Scandalous Heroes Box Set (26 page)

“I told you, I liked her.”

“And Godric?” Her question was lined with a bit of harshness.

Reeve frowned before smoothing out his expression. “I think he liked her just fine.” Taking a seat beside her, he asked, “Why?”

“He just seems very taken with her, that’s all.”

That made his eyes narrow. Godric and Affrica? Oh, hell no! Not in this lifetime. Affrica O’Shea was his.
Mine, Godric. Mine.
With a shrug, he replied, “Well, she did a wonderful job with the pictures of his business in the magazine.”

“Perhaps,” she mumbled. “Let’s go to lunch, Charleston.”

His mood was dampened by the news that his youngest brother may be interested in Affrica, but he never let his mother know. Once he had dropped her off at her house, he ranted to himself all the way home.

****

Australia

Affrica waved to her brother, Aidrian, as her bus pulled away from the station in Geelong. She knew he would be standing there until he could no longer see the bus—it was just his way. Still, she loved him immensely.

“He doesn’t like me, does he?” Miles’ voice questioned.

“Nope,” she responded without looking at the man beside her. “He never has.”

“Why not?”

Affrica looked at Miles now. He was watching her avidly. “He thinks your desire for landing on the front page will put me in danger one day.”

“What do you think?”

“I think he’s right.” She watched his eyes narrow. “I’m not blind, Miles. I know you come along where I go because I seem to find stories. And you have a knack for getting me into situations that I don’t feel good about.”

“Do you think I’d let harm come to you?”

“If it is between me and your story, yes.” She turned toward him. “But I know that, so it’s not like I expect you to protect me. I know how you operate, Miles. I’ve known that since day one.”

An emotion she hadn’t ever seen before flashed in his eyes then he shrugged and faced front. Affrica stared at him for a few silent moments before she turned her attention back out the window of the bus.

Suddenly, she couldn’t wait to get on the train where she could get away from Miles. Unsure of why she felt that way, she kept her mouth shut as the bus took them to the train station.

Affrica was amazed by the relief she felt as the train began moving and Miles headed for the dining car, leaving her alone with her thoughts. Unbidden, her thoughts went back to Reeve Leighton.

She didn’t know why she couldn’t get him out of her head. The cocky smile he had, the way his eyes sparkled when he watched her.

I bet Reeve has no idea how expressive his face is.

“Get a grip, Affrica. Reeve Leighton is not anywhere near your league.” She sighed.
Still, I bet a man like that could do wonders for a girl. Tall, handsome, muscular, with kissable lips that would make a nun give up her habit and an ass that makes me want to drop to my knees and thank the good Lord.

She looked out the window as the train headed toward Perth. Eventually, the rolling countryside lulled her to sleep. They had a vehicle waiting for them at Perth to take them to their hotel. A sigh of relief left her as she shut the hotel door, blocking out everything else. An eerie feeling settled about her shoulders as she sagged against the heavy door. Her brother’s concerns followed by the odd look she’d gotten from Miles on the train, all of it was making her nervous.

“Focus, Affrica. This is just a trip like all the others. You go with them, take some photos for their story, and move on. Basically, it’s a free ride to Australia. And you can’t go wrong there.” She spoke to the silence of her room as she opened her camera bag and checked her equipment. Until this moment, she’d not had the opportunity to look over what Miles had given her. It didn’t matter to her, she was going to go anyway with him. He may make her a bit uncomfortable but he’d not steered her wrong for her work yet.

Miles had given her images of mass graves. She frowned even as her stomach revolted, and her hands shook.
What is this?
This kind of thing didn’t happen anymore, did it? Disgust filled her as she saw the camera zoom in on what seemed to be a recent addition to the graves.

A young girl. A young aboriginal girl.

A knock at her door startled her, and she closed the lid of her computer, ending the horrific images. Still a bit shocked, she gave herself an extra moment before opening her door.

“Aye?”

Miles leaned against one side, clad in jeans and a t-shirt. His hair appeared damp as if he’d allowed himself a shower.

“You saw it,” he said without preamble.

“Are you sure this is legit?” she asked, stepping back to allow him entrance to her room.

