Beyond Duty

By Stanalei Fletcher

Northstar Security agent, Riley O’Neal, balks at posing as anyone’s husband for an assignment. Nevertheless, to rescue the kidnapped wife of a U.S. Senator, he’ll perform his duty and do his best to resist the charms of the very woman who deceived him on a previous mission. U.S. Army Lt. Mary “Chip” Anderson is uneasy about the undercover assignment to pose as newlyweds. Concealing her attraction to Riley while staying focused on the task, may be the biggest challenge. Despite efforts to remain objective, enforced proximity ignites emotions and a desire to make the fake honeymoon real. When Chip is kidnapped during a botched rescue attempt of the senator's wife, both women become pawns in the case that threatens the nation’s security. Riley must remain objective, save the women, and avert the threat. But after that, can he convince Chip that she wants to wear his ring forever?

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Oct 12, 2016
• ISBN: 9781509210251

Stanalei Fletcher

Stanalei's love of writing romance stems from reading favorites such as Grimm's Fairy Tales, Barbara Cartland and Alistair MacLean. She has over twenty years in the martial arts and holds the rank of Sandan, a third degree black belt, in Aikido. After a taste of life on both U.S. coasts, she now resides near the beautiful Wasatch Mountains with her husband. Together they enjoy backcountry dirt road on their RZR, visiting our National Parks, and exploring ghost towns and museums. Visit Stanalei at www.stanaleifletcher.com

Book preview

Inc.

Riley felt immobilized

by the significance of the gold glinting under the room’s fluorescent lights. As though on cue, they both reached for the rings. When their hands collided, Chip snatched hers back and balled it into a fist.

He picked up the smaller ring first, and rolled the smooth metal between his fingers. He strode around the table and stopped in front of the petite lieutenant. She stood her ground.

Taking her left hand, he heard her draw a breath. His gaze locked on to the violent storm brewing inside her gray eyes. The temperature inside the room increased. His breathing matched the rise and fall of her chest as the room filled with white noise.

Her slender hand trembled ever so slightly as he slipped the band onto her fourth finger. It fit perfectly. He stared into the dark pools of her eyes, like a man dying of thirst in the scorched desert. Uninvited, the timeless words from the marriage ceremony echoed through his head. With this ring…

Beyond Duty

by

Stanalei Fletcher

Northstar Security Series

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Beyond Duty

COPYRIGHT © 2016 by Kim Finnegan

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by Diana Carlile

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Crimson Rose Edition, 2016

Print ISBN 978-1-5092-1024-4

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-1025-1

Northstar Security Series

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

My life would be pretty dull

without my sisters and brothers,

so thank you Wendy, Scott, Wade, Lorna, and David

for sharing and shaping my life

with your imaginations and dreams.

Acknowledgments

A special thanks to ELF for your dedication and commitment to the quality of this story.

As always, thanks to my critique partners, Steve, Tracie, Kent, Mary and Lyn for holding my feet to the fire.

Thanks to Jude, who spent an entire day helping me brainstorm the do-over and selecting character names.

Lastly, Thank You to my wonderful readers who have championed this series and made it a greater success than I could have imagined.

Prologue

No battle plan survives first contact with the enemy.

The adage almost always came true, but Riley O’Neal forced it to the back of his mind as he bounded up the stairs to the second floor of one of Washington, D.C.’s worst inner-city gang houses. He hated this building-disguised-as-a-youth-home that lured teenagers off the cold streets with the promise of a better life. Hated the gang he’d infiltrated and all the horrible things he’d seen while gathering evidence against them. But he loved working undercover for his father’s Northstar Security firm—he loved the action—knowing he was protecting the innocent. And like it or not, his job required him to live by that adage, or die by it.

An hour ago, he’d relocated eight of the teenagers to a safe house. They’d be out of harm’s way when the task force raid went down. The house was empty now, except for Riley and Lisa Gannon, a runaway too injured to move under her own power. If he hadn’t been delayed trying to confirm the arrest warrants, he’d have been back for Lisa much sooner. He wanted the girl safely out of the house before the gang returned. His gut churned, hoping the raid would execute without a hitch. There was no time for more delays.

He reached the top step and turned toward the room Lisa shared with the other runaways. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught movement from the fire escape window at the end of the hallway. He stared in shock at one of the girls sneaking back in. All the kids had strict instructions to stay at the safe house until new living arrangements were made, or family members notified. Yet, right there was a teenager who thought she didn’t have to follow orders. Her unorthodox arrival was about to put a huge snag in his assignment.

What are you doing back here? Riley hoped his tone would scare her back to the safe house. Did you forget your stash?

