STEADFAST Read online

  Books by Shirleen Davies

  Romantic Suspense

  Eternal Brethren, Military Romantic Suspense

  Steadfast, Book One

  Shattered, Book Two

  Haunted, Book Three

  Untamed, Book Four, Coming Next in the Series!

  Peregrine Bay, Romantic Suspense

  Reclaiming Love, Book One

  Our Kind of Love, Book Two

  Edge of Love, Book Three, Coming Next in the Series!

  Contemporary Romance Series

  MacLarens of Fire Mountain

  Second Summer, Book One

  Hard Landing, Book Two

  One More Day, Book Three

  All Your Nights, Book Four

  Always Love You, Book Five

  Hearts Don’t Lie, Book Six

  No Getting Over You, Book Seven

  ‘Til the Sun Comes Up, Book Eight

  Foolish Heart, Book Nine

  Burnt River

  Thorn’s Journey, by Shirleen Davies

  Del’s Choice, by Shirleen Davies

  Boone’s Surrender, by Shirleen Davies

  Historical Western Romance Series

  MacLarens of Fire Mountain

  Tougher than the Rest, Book One

  Faster than the Rest, Book Two

  Harder than the Rest, Book Three

  Stronger than the Rest, Book Four

  Deadlier than the Rest, Book Five

  Wilder than the Rest, Book Six

  Redemption Mountain

  Redemption’s Edge, Book One

  Wildfire Creek, Book Two

  Sunrise Ridge, Book Three

  Dixie Moon, Book Four

  Survivor Pass, Book Five

  Promise Trail, Book Six

  Deep River, Book Seven

  Courage Canyon, Book Eight

  Forsaken Falls, Book Nine

  Solitude Gorge, Book Ten

  Rogue Rapids, Book Eleven

  Angel Peak, Book Twelve

  Restless Wind, Book Thirteen

  Storm Summit, Coming Next in the Series!

  MacLarens of Boundary Mountