Blue Blood's Trifecta

By Cheyenne Meadows

When past meets present things begin to sizzle.

When an emergency call goes out, FBI agent Ryan tags along with his sister on a Wind Warrior mission. Along the way, he meets Tempest, a beautiful female pilot who stirs his desires, and Rogue, a former Army buddy. Seeing Rogue again brings out feelings Ryan doesn't understand and isn't prepared to accept.

Their old rivalry returns as both men want Tempest, who happens to be Rogue's employee.

The mission that brought the three of them together comes back to haunt them all with danger hanging over the head of every Wind Warrior and their loved ones.

Can Ryan work through his newfound interest in Rogue even as he's falling for Tempest? Will they pull together and unite in time to save each other from a hired assassin?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pride Publishing
• Release date: Mar 27, 2015
• ISBN: 9781784304706

Cheyenne Meadows

Cheyenne Meadows, while growing up in the Midwest, began reading romance novels in high school, immediately falling in love with the genre, to the point where she decided to write professionally for a career. However, that dream splattered against a brick wall, resulting in a quick death in her first writing class in college when the professor told her bluntly that she wasn’t any good at it. She shifted gears quickly and left her writing dreams behind, eventually settling on becoming a nurse. A few years back, she stumbled across a fan-fiction writing site on a favorite author’s webpage. She began to read stories others wrote, not only making some wonderful close friends from the experience, but also, really learning to write for the very first time. Here she was able to share short stories, practice her writing skills, and truly develop into a writer. More than that, the experience allowed her to revitalize her dream as she rediscovered joy in writing. Now, she spends her days off with her characters, seeing how much trouble everyone can get into. When she’s not working or writing, she enjoys playing in the garden, hanging out with her diva kitty, and using her backyard as a living canvas for her whimsical landscaping, and, of course, reading romance novels.

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A Totally Bound Publication

Blue Blood’s Trifecta

ISBN # 978-1-78430-470-6

©Copyright Cheyenne Meadows 2015

Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright February 2015

Edited by Sue Meadows

Totally Bound Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Totally Bound Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Totally Bound Publishing. Unauthorized or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2015 by Totally Bound Publishing, Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN

Totally Bound Publishing is a subsidiary of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

Warning:

This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has a heat rating of Totally Burning and a Sexometer of 2.

Wind Warriors

BLUE BLOOD’S TRIFECTA

Cheyenne Meadows

Book six in the Wind Warriors series

When past meets present things begin to sizzle.

When an emergency call goes out, FBI agent Ryan tags along with his sister on a Wind Warrior mission. Along the way, he meets Tempest, a beautiful female pilot who stirs his desires, and Rogue, a former Army buddy. Seeing Rogue again brings out feelings Ryan doesn’t understand and isn’t prepared to accept.

Their old rivalry returns as both men want Tempest, who happens to be Rogue’s employee.

The mission that brought the three of them together comes back to haunt them all with danger hanging over the head of every Wind Warrior and their loved ones.

Can Ryan work through his newfound interest in Rogue even as he’s falling for Tempest? Will they pull together and unite in time to save each other from a hired assassin?

Trademarks Acknowledgement

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Huey: Bell Helicopter

H-60 Black Hawk: Sikorsky Aircraft

Ann Landers: Chicago Sun-Times

Nova: Chevrolet Division of General Motors

Styrofoam: The Dow Chemical Company

Glock: Glock GES m.b.H

Cheshire Cat: Lewis Carroll

Rolodex: Newell Rubbermaid

Kevlar: DuPont

Barbie: Mattel, Inc.

Popsicle: Unilever

Rambo: David Morrell/Orion Pictures

Sherlock: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Chapter One

I swear you jinxed me. Ryan sipped from his soda before setting the glass back down, his eyes locked on Lark the entire time. His beloved younger sister, who rattled his cage now and again, had really done it that time. Of all his siblings, he enjoyed Lark the most and made a point to make room in his busy schedule to spend time with her whenever possible, even if she had just happened to ruin his present social life for the past three weeks.

A wicked grin appeared on her face. Hey, don’t blame me because the only women you’ve dated recently had biological clocks ticking louder than Big Ben. She wrapped a spaghetti noodle around her fork then delicately placed it in her mouth.

He grimaced at the reminder. The last four women he’d dated had proved to be huge disasters as they all possessed one common denominator—they’d wanted a baby daddy—and now. He hadn’t been able to run fast enough from the imposing threat of immediate commitment and impending fatherhood.

Yeah, but you said it beforehand, making you responsible for this hex or…curse or…whatever it is. He stabbed a chunk of chicken before taking another bite.

She snorted. Bright blue eyes matching Ryan’s danced with amusement. I didn’t find these women for you, bro. You did that all on your very own.

Her wide smile pricked his already irritable mood. It’s not funny.

Lark waved a hand dismissively. Sure, it is. After all, you called Mom and told her about Bryce and me before I had a chance to do more than come up for air. Ever since, she’s been harassing me about weddings and baby showers to the point where I want to either pull my hair out or move to Siberia.

