Breaking Protocol

By C Jackson

Join Elise as she breaks protocol from her upbringing as one of the American military structure's best-kept secrets, to branch out into a romantic relationship with an Israeli agent. It's a relationship that defies her training, experience, and best judgment.

Joined together by their respective countries to find the culprit behind a vicious bombing in Israel, the two agents are forced to rethink the rules when the investigation turns personal. Elise and Sasha work against the hands of time to find the people responsible for the mysterious attack at a secured military contractor outside of Tel Aviv, while at the same time trying to thwart their handlers' attacks and attempts to end their budding romance.

Breaking Protocol is a fast-paced and action-packed romance novella meant to be enjoyed by readers looking for more than just Boy Meets Girl.  

• Language: English
• Publisher: C Jackson
• Release date: Jan 10, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524216900

Book preview

CHAPTER 1:

THE CONTACT

She has done this a hundred times, but even a thousand times later Elise couldn’t imagine it feeling any different. She is standing at the podium, in front of massive flags carefully positioned so that they flow down elegantly in ruffles of American patriotism.  The goose-bumps on her arms are a welcome distraction from the deadpan gaze of twenty aging Army officers. 

Even after all of these years, she still doesn’t believe they respect her.  When she was young and just starting out, she thought her skills would earn her everything she needed to succeed. She quickly learned differently. 

Now, she spends the weeks leading up to a sales presentation becoming the complete package. Her hair is professionally primped into a professional and sleek bun, accented by crystal-encrusted barrettes. She learned to forgo the pant suits and today has opted to wear a dress worth more than a month of the average American’s salary. 

Just concentrate on the presentation, is her mantra.  Elise has prepared an elaborate computer-guided tutorial outlining her latest project. As owner of the private defense contractor Low House, she has an endless supply of resources to spend on wooing the rough crowd. 

Typically her equipment is in large scale, or theoretical in use. Both limit the ability to present it to her potential buyers. She has an advantage today.  The product for sale is small enough to be demonstrated in person.

Gentleman, please welcome a colleague of mine....Gary.  Formerly a CIA analyst, Gary now works in our testing department.

Gary walks onto the conference room stage and stands next to Elise. She sees the eyes of the officers traveling up and down his physique as they take notice of his odd get-up. He is dressed in a black, tightly fitting body suit similar in appearance to a high performance motorcycle protective bib.  He certainly doesn’t appear to be a weapon.

Elise steps down off of the stage, carrying the portable podium with her and leaving Gary behind. She motions towards the door and another gentleman walks into the conference room. His large over-muscular frame towers over the more average and trim Gary.

And now, Elise announces to the audience, I would like to introduce you to Gary’s sparring partner... Sergeant Talbot.

She announced his name with flair. Sergeant Talbot is a well-known and high-ranking member of the Army’s special forces. He knows many of the officers present and she hopes he will carry more weight than just an actor. 

These two men will demonstrate what I’m offering to you- a suit that will protect your soldiers engaged in hand-to-hand combat.  Elise looks around at the officers bored faces. They have heard this all before, but they haven’t seen it delivered...

Gentleman, please bow and proceed to spar.

She glanced again at the officers and watched with a smirk as their expressions changed from boredom to awe. Talbot lunged at Gary yet his punches were slowed about a foot in front of his target, leaving ample time to prepare and react. Kick after kick and punch after punch, Gary is able to escape impact and counter with force. Finally, after what most certainly cannot be called a struggle, Gary delivered a final blow and Talbot surrendered. 

The conference room was initially silent, but then filled with applause.  Elise could hear the anxious hushed chatter of the officers as they conveyed to each other what they saw and how it could have happened.

This suit is the product of 5 years of development, and 25 years of my personal exploration and study. Through means too classified to disclose, this suit is able to buffer impact and will give your soldiers the advantage they need in the field.

She wrapped up her sales pitch with a call to arms and a deadline for the proposal. In a final display of authority, she abruptly packs her notes and accompanied Gary out of the room through a door hidden behind the display of flags. 

The door opened into a long hallway. It was impeccably clean and shiny.  The walls were a light gray and interrupted every 5 feet by a pane of dark glass.  The lighting was bright enough to display even the tiniest speck of dust and cameras were situated in each corner.

Excuse me, ma'am.  A young woman presented herself to Elise and Gary.  Elise noticed that her Class A's were in the Army's colors, but her insignia was lacking. 

I need him to come with me, she said, pointing at Gary. 

"Is there a problem?  We're just leaving. I was told I could