Ransom (Whiskey Run Heroes 1)

2

Walker

This day has gone to shit, and I have a feeling it’s about to get worse. All the guys came in to make reports on the last mission. It went well. They may have had to go to the deserts of Iraq and sleep on the ground for a week, but it was nothing the guys couldn’t handle. They were able to get in, save the diplomat, and then get back on US soil without much or anything being on the news about it.

So there’s at least that. Any time my guys come home safe, it’s a good thing. No, what has me torn up is whatever is going on with Brook. And there’s definitely something. Any other time I walk by her desk she always looks up and smiles at me. Not once today has she even raised her head for me to talk to.

At exactly five o’clock, there’s a knock on my door. I push back from my desk and stand up. “Come in.”

The door opens, but I’m not ready for what I see. It’s Brook. It’s definitely her. My cock was already lengthening in my jeans at the knock. It’s like he knows any time she’s close, but fuck me, she looks different.

Instead of the dress pants she normally wears, she has on jeans that are snug and tight against her curvy hips. Her white V-neck shirt is tucked in with a short jacket over it, and she’s got some kind of boots with heels on them. “Uh....” I mutter, dumbfounded and for the first time at a loss of words.

She looks at me and then down at herself. She tugs on the short jacket, hugging it around her body. “Uh, sorry for the casual wear. I have a date.”

My tongue thickens, and my throat all but closes up. A date? What the fuck? Before I can keep quiet, I lean on my desk and stare at her across the office. “You have a date?”

She blushes. “Yes.”

I continue to stare, pressing my lips together because if I don’t, I’m going to say things that I definitely shouldn’t be saying. She starts to fidget under my scrutiny. She rolls her eyes at me, takes a deep breath, and pulls her shoulders back. “I know it’s hard to believe, but I’m not completely revolting or anything.”

“I didn’t mean... That’s not what...” I start stuttering. It amazes me that I can run multi-million-dollar companies, I’ve defended this country, I have some of the most elite and badass men working for me... taking orders from me... but I can’t talk to her.

She holds her hand up to stop me. “It’s fine.”

For the first time, I notice the paper in her hand. She walks across the office and lays it on my desk in front of me. I don’t even look. “What is this?” I ask her, pointing at it. I don’t dare pick it up because I’m sure I already know what it is.

She juts her chin at me. “My two-week notice.”

I come around the desk and stand next to her. Every part of me is saying to reach out for her. I physically want to hold on to her and dare her to try and leave me, but I don’t. I stand rigidly, panting and with eyes wide and wild. “You’re not quitting... I’m not letting you leave me.”

Her eyes widen in surprise. I know there’s a possessive tone in my voice. It’s there, and I’m not even trying to hide it. She’s mine, and I’m not going to just let her go. For five damn years, I’ve fought this attraction to her. There are so many reasons why we’re a bad idea. She’s the sunshine and light around here; no matter what, she makes me smile and see the good in the world. I’m the exact opposite. I’ve seen the absolute worst that life can throw at you. I’ve killed in order not to be killed, I’ve done bad, horrible things, and because of that, I have enemies. Enemies that will want me and anyone close to me dead. I can’t do that to her. But I also can’t let her go.

She doesn’t even blink. “You don’t get to make that decision, Walker.”

My name on her lips is my undoing. It always is. It hits me in the gut, and a warm feeling spreads through my whole body. It’s like drinking hot chocolate on a cold winter’s day or some sappy shit like that. “Why?”

She crosses her arms over her chest. “Why? I thought for sure you’d be happy I was going...”

I shake my head. “What are you even talking about? Why would you think that? Do I not pay you enough? Fine, you’ll get a raise. Name your price.”

She puts her hands on her hips and stares up at me. “You think I’m doing this to get more money out of you? You pay me too much as it is.”