Special Forces: Operation Alpha: Awakening Aubrey (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Jack 'Em Up Book 7)

First and foremost, I’d like to thank the lovely and fun Susan Stoker for inviting me to take part in this world. I’m humbled, thrilled, and beyond excited! A big, heartfelt thank you to my family, my writing friends, my beta readers, Shauna’s Angels Street Team, Divas Ink Mamas, and to every reader who has shown me such loving support. I couldn’t do it without you.

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Jude

The unrelenting Texas sun beat down on my bare shoulders as I pushed the lawnmower over the tiny patch of grass that constituted my front yard. Sweat rolled down my face and I knew I must stink to high heaven, but still, satisfaction filled me. The house was small and left a lot to be desired, but it had potential and it was mine. It also had one badass 3-car garage the previous owner had added on, giving my ’69 Trans Am her own bedroom.

I cut the mower and swiped my brow as I took a long slug of water. My cell rang so I swallowed and yanked it up from the sagging porch rail, my smile automatic.

“
Hola
, Mama.”

“Why haven’t you called me,
mijo
?”

“I called you last week.”

She harrumphed. “You’re too far away.”

“I’m stationed in Texas, Mama. There’s nothing I can do. You could always come here.” I thought of the New York winters and how hard they were getting on my mother. “You’d like it.”

“What about Bianca? She graduates this year.”

“Well, there are high schools in Texas. Or you could come after. Emilio’s in college now and next year, she will be too, then you’ll be on your own. You’ll be free to do what you want.” Free to let me take care of her.

She read between the lines. “My life is here,
mijo
.”

I said nothing. My old, rundown Bronx neighborhood wasn’t exactly what I’d call a life. But it was all she knew, and that brought her comfort. The friends, the rituals, even the shitty weather were as ingrained in her as the deep brown of her Latino skin.

“How’s work?” she asked, saving me from that discussion.

I automatically thought of the paperwork I’d submitted last week, but I didn’t say a word. I wasn’t sure how she’d react and there was no point in upsetting her until I had word. “It’s work.”

“Any good girls down there in Texas?”

I bit back a smile. “A few.”

“Will I get a
bebé
any time soon?”

“Mama, please. I’m not thinking about marriage or kids right now. There’s plenty of time.”

“I was married with two babies and one on the way at your age.”

“That was another time. Things are different now.”

“Not so different, Jude.
Familia
is important.”

I half-heartedly agreed, not bothering to remind her that our “family” consisted of a mother, three kids, and a deadbeat dad who I was lucky enough to be named after. Instead, I steered the conversation to other things, like how much I missed her
carne guisada
. Besides my family, my mother’s cooking was the only thing I missed about the Bronx.

“I’ll make you some when you come home to visit.”

“Sure.” I didn’t correct her about New York being my home. It really didn’t feel like that anymore. I’d found a new life in the Army, in Texas, but I would never hurt her by saying so.

I listened as she told me about Maria across the street and her new granddaughter, the candle she lit for me after Mass, the ladies’ bake sale at the church, and my sister, Bianca’s, latest boyfriend. All was status quo in New York. We hung up just as the sun met the middle of the sky.

A loud curse from my neighbor’s open garage cut through the thick summer air. A metallic clang, another curse.

I leaned against my sagging porch and swallowed more water. Fletch was a cool guy, but you didn’t fuck with him when he was in a mood, and from the sounds of it, he was in a particularly foul one. Poor Emily.

As if on cue, the cute brunette sauntered outside with their even cuter daughter, Annie. Emily smiled and waved, then they headed into the garage. The ruckus ceased immediately.

The threesome walked out into the sunlight, little Annie in Fletch’s arms, his socket wrench in her tiny hand. They spoke a few moments then Emily grabbed the little girl, kissed his cheek, and loaded up her car to drive away.

Fletch wiped a greasy hand down his leg and caught my eye.

I lifted my chin in greeting.

“Hey, Cortez, you have a lift in that monster garage of yours?” he called as he began to cut across his lawn onto mine.

“I do.” I chugged the last of my water and lifted the empty, silently asking if he wanted one.

“Sure. Thanks.”

I grabbed us both a cold water bottle and settled onto the porch steps next to my neighbor. A huge guy with tattoo-covered arms, he could be pretty damn intimidating, but for some reason, he’d taken a liking to me, so we were cool. I knew he was in the Army like I was, and I’d seen him on base on occasion, but I had no idea what he did there. He and his buddies were an unconventional lot, and I’d be willing to bet they were Special Forces, though I knew they’d never confirm or deny.

He sipped and squinted, as if searching for something in the distance. “Did you get your application sent in?”

