Relentless

  Relentless

  Brotherhood Protectors World

  Tina Donahue

  Contents

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Epilogue

  Also by Tina Donahue

  About Tina Donahue

  Original Brotherhood Protectors Series

  About Elle James

  Copyright © 2018, Tina Donahue

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.

  © 2018 Twisted Page Press, LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  No part of this book may be used, stored, reproduced or transmitted without written permission from the publisher except for brief quotations for review purposes as permitted by law.

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, please purchase your own copy.

  Brotherhood Protectors

  Original Series by Elle James

  Brotherhood Protectors Series

  Montana SEAL (#1)

  Bride Protector SEAL (#2)

  Montana D-Force (#3)

  Cowboy D-Force (#4)

  Montana Ranger (#5)

  Montana Dog Soldier (#6)

  Montana SEAL Daddy (#7)

  Montana Ranger’s Wedding Vow (#8)

  Montana SEAL Undercover Daddy (#9)

  Cape Cod SEAL Rescue (#10)

  Montana SEAL Friendly Fire (#11)

  Montana SEAL’s Bride (#12)

  Montana Rescue

  Hot SEAL, Salty Dog

  Relentless

  They call him Ghost…

  If anyone needs a hero, Nic does. Her grandfather died in a suspicious accident, she nearly lost the ranch to foreclosure, and now mysterious mutilations are killing her cattle. She suspects her supremacist neighbor is behind the crimes, but can’t prove it.

  When Ghost arrives on her land, offering to get justice, she’s hard-pressed to refuse his help. He’s sexy as sin and a former Army Ranger, his talents as a sniper unequaled.

  The way he looks at her unmatched.

  Ghost can’t help himself. He’s never met a more determined woman, her courage and intelligence captivating him. As a Blackfoot, he’s always called Montana home. With Nic here, he’s not going anywhere.

  Good thing as the attacks escalate.

  Facing insurmountable odds to save her land, Nic and Ghost form a formidable defense, while also surrendering to passion neither can resist.

  Acknowledgments

  A special thanks to Elle James for inviting me to write for her Brotherhood Protectors series. I love her characters and those of the other talented authors who are expanding this wonderful world.

  Also, thanks to Kate Richards’ Wizards in Publishing and editor Laura Garland for her insightful edits. And to Nicole Austin for another beautiful cover.

  Chapter 1

  Nic Strom cradled her rifle beneath one arm and lifted an industrial lantern. Light streamed across the pasture, illuminating a dark, unmoving mass in the distance. Past it laid another object…or rather the remains from a second cow. A dead calf dotted an area to the right.

  Her stomach churned, followed by white-hot rage.

  Victor’s never going to give up.

  The powerful rancher had wanted this property for years, though not for its value. He didn’t like her kind living in Montana. Nic believed he’d killed her grandfather to run her family off, though there wasn’t any evidence to charge him. To everyone’s surprise, she’d saved the place, derailing Victor’s plan. Now this.

  Cautiously, she stepped forward.

  Something crackled beneath her boot.

  She flinched and snapped her fingers, wanting Shade, her black-and-white border collie, at her side.

  The dog lifted his head to her, then sniffed the first carcass and stiffened, his attention drawn to something in the distance.

  A low growl vibrated in his throat.

  Nic lowered the lantern and brought up her rifle, prepared to shoot whatever SOB Victor had sent here. Motorcycle gang members and supremacists made up his preferred crew. Belligerents who thought their so-called pristine heritage and dicks made them the rightful rulers and God’s gift to mankind.

  Not on her damn turf.

  Hackles raised, Shade snarled.

  In the grayish dawn, a tall figure approached, shoulder-length hair flapping in the mild summer wind, the man’s powerful form silhouetted against the lightening sky, his face hidden in shadows.

  He carried a rifle over one shoulder.

  Nic’s fury morphed to dread at the coming battle, but she wouldn’t back down. “Hold it right there!” Her shout sounded thunderous in the otherwise calm day. “Another step and I’ll shoot off your balls.”

  Halted, he raised his hands. “I’m not here to cause trouble, Ms. Strom.”

  Patience and sincerity rang in his deep, rich voice, along with respect.

  Her stomach fluttered in appreciation when it shouldn’t have. Victor’s men weren’t close to civilized. Calling her a bitch or barking racial obscenities was more their style. Confused, she nevertheless kept her finger on the trigger, prepared to fire. “Then go back the way you came. Don’t enter my property again.”

  “I’m here to talk. To help.”

  That made no sense. He couldn’t be from the Sheriff’s Department. Long ago, the law in this county proved they couldn’t have cared less about her problems.

  Teeth bared, Shade edged closer to the stranger and crouched, ready to pounce.

  Slowly, the man lowered his arms. “How about I put my rifle on the ground then you call off your dog?”

  Sounded reasonable, but she was long past what most would consider normal trust. In the distance, trees, bushes, and too much darkness hid countless dangers. “How many men did you bring with you?”

