Saving Destiny: Delta Force Defenders

By Jennifer Becker

Mike "Tiny" has a secret. One he's been keeping from his teammates over the past several months. He'd met someone. It was quite by accident. He's suffered from one of his too often perils with bullets and went to a nearby hospital and that's where he met her. He's instantly fallen head over heels for her. He started faking injuries to see her. There was only one problem. He was shy with women. True, he was almost seven feet tall and wasn't afraid to take on an insurgent with his bare hands. But being around Destiny he was tongue-tied and always felt out of sorts. There's also the deflating knowledge that Destiny only sees him as a friend and nothing more. He couldn't ask his friends for advice. They would only tease him. So he selfishly keeps quiet about her and buries his love for her deep inside. Destiny had been drawn to Mike since the moment he walked into her grandma's hospital room. He became an anchor for her and a best friend. He reminds her of a gentle giant and treats her like the finest china. The more time she spends with him she realizes her feelings are much deeper than friendship, but Mike doesn't see her that way. She's just the woman he always hangs out with out of pity because of her sick grandma. When Destiny's mom and her lastest beau breeze into town their relationship will be put to the test and a growing danger to her grandma. Will they finally be able to tell each other how they really feel about each other or will a dangerous foe intervene before they can explore their true feelings.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Publishdrive
• Release date: Jan 25, 2022

Book preview

Chapter 1

Mike walked down the now familiar halls of the Barstow Community Hospital. He had come a few times over the past two months. Not because he was always injured, though that was the long-standing joke between him and his teammates. At six foot nine he was an easy target for the enemy. Not that he tried to be, but he more than made up for his awkward height in his demolition skills and the ability to get into even the tightest of places that none of his team mates could accomplish. It defied physics, but he didn’t question it. It was a skill that had saved his life as well as his fellow teammates more than once.

Mike had been coming to the hospital on a almost weekly basis since an old injury flare up. He had been out on a drive just to get some fresh air when something in his shoulder pulled. The base hospital was closed since it was the weekend, so he went to the closest hospital, which happened to be an hour drive from base.

He had debated going to the hospital close to base where friend, and fellow teammate, Carter volunteered at in between missions, but he didn’t want to risk himself or anyone else on the road so he pulled over.

He never understood Carter’s drive to volunteer at these places. They smelled funny. Also like disinfectant. It was loud with people yelling, crying out in pain.

Carter was immune to all that, and said he went to hone his skills since he needed to patch Mike up so frequently. Mike assumed it was because he had been bored and wanted something to fill in the time.

Now Carter was dating Kinsley, an ex-FBI agent and Abigail’s best friend, who was dating another friend of his, Aaron. Their team that once consisted of just the guys had now grown with the women. One was even expecting, Cora. She recently became engaged to Liam. Only Mike remained as the single man out. Hopefully for not much longer.

It wasn’t that he disliked being the last single guy of the group, it was because he was getting up the nerve to ask a woman out. Who knew giant Mike Hunter, bad-ass Delta Force Operative that did some of the most dangerous work in the world, was shy. It was almost laughable, only he hated it.

He wasn’t a virgin, but he wouldn’t call himself a ladies man either. Most women eyed his size and wanted to know if he was big all around. Mike didn’t believe in casual sex. Sex was intimate and should only be shared with someone he cared about. With his line of work and the secrets he kept, on top of his wacky schedule, it was hard to connect with a woman.

Then he met her. She was like a burst of sunshine after a lifetime of rain. Mike never felt such joy as he did with her. Destiny. He knew the moment he met her she was the one meant for him. It sounded corny, love at first sight, but it was. The moment their eyes met, it had been like being struck by lightning. If only he didn’t get so silent or tongue-tied when they were together. Destiny didn’t mind his quietness. She talked enough for the both of them.

Every time he was with her, he laughed harder than he had his whole life. She brought such joy to his life. If only he could tell her how he felt. Just say, ‘Destiny, I’d like to take you out on a date.’ In his head it sounded so simple. He must have gotten close to saying it a thousand times, but then he would chicken out. Maybe today would be the day.

Yeah right. You’re going to die a lonely old man because you can’t ask a beautiful woman out. Because she’ll never see you as anything more than a friend.

They had met the day he was being discharged. Mike was walking down the hallway when he heard her lithe voice coming from a room that had the door partially closed. Curious, Mike walked toward the room and peaked in seeing a woman with chestnut hair pulled into a messy bun sitting next to an older woman who had her eyes closed.

If it wasn’t for the rhythmic beeping of the machine next to her, Mike would guess the old woman was already dead. She was as pale as the sheets she laid upon. Her face contorted in pain. Her body looked frail. What struck him most, was seeing this beautiful woman clinging to the old woman’s hand as if trying to will her to get better just by being there, he wished with all of his might he could do something about it.

As if sensing he was there, the woman glanced over at him. She had a sweet round face with a button nose and large green eyes. They were so hypnotic he didn’t try hiding the fact he had been spying on her.

