A Special Ops and Cops Christmas: The All Fired Up Collection

By Taylor Lee

A Special Ops and Cops Christmas

Sizzling Romantic Suspense
Holiday Novella

By

Taylor Lee

Praise for A Special 'Ops and Cops 'Christmas…

"The cast from The Blonde Barracuda Collection and the All Fired Up Collection come together to celebrate Sam and Annika's wedding.  What could be more perfect than a Christmas wedding? Ask the terrorists who plan to keep 'Happily Ever After' from happening." Action Junkie

.Annika is a beautiful, complicated cop who came from a dirt poor family. The day before she's to marry her drop dead gorgeous fiancée she meets his family and discovers to her dismay that the Carters make the Cosby family look like paupers. J. John

"Taylor Lee does it again! Great characters! Snappy, outrageous dialogue! Terrific interplay among the guys from The Blonde Barracuda Collection and the All Fired UP Collection. One of the steamiest and most touching love stories I've read." David Adams, author, Samsara 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Taylor Lee
• Release date: Oct 11, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201298289

Book preview

Chapter 1

"Is… is this your house, Sam?"

Uh… not now. But, yes, it is the house I grew up in.

Annika sucked in a deep breath, not sure where the next one would come from. She didn’t have to look at Sam to know he was concerned. His voice said it all. As intuitive as Sam was, he’d know how upset she was. It was bad enough that a liveried driver picked them up at the airport in a stretch limousine. Or that the smiling black man kept referring to Sam as Mister Sam. That should have been her first clue. Now this? This house?

The tree-shaded cobblestone driveway looked at least a quarter of a mile long. That was once you passed through the palatial gates manned by two burly uniformed guards. Both men tapped on the hood, their faces lit with broad smiles and saluted Sam--as though he were royalty. Annika swallowed realizing that in a way he was. Her fiancé, that she was supposed to marry two days from now—in this house no less—was a fucking prince. The prodigal son returning home with his bride to be.

Turning the corner on the seemingly endless driveway, Annika got her first full view of the house, no-make that country estate. It was a two story brick structure with a twenty-five-foot porch marked by columns and fifteen-foot carved doors. Annika couldn’t begin to imagine how many square feet the house boasted. From the front and side angle that she could see, it had to be 10,000 square feet plus. Across the manicured lawn was what looked to be a garage. Only, unlike most garages, this tribute to speed and excess had six bays. Knowing the level of automobiles that Sam and Nate discussed in glowing detail, Annika guessed that the beauties nestled inside the garage were likely the equivalent of ten years of her northern Minnesota lieutenant cop salary.

If the house was impressive, the group standing on the front step was breathtaking. Particularly when Annika acknowledged with a shiver that the four people, a man and woman and two young women, were Sam’s family. And soon to be her in-laws.

The older woman stepped forward, her stunning latte-colored face beaming with a smile. Annika marveled that the tall willowy creature who might be one of the most beautiful women she’d ever seen was Sam’s mother. The two young women crowding behind her were gorgeous replicas of their mother. Even Annika, no clothes pony herself, recognized the designer labels on the women’s casually expensive clothes.

The man standing beside Sam’s mother was tall although not as tall as Sam. His skin was at least three shades darker than Sam’s, but still the resemblance was clear. The imposing man was definitely Sam’s father. Unlike Sam, who was rarely without a smile or better yet a cocky grin, his father was scowling. The furrows etched on the older man’s brow and the deep caliper lines on either side of his full lips confirmed that the scowl was his customary expression. Annika had heard Sam chortling about his father’s police chief reputation. They called him Samuel the Slammer for his penchant to throw badasses in prison on their first strike--the heck with three strikes. He insisted the sooner they learned about prison the better. Said his tough love stance weeded out the ones who had a chance to make it from the irredeemables. But that was in Samuel Carter the 3 rd’s former life. Before Sam’s father became Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court.

A chorus of girlish voices rang out as the three women bounded toward the limousine. The driver jumped out and opened the door for Sam and Annika. Sam leapt out of the car and tugged on Annika’s hand. He didn’t seem to notice her reluctance. But then how could he, captured by three eager women?

Sam’s mother’s excited greeting, Sam, you’re here! Home at last! was echoed by his sisters enthusiastic squeals, Sammy, Sammy, finally, you’ve come home!

Capturing all three women in a group hug, Sam leaned down and kissed his mother’s cheek. His voice reverberated with excitement.

Yes, Mom, I’m home. And very glad to be here.

Still holding his mother close Sam turned to his sisters.

Damn, Callie! And Jesus, is that really you, Vanessa?

He took a step back and whistled in appreciation.

"I can’t believe it. You two look almost grown up. What the hell, I’ve been gone for less than a year. When I left you were a couple of clumsy college girls carrying backpacks filled with books. Now you both like you could be runway models. How the hell did that happen?"

Looking over their shoulders, Sam eyed the stern man in the background.

Seriously, Pops, I thought the least you could do in my absence was to keep these two from growing up. You know what happens to gorgeous young women who look like a million dollars.

Samuel Carter growled. Yes, Sam, I do. They meet scallywags like you and there’s not a damn thing their father can do about it.

The glowering man strode toward Sam and threw an arm around his shoulder.

"It’s about time you got home, Son."

Ignoring his father’s gruff tone, Sam returned his embrace.

I’m glad to be here, Pops. I’ve missed you. All of you. But I didn’t come alone.

Tugging on her hand, Sam pulled Annika close to him. His voice was filled with pride. Gratified by the adoration in his dark brown eyes, Annika took a deep breath and pasted a smile on her face. She hoped that it wasn’t as plastic as it felt.

Mom, Pops, I want you to meet Annika Nilsson. Annika is the woman who’s made me the happiest guy alive. The only thing that can make me happier is when she marries me two days from now.

Annika managed to murmur what she hoped was a pleasant greeting. She needn’t have worried about making conversation. Sam’s mother, who insisted that Annika call her by her first name, Margaret, captured her from Sam and hugged her tight.

Welcome to our home, Annika. Sam’s father and I are delighted to meet you after all this time!

She shot a reproving glance at her son.

We’ve wanted to meet you for at least six months since Sam told us that he’d fallen in love with a beautiful woman. I don’t have to tell you that we were surprised when he sprung on us that fact that he was getting married.

Annika couldn’t hide her dismay at Margaret’s bold statement.

The gracious woman quickly added, Don’t misunderstand, Annika. We’re thrilled. It’s just that, as this charming man’s mother, I had about given up hope of having a daughter-in-law… much less grandchildren.

She whirled on Sam and shook her finger.

The only problem is that with two weeks’ notice, it’s been challenging to say the least to prepare for a wedding!

Sam jumped in, tightening his grip on Annika.

The two weeks’ notice was intentional, Mother. I treasure my manly parts and knew I’d be unable to give you grandchildren if Annika and I dared elope as we both preferred. I figured that with only two weeks’ notice I could keep you from planning an extravaganza.

At his mother’s mock outrage, Sam turned to his father.

Pops understands, don’t you? Tell me, were you able to contain this force of nature who would have created an event worthy of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle if I’d let her?

Sam’s father arched a brow. Your intent was obvious, Son. But you’ve been away from home too long. Nothing but nothing, including two weeks lead time, prevents your mother from doing the impossible.

Sam groaned and tightened his grip on Annika’s arm. His voice was firm.

Mother, I hope Pops is exaggerating. I told you fifty guests maximum and that includes all of us and the special people Annika and I invited.

Margaret Carter raised her chin and sniffed.

"Let me put it this way, Samuel Dennis Carter. Your wedding to this exquisite