  “None. It’s just me, I swear. Trent asked me to come.”

  Stunned, she could barely speak. “My foreman?”

  “Yeah. He and I were tight on the reservation before I left.”

  Trent was a Blackfoot, the same as her grandmother Kanti. That wasn’t something a man working for Victor would admit to. Nor would Victor deign to hire someone with that lineage or anyone less than what he considered a real American…unless this was a new trick. Her skin grew clammy. “Trent didn’t say anything to me.”

  “He wasn’t sure you’d accept my help.”

  “Like roaming around my pasture in the dark among newly dead cattle? If that’s the case, he’s right. Put your rifle on the ground.”

  He complied.

  So far, so good. “Shade, back off.”

  The dog maintained his threatening posture.

  “Now.”

  He whimpered and inched away.

  Unarmed, the man straightened, hands at his side, palms facing her.

  Curious, she lifted the lantern and approached, the light bathing him.

  Her heart turned over.

  She couldn’t recall the last time she’d seen a more beautiful man, his age early thirties or so. Straight black hair and dark-brown eyes complemented his coppery skin and strong features. The scar on his left cheek enhanced his masculinity. Although lean, he owned a powerful form, a dark T-shirt and jeans hugging his firm muscle
s. Her pussy creamed, and there wasn’t a damn thing she could do about it. “Besides being Trent’s friend, who are you exactly?”

  “Roy Ghost. I prefer Ghost to Roy.” He offered his hand.

  Shade growled.

  “Quiet.” She put the lantern on the ground then slid her fingers across Ghost’s dry, warm palm, calloused from hard work.

  Her legs weakened.

  He gripped her hand firmly but gently, his behavior reassuring rather than threatening. “Can I call you Nic?”

  Laughter bubbled to her throat at their civility, as if they’d just met in a bar and were getting to know each other, rather than standing in a field littered with dead cows. Reality killed her amusement. She brought back her hand and retrieved the lantern. “Trent told you about Victor?”

  “Some. I’d like the full details.”

  Having suffered endless humiliation and worry over the years, plus losing her grandfather because of that maniac, wasn’t something she wanted to relive. “The latest facts are over there.” She inclined her head to the fallen cows. “You saw the carcasses, right?”

  “Not closely. Carrying a lantern or flashlight gives away one’s position.”

  Meaning hers, making her a target for whoever might be out there, watching and waiting. For some reason, she felt compelled to explain. “I was simply going about my chores as I do every morning. I wasn’t trying to attract gunfire.”

  “Of course not. Nor should you have to worry about such things and won’t from now on.”

  She wasn’t following. “Trent offered you a job as a ranch hand?”

  “No. I work for Brotherhood Protectors. Hank Patterson, a retired SEAL, established the ex-military group. We protect those who need our help.”

  The scar on his cheek appeared deadlier than before. “You were in the service?”

  “Army Rangers, specifically a sniper.”

  His rifle glinted in the available light. She was a good shot, but next to what he could do… No wonder her threat hadn’t alarmed him. “I can’t pay for protection. I was barely able to save the ranch from foreclosure. Do you know about that?”

  “Not the particulars, though I did catch your performances on This Country Has Guts!” His grin lit up his handsome features, making him more luscious. “Those motorcycle tricks were outstanding. You deserved to win the million.”

  Her smile happened before she could stop it. “Thanks. Bryce taught me.”

  “Bryce?”

  “My grandfather.” She lowered her rifle, realizing she’d still had it pointed at him, and hung the weapon over her shoulder. “He was a Hollywood stuntman before retiring here. What he called paradise until it turned into a never-ending nightmare.” Pain swept through her, stealing her breath.

  Ghost stepped closer, his mouth turned down. “You mean the trouble Victor’s caused?”

  “Trouble?” She shook from renewed outrage. “Try murder. He killed my grandfather. I don’t know how he messed with Bryce’s cycle, but he did. I called in the sheriff, but he claimed what happened was an accident. Bryce supposedly hit something on the range, and, given his speed, he flew off the cycle and broke his neck. The coroner accepted that as fact without any investigation. Hell, I had to fight for an autopsy, and, even then, they only did the bare minimum. They don’t call this Victor County for nothing. Victor has every damn authority in his pocket. After the alleged accident, I’m sure he wasn’t expecting me to keep this place up and running, which is why he’s now killing my cattle.” Hatred for him raced through her, tightening her shoulders. “You know what? Screw him. I’m not taking this another minute.” She strode across the pasture.

  “Whoa.” Ghost caught her arm. “Where are you going?”

  “To have this out with him once and for all. I’m tired of playing games. He wants a fight then I’ll give him one he’ll never forget.” She yanked her arm.

  He held tight. “That’s not wise.”

  “I don’t give a goddamn. Let. Go.”

  “Sorry, but no.” He ran his thumb over her arm. “I don’t want you getting hurt.”