“Unfortunately, yes. That was taken less than a week ago.” Miles sat and wiped his palms off on his thighs. “I know how I’m viewed, Affrica. Hell, you even made a comment on it today. Yes, I love getting the scoop and having my byline on the front page, but this… If what we’re seeing is true and fresh, we’re talking genocide.”

His solemn attitude threw her. This behavior was very atypical Miles Horne. “Are you telling me not to go?” she asked with a frown. “Because you’re the one who invited me along in the first place.”

“I know. This is different. Genocide isn’t pretty.”

She muttered in Gaelige, “No shit.” Calming herself, she sat on the only other seat in the room, her bed. “I’m a damn good photographer, Miles. Do you want another instead?”

He shook his head. “If I had, I never would have given you a mention about this. I just want you to be really sure about this.”

“I am. Where is this? I mean, how come people havena done a feature on it or something to stop this?”

He frowned and gave her a “duh” look. “They’re Aboriginals, still obviously considered expendable by some.” He swallowed. “This is going to be dangerous, Affrica. We leave tomorrow night.” That said, Miles left.

Alone again, she expelled a sharp breath and flopped back on her bed. Her mind streamed along at well over one hundred kilometers per hour. Miles offering up actual concern? That alone made her hesitant. He also hadn’t told her where they were going.

Think about what these people have gone through,
she reprimanded herself.
Now isna the time to wuss out.
She had to go. There wasn’t any way she could walk away from this. Phone in hand, she paused, checking the time, before dialing a number.

“O’Shea residence,” a female answered in Gaelige.

“Hi, Ma,” she replied in the same language.

“Affrica. How are you, sweetheart?”

She smiled at the genuine warmth in her mother’s voice. “I’m fine. I just wanted to call and let you know I’ll be out of touch for a bit.”

“What’s going on? What’s wrong?” Immediate concern.

“Nothing, Ma.” She hoped it wasn’t a lie. “I’m just going to be out of cell range for a bit on this next gig.”

“Is it dangerous?”

She restrained her sigh. Some days, her family seemed steadfast in their decision to view her as a baby. Yes, she was the baby but she knew how to do her job. And she’d accepted there were some risks involved. It didn’t matter her brother was a US Navy SEAL; it always seemed they worried about her.

“I’m in Australia, Ma. We’re going out in the bush. It’s not like I’ll be in a metropolis, but I’ll be as careful as I can.”

That at least wasn’t a lie. She just didn’t want to tell her mother what they were going after out there.

“We. You’re not going alone then?”

“No, ma’am. I’m going with a reporter.”

“Well, I guess that’s better than you out there all alone. When are you coming back?”

She got up and paced her small room. “Kind of playing things by ear, Ma. I’ll call when or if I can out there and will definitely do so when we return.”

“Okay.”

Her sigh of relief was short-lived when her mom spoke again. “You aren’t going with that Miles guy Aidrian said was no good, are you?”

Note to self, punch sole sibling next time we meet.

“Adrian probably wanted to distract you, Ma. I just saw him.”

“You saw Adrian?”

She grinned wickedly at her reflection in the mirror. “I did. He saw me off on my bus in Geelong.”

Her mom digested that for a bit. “What is Adrian doing in Geelong?”

Back on her bed, she stretched out a leg and stared at her boot. “Not sure; he was with a girl, though.”

Her mother’s sharp breath made her smirk. Jackpot! Ma had a new target.

“A girl? Who is she?”

“Not sure, he didn’t want to introduce me. She was pretty, though.
Very
pretty.” She let her ponder for a few seconds. “Ma, I have to go. I love you. Tell Da I love him, too.”

“Of course, honey. Just one more thing.”

Damn it! So close. “What’s that?”

“Don’t you think I’m able to pick up on a diversion tactic? Nice try, Affrica. Now, be safe.”

Her mom disconnected, and Affrica muttered while she shut her own phone. Damn. Damn. Damn. She sighed, hoping they wouldn’t be too worried. Drumming her fingers, she called another.

“Hey,” she said in Gaelige. “Just letting you know I made it fine. Going out into the bush. Don’t worry, I’ll be safe. Hope you’re having fun with your cutie. Love you. Bye, brother.”

Ending the call, she flopped back with a groan. Normally, the idea of heading out filled her with huge anticipation, but honestly, all she felt right now was trepidation.