The woman just looked up at him and blinked a few times as if not sure he was real or not. Her face was blank not giving a hint of what she was thinking or if he was intimidating her. His height could frighten some people. But this beautiful woman didn’t look scared of him. He couldn’t tell her height from her sitting position and the bed hid her lower half.

She wore a grey shirt that hung off her shoulders revealing the straps of her black tank top underneath and the swell of her breasts. They were on the small size yet sat high and pert. She had a trim waist, almost looking too skinny as if the stress of the older woman’s sickness was affecting her eating.

Mike wanted nothing more than to close the distance between them and take this nameless woman in his arms and tell her everything was going to be alright. Instead he stood frozen in the doorway, unable to decide if he should stay or run.

The woman took the decision out of his hands when she whispered something to the older woman and approached him. Up close, the top of her head reached his chest. A little shorter than six foot. Good. He liked taller women. Short women made him feel even more like a giant. Can I help you?

It was obvious he wasn’t a doctor or staff member. His jeans and leather jacket an easy giveaway. I’m sorry. He muttered. I didn’t mean to invade your privacy, I only… How did he explain he was drawn to her without sounding like a weirdo. I’ll go. He started to back away when like a siren of folklore she spoke, drawing him back to her.

I need a break anyway. I’m going to get a coffee, would you like to come with me?

Mike could only nod. Like a little puppy he followed her.

By the way, I’m Destiny. Destiny Sheppard. She held out her hand.

Mike Hunter. He shook her hand making sure to be gentle and not squish hers. His hand easily engulfed hers.

Destiny smiled at him and Mike fell head over heels for her. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for her.

It had been the same ever since. He found out she worked on base as a decoder, but their schedules hardly meshed for them to see each other much outside of the hospital. It sucked, but any time with her was worth it. Neither of them complained.

Until he always got the call from Destiny that her grandma was back in the hospital. Doctors could never figure out what was wrong with her. She’d come in looking like death. They’d run tests but never find anything. A few days later she’d be cleared to go home and then just when she started getting her strength back, she’d be back in the hospital.

Destiny was so worried about her, and he was worried about Destiny. Though he did like her grandma. She was a spunky old lady who always spoke her mind.

Mike went straight to Destiny’s grandma Carol’s room, but only Carol was there napping. Where was Destiny? There was only one other place she could be. The cafeteria.

His long legs ate up the distance quickly, eager to see Destiny even though he had just seen her the other day. Her text had sounded frantic. After two months he was learning to read her and decipher her texts as good as she was at deciphering codes. Destiny was putting on a brave face, always staying optimistic this would be the last hospital visit, but he could see through the cracks of her façade. Every trip to the hospital he could see more and more of her spirit breaking. Her grandmother was sick and there was nothing anyone could do for her.

Mike burst into the cafeteria, spotting Destiny easily with her signature messy bun and a cream-colored tank top. She sat at a table staring blankly at a cup of coffee. As if sensing he was there, she looked up at him like a homing beacon. Her face instantly transformed to happiness. Her whole body seemed to relax seeing him there.

Mike. He couldn’t hear her speak, but he saw her lips form the words.

He didn’t waste another second and marched toward her. Destiny met him in the middle and threw herself into his arms knowing he would catch her. Always. He held her close breathing in her citrusy lemon scent. His woman was hurting. Yes, she was his even if he never spoke the words. Even though she didn’t think of him in the same way he felt about her.

He never told her how he really felt. She was his to protect and shelter. He as hers to lean on for support.

I told you, you didn’t have to come, Destiny whispered against his neck, making him shudder. She fit perfectly against him. Like two puzzle pieces. Did she feel what he felt? He wanted this woman more than his next breath. Sometimes there was flicker in her gaze that she might feel more than friendship for him, but then it was gone. He chalked it up as misinterpretation.

He had texted her this morning after his routine run to see how she was. When she said in the hospital again, he hadn’t hesitated to leave. Mike had only hesitated long enough to go home and shower and change then race over. Carol wasn’t dying by any means. Every hospital visit was over stomach pain, but what if the next time it was something worse?

Destiny shouldn’t have to deal with it on her own. He liked that she leaned on him. What was the point of having such big shoulders if he couldn’t carry some of the brunt of her problems?

There’s nowhere I’d rather be. I’ll always be here for you. It was a vow. Even if she only ever saw him as a friend instead of more.

He hadn’t told anyone about Destiny yet. Not only because their schedules didn’t line up to introduce her, but because he didn’t want to just introduce her as his friend and his friends give him that pity look. He wanted to say she was his girlfriend. If only he could find the words and ask her out.

Chapter 2

Despite her protest of his being there, Destiny clung to Mike like a lifeline in a stormy sea. She was so tired of being in the hospital. So tired. The only upside was having Mike with her. She didn’t know how she would have gotten through the past two months without him. He was her saving grace through the whole thing. The only person who gave her hope that Grandma Carol would be okay. That this would be their last trip. Even if it was a false hope.

He was the only thing from keeping her from drowning in melancholy. Destiny could hardly focus on work most days. Every time she saw her grandmother, she looked worse. Paler, weaker. She was a far cry from the woman she was a few months ago when she first came here to live.

