Indirect Attack: Department of Defense Series, #4

By Lexy Timms and Autumn Gaze

A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor...

 

Ben:

I chose to become a Marine, but that choice came with sacrifices. Instead of living a quiet life with the girl next door, I'm serving my country, facing danger, and keeping those who can't protect themselves safe. Except now, my high school sweetheart is back in my life, and she's the one in danger. When an international terrorist group kidnaps her, will I lose her forever just when I've found her again?

 

Jasmine:

I fell in love with the boy next door, but he broke my heart trying to save me from the pain of loving a soldier. But even though I've tried, I've never found anyone to take his place. When he walks back into my life, I'm overjoyed but cautious—will he stay for good this time or leave my heart in pieces again? But when the find of a lifetime of a rare artifact puts me in a dangerous situation, I'm not sure I'll live long enough to find out.

 

Department of Defense Series:

• Dead Ahead
• Blue Falcon
• Joint Service
• Indirect Attack

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dark Shadow Publishing
• Release date: Dec 11, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215268995

Lexy Timms

"Love should be something that lasts forever, not is lost forever."  Visit USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR, LEXY TIMMS https://www.facebook.com/SavingForever *Please feel free to connect with me and share your comments. I love connecting with my readers.* Sign up for news and updates and freebies - I like spoiling my readers! http://eepurl.com/9i0vD website: www.lexytimms.com Dealing in Antique Jewelry and hanging out with her awesome hubby and three kids, Lexy Timms loves writing in her free time.  MANAGING THE BOSSES is a bestselling 10-part series dipping into the lives of Alex Reid and Jamie Connors. Can a secretary really fall for her billionaire boss?

Book preview

Department of Defense

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Dead Ahead

Blue Falcon

Joint Service

Indirect Attack

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Indirect Attack Blurb

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BEN:

I chose to become a Marine, but that choice came with sacrifices. Instead of living a quiet life with the girl next door, I’m serving my country, facing danger, and keeping safe those who can’t protect themselves. Except now my high school sweetheart is back in my life, and she’s the one in danger. When an international terrorist group kidnaps her, will I lose her forever just when I’ve found her again?

JASMINE:

I fell in love with the boy next door, but he broke my heart trying to save me from the pain of loving a soldier. But even though I’ve tried, I’ve never found anyone to take his place. When he walks back into my life, I’m overjoyed but cautious—will he stay for good this time or leave my heart in pieces again? But when the find of a lifetime of a rare artifact puts me in a dangerous situation, I’m not sure I’ll live long enough to find out.

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Contents

Department of Defense

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Indirect Attack Blurb

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Epilogue

Department of Defense

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Chapter 1

Ben

Seven Years Before

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I DROPPED ONTO MY BED and sprawled back, staring at the ceiling of a home that was familiar and not familiar at the same time. The recognition was jarring after I’d spent so many weeks staring at the water-stained ceiling above my bunk at Basic Training.

Fifteen weeks ago, I’d been sitting on this same bed, my hair longer, my muscles softer, facing my father as he prepared me for the Marines. Even still, the unending days of drills, training, and running had been exhausting in every way possible. There had been moments when I’d nearly given up—a few guys had actually packed it in and gone home.

But none of the people there had Miro Rusev as a father. As difficult as Basic had been, with a Major General for a father, I’d been far more prepared since I’d grown up in a milder version of living in the armed forces.

It didn’t mean I wasn’t dog-tired, every muscle aching. It didn’t mean I hadn’t thought about giving up and going home. It didn’t mean I wanted to go back. But growing up in my family, a job other than being in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or anything else wasn’t an option.

My oldest brother Triton had joined the Navy and was well on his way to becoming a Navy SEAL, as he’d always wanted. My second-oldest brother Hermes, who we called Herman, was in the Air Force. And I knew my younger brother Sam would join the Army as soon as he graduated from high school.

So here I was, a Marine, my hair shorn so short it itched, my muscles screaming at me, home for just a short time until I had to return.

Hey.

I rolled my head to the side to find Herman lounging against the doorframe, his well-muscled arms crossed over his broad chest. He’d always been big but had bulked up considerably since joining the Air Force. The only one bigger was Sam, a bear of a kid who was a senior in high school and already had Herman beat on the muscle front.

What? I asked, annoyed he’d intruded on my solitude. Herman had changed from his sweats and muscle tank into jeans and a T-shirt, which was never a good sign.

I’d already played touch football with them this morning when all I wanted to do was sit in my room and read the books I’d missed in Basic. But my brother had guilted me into it. It was the usual, that same sob story about how from now on, we’d rarely get together like this, and didn’t I want to spend special time with my brothers when we didn’t know when—or if—we’d see each other again instead of burying myself in my books? He’d said books would always be there, but brothers might not. That had finally got me up off my bed—still reluctantly—to play what was supposed to be touch football, but rarely ever ended up that way. I had the bruises to prove it.