His question caught me off guard. I shifted and yanked a weed viciously from the empty flowerbed next to me. “Yeah.”

He glanced over, his eyes assessing. “You’ll get in.” He sounded so sure, so confident.

“It’s Ranger School, man.”

“And?”

“And I’ve applied to be a linguist. Slots for that are limited. I’m not holding my breath.”

“You’ve been in six years, right?”

“Yeah.”

“You’re certified Airborne?”

“Yes.”

“You kicked ass on all your exams, right?”

Kicked ass was a relative term, but yeah, I’d pretty much nailed them all, scoring in the top five percent. “I guess.”

He glanced away. “Look, I know some people, if you want—”

“No.” I stood and shoved my hands in the pockets of my basketball shorts. “I wanna earn this on my own. But thanks.”

“Fair enough.”

We were quiet for a few moments as memories of my rocky childhood ricocheted around my brain like gunfire. My mom had done the best she could by us after my dad split, but it’d been rough. The Bronx is no place for three latchkey kids with big imaginations and too little supervision. Luckily, one run-in with a gang and I’d realized, even at ten years old, that I needed to step up and be the man my father couldn’t. I dug deep to find my worth in the eyes of both the saint and the sinner I’d been named after. I became the model kid. I did my homework, studied, took care of my little brother and sister when Mom was working, and I didn’t fuck around. At all.

As soon as I graduated, I joined the Army, knowing it was my only real choice to make a life and be able to help my mom with some cash. She still cried sometimes and tried to refuse my money, but I made her take it. If she didn’t, I’d just send it to Emilio or Bianca, and she knew it, so she’d pretty much quit fighting me. I got my stubborn pride from her.

Applying for Army Ranger School had been a fluke, a pipedream, but I’d had my mother’s beaming face in mind when I gave in to temptation and chased my biggest dream. I might never make the cut, but I had to try. No regrets, that was my motto.

“I didn’t mean to offend you, dude. You’re perfectly capable of getting into the Rangers on your own, I was just offering as a friend.”

“I know, Fletch. I appreciate it.”

He tipped his head and scrutinized my face. “You’ll get in.”

I didn’t say anything.

“Seriously. Don’t doubt yourself, Cortez. Whatever is messing with you up there—” He tapped my skull. “It’s bullshit. Let it go. If you work hard enough, nothing can stop you from getting what you want. Believe me, I know.”

Something crept through his eyes that made me wonder if he was talking about the Army or something more personal.

I did not want to trek that particular minefield, so I shifted gears. “So . . .” I faced his open garage. “What do you need the lift for?”

He tracked my gaze toward his house. “I’ve been trying to restore my ’68 Charger, but between the woman and the job, I’ve fallen behind and I don’t have all the tools I need. I just wanna get it done.”

My juices started flowing at the thought of a classic restoration. My brother, Emilio, helped me with my Trans Am before heading off to college and there wasn’t anything like greasy, uncomplicated time under a hood to soothe the savage beast. “Yeah? Mind if I take a look?”

“Help yourself.” He rose and we ambled over to his place, shooting the shit.

I rounded the Charger with a whistle. “Nice, dude.”

He tapped the hood with his knuckle. “She will be, anyway, once I finish.”

“You’re doing it all by yourself?” I ducked under the open hood and investigated the block.

“Yeah, but I’m thinking it’s about time to get some help. If I don’t, my woman may up and leave me.”

I laughed, but he sounded serious, so I stifled it.

I rose and faced him. “You’re welcome to bring it to my place. My garage has more than enough room, plus the lift and tools.”

“Thanks, man, I appreciate that. I can pay you for your trouble.”

I waved him off. A project to kill time while I waited for an answer from the Rangers was perfect. “When did you want it done?” I circled to the rear, taking in the worn paint job.

He shrugged. “As soon as possible at this point. I’m heading out on a mission next month, so I’d love to make some good headway before then.”

I glanced up at the mention of a mission. That was the most he’d ever said about his job, but I didn’t press. A mission could be anything. Or nothing. “Too bad we don’t have more help. It would sure go a lot faster.”

His expression took on that faraway look of someone tugging something from their memory bank. “You know what . . .?” He yanked out his phone with a shit-eating grin. “You’re a fucking genius.”

Aubrey

I lathered on SPF 45 to protect my hopelessly white skin then laid on my towel in the sand. The cries of the seagulls and the crashing of the waves just beyond my feet filled me with peace. I’d been working my ass off at the Jack ‘Em Up garage and I was finally on break from all of my online classes. It was time to soak up some sun.