Her grandmother had been living in Los Angeles, still running her company, until a few months ago when she started to get fatigued. Grandma Carol suggested getting away from the noise and pollution.

Destiny owned a house close to the base, but it wasn’t large enough to accommodate the two of them and all of her grandma’s things.

Since Destiny’s schedule could be hectic, Grandma Carol bought a small condo a few towns away and brought her helper to ease the transition. Grandma was a city girl through and through, and Fort Irwin was definitely not a big city.

Sadly, she was getting sicker and sicker, and almost every week she was back in the hospital – taking up residence there more than in her own home. Doctors had done every test under the sun, but no one could find anything wrong with her.

After a few days in the hospital she would perk up and Destiny started to see glimpses of her beloved grandmother. Then all too soon she would fade again. Destiny wasn’t willing to give up yet though. Somehow, she would find a way to get her grandmother well again.

The bloodhounds at her company had been calling Destiny nonstop since her grandmother came here to find out what she was going to do with the company. Appoint a new CEO or sell. Honestly Destiny couldn’t care less what happened to it; she never wanted anything to do with it or her grandmother’s legacy. She was happy deciphering code, not worrying about a fortune 500 company.

Destiny turned her head to burrow into Mike’s neck and breathed in his dark musky scent. He always smelled good. It wasn’t a cologne, just all him and she loved it. She could breathe him in all day. He’d think she were crazy if she ever said that. Mike had been nothing but sweet since the moment she caught him spying on her two months ago.

Funny how one of the worst days of her life turned into the best. Mike always made every day they had together special. She didn’t know what she ever did in life to deserve him, but she wasn’t a fool to dispute destiny. Yep, she totally went there.

What could she say. She loved him. It had been lust at first sight when she saw him standing in the doorway like a guardian angel sent to help her. And he had. More than she could ever say. She had hoped he would feel the same way about her.

When they hung out at each other’s houses they never sat too close. He never once tried to hold her hand. The only time he touched her was when she was upset about Grandma Carol’s health and he was comforting her. It wasn’t exactly the sign of affection she was looking for.

She could look but not touch. It was time to get her head out of the clouds. Life wasn’t a fairytale. The knight that came to rescue her wasn’t going to end up with her. He would marry a real princess, not a workaholic that sometimes forgot to wash her hair when she was in a zone. Or even eat.

Mike checked on her regularly to make sure she ate, but he treated her more like a friend than someone who wanted in her pants. She thought she saw a glimmer of wanting in his eyes more than once. A sly glance at her breasts when he didn’t think she was looking, but other than that there was nothing. She was firmly on the shelf of friend. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Story of her life.

Destiny pulled away and made sure to put a foot of space between them. She crossed her arms over her chest so he didn’t see her nipples poking out. She couldn’t meet his eyes, needing a moment to get her body back under control and not try and throw herself at him again.

How is she? Mike asked, his voice sounded dry and scratchy. She hadn’t noticed that a moment ago.

Destiny stole a glance at him. Was he as affected as she was, or was that her active imagination?

His hot intense gaze was laser focused on her and caused her brain to short-circuit. Mike was hands down the sexiest man she had ever seen. His hypnotic aqua-blue eyes reminded her of the Caribbean Sea when she went snorkeling there a few years ago. They weren’t just one color but an array of blues. Lighter toward his pupils and darker around the rim. She could get lost staring into them. Who was she kidding, she was lost now.

Her gaze dropped lower to pull her focus off of his eyes, but now she was focused on his lips. His plump, kissable lips.

Destiny? His features pinched looking at her with concern.

She was such a ninny. Staring at him. She probably made him feel uncomfortable staring at him like sex on a stick. Sorry, she cleared her throat. I checked her in last night when she started complaining of stomach pains and threw up. That was new and had scared the crap out of her.

Wait, you’ve been here all night? Why didn’t you call me then? He almost sounded hurt she hadn’t informed him before now.

She loved Mike, but she didn’t want to overburden him with her problems. Every time something happened to her grandma, she was calling Mike. I know you’re getting ready to leave soon. Her voice dropped even though there were only two other people in the cafeteria and they were on the other side of the room. What Mike did was top secret. Something even she shouldn’t know. She had put two and two together when a coded message came in about a potential threat and Mike left town shortly after. For a guy who was supposed to work a desk job, it hadn’t made sense.

Destiny had asked him about it when he came back, but he never confirmed nor denied he left. She knew the first thing about secrets. It’s what she did for a living so she left it go, knowing the truth even without him saying it.

Destiny, There was a warning in his tone.

Don’t treat me like an idiot. She spoke up, interrupting any stupidity that was sure to come out of his mouth next. I know you can’t say one way or another and that’s fine. But you have enough on your plate, it’s selfish of me to ask you to come every time something happens.

Mike chuckled at her. You are the least selfish person I know.

Oh, that was so untrue. When it came to him, she was selfish. She wanted all of him to herself. Regardless, I didn’t want to bother you.

You could never bother me.

His words warmed her heart. "She’s already looking better. I think they’ll let her leave this