Mass killings weren’t exactly
common
in this day and age, but neither was she dumb enough to believe they didn’t happen either. Because the ugly truth was that evil not only existed but thrived in the world.

Personally, she’d never been a headline seeker; her thrill came from acquiring that “perfect” shot. She preferred capturing the essence of wild animals but this…wasn’t something she could pass up.

You should tell your brother where you’re going,
her brain advised.

She dismissed it with a shake of her head. There was no way, for that would mean, in a matter of time, she would just look up to discover the eight members of SEAL Team Seventeen, or as they were more aptly and affectionately referred to the Megalodon Team, surrounding her for an immediate evac.

Not that she despised their protectiveness of her but, while one overprotective brother could be annoying, eight likeminded ones would ensure she never left the house.

Chewing on her lower lip, she thought for a bit longer. Eventually, she sat up and reached for her bag. An hour later, she made her way to a local pub for dinner and a drink. She mailed her letter along the way.

The next day, she spent ensuring all gear was ready. Since she would only be taking the minimum, she’d made arrangements for the rest. The hotel would keep her items for her until she returned. Then, she rested, well aware that, once out there, a solid,
safe
night’s rest would be few and far between.

As planned, she met Miles at the front where they climbed into an old Jeep and headed off into the inky blackness. She rested her head back and tried to ignore the hard beating of her heart.

Chapter Four

Reeve swirled his vodka around in his glass as he gazed around the table at the five guys with him. They’d all grown up together, from privileged homes. Money, prestige, it didn’t matter, they had it. The nights were filled with the finest things—liquor, women, whatever he wanted. This used to be stuff he enjoyed.

Now, however, everything had changed. The women, while beautiful and flawless, did absolutely nothing for him. Everyone he saw automatically got compared to the woman he’d been unable to get out of his mind.

Sassy. Take-no-prisoner attitude. Creamy skin he craved to touch, to linger over for hours on end. And don’t forget those killer brown and gold eyes framed by thick and curvy black lashes. Lord, he wanted to spend days exploring her body. To top it all off, she had her accent, which made him want to hear crying his name in the throes of pleasure. For starters.

Affrica O’Shea.

It had been two months since he’d seen her. Each night, she visited him in his dreams only to leave him, come morning, hard and ready to explode with the slightest of touches.

“Reeve! What’s up, man? You’ve hardly drunk a thing.”

He stared at the glass in his hand, recognizing his lack of enthusiasm for the night thus far. With a sigh, he glanced from the clear liquid into the green eyes of his friend, Thomas Weldt.

“Fine, man. Just not feeling—”

“You need a woman,” Thomas broke in, waving over a stacked redhead in a tight green sheath dress.

The smile she gave was practiced, and Reeve stifled a sigh of disappointment. Beyond her, he spotted someone he’d not expected to see here.

“Evening, handsome,” the redhead said, trailing a perfectly manicured hand along his arm.

He stood as she sat. “I’ll catch y’all later.”

“Where are you going?” Francis Naplan asked only to be echoed by the woman who’d just joined them.

“I see someone I need to talk to.”

Red put a hand on his arm. “No need to find another woman. I can be all you need.”

Reeve sincerely doubted that. “Not interested.”

Thomas frowned before following Reeve’s line of sight. “Oh, I see now. See you, man.”

“He’s hot; do you know him well?” Red asked, her hand fluttered at the base of her neck.

“Almost as well as his wife does,” Reeve said snarkily, walking off without a look back.

He wove his way through the crowd of men in suits and women in very little to pause before a man in worn medium blue jeans and a Baltimore Ravens t-shirt. He also noticed how many women stared at the man and shook his head slightly, well aware only one woman in this world had a chance. The love of his life. His wife.

“What are you doing here?” Reeve questioned.

Cornflower blue eyes stared at him. “Came to talk to you.”

Without a word, he fell into step, and they headed for the exit. Outside, a trio of women blocked their way.

“Hey, Reeve baby. Where are you going? The night is still young, and we just got here. Why are you leaving?” the middle of the trio said with a practiced pout. Her gaze travelled to the man with him, and she smiled. “Ohh, aren’t you cute. Don’t you handsome boys have time for us?”