Sand suddenly pelted my exposed abdomen, followed by suspicious squeals and giggles.

I lowered my sunglasses and stared up into smiling brown eyes. “Hi, Ryder.”

More giggling. “Molly did it.” He pointed at the little girl toddling by toward the waves with her mother, Delilah.

“Really?” I sat up and brushed the sand from my bikini.

He nodded then stifled his mirth when his dad, Trace, strolled over. “Ry? What are you doing to Aunt Aubrey?”

The kid squealed wildly when his father lifted him and turned him upside down. “Say you’re sorry.”

“Sorry!” Ryder screeched as they took off at a dead run for the water.

I grinned and took in the scene all around me. My sister, Rachel, was huddled under the huge beach shelter with her baby, Avery. She caught my gaze with her dark, coffee brown eyes that were so much like mine and smiled.

I had all of this, an extended family of sorts, because she’d been brave enough to find me and my mother. Brave, because we were my father’s second, secret family. She was his daughter first, and by rights could’ve hated my guts, but she didn’t. We both found the sister we needed in each other, and I’d be forever grateful.

My sister’s husband, Jesse, also worked at Jack ‘Em Up, the auto shop owned by his best friend, Blake. Trace and Micah rounded out my crew of co-workers. I was a tomboy at heart and I loved cars. The older, the better.

Trace’s wife, Tori, sauntered toward the ocean, their baby, Brady, on her hip. She was stunning in her hot pink bikini, even though she’d given birth less than a year ago. She met up with Blake’s wife, Delilah, and they laughed at something Molly said.

Blake manned the barbecue while his son, Declan, played in the sand at his feet. The mouthwatering scent of hamburgers filled the salty air, making me hungry.

A shout from the water caught my attention and I shielded my eyes from the sun. Jesse tackled his friend, Trace, in the water, dunking him and Ryder under the waves. They all came up sputtering. Boys.

“Hey, guys.”

I turned to find the last of our group arriving. Micah, the quiet, dark-haired assistant manager of the shop strolled our way, holding his wife’s hand. Jewel’s platinum blond hair shone like gold in the sunlight. I fingered my copper-colored corkscrew curls and tried not to be jealous of her easy beauty. They settled the carrier with their crying newborn daughter, Lily, under the tent. The baby’s cries began to pick up steam, until Jewel offered her a bottle.

Micah quickly scooped up the baby to feed her, his expression the soft, gooey one of a daddy very much in love.

Rachel rose and murmured something to Jewel before strolling my way, leaving baby Avery in Jewel’s hands.

“Hey, sis.” She plopped down next to me, her seven-month baby bulge only making it slightly awkward.

“Hey.” I glanced down. “You’re getting big.”

“I know.” She caressed her stomach. “Wish she’d hurry. I’d like to have my body back.”

I shot her a smirk. “You do know what causes that, don’t you?”

“Shut up.”

I grinned and sank back to soak up the sun.

“How’s school going?” she asked.

“Good.” So far, the core classes toward my business degree were pretty dry, but straightforward.

“And work?” Her voice floated on the breeze like a feather. “You like working at the shop?”

“Love it.”

She shook her head like she couldn’t understand. Being a lawyer, she probably didn’t, but to each their own, right?

Jewel joined us when little Avery began fussing. Rachel collected her daughter close to her chest, cooing sweet motherly words to her until Avery’s head rested on her shoulder. Jesse began to stride out of the water to help, but Rachel waved him off to keep playing with the guys.

“Is Lily sleeping through the night yet?” Rachel asked Jewel.

I glanced over as Jewel watched her husband cradle their baby. “No, but Micah’s so great with her. He lets me sleep whenever he can, so it hasn’t been too bad.”

“He’d have a hundred more if you let him,” I said offhandedly.

Jewel’s gaze snapped to mine. “He told you that?”

I felt myself flush, though I wasn’t sure why. Maybe I wasn’t supposed to repeat stuff said at the shop, but that seemed innocent enough. Micah was truly, madly, deeply, one hundred percent in love with his wife and baby, and he made no bones about it. “Uh, yeah. Sorta.”

Now Jewel blushed, her gaze tracking to Rachel’s pregnant belly. “Well, maybe not a hundred, but he does want lots of kids. We both do. We’ll probably start trying for another one next year.”

“Good for you,” Rachel quipped. “I think I’m done after this one. Pregnancy is rough.”

“I didn’t mind it,” Jewel said softly, her eyes now taking on that dreamy quality of a woman enraptured by love.

Micah eventually ambled over, his sleeping baby tucked to his chest. He kissed the cap of hair nearly as dark as his as he slid down next to his wife. Jewel leaned in and kissed the baby’s round cheek then laid her head on Micah’s shoulder.

