On Sunday at 5:30 a.m. CST but 12:30 p.m. per WAT, Brandon cleared security and
walked across the tarmac toward the next, much smaller plane. Harrison was at
his side. Neither had said a word since arriving in Africa. Brandon had slept on
the plane. If he could sleep on those US military cargo carriers, he could sleep
anywhere. He presumed Harrison caught some Zs as well. Both knew what needed to
be done, and they realized how important the job was. It was even worse that
Bullard was the one in trouble. It was always harder when a friend or family
member went missing.
With Merk and Stone already over here, Brandon and Harrison knew they'd be met
and debriefed as soon as they landed. But, in the meantime, traveling was a
bitch.
Before boarding the transatlantic flight, Harrison had brought out his laptop
and said, "We'll need to download some information first." He quickly copied
files onto a USB key and handed it to Brandon. "Just a little light reading.
Make sure you've got it all down before we land."
Once the pilot finally gave the go-ahead to move about the cabin and to use the
tray tables, Brandon pulled out his laptop, popped in the USB and opened the
files. It was intense reading—a full character workup of all of Bullard's men
and Kasha. He learned a lot of the history about Bullard's group. He read
Kasha's background info with interest. She'd been with Bullard for five years
and had started in an administrative capacity that had quickly morphed to being
Bullard's right-hand man—or woman in this case. Her hobbies were listed as
swimming and guns acquisition. As a former SEAL, Brandon had to smile. Yet more
they had in common.
At the end was a brief on the issues they currently faced. Brandon had been a
part of the initial conference call, so he knew the basics. Outside of some
minor details, not much was new. "Bullard had been at the new holding for five
days, so are we thinking it's most likely a local job?" Brandon asked.
Harrison shook his head. "It's hard to say. Bullard has connections in the
military too, both US and African, so it could be someone who wanted retaliation
because Bullard helped take them down or could be some freelancer looking for an
opportunity to get control of this area, seeing Bullard as an up-and-coming
threat. Also remember Kasha's comment that Bullard had put out the call for new
hires at the holding. That was tantamount to broadcasting where he was at that
moment to any local mercs."
"Great. He could be in big trouble and with way too many factions possibly
looking to take him out."
"Exactly. This trip is all about helping Bullard. He's assisted Ice and Levi
many times. He's also the one who helped set up security on the compound. He and
Ice go way back. If either puts out a call for help, the other comes running."
"But nobody's heard from Bullard or Kasha since the first transmission?"
"Correct. However, Merk already checked in at both holdings with the help of a
helicopter pilot who Ice knew was temporarily in the area. Still no sign of
Bullard."
A fact Merk confirmed when Harrison and Brandon arrived at the local airport.
Merk talked and walked outside, nodding to the two of them to toss their gear in
the back of the jeep before they all climbed in. He didn't say much else, just,
"It's about a twenty-five-minute drive. Sit tight. I want to make it in
fifteen."
He took off like a race car on a practice run. There was a careless skill in the
way he handled the jeep. The roads were rough once they got past the town
limits. Then Merk really put his foot to the gas pedal and let the engine rip.
He was just past his ETA when they pulled into an estate. It was bigger than
Levi's and fancier. Like some ornate European mansion had been transported deep
within Africa.
Brandon gave a silent whistle as he hopped out. "Wow, this is something."
Merk nodded. "Bullard has offered to do the same at our place. He says the
compound is too ugly for his taste."
Brandon was starting to like Bullard even more. They walked in to find Dave,
Bullard's manservant, with his hands clenched tightly together.
Brandon, the newest member of Levi's team at Legendary Securities, heads to
Africa. Bullard purchased a new holding there, but, shortly after arriving, went
missing.
Kasha has worked for Bullard for five years. She's familiar with most of
those who work for Legendary as well. Brandon proves his worth almost
immediately, planning her boss's rescue and staying right by her side in the
days that follow while they determine what imbroglio Bullard's stepped into.
Accident or a deal gone horribly wrong, it seems Bullard was running guns and
now his newest holding is under attack.
Their emotions, heightened by danger, run hot as Brandon positions himself
instinctively at Kasha's side--which is exactly where he hopes to be permanently
if they can just find a way out of this rapidly escalating mess.
Romance Suspense | Romance Military
[Valley Publishing, On Sale: March 8, 2018, e-Book,
ISBN: 9781773360652 / eISBN: 9781773360645]
Dale Mayer is a prolific multi-published writer. She’s best known for her
Psychic Vision Series. Besides her romantic suspense/thrillers, Dale also writes
paranormal romance and crossover young adult books in different genres.
To go with her fiction, she writes nonfiction in many different fields
with books available on resume writing, companion gardening and the US mortgage
system.
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