Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

J erico parked his car at the military base administrative offices. Aware that he was probably already under observation, he kept his expression calm and controlled as he gathered his duffle, keys, and phone. Exiting his car, he deliberately left it unlocked and walked with a purpose to the main doors. Once inside, he looked around to orient himself and headed down the hallway toward the classroom where he would meet his new team.

Day one of being put in charge of a group of men way more experienced than he was could be a bit intimidating. Jerico chose to look at this meeting as an opportunity. Keeping his expression calm and relaxed, he walked through the corridor, looking for the right room.

"Another team leader for us to keep safe," a disgruntled voice carried into the hallway, making Jerico pause just outside the door.

"Every special ops team needs a commissioned officer. This guy has some good qualifications, and he was chosen especially for the team. That means something to me."

On that note, Jerico walked inside. The other men jumped to their feet to salute, and Jerico waved them off. "At ease, men. Good morning. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Jerico Adams. I know you have questions and are skeptical about a new team leader."

"No, sir. We've been looking forward to meeting you," the largest of the men told him politely.

"That's nice of you to say, Max Zion, but I'm throwing the bullshit flag. You're wondering what my qualifications are and what you've been stuck with. As for you specifically, Max, I'm sure you're hoping I won't get the team blown up," Jerico told the man tasked with defusing traps or explosives.

"Yes, sir. I'd like to avoid that."

"I've been in the military for eight years. I come from a military family and have trained my entire life to prepare for this challenge. In addition, I've worked with one team before you. The brass reassigned that team to do black ops and a team leader was designated who had a slightly different skillset than I do," Jerico announced as he scanned the room. He hesitated a moment before proceeding.

"I have a degree in business management. I do realize that this organization is nothing like a corporation. Each of you has a job, and it's my job to stay out of your way, smooth things over with those higher up, and make sure you have whatever you need."

Turning, Jerico put up a hand to catch a rubber ball arcing close to his head. It smacked soundly into his palm, and he curled his fingers around it to trap it.

Without even addressing that move, he continued. "I know that Caden," he pointed at a man with a trace of gray hair at his temples, "is the man who has the most experience and knowledge. He doesn't have my job because he spent time in the field surviving, instead of in a classroom studying."

"Amen," that disgruntled voice sounded again.

This time Jerico zeroed in on the man who'd twice voiced doubt about his ability to lead. "Koa Lokela, this is the first time you've been on a team. Of all the men here, you have less experience than I do. No need to make yourself look like an ass on my first day."

"Amen," Caden added with a warning look at the youngest team member.

"Yes, sir."

Jerico was glad to hear that the tone in Koa's voice had lessened. "Koa, as the communication guy on the team, I'm sure you realize you are the first target for anyone trying to stop or cut off the team from resources."

He added nothing else, but let that rest in the air. Koa needed everyone to keep him safe.

Jerico turned his attention to a man who had been standing perfectly still, despite all the words swirling around him. The sniper. "Hank Murdock. I know you also transferred from another team recently, changing positions because of your skills."

"Thank you, sir."

"Call me Jerico when we're not in front of the brass," Jerico corrected him. "That goes for everyone."

Scanning the small group, he looked at the only man he hadn't spoken to. "Zale Reynolds, our medic. I know how important you are. I'm glad you're on the team."

Caden stepped forward. "On behalf of the team, Jerico, I would like to welcome you. It's obvious to me you've done your research on our files. I am looking forward to working with you." He lifted his hand and saluted Jerico. The other men straightened and echoed his gesture.

Lifting his hand to his brow, Jerico felt something click into place inside him. He was in the right place. Snapping his hand back to his side, he allowed his expression to soften. "Alright. Get me up to speed. What's the training schedule?"

"I hope you have running clothes in that duffle. Today's the long haul," Caden informed him with an expression that told Jerico he didn't want to ask the distance.

"I came prepared."

Lifting the beer to his lips, Jerico mentally shook his head at the memory of joining the team. Caden was a crafty team chief. He'd thrown every adversary at the team to bond them together. It had taken all of their strengths to triumph over each challenge.

In the process, he'd discovered a lot about each man. Caden ran the team with an expertise and confidence that Jerico had never experienced. Zale Reynolds was a tough son of a bitch. He didn't allow small injuries to worsen. The bear-like man, Max Zion, was incredibly light on his feet. He also had a steady hand and fingers so nimble they could master any challenge. Over the last weeks, Hank Murdock had become less remote. The man held some secret. Finally, Koa Lokela was ruthlessly focused and lethal. His covert skills were some of the best Jerico had seen. He was also fun-loving and a lady-killer, drawing women like beautiful moths to a flame.

"I'm not letting this beer get warm," Zale announced as he picked up Koa's abandoned beer. "How many women has Koa danced with tonight?"

"I can't count that high," Caden answered.

"Hey, gentlemen. Here are your pizzas," their server announced, setting two giant metal plates on the table.