  “It’s my choice.”

  “That you’ll regret. If you’re dead next, who’s going to run this ranch? From what Trent told me, you support yourself, your mother, and grandmother. What will they do if you’re gone?”

  Nic wanted to scream at him for mansplaining the obvious, but her exasperation evaporated into bone-deep weariness. Struggling for breath, she lowered her face. “I don’t know how much more of this I can take.”

  “You shouldn’t have to endure anything.” He released her but eased closer, the wind delivering his subtle aquatic scent, clean and masculine.

  Her pulse ticked up. She stepped back to keep from throwing her arms around his shoulders, begging him to hold her. For too long, she’d had to be strong and wanted only a moment to give into weakness, to have someone else take the burden. Wasn’t going to happen. She was better than that. If nothing else, her mother had taught her to survive. “I know I shouldn’t have to put up with this crap, but my feelings won’t change what’s happening.”

  “Then let’s find something that will.”

  “Such as?”

  Sunlight spilled over the horizon, illuminating the pasture.

  He strode to the first cow. “Mind bringing the lantern over here?”

  She positioned the beam to give them the best view and sucked in a breath. “What the hell?”

  Rather than a bullet wound in the head, as she’d expected, the cow’s right ear and eyeball were gone. Not gouged out or ripped off, but expertly removed, the jaw and tongue also missing. “What happened to the gore? Why didn’t Shade hear anything? He’s onto stray cats in a heartbeat no matter how far away they are.”

  Ghost hunkered down. “I don’t know about Shade, though I wouldn’t have expected any blood here.”

  “Are you serious? Why not?”

  “This was made to look like the cattle mutilations in 2006 and earlier that everyone blamed on aliens. A good way to explain what happened so suspicion won’t fall on Victor.” Crouched, Ghost stared at the ground and pointed. “Shine the light over there.”

  She did.

  He regarded the grassy area.

  Shade padded close and sniffed the ground.

  For once, Nic wished she had clothing from Victor’s crew so Shade could match the scents on those fabrics to whatever odors were here. “Do you see anything?”

  “A depression in the grass. Could be a boot print.” Ghost pulled a smartphone from his back pocket and snapped pictures of this area then advanced, taking more shots.

  She followed. “Is this the path his men took?”

  “It stops here.” He toed his cowboy boot against the ground.

  “How is that possible?” She sank to her knees to look, but found nothing unusual. “They couldn’t have taken wing and flown out of here.”

  “You’d be surprised what tricks people come up with to avoid detection.” He returned to where they first stood, having taken care to step in the same areas he had previously. Eyes narrowed, he glanced at the gentle hills, fir trees, shrubs, and grassland, the cool air refreshing and fragrant, the utopia Bryce had loved so much.

  Except for the mangled animals.

  She matched Ghost’s caution in not making additional shoe prints and stopped at his side, fighting an urge to press against him for safety and comfort. “Is someone out there?”

  He met her gaze. His features softened and grew welcoming, interest then desire flaring in his eyes.

  His reaction to her tangled Nic’s thoughts. For the first time since Bryce convinced her she could trust him, she felt comfortable around another guy. Downright relaxed yet also excited. If her heart beat any faster, she’d black out.

  “It’s doubtful.” His voice rumbled.

  Heat suffused her. “What is?”

  “It’s unlikely his men would have stuck around to see your reaction.” He offered a sympathetic look. “They did what t
hey came for. I’m sure it’s the only thing that matters to them.”

  She clutched his wrist. “Can you prove they did this?”

  “I’ll gather a team and have them check the surroundings to see if his men left anything behind. Unless they did, there’s no way to pin this on them.”

  That wasn’t what she wanted to hear. “A team? I’ve already said I can’t afford this. Three dead animals amount to ten grand or higher in replacement value. Add in the lost revenue from what they could have brought in and it’s far more. This place is barely making it, thanks to what Victor keeps doing to us.”

  Ghost covered her hand, his warmth pouring into her. “I’d like you to tell me everything. And, please, don’t worry about the cost. The Brotherhood doesn’t do this to get rich. Consider our service pro bono. When you’re back on your feet, you can make a donation to help others in your position.”

  “I can’t… If I lose everything…”

  “Believe me, I’m not trying to scare you, but things will likely get worse if you refuse my help. It’s either settle this in your favor or let Victor run you off the land.” Ghost squeezed her fingers. “Your choice. Tell me to leave or stay. I’ll abide by whatever you want. No arguments.”

  Bryce was the only other man who’d shown such kindness and integrity. When he was gone, she’d believed such character traits had died with him. “What you’re offering is too generous.”

  “Nope. It’s pure selfish. I loathe people like Hal Victor more than you can imagine. It’s time someone took him down.” He shaded his eyes against the rising sun. “Is there somewhere we can talk?”

  She wasn’t certain if he despised Victor for what he’d done to her or if the man had hurt Ghost’s family. “The house.”