C’mon. Herman jerked his head in the direction of the hallway. We’re going out.

You’re going out, I replied, turning my head to stare at the ceiling again. I’m staying right here.

Aww, c’mon, Ben. Herman’s tone took on the same wheedling tenor he’d used to get me to play football. You’re not here for very long, and neither is Tri. Me too, I’m heading out as soon as my leave is up. Mom’s gone for the day, so let’s make the most out of it.

I sighed and dragged myself up, meeting my brother’s gaze, blue eyes the same color as the ones I saw in the mirror every day. Where are you going?

You, not we. I wasn’t going to agree to go—not yet.

Clubbing. I know a great place in DC. Tri and Sam are up for it.

I never said I was up for it. I just said I’d go out. The deeper baritone came from my oldest brother, Triton, looming just behind Herman, his athletic build giving him an inch of height over all of us. And you do realize Ben and Sam are both underage?

So? Herman shrugged, barely sparing Tri a glance. I told you it’s a great club. Even if Ben has a babyface, Sam looks like he’s older than you. Not going to be a problem.

I’d already guessed that great club in my older brother’s lexicon meant they didn’t check IDs too carefully. Drinks were probably cheap, and the women were looking for a guy who wore a uniform.

I’m not interested, I said, shaking my head. In fact, I couldn’t think of something I was less interested in than loud music and a crowded bar where dancing equaled grinding on each other until you had to find a bathroom with a lock on it. Going to leave that one to you guys.

Herman’s face screwed up, and I could hear his following words before he even said them. Aww, come on, Ben. Don’t you—

Ben! Sam’s growl came from downstairs, saving me the trouble of hearing the rest of Herman’s plea.

What? I shouted back.

Jaz is here, came the reply.

I was up and out of the room in a second, pushing past my brothers so I could lean over the railing to look down to the first floor.

Sam was standing in the entryway beside a slim young woman. My younger brother looked annoyed, but a bright smile lit up the woman’s face. I felt my heart flip at the sight, warmth spreading through me, and I almost tumbled down the steps in my hurry to get to her, ignoring the snickers behind me.

Jasmine, I said, also ignoring Sam’s expressive eyeroll, glad he was standing behind her so the woman couldn’t see it.

Her smile widened impossibly farther, her large, jade-green eyes warm. Hi, Ben.

When did you get in?

Late last night. I would have come over earlier, but Mom insisted I go have breakfast with Grandma Jean, and then she wanted to go out shopping before they left.

Well, I guess we should go. Clomping down the stairs came my two older brothers, who joined us by the door. Herman grabbed what he called his lucky leather jacket and flashed me a knowing wink. Triton, the consummate oldest, added a warning look and a friendly hello to Jasmine, and Sam rolled his eyes again and huffed as he followed the other two out the door.

Aren’t you going with them? Jasmine asked, thumb pointing over her shoulder at the disappearing forms of my brothers.

No. Herman’s taking them to a club.

Thankfully, I’d known Jasmine long enough I didn’t have to explain further. She giggled instead, mouth quirking up in a conspiratorial grin.

I heard the tires of Herman’s Jeep as he tore down the long gravel driveway, and then Jasmine and I were alone.

Except for my father, grumbling around the yard I could see through the open door. He looked up from his pile of smoldering leaves, saw me watching him, and his eyes narrowed. 

Ben.

Long years of hearing my name said in that drill-sergeant tone meant I snapped to attention. Sir?

I need to run over to Johnsons’ place. Watch this, and I’ll be back. Even after all these years, his words still had a rough, guttural rounding that betrayed his Russian heritage.

Yes, sir.

Hi, Mr. Rusev, Jasmine said tentatively.

My father grunted in reply, lifting a hand that could have been a wave or could have been a dismissive gesture. It would have been rude to anyone else, but having grown up next door, Jasmine was used to my father’s rough ways.

Still, I felt responsible for an apology as my father got into his old truck and rumbled away toward our neighbor’s house down the road.

Sorry, I said, closing the door before we both took a seat on the porch stairs, the old, weathered, and warped wood creaking under our weight.

Jasmine shook her head, her thick, straight, jet-black hair slipping over her shoulder from the movement. Her hair had gotten even longer since I’d last seen her, and even pulled up into a ponytail, it reached her mid-back. It’s fine. She gave me a reassuring smile. I know how he is. I think he was happy to see me this time—usually he just ignores me. Her eyes crinkled with humor.

I had to laugh. Yeah, you’re probably right.

Silence settled between us, born of the awkwardness of being apart after spending most of our lives together. Jasmine and her family had moved into the house next door when I was six, which, in our neck of the woods, meant we’d had to cross a field and several crumbling stone and wooden fences to get to one another. But we’d become fast friends, and even when I’d had to drag myself through snowdrifts, we’d spent much of our time outside of school together.