His lips twitched. Served her right for all the times she’d snickered at him and egged her mother onward in a nearly obsessive quest for grandchildren. Why their doting mother chose him over the other three boys to nag incessantly, he couldn’t say. More than likely the reason had to do with his proximity to his parents, whereas the others were scattered like the four winds. Hell, more than once he’d considered returning to active duty as an Army Ranger just to avoid the tedious questioning.

Poor baby, he tossed back, thoroughly enjoying the fact that Lark sat on the hot seat.

She flipped him off.

He chuckled at her gesture, so like the ‘never say die’ baby sister he’d always known. For as long as he could remember, she’d never let a little thing like propriety and ladylike manners get in her way. Instead, she tackled the world, intent upon proving every male chauvinist wrong, and climbed the mountain of success each and every time. She’d certainly kicked his ass every once in a while when they were growing up. Even now, if she tried, he’d place money down on a draw between them. Her cheerleader background and petite frame gave her quickness along with deceptive strength to counter his power and size.

How’s Bryce? he asked, changing the subject while finishing the last of his late night supper.

She sighed longingly. Wonderful.

He shook his head. Love if I ever saw it.

Yep. She slurped on her water.

A twinge of jealousy smacked him in the chest and stuck tight. Always before, he thought the bachelor life held everything he wanted and then some. He began to notice the expressions of bliss and sheer happiness on the face of his sister, who’d recently found her other half. Seeing the two of them together made him feel like he could bask in their glow.

Now, he wasn’t so sure living single held as bright an appeal as it used to.

The ringing of her phone broke through his melancholic thoughts.

She dug her cell phone out of her oversized handbag, glanced at the screen, and blinked. Oh, shit.

He tensed, immediately on alert. What’s wrong?

It’s an SOS. The guys are in trouble.

After digging his wallet out, Ryan tossed a few bills on the table, scooped up their trash and shoved it in the bin on the way out of the front door of the restaurant, Lark hot on his heels. Where to? he asked, as they both hopped into his truck and fastened their seatbelts.

She read the message quickly. The airport—and now.

Revving the engine, he mentally pictured the shortest route and pushed the speed limit to get there. What does it say?

New information just came in. Loco, Cale and Spoon are headed straight into an ambush. It’s all hands on deck.

Although he’d never met the other Wind Warriors Lark worked with, his gut clenched at the ominous words. No brave soldier deserved to be set up as decoys, or cannon fodder, or to walk into a trap based on faulty or outright wrong information.

Count me in.

She glanced up at him with a worried look written clearly across her face. Ryan, this isn’t your fight.

It is now.

* * * *

Ryan tugged a black backpack from behind the driver’s seat, hastily jerking at zippers to check the contents. Always before, he’d considered the stash of spare clothing and a handgun to be more than enough back-up in case of emergency. Today, he found the items sadly lacking for the mission ahead.

Lark pulled a faded pink duffel bag from the floorboard of the passenger side, thrust the strap over her shoulder then lifted it with familiar ease. His gut told him they would need everything they’d packed and then some in order to prepare for a decent cavalry charge and have any chance at success.

Night’s here.

He swung around, noting the desert camouflage clothing covering a tall, large-framed man with dark-toned skin, piercing cobalt-blue eyes, and facial features that shouted his obvious Native American ancestry. Curious to meet the leader and creator of the Wind Warriors, Ryan trotted after his sprinting sister.

What’s going on? Lark asked, coming to a halt.

Night shook his head and gestured toward a large black helicopter. I’ll tell you on the way. Spinning, he pinned Ryan with a look. Thanks for bringing her so fast.

No problem. Ryan checked out Night for the first time up close, finding pride, concern and supreme confidence on Night’s face and in his stance. The man demanded respect from his carriage alone. Without a second thought, he trailed his sister to the chopper.

Night appeared at his side, startling Ryan with the speed and silence with which he moved. This isn’t your fight.

Rolling his eyes, Ryan sighed. Like I told Lark, it is now.

Are you trained for this?

Ryan paused in mid-stride and faced the leader stoically. All the men in my family for the past five generations have served in the Army. Even my baby sis jumped on board the family wagon.

This isn’t basic training or a mock exercise.

I may be FBI now, but I spent three years as an Army Ranger. Two tours of Afghanistan and more black ops assignments than I can recall. Anger and frustration rose to the fore even as he realized the man had a right to question his skills level and abilities on such an important mission.

Night’s eyebrow shot up.

You want to spend time yapping about my credentials or would you rather get airborne and save your men? Not waiting for an answer, Ryan tossed his backpack to the floor of the helicopter and jumped in easily, Night on his heels.

I’ll ask for clearance for you. Don’t know that it’ll happen. Night yanked out his phone and texted.

I don’t give a shit either way. I’m going. You need the extra hands and I’m not about to quibble over details in an all-out emergency. Plopping down beside Lark, he stared straight ahead at the pilot who was dressed in dark green from head to toe. A helmet complete with visor and communication gear finished the package.

