Captain Hawk: A Romantic Short Story

By Scarlett Press

Even the one-night stand was a mistake.

When an old friend’s daughter shows up at my security firm, I can’t believe how long it’s been. He used to show me pictures of his little girl when we were in the Army together, but now Cori’s all grown up and in need of help.

My comrade has gotten himself into trouble and is in need of a two man rescue team. Well, one man and one young lady. After a stressful mission, Cori and I have a debriefing session of our own, tucked away for the night.

But she’s not out of my life, or out of my mind. Especially not when I hear the bundle she’s carrying.

Captain Hawk is a short 10k word story. A quickie for when you don’t have much time. It features a soldier and a damsel who both need saving. There will be some trials, and there will be an HEA.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steamy eReads
• Release date: May 6, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005712327

Book preview

Prologue 

Fifteen years ago...

His head swum drunkenly, and Hawk struggled to keep his eyes open as the Jeep was jostled by another hole in the dirt path that passed for a road.  He vaguely remembered getting shot in the leg, but he couldn't understand why he felt so dizzy.  He'd sustained no head wound and had even managed to follow the rest of his team from the compound before collapsing.

He could remember Jonas Molkhoy hovering over him, applying a tourniquet, and he thought he remembered being half-carried, half-dragged to the Jeep.  Everything from there until this moment was a blur. 

What's going on?  he asked, and his voice seemed to be coming from far away.

We're getting you to that chopper, pal, Quincey told him, grinning bravely, although his normally pale face was white as death now.  Hawk could see blood pouring down his face, and his arm hung awkwardly.  Jonas is driving as fast as he can.

Where'd Jeep... come from?  Hawk pushed out.

He stole it, Quincey shared.  Jonas dragged you as far as he could as we were being pursued, and when we came to the, Jeep he took it.  We have six minutes to meet the chopper.  Quincey looked worried. I hope we make it without being followed.  The men following us were on foot, so they had to get some sort of transportation to come after us.

Hawk tried to listen as Quincey told him the story of their escape, but his mind was floating away.  He felt as light as a feather and figured the next bump they hit would throw him right out of the Jeep, and he'd keep sailing upwards to the sky.  It was quite a flight of fancy for Hawk who was painfully serious and grounded as a rule, and it served to focus his mind a little from fear. 

Am I dying?  he found the strength to ask.

Jonas says you'll make it if we get to the chopper, Quincey temporized.  He says we all will.

How many left?  Hawk inquired weakly.

Quincey's eyes slid from Hawk's, and he grimaced. You, me, and Jonas.  Paul and Martino didn't make it. 

Hawk closed his eyes and must have passed out, because when he awoke, he knew immediately he was in a chopper.  Not only did the sound of the blades clue him in, but the motion of the chopper told his stomach all it needed to know.  After he vomited into a small, kidney shaped dish, he looked up and saw Jonas was holding the basin for him. 

You stay with us, Hawk, he instructed.  You're too tough to die from an arterial wound.  People like you don't bleed to death, man.  They just get quieter and quieter until one day, they disappear.

Hawk couldn't respond to the bantering, but he said sincerely. Thanks, Jonas.

For what?  he asked, baffled.

Saving my life, Hawk pushed out.  You saved Quincey, too.

I didn't save Paul or Martino, Jonas pointed out bitterly. 

Hawk was too tired to concentrate on Jonas's words, and although he wanted to protest Jonas's statement, he was too weak.  Still, he knew Jonas had saved his life, and even