Page 4 of Covert Vengeance

It seemed too good to be true, and it automatically put him on edge. Something didn’t feel right. In fact, something felt way off about this scenario.

In all the time he’d been doing this, he’d only ever seen one other contract come up on a female. Jesse always did his homework on the target before taking a job, and only killed bad people who deserved it. So when he’d done his due diligence on that particular job offer, he’d learned that the man behind the contract was an arms dealer who wanted the woman dead because she’d left him for one of his guys.

Needless to say, Jesse hadn’t taken the job. Instead he’d used his resources and a back channel to get word to her. She’d disappeared off the grid with her new lover and last Jesse had heard, they had been living quietly together somewhere in Bulgaria.

This contract felt off too, and definitely warranted some extra digging. There were two ways he could play this, but only one would allow him maximum flexibility. Which way did he want to do this?

He got one of his burner phones and accepted the offer by texting the phone number given. Thirty seconds later, a response came back.

Authorized. Check original source for further information.

Jesse logged back into the forum and accessed the new file waiting for him. As soon as it opened, he took out another burner and called a former contact to see what the hell was going on.

If anyone would know the story with Amber Brown, it was Bautista.

Chapter Two

Megan smiled to herself when she heard the footfalls behind her on the stable floor. “Changed your mind?” She hung her bow and quiver on a peg on the wall.

“How’d you know it was me?”

That low, sexy voice still caused her lower belly to flip. “I’m just that good.”

“Mmmm, real good,” Tyler murmured, wrapping his heavy arms around her waist from behind. He nuzzled the side of her neck, raising goosebumps.

She let out a soft “oof” when a solid nose butted into her shoulder. She shot Rollo a narrow-eyed look. “You can’t still be jealous.”

The horse pricked its ears and stretched its neck out to bump her with his nose again.

“Oh my God, youarejealous.” She smirked and scratched the white star in the center of his forehead, laughing when his eyelids and ears began to droop in ecstasy. “Such a big baby.”

“I refuse to be cock blocked by a horse.” Tyler spun her around and gripped the back of her head to kiss her, his lips warm and hungry. Her former Green Beret knew exactly how to get one-hundred-percent of her attention.

Her toes curled in her riding boots, arousal pooling inside her as she wound her arms around his sturdy neck. Three weeks he’d been here at Laidlaw Hall with her, and still every morning she woke up beside him she wanted to pinch herself to make sure it was real. The man had given up everything for her, career and family included, to be with her and help find the other Valkyries. He’d even grudgingly accepted her burgeoning relationship with her fugitive sister.

Megan loved him desperately for it. And even though she’d had an…unconventional childhood and wasn’t sure what a healthy relationship looked like, the promise ring on her finger gave her hope that she wasn’t completely broken inside. If an incredible man like Tyler was prepared to make that commitment to her in spite of her considerable baggage, then maybe they could find their way together.

He raised his head, light brown hair slightly mussed, his slate blue eyes gleaming with satisfaction at the dreamy look on her face. “That’s better. Can I steal you away from him now?”

“I might be able to be persuaded. You sure you don’t want to give it a try?” She nodded at the saddle she’d just taken off Rollo. “He’s such a great horse you could ride him bareback.”

Tyler eyed Rollo warily and shook his head. “Not a chance in hell.”

“Oh, come on.” She bumped his hip. “You were SF. You can do anything.”

“Icouldride him. I just don’twantto.”

“Chicken.”

His eyes widened in mock outrage. “Chicken?”

She lifted a shoulder. “I mean, what else can I call you if you’re not even willing to give it a try?”

“Oh, you’re gonna pay. You’re gonna pay for that.” Without warning he grabbed her, hoisted her over one broad shoulder, and quickly strode for the stable door.

She shrieked with laughter and gave a half-hearted struggle as she hung over his back, leaving Rollo to gaze after them from the comfort of his luxurious stall. “Where are you taking me?” Hopefully to their bed in the gatehouse, but maybe he had another spot picked out for some sexy times.

“Anywhere I want.”

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