Nothing resembled the US military except perhaps the solid black chopper, a Huey, probably from the Vietnam War era. Fully restored, it most likely spent more time carrying sightseers over the area than it ever did in battle. He hoped the old warhorse could sustain another round of live action without breaking apart or allowing a shower of bullets to penetrate the metal sides. For the first time in forever, he longed for the present day H-60 Black Hawk helicopters—built for stealth, quiet, extreme offensive and defensive maneuvers and longevity under duress.

Another man with dark blond hair sat opposite, his fingers clamped around a long rifle, his fatigues a collection of dark forest colors. They shared a look and a nod. Unless he missed his guess, this man was a highly trained sniper.

Night shut the side door. Let’s roll.

The last rays of sunset reflected across the horizon before the sky turned charcoal, well on the way to a pitch-black, moonless night. A perfect time for a surprise attack or a deadly ambush.

Welcome aboard.

Ryan’s racing mind took a moment to click on the voice, all too cheerful and feminine, as if she was a flight attendant on a commercial flight preparing to deliver her safety spiel, including hand gestures. The thought fed fuel to his already flaring concerns.

The pilot turned her head, allowing him to glimpse emerald-green eyes and a tuft of brunette bangs under her headgear. She saluted Night with a small grin.

She’s flying us into battle? Ryan cringed at his own words and the incredulous tone that emerged, but couldn’t bite them back. Lark smacked him hard in the chest, her lips turned down in an outright frown of annoyance.

The rotors began to whirl as the engine revved up. Within seconds, they lifted off, zipping southwest at a fast clip.

Listen, shit for brains, this isn’t my first time flying and I’ve flown in a hell of a lot worse situations than this.

He blinked at the crude words and winced once more, realizing he deserved the insult. His sister not only flew into battle, she dashed in on foot with the other men in her team. Women held their own in the military, even though they received little credit and quite a bit of flak for their presence among so many men. Never did he put a lady down for choosing to put her life on the line in the armed forces. They deserved much more reverence than that.

The co-pilot snickered. She told you, man.

The voice rang a bell. Ryan sat forward, trying to place it. Stumped, he struggled with the vague recognition until the man swiveled around, revealing letters written on his flight helmet.

Rogue?

Blue Balls?

Ryan snorted at the twist on his Army nickname. He couldn’t believe his old rival sat in front of him. Seeing Rogue again sent a jolt through him as if he’d just been hit by a close range paintball, leaving an unusual sensation—not quite a sting, but not a warm fuzzy feeling either.

Tossing the thoughts aside, he fired back with gusto, It’s Blue Blood, you bastard.

So you say. I know better. Rogue’s deep voice carried across the small confines, despite the noise of the machine.

You’re just fixated on my balls. Sounds like jealousy to me.

Not the way I’m hung, bro. Low and heavy.

They fell into an old argument, one debated for months on end. Over the years, Ryan had thought about Rogue now and again, wondering where he’d ended up, if he’d chosen to remain on active duty, if he was trudging through the sands of Afghanistan in the overbearing heat. Never would he have expected to find him on a chopper flying to prevent a massacre of his sister’s team. The fact jostled Ryan in a way he couldn’t describe or understand.

I take it you know one another? Lark broke in, busily dragging black clothes from her carry-on bag.

Night’s gaze darted from one to the other.

Yeah. He was always trailing my ass, like some long lost puppy just out of basics.

That was you, jackass.

Lark threw her hands up in the air. Truce! When everyone quieted, she glanced at Night. What’s the mission?

Cale, Loco and Spoon are headed for a drug factory just across the southern US border, supposedly one of two large operations owned and run by Indigo Rojas. Intel showed the compound had armed guards and decent surveillance, but nothing like what we’ve seen with the larger cartel. He sucked in a breath and continued. Rojas is greedy. Somehow our prior information proved grossly lacking in truth.

An ambush? Lark whispered.

Possibly. Either way, we have to beat them to the rendezvous. There we can formulate another plan of action and figure out how to destroy this latest sidewinder.

Ryan’s gut churned. Traitors at such high levels possessed their own kind of evil, poisoning the good intentions of others, letting them march bravely ahead toward sure death. They won’t respond to communication?

Night shook his head. They went incommunicado approximately thirty minutes before I learned of the error. Thus, the chopper.

The pilot gave a little pinky wave. I guess we should introduce ourselves. I’m Tempest. Tall, Dark and Surly here is my boss, Matt, aka Rogue.

Lark took up where Tempest left off. I’m Lark. This bonehead next to me is my brother, Ryan. I’m not sure about Blue Balls, but honestly, don’t want to go there. The therapy. Yikes.

The group grinned at her antics. Ryan only shook his head.

This is Dillon. She pointed to the sniper. I think everyone knows Night.

Now can we get down to business? Dillon growled, his face covered in worry.

Cale’s his brother, Lark spoke directly into Ryan’s ear. The small piece of knowledge filled in several vacant blanks. She held up a black sweater and pants.

Don’t put those on yet, Night ordered.

Ryan blinked in confusion. Why not?

We’ll have to get close enough for them to stop and realize it’s us. Since it’ll be dark and they won’t know we’re coming, let’s hope they don’t get jumpy and decide we’re bad guys and well worth blowing out of the sky. Night glanced out of the