Their love was so vibrant, so personal, I had to glance away. I hadn’t had much time for dating, and it honestly hadn’t bothered me until recently. Work and school and friends were great, but I was beginning to wonder when my great love would come along. Yes, I believed everyone has one great love, destined to be theirs. It’s up to each of us to find it and hang on with both hands once you did. I saw it in my mother’s eyes every time she spoke of my father. The circumstances of my birth and the nature of their relationship were definitely not ideal, but they’d loved each other. Of that, I was certain.

Micah’s cell chimed from his pocket. He cursed quietly and handed Lily off to her mother before sliding his phone out and answering.

“Hello?”

I leaned back and closed my eyes against the sun’s rays, trying not to eavesdrop, but it sounded like something was wrong. Micah gave short replies, ‘aw, manned’ in true sympathy, then agreed to help someone.

When he hung up, I kept my eyelids shut. Not my business.

Jewel rustled next to me. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah.” He was quiet for several moments. “That was Fletch.”

“Your friend from the military?” Jewel asked, and my eyes slid open to take in his serious, thoughtful expression, as if that call had been welcome, but still churned up memories he’d rather keep at bay.

“Yeah.”

“The guy at the wedding?” Rachel added. “Big guy? Good looking?”

Micah shook his head. “No, that was Asher Creed, but he knows Fletch and his team, too. We all met in Afghanistan. We’ve kept in touch, but I haven’t heard from either of them in a while.” He faced us. “Talk about a blast from the past.”

Jewel touched his forearm. “Everything okay?”

His brows dipped down minutely. “Yeah. He’s actually calling about work. He has a car that he needs help restoring and he remembered me. He asked for my help.”

“Oh.” Jewel’s face registered pleasant surprise. “That’s great.”

I rolled back to sitting as excitement sparked through my veins. “What kind of car?”

“A 1968 Dodge Charger.”

“When will he be bringing it to the shop?”

“He’s not. It’s not drivable and he’s in a time crunch. We’ll have to go to him, do what we can, then tow it back here to finish it when he ships out on his next mission.”

I frowned as a restoration job slipped through my fingers. “Oh.” I slid back to lying, fighting my pout.

Micah stood and dusted the sand from his shorts before strolling over to Blake at the grill and calling in the other guys from the water. I watched as they spoke and he told them about the call. All four heads bent in as they talked and planned.

I huffed and rolled to my stomach to sun my back.

Delilah brought Molly in from the water and slid into the tent. Rachel, Jewel, and the babies eventually joined her, leaving me alone with the sun and my thoughts. I concentrated on relaxing, but it was suddenly not as easy. What was wrong with me? Why did I have this driving need to get greasy?

A few minutes later, the sand rustled next to my head.

“Hey.”

My eyes popped open at Jesse’s voice and I propped myself up on my elbows.

“Guess you heard about Micah’s call from his military buddy?”

I nodded and peered down as I drew patterns in the sand. I was a college girl. No pouting.

“He’s gonna head out tomorrow with Blake.”

Okay.
“What about you?”

“Rachel has an appointment with her doctor and I don’t want to miss it. I’ll drive up later.”

Was he about to ask me to run the shop? “And Trace?”

“He’s staying behind to man the garage and keep our ducks in a row while we’re gone. Shouldn’t be more than a few weeks, depending on how bad the car is. Once it’s towable, we’ll bring it back here.”

“You’re all going away for that long?”

He glanced out at the water. “We may alternate in and out to keep up stuff here at home, but, yeah, pretty much. It’s Micah’s friend from the war and he wants to help him out, so we’re gonna do whatever we have to so he can. It’s important to him.”

I digested this, wondering why he was telling me all of this.

“So?” He nudged me with his sand-covered foot.

“So, what?”

He tipped his aviators down and stared at me with icy blue eyes. “Do you wanna tag along, or what? It’d be great experience for you.”

A smile bloomed from deep in my heart. “You’re serious?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

Now I felt stupid for being so petty. “I don’t know. I figured you guys wouldn’t want some girl hanging around, getting in the way.”

“You’re not some girl, Aubrey. You’re my wife’s sister, for one. You’re also becoming quite the mechanic. You are just as much a part of the shop as any of us now. You should go. See how a resto works from the ground up. Get your hands dirty instead of lounging away your summer break in the sun.” He smirked and I socked his shoulder. “Ow.” He feigned injury.

I rolled my eyes.

“So, you’ll go?”

I grinned up at him. “Yeah. I’ll go.”