Her appreciative gaze studied them, taking in their hard, athletic bodies. "I'd ask how you could eat this much, but I'm used to soldiers inhaling food. All that running and stuff."

"Thank you, Stephanie," Jerico said smoothly. "Anyone need drinks?"

With a flurry of orders, Stephanie was distracted from flirting with them. She drifted off to get their drinks. Men greeted her as she walked through the crowd. Jerico suspected that as a waitress in the most popular combination pizza restaurant and bar, she gathered a lot of masculine attention from the military staff that frequented the gathering spot.

"Did you drink my beer?" Koa asked as he plopped into his seat. He wiped the sweat from his brow with one hand before he confiscated the bottle from Zale and took a drink. "I saw the pizza came."

Jerico reached forward and picked up a piece of the one dotted with vegetables. Taking a big bite, he chewed happily. He didn't splurge on empty calories often, but pizza was his weakness and the Italian pie here was amazing.

"You fucking loser. Why are you even alive?"

The loud voice made Jerico turn around. He was on his feet in moments as he saw a large man looming over a cringing woman.

"Hey! Back up!" Jerico yelled at the bully as he ran toward them.

"Fuck you. This is between me and my loser neighbor," the angry man yelled, stepping closer to the woman, who tried to melt into the wall behind her.

"Behind me," Jerico said quietly and tugged the trapped woman out of the space in front of the jerk.

"You shouldn't have stuck your nose into this, soldier boy. Go back and play nice with your friends."

"You seem to have made several mistakes today." Jerico stood his ground. He could feel his team ranging behind him, but they wouldn't get involved unless he invited them. Sizing up the massive man in front of him, Jerico knew he wouldn't win a wrestling match. He did, however, notice a few weaknesses he could take advantage of if this went badly.

"I don't make mistakes, asshole."

Jerico moved to the right and dodged a blow that probably would have knocked him out cold. Fortunately for him, that swing did nothing but throw the brute off balance. He didn't hesitate to use that to his advantage. In a few moves, Jerico pinned the jerk to the floor with his arm in perilous risk of breaking if he didn't hold still.

"Get off me!" the man shouted.

"Not going to happen. You took an unprovoked swing at me. That's going to get you kicked out of here for at least tonight, and probably for a while."

"Try permanently. The police are coming," Mario Cusanelli, the owner, alerted him from behind. "Tony can take care of him from here."

"I've got him pinned here. I don't think he's going to cooperate if I switch over to Tony," Jerico suggested, making eye contact with the bouncer.

"Let me fucking go. I'll leave," the obnoxious man assured them in a tone that suggested he was not finished making problems.

"That's up to the police," Jerico said easily.

When the police walked in several minutes later, the place had settled down. Only the angry curse words oozing out of the pinned man's mouth disrupted the Friday night atmosphere. Everyone was still watching but had relaxed as Jerico seemed to have the situation under control.

It took four officers to handcuff and haul that man out of there. The fifth talked to Jerico.

"Tell me what happened."

"Officer, he was yelling at a young woman he called his neighbor. He had her pinned against the wall. From her reaction, I'm confident this wasn't the first negative encounter she'd had with him."

"Where is she?" the officer asked.

"She took off the minute Jerico rescued her," Koa reported from behind them.

"Are you going to hold him?" Jerico asked.

"We'll take him down to the station until he cools down. Unless he has some outstanding warrants, he'll be back on the street in a couple of hours," the officer said, shaking his head.

"Can you get his address?" Jerico asked.

"You going to check on his neighbor?" the officer asked. "I can't give you his address. I can see if there is a car in the area and have them do a wellness check."

"Could you look at his license somewhere close to me?" Jerico asked.

The officer nodded, understanding immediately. "If you happened to look over my shoulder, I couldn't do anything about it. Don't cause problems. That will piss me off. You don't want to piss me off."

"That won't happen, sir. I just want to make sure she's okay and help her if she needs it," Jerico promised.

The officer nodded and walked away. Jerico trailed after him as he joined the other police officers gathered outside the police car that was rocking back and forth from the man's violent objections to being restrained.

"Hey, do you have his license? I think I know that guy," the police officer who'd talked with Jerico offered.

The moment the license was in the officer's hand, Jerico glanced over his shoulder and memorized the name and the address.

Returning to the pizzeria, he found his team. "I've got to check on her."

"We'll come with you," Caden assured him.

"You all stay here. Eat pizza. If we all show up, she'll be scared." Jerico reached for his wallet.

"We've got it. Call if you need help," Zale told him. "She looked in rough shape."

"Thanks."

With a nod at the medic, Jerico picked up his slice of pizza with one bite taken out and walked out the back door to his truck. He plugged the address into his phone. New to town, he didn't know much about the area, but he could tell she lived in the urban core. Not usually a safe place for a young lady alone.

You don't know she's alone.

He blew off that thought. She needed help.