It had taken me graduating and joining the Marines, spending time away from Jasmine, who was in her freshman year of college a four-hour train ride away for me, to realize our friendship had overtones. Overtones of interest, longing, and even desire. I’d never grasped the fact that my protectiveness of her had come from more than a brotherly place until she wasn’t with me anymore, and I hadn’t been able to get her off my mind since we’d said goodbye.

In school, I’d been too lost in our friendship to notice, my head in the clouds or my artwork or books. Herman, especially, had despaired of my lack of awareness when it came to women.

Staring at the picture of her I’d taken with me to my bunk at bootcamp, I’d realized Jasmine was so much more than my best friend. She was the person I called when I needed advice or support or someone to lean on. She had been one of my few friends in high school when everyone had just shaken their heads at the quiet Rusev brother who hadn’t played a sport, who wasn’t flashy, or prom king or quarterback of the football team. She hadn’t cared I was the black sheep of the family, the quiet one who would rather read books or paint than watch a game on TV.

Why hadn’t I realized it before?

But here she was, finally, sitting beside me, real in every sense of the word, and all the words I’d rehearsed to her picture flew out of my head. At least I had the presence of mind to put my arm around Jasmine’s shoulders, a comfortable ritual. She curled into me as she’d done so many times before. The feeling was warm and full of comfort.

So, I started, how’s college?

I felt her shrug. It’s fine. I’m enjoying my classes, and it’s nice being on my own. My roommate is kind of weird, though.

Weird? I asked, grasping at any subject that would take me away from saying what was truly on my mind because it was suddenly terrifying.  

She keeps to herself and comes in and out at odd hours. She mainly reads and draws. Her shoulders jumped in a small laugh, and when she looked up, she was grinning. Then again, maybe I should feel right at home with her.

I chuckled, running a hand over my short hair, and Jasmine’s eyes flicked up at the movement as she pulled away from me. She was quiet for a moment, just looking, until I squirmed in discomfort.

Your hair looks good like that, she said finally.

Yeah? I shifted. I’d been unsure about the change, wondering what she’d think of going from shaggy blond locks to a Marine-issued buzz cut.

Yeah. She lifted her hand and ran it over the fuzzy layer, and I hoped she didn’t feel the shiver that ran down my spine at her touch. It’s a good look on you. You’ve changed.

I have? Having her close, wanting to say more and tell her how I feel but unable to do so had reduced me to one-word answers.

She nodded. You’ve filled out a bit. You were all arms and legs in school.

Her appreciative gaze moved over my shoulders and arms to my chest, and I had to clutch at the rough, peeling wood of the stairs beneath my hands as I wondered how to respond. I’d never been good at talking to girls, and now that I realized I had feelings for Jasmine, she seemed to fall under the heading.

Yeah, and there’s just something different about you. Something more mature.

Jasmine leaned closer, close enough I could smell the body wash she used. I knew it came in a pink bottle with flowers on it because I’d seen it every time I’d gone to the bathroom at her house. The scent permeated her clothing so that when I thought of her, I thought of the smell, too.

A breeze picked up, making the trees shimmer and pick up the crisp leaves to swirl them over the browning lawn. It lifted and twirled the thin stream of smoke from the burning pile, and a spark popped.

Is that a good thing? I finally managed to ask.

Jasmine’s eyes were large and green as she stared up into my face, and my voice sounded strangled to my ears.

Yeah. She licked her lips slowly, then pressed them together. I’ve really missed you, Ben.

I’ve missed you, too, I managed through a tight throat.

I could feel something between us, a flickering flame of warmth and a current of anticipation.

I have to go back in two days, I croaked, the words coming out of nowhere.  

Jasmine pulled back and blinked, breaking the moment, and I cursed myself. Why in the world had I said a damn thing?

And I’m only here for fall break. So?

She was leaning again, and I mirrored her, our faces so close I could feel her breath on my skin, her lips parted and inviting.

I have a huge crush on you. I’ve had a massive crush on you since we were kids.

The words came out in a rush before I could stop them, the letters crowding together until I didn’t even know if she could understand me.

But Jasmine’s green eyes widened, and I saw something I hadn’t dared to think possible but I’d hoped for. Then the corner of her eyes crinkled as she smiled again.

That’s good, then, because I’ve had a massive crush on you since we were kids.

Really? This time, it was my turn to be shocked.

Ever since you kissed me for that Halloween dare.

I could only stare at Jasmine for a long moment, the play of light on her softly pale skin, the sharp angles of her face I’d studied in the photo until lights out, the soft curve of her mouth.

And I kissed her.

It was a soft kiss, a sweet kiss, our lips touching gently, like neither of us was sure we should or if it was a good idea. And then