Undaunted - Shirleen Davies Page 0,1

more. “I…”

When she didn’t finish, he reached out to touch her hand. “You what?”

Giving a slow shake of her head, she pursed her lips. “Nothing. Goodbye, Scott.”

“Have a good life, Brit.”

The back of her eyes burned as she turned and left.

Chapter One

Liberty Lake, Arizona

Six months later…

“The range is live, gentlemen.” Rock watched the shooters and any spotters with them. There were strict rules, the same as at every range, and as the designated range safety officer, he meant to enforce them. “You going to fire that weapon or just stare at the target, Fuse?”

Snorting, he sighted his TAC-338 sniper rifle. Letting out a slow breath, Fuse squeezed the trigger. Beside him, Raider, acting as his spotter, called adjustments.

He loaded another round, taking direction from Raider before firing again.

A few feet away, Moses shouldered his MK13. Next to him, Gunner, another sniper, spotted for him. As two designated snipers on their team, they shot at the remote range at least twice a week, always ending the day as two of their best. Today was the same. The men were machines with sniper rifles.

After Fuse finished, he and Raider watched their teammates before leaving for the Eternal Brethren clubhouse. Entering through the double gates and parking, Raider headed straight to the indoor range while Fuse hit the gym.

Unless on a mission, he’d upped his workout time from four to seven days a week. As part of an undercover SEAL team located in Liberty Lake, Wrath, their commander and president of the motorcycle club, kept a strict schedule of exercises, skill training, and underwater drills at a nearby lake.

Fuse attacked each with a dual purpose. First, to increase his expertise in all areas, including his foremost skill as the team’s primary EOD explosives specialist. Second, to keep his mind off Brittany. It had been six months since seeing her at his promotion ceremony and he couldn’t shove her from his thoughts.

After their breakup and years of no contact, she’d shown up no less than three times in less than two years. Twice as a hostage in terrorist attacks and once in Coronado. With each occurrence, he found it harder to leave her image behind.

“Hey, man.” Fargo entered the gym, tossing his towel over a bar near the free weights. Another EOD explosives expert, he didn’t talk much, but when he did, people listened. “Heard the prez might have something coming our way real soon.”

Fuse stopped his pull-ups, dropping to the mat. “What else?”

“Nothing more. Admiral Grayson’s people are verifying data.”

“Another terrorist threat?”

“You’ll know when the rest of us do.” Fargo grabbed a weight, lowering himself onto one of several benches. “What I have heard is it’s going to include most of the team.”

Turning back to the pull-up bar, Fuse began again, this time his mind on what might be coming their way. It had been longer than usual since they’d been sent out. At least a month, and most of the men were going stir-crazy.

Even those not selected for an op were busy with communications and logistics. Everyone had a job during each mission.

Finishing, he picked up his towel, wiping it down his face. “Thanks for the heads-up, man.”

Fargo waved him off, returning to his workout.

Standing under the hot spray, Fuse rested an arm against the wall, closing his eyes. He tried to focus on the potential op and what the orders would be. Instead, he thought of Brittany, wondering what she was doing, if she ever thought of him, if she ever regretted ending their relationship.

He doubted it. Brittany might feel some guilt at choosing her family’s status and wealth over a man committed to the Navy, but moving on without him hadn’t appeared to be an issue.

Fuse learned she’d obtained a job as an analyst in the Office of Intelligence and Analysis within the Department of Homeland Security. Bright, motivated, and a perfect fit with those in D.C. who saw themselves as part of the Washington elite, she had goals of becoming one of the nation’s power brokers.

He guessed by now she’d found a kindred spirit in some ambitious attorney or lobbyist, the kind of man her senator father would accept. The thought had a knot twisting in his gut.

Seeing her in Coronado brought up all kinds of memories. Good and bad. If possible, she was more beautiful than when they’d been together, a fact he wanted to forget.

“Fuse.”

He turned, catching the towel Gunner threw at him. “What’s up?”

“Wrath wants us in his office.” He checked his watch. “1400 hours. That’s