her abduction from the army camp. She replayed the events in her mind for the millionth time. There was no way she should’ve been attacked in her tent within the army unit. And that was the biggest reason she was spending her time trying to locate the mystery SEAL. Not only to thank him, but to ask for his help. She didn’t feel like she could trust anyone. Not with the investigation she was conducting. If she was right, that investigation is what almost got her killed in Afghanistan.

The problem was that she needed to find the SEAL who rescued her even more now because of what she’d just been told by her newest source. The anonymous military source that she hadn’t met in person, but who had provided her with absolutely vital information about the story she was working on. He’d told her that there was a SEAL on the inside of this conspiracy. So what better way to find a SEAL than by working with one?

She assumed he wouldn’t be on board with that, but she’d have to find a way to convince him to help her. So she did what she did best and was on the search for her SEAL. Maybe he would believe her. He was proving difficult to locate, but she wasn’t giving up.

The doorbell rang, and her dog Bella started barking loudly. Her bark was worse than her bite. Rowena had adopted Bella from the shelter just in the nick of time. The golden retriever mix was now her best friend.

She wasn’t expecting anyone this evening. Bella kept barking, and Rowena stood up from the couch and walked to the front door. She looked through the peephole and saw a tall buff blond at her door.

But just because he was hot didn’t mean he was safe. She’d had her fair share of creeps try to find her who had seen her on TV. She did her best to guard her home address, but nothing was totally private these days.

Who’s there? she asked.

Rowena? he asked.

What do you want?

Could you please open up the door?

Was this a one night stand from years ago? No way. She would remember this guy. Not until you tell me who you are.

I’m Scott Ranger.

And that’s supposed to mean something to me?

She heard him laugh and watched him prop himself against the doorframe.

We met in the middle of Afghanistan, ma’am. I was one of the men who got you out that night.

Well I’ll be damned, she thought. Could this be her avenging angel? Taking a deep breath, she looked through the peephole again. He sure as hell looked like one. Scott Ranger. That had a nice ring to it. She slowly opened the door, and he smiled at her.

Come on in. She took a step to the side, and he walked through her door. So this was him. The man she’d been thinking about for the past six months. Every. Single. Day.

Bella rushed to greet him with tail wagging and yellow fur flying.

Hey there. He knelt down and gave Bella a few pats. Then he looked up at her. You’ve been trying to find me?

She took a moment to really look at him. His eyes were bright green like shamrocks. Unlike the scruffy look required by the SEALs, now he was clean shaven, and his dark blond hair was cut short.

Rowena?

Yes, sorry. I didn’t really see you when you saved me that night.

Yeah, and now that I’m back stateside for a bit, I buzzed my hair off and shaved.

Wearing a black t-shirt and dark jeans, he looked more like a model than a SEAL, and she was still a bit stunned that he was here in her house. Being at a loss for words was an unusual feeling for Rowena, as always knowing what to say was part of what made her great on camera. So she started in with the first thing that came to mind. Well, umm first, I should thank you. I, I really do appreciate you risking your life to save me.

Is that why you were trying to find me? He gave Bella another pat and walked over toward her. To thank me?

She considered her options. Wondering if she should tell him her true motive now. She needed more information first. Needed to get to know him a little better. "Yes, of course. But you’re a very difficult man to find. Like a ghost. No one wanted