Determination

CONTENTS Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Tease Me Excerpt About the Author Also by Sierra Cartwright DETERMINATION Copyright @ 2023 Sierra Cartwright First E-book Publication: March 2023 Line Editing by GG Royale Proofing by Bev Albin, Cassie Hess-Dean, Whitney Cartwright De Luna Layout Design by Once Upon An Alpha Cover Design by Once Upon An Alpha Photo provided by Depositphotos.com Promotion by Once Upon An Alpha, Shannon Hunt All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission of the author. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners. Adult Reading Material Disclaimer: This work of fiction is for mature (18+) audiences only and contains strong sexual content and situations. It is a standalone with my guarantee of satisfying happily ever after. All rights reserved. DEDICATION For Shayla—couldn’t have figured this one out on my own. And the sprint group. Your motivation and laughter keep me out of those pesky rabbit holes! Bev, always. I appreciate you all. CHAPTER ONE The moment Kane Patterson jogged up the last stair leading to the porch of the impressive mountain home, the door swung open to reveal a very beautiful Noelle Montrose, wife of one of his friends and coworkers at Hawkeye Security. “Kane! I’m so glad you could make it.” Her smile was wide and inviting. He kissed her cheek “It’s been a while.” “Since the wedding.” Had it been that long? “Two years?” How well he remembered the festive occasion. Yeah, he’d been genuinely happy to see Joe marry such a wonderful woman, but the occasion had been memorable for another reason, namely a gorgeous brunette he’d cradled against him for a sensual dance beneath the stars. The lady in question, Morgan—a name he’d never forget—had made it clear she’d be open for so much more. Fortunately his sanity returned before he did more than kiss her. And maybe break her heart. After all, he had a shitty track record with relationships. “The guys are in Joe’s office. Oh wait, you haven’t been here before. Let me show you the way.” He followed her into the oversize home with its massive open spaces and soaring windows. ”It’s beautiful, Noelle.” “Thanks.” Glancing over her shoulder, she responded, “We get up here as often as we can.” “But not as often as you’d like to.” “Exactly.” She led the way down the hall to the last door on the left. “Go ahead and let yourself in. Hawkeye will be here in just a minute.” Interesting. “Hawkeye?” To what did they owe the honor of having the firm’s owner show up? And a bigger question was why the hell had Kane been invited? He’d returned to Denver last night after a too-damn-long stint in Africa. The mission had been fucked from the beginning. How was it possible to protect a businessman who knew he was at risk and not only ignored it, but taunted would-be kidnappers? He hadn’t ended up dead, but that wasn’t true for some local security guards. Kane had earned some damn R&R and intended to take it. Curious, he knocked sharply on the door before entering the decidedly masculine space. Though Joe had a large desk toward the back of the room, he also had a smaller table with comfortable leather chairs arranged around it. Water was available, along with a pricey bottle of Bonds whiskey. The two men in the room—Joe and Logan Powell, both Hawkeye team leaders—stood. He shook Logan’s hand. “You recovered?” Logan responded in a fake British accent. “‘Tis only a flesh wound.” After the guys all grinned, he dropped the smile and teasing note. “Cell phone and tactical vest took the worst of it.” Still, catching a bullet hurt like a mofo. And Logan had gotten off easy. “Heard a rumor you’re getting married.” “Got my head on right finally.” Maybe getting shot at had something to do with that. After greetings were exchanged, Joe swept his hand wide to indicate everyone should take their seats. “Help yourself.” He nodded toward the fine distillate. Months had passed since Kane had been with his friends, and a drink appealed. If he had a glass, however, he might sleep for a week like his body demanded, and he needed to be conscious enough to make the drive back to his home in the Denver suburbs. Though Kane had received and declined numerous invitations to the Montroses’ well-regarded BDSM play parties, he’d never received a personal call from Joe requesting his presence thirty minutes before any of the other guests were scheduled to arrive. As he took his seat, he scrubbed his hand down his face. Shit. He’d forgotten to shave. How many days in a row did that make it? “How was Africa?” Logan asked. What passed for small talk in this group. Combat. Death. Destruction. Since all of them were former military and still dealt with secrets at the highest level, they tended—maybe unnecessarily—to keep their terminology somewhat vague. Didn’t matter. They all understood the same language. “The asset is back in the States.” Meaning casualties had been sustained, but the company that had written the check to keep its arrogant CEO safe was happy. Moments later Hawkeye entered the room, dressed for work in jeans, boots, a leather bomber jacket, and a ballcap pulled low over his eyebrows. “Evening.” Without waiting