Guarding LaurenBrotherhood Protectors World
Barb Han
Contents
Brotherhood Protectors
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Epilogue
Also by Barb Han
About Barb Han
Brotherhood Protectors
About Elle James
Copyright © 2020, Barb Han
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.
© 2020 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 Mail-Order Bride (#12)
SEAL Justice (#13)
Ranger Creed (#14)
Delta Force Strong (#15)
Montana Rescue (Sleeper SEAL)
Hot SEAL Salty Dog (SEALs in Paradise)
Hot SEAL Hawaiian Nights (SEALs in Paradise)
To Elle James for letting me write in your world and introducing me to your awesome readers—a huge thank you. You already know how much I love you.
Chapter 1
The Texas sun beat down on the white canopy over a fresh grave, creating a greenhouse effect and intensifying triple-digit temperatures.
Jaden Dean loosened his tie.
At five o’clock the heat had peaked. A half hour into the inferno, his shirt threatened to melt into his skin. But his mind was far from the August heat in San Antonio. His focus was Helena Turner.
Long after the few attendees had gone home, she sat there, broken. A stark contrast to the deadly field operative she was. Jaden couldn’t walk away, so he moved to the chair next to her. “There anyone I can call?”
She didn’t look at him. Only shook her head before staring at a spot across the manicured lawn.
Jaden sighed sharply. “Talk to someone. A priest?”
She didn’t respond.
“Then take some time off. Hell, take as much time as you need. I’ll work it out with Gunner. Your job will be waiting for you. ManTech can survive without you.” As her supervisor Jaden could make that call. He’d clear it with Gunner Randol, the owner of the agency, at their next rally point.
She glanced at Jaden.
Damn, it was hard to look her in the eyes, see the pain there. Pain that was his fault because he’d essentially sent Tim to his death.
“Work is all I have,” she admitted.
Right. She’d been orphaned as a child. A wrench tightened inside Jaden’s gut at remembering the details of her abusive past. There was no family to surround her. Tim had been everything to her. He was her love. Her redemption. Her life. And now he was dead.
Shame washed over Jaden for allowing Tim to take the assignment that was supposed to be Jaden’s. Jaden was the supervising officer. He had more experience. It should’ve been him in that jungle, not Tim.
Helena’s chin shot up. “Whoever is responsible will pay for this.”
The hollow look in her eyes was a knife to his chest.
Jaden knew all about losing someone close. The darkness and anger that settled in the soul. The hopelessness.
His operatives were all the family he had. One-by-one they were being killed. He was beginning to think he was cursed.
Lauren James had learned the hard way that sometimes the best childhood was a brief one, there was a direct link between determination and success, and it only took one phone call to unleash hurt and memories she’d spent the past decade trying to suppress.
“Help me,” a man’s voice choked out. It was strained and cracked. His identity was unmistakable.
“Max—” A crack followed by a pained grunt dropped her stomach to the floor, scrambling her nerves.
“Max. Max? Are you there? Are you hurt? Who’s doing this to you?” The words fired off like buckshot. Her brother had called four times in the past three months. She’d ignored all of them because when he’d called four years ago he wanted to use her for money.
Lauren had emptied her savings in order to give him the help he said he desperately needed. She’d followed his instructions. Once the money transfer had been made, Max had promised a stint in rehab before going to work in her small florist business where she specialized in native plants and wildflower arrangements.
It was supposed to be a fresh start for Max. But he’d disappeared as quickly as her savings. She’d sworn never to be taken advantage of again.
More muffled noises, and then a tortured scream seared her eardrums. This call was different than the others.
“Max?” she asked but no response came.
Three days passed before she got another call from an unidentified number.
“Pay or we cut him into pieces.” The male voice was unfamiliar but had a distinct Latin accent.
Icy regret stabbed her chest. Why hadn’t she tracked her brother down after the last call? Made sure he was safe?
“No. Don’t hurt him. Tell me what to do,” she said, trying to keep panic out of her voice. Think. Think. Her cell was in her purse in the kitchen. Could she get to it?
“You bring the feds, young lady, we cut him up and mail you the pieces.”
No federal officers. Of course they would have anticipated that.
Scuffling noises came through the line before another loud crack sounded.
“Then we come looking for you.”
“No. No law enforcement.