The girl in jeans and an oversized hooded jacket stopped short in the hallway. Instead of scurrying back out the window, she spun on the threadbare carpet and faced him. Her expression was more annoyed than scared. Don’t have a stash. Her voice was low, hoarse, and more than a little hostile.

He glared at her. Who are you? He knew every kid who’d recently been used and abused at this miserable place. This girl wasn’t one of them.

None of your business. The hood shadowed her eyes, but he could tell she was checking out the upstairs rooms.

You’re the one sneaking in. That makes it my business.

So you say. She slouched into her jacket, which made her appear smaller, but if she was going for submissive, she failed. I’m looking for my friend, Lisa. I heard she was here.

Not a good time for BFFs. He glanced at his watch. In twenty minutes, the gang would walk through the doors. In twenty-five minutes, the taskforce would storm in. All hell was about to break loose and he had no way to call off the raid.

So she’s here?

Not for long. You need to leave, too.

Her eyes narrowed with resolve. I ain’t leaving without Lisa.

He stepped closer, hoping his height would intimidate her. I’m not telling you, again. Leave. Now.

She shook her head. Lisa and me will go together. Folding her arms over her baggy coat, she poked out her chin with an air of defiance.

Riley held back a groan. Then you’ll both have to come with me.

I ain’t goin’ nowhere with you, and neither is Lisa.

The threat hung in the charged air like the dim lightbulb dangling from frayed wires on the ceiling. He caught a glimpse of stormy eyes as the girl clenched her fists and straightened her shoulders, which made her look taller than her five-feet-something. Even that baggy coat seemed to fit better. Suddenly, she didn’t look so down-and-out.

He felt a flicker of admiration for this teenager’s commitment to help her friend, and tried a different tactic. Nothing will happen to Lisa, you have my word. You can come with us.

Your word ain’t worth the air you wasted sayin’ it. She bristled with hostility that surprised him. I’ll make sure nothin’ happens to Lisa.

She started to edge past him, but he stepped in her path. He didn’t know this girl, but she didn’t deserve to see what had been done to her friend. No one should see Lisa in her condition, except a doctor.

Move, dumb ass! The girl put up her fists like a boxer ready to go twelve rounds.

Cute. If the situation weren’t so dire, he might’ve laughed at her feeble attempt to stop him. You want to fight me? He didn’t like to use physical force, but he’d do what was necessary to keep this girl safe, too. He took a stance directly in front of the door to Lisa’s room and folded his arms across his chest, pulling his T-shirt taut enough to cut into his biceps.

Won’t be much of a fight, she muttered as her foot unexpectedly shot out.

The kick swept behind his right leg. What the—? Pain spiked in his knee and his leg buckled. He landed flat on his back atop the stained carpet. Son of a bitch! The little spitfire dropped him like a pro. He stared at the ceiling, clutching his knee and stunned from the hard fall. As the girl stepped over him toward Lisa’s room, he snapped out of his daze and cupped both hands around her calf. Holding tight, he angled her away from the door.

She toppled onto her side with a thud, and immediately started to squirm free. A flailing leg struck a few blows, which surprisingly hurt when they connected.

Ignoring the pain in his knee, he rolled her onto her back and pinned both legs to the floor, stopping her kicks. Then he scooted forward and straddled her stomach. Before she could take out his nose with a right cross, he grabbed her wrists and secured both arms over her head.

She fought like Jet Li, driving her knees into his back, and forcing him to scoot farther up onto her chest. Then she changed tactics and tried to buck him off. With his hundred and seventy pounds atop her, that attempt failed too.

She thrashed harder. Get off me, you ass—

Shut up. He silenced her profanity and leaned in. His face was inches from hers as he avoided another kick. His unshaven jaw inadvertently brushed her cheek.

She froze at the contact, but her gray eyes flashed again, reminding him of lightning over the Potomac.

At least she didn’t smell as if it had been days since her last bath. Most of the runaways rarely showered and almost none brushed their teeth. Riley straightened a little and winced at the pain in his knee where she’d kicked him. He saw only one way out of this situation.

I’ll catch hell for telling you this, but you leave me no choice. He focused on her furious face. The gang that runs this place will be back soon, and the cops are moving in to arrest everyone. I relocated the other kids to a safe house about an hour ago. Lisa is the only one left. I’m taking her out of here. He paused. And you, too—if you’ll stop fighting me.

She pressed her wrists against his palms, testing his hold, but he kept her pinned firmly to the floor.

Who are you? I see the mark, but you don’t talk like you’re one of the gang.

The mark was a tattoo on the side of his neck proving his allegiance to the gang. He couldn’t wait to have it removed when this assignment was over. Doesn’t matter who I am. You’ll just have to trust me.

Her brows rose in disbelief as she nodded at his hands. "Seriously? Trust you? Her eyes narrowed with suspicion. If what you say is true, why didn’t you take Lisa with the others?"

She would have to ask that question. I couldn’t. Earlier in the day, he’d walked in on Lisa’s punishment for trying to escape. He still raged with fury at being unable to stop the beating without blowing his cover. Now that the warrants had finally been issued, maintaining his cover wasn’t as crucial. That didn’t stop the violent thoughts that stirred toward those who’d done the beating. I came back for Lisa. I’m here to help her.

Help? Her voice rasped as she wriggled under him, trying to slip free. You call this helping?

He held back a frustrated sigh. Relax, and I’ll explain.

Why should I believe you?

Because I’m telling the truth. I can help Lisa and you.

Caution filled her eyes. More importantly, resistance left her body and she stopped trying to kick him.

He eased his grip on her wrists, but remained guarded. He still straddled her—knees pressed under her armpits, and thighs hugging her chest. Under the baggy coat, she didn’t feel bony, or like an underfed runaway.

His brain insisted he was protecting a child, but his body reacted to the sensation of a full-grown woman beneath him. This is a girl, he told himself. A teenager. Possibly victimized by the type of ruthless men he was putting out of business tonight. It sickened him that his arousal made him no better than them.

He shifted uncomfortably. If you promise to stop fighting me, I’ll let you up.

She nodded, but the wariness never left her eyes. Why are you helping us?

Relief blew out with the breath he’d been holding. He eased off her chest and reached out a hand to help her up.

Once on her feet, she rolled a shoulder as if it hurt. She flexed her fingers and rubbed her wrists, but her face remained impassive, except for those expressive eyes.

Regret shot through him. He hadn’t wanted to hurt her—only get his message across. As a kid from the street, she was probably used to mistreatment, but he disliked adding to her pain.

Start talkin’, mister. Or I’m going through that door and nothin’ you can do will stop me.

Right. He hesitated, unhappy about revealing his identity. The director would have his head. But the timetable was set and he was out of options. My name’s Riley O’Neal. I’m undercover, sent to infiltrate this gang and gather evidence of drugs and prostitution. Warrants were issued an hour ago, and like I said, a taskforce is waiting to make arrests. If you and Lisa are still here, you’ll be caught in the crossfire.

Her face was difficult to read. The hood had slipped off during the scuffle and strings of dull, brown hair fell around her face. She’d probably look cute all cleaned up. He reminded himself that her appearance wasn’t relevant. She had to believe him—trust him.

Precious seconds ticked by while she seemed to wrestle with his explanation. I wanna see Lisa. Then you can be a hero.

She’d bought his story. Some of his tension bled off. Okay.

Unable to avoid the inevitable, he opened the door to the room where Lisa huddled on a thin, stained mattress. For a moment, he deliberately blocked the view inside. Then he crossed the room and crouched in front of the injured teenager. She was only now waking up. Grimy tears streaked her face and her once blonde hair hung in dirty, matted tangles.

The girl hurried around him to sit close to her friend. Lisa. It’s me, Mary. Do you remember me?

Riley studied the girl who, only moments ago, had knocked him flat. Her voice was softer, more mature than before. Instinctively he sensed something off about her.

Mary? Lisa struggled to sit. Of course, I remember you. How did you find me?

That doesn’t matter. Mary pushed aside a lock of Lisa’s hair. Can you walk? We’re getting out of here.

Lisa tried to move, letting out a groan. Her face twisted in pain. I dunno. They beat me for trying to escape. I…I’m scared.

I won’t let anyone hurt you now. Mary wrapped her arm around the other girl’s shoulders.

Lisa whimpered and Mary’s expression tightened when she saw the dark streaks of raw, red flesh on Lisa’s back. Torn bits of clothing stuck to places where blood congealed on open wounds. Tears filled Lisa’s eyes.

Mary glared at Riley. What did you do to her?

He raised his hands. Not me. I’m here to get the mother-fu—the bastards who did this. He silently swore vengeance on the gang leader who’d done the beating.

You’d better get them, or so help me— Mary removed her old coat to cover Lisa’s back and helped her stand.

As the girls stood side-by-side, he noticed how mature Mary seemed compared to Lisa. I will, he promised. Now, let’s get out of here. They started toward the door.

A commotion erupted on the first floor and the sound of raucous voices carried up the stairs. Lisa cried out and buried her face in Mary’s shoulder.

They’ve returned early. He swore. The clock had just run out. Years of training and experience put his instincts on autopilot. It’s too late to go downstairs and get the car. Come this way.

Mary tightened her hold and guided the frightened girl into the hallway.

You’ll both have to leave through the fire escape while I stall them.

Lisa needs a doctor. She can barely walk. How is she going to climb down the escape?

You don’t have a choice, he snapped. If Mary hadn’t been sneaking in, Lisa would already be on her way to a hospital. Any other exit will put you in the line of fire. I’ll help you onto the landing. As he lifted Lisa off her feet, she buried her face in his chest to muffle pain-filled cries. He hurried to the window—adrenaline pulsing through his veins and masking the pain in his knee. He set Lisa outside on the landing, and then turned back to Mary. Now, you.

I’ve got this. Mary waved him off and started to duck outside.

Wait, Mary.

She paused with one leg through the window and frowned at him.

He fished a slip of paper with an address and phone number out of his wallet. Once you reach the street, go to the corner of Neal and Montello. There’s a safe house at that address. Call that number when you arrive. Someone’ll come and take Lisa to the hospital. As he handed the paper over, he noticed how trim and almost clean Mary’s fingernails were. Another unusual detail he cataloged for later consideration. Now, get moving.

Mary glanced at the paper, then at his leg, and mumbled, I’m sorry if I hurt you, Riley. Be careful.

Her words surprised him. The last thing he’d expected was an apology. Careful is my middle name. With that, he turned and started down the stairway to head off anyone from coming up.

He took three steps down before remembering something he needed to tell the mysterious little spitfire. He ran back up the staircase and hurried to the window. Mary, wait at the safe—

But the girls were already gone, disappearing into the night almost as silently as Mary had slipped in. Riley growled under his breath, irritated at the pull this enigmatic girl had on him. He’d just have to catch up with the runaways later.

He pushed the encounter to the back of his mind. Right now, he had to wrap up the assignment. The gang had boasted about a supplier with high-level connections. That was the guy Riley wanted, then they could shut down this operation. Permanently.

Chapter One

A year later

U.S. Army Reserve First Lieutenant Mary Chip Anderson was disciplined enough not to stare at Colonel Jackson with her mouth gaping. Excuse me, Sir? She stood in front of the colonel’s desk inside his office on Joint Base Meyer-Henderson Hall. Although he’d instructed her to stand at ease, the order he’d just stated had made her spine stiffen to strict attention.

I know this change in your duty assignment is unusual. The colonel pointed his pen at the document on his desk. But the request comes directly from a United States Senator. You’re to be at the meeting at Northstar Security by thirteen-hundred hours.

May I ask which senator?

Senator Andrew Burnsworth of New Mexico. I understand you know him personally.

Andrew. Fiona’s husband. The senator’s wife is a friend of mine. Chip’s knees went weak. Had something happened to Fiona? Could that be why she hadn’t returned any texts? Chip kept her voice professional to hide her personal worry. Did Senator Burnsworth mention what this was about?

He requires a military liaison for a presentation, the details of which are classified, even to me. The colonel scowled, obviously unhappy about being kept in the dark.

Is that all, Sir?

That’s all I have, other than the senator asked for you specifically. I know this assignment is somewhat unconventional, but I expect you to comport yourself to the highest degree of excellence that I’ve come to expect from you.

She suppressed the bloom of warmth at the unexpected compliment. Yes, Sir.

The colonel paused, then leaned forward with a hard stare. On the other hand, Lieutenant, if I discover this is some whim cooked up by the senator’s wife because of your friendship, it won’t matter who your father is. You’re due for your next fitness report in a few weeks and you don’t want to put me in a bad mood. Do I make myself clear?

Yes, Sir. Chip tried not to twitch under her superior officer’s cool gaze. She was still unsure if she wanted to re-up for another hitch, but she absolutely didn’t want to screw up an honorable discharge.

The colonel gave a nod. That’s all, Lieutenant. Dismissed.

She saluted, did an about-face, and strode from the office with her nerves tingling at the strange change in her duty assignment.

Outside the drab government building, the mid-October sunshine and cloudless sky looked out of place. To the east, the flags surrounding Arlington National Cemetery were barely moving. If Fiona was pulling some sort of prank to spring Chip from her two-week duty, thunderclouds ought to be gathering for the downpour of the century and wash her down the Potomac.

Chip loved Fiona like a sister and had been looking forward to her friend’s return from a mini-vacation, but also had no illusions that Fiona sometimes played the powerful rich-girl card just because she could. Except, she’d never interfered with Chip’s military duties before, and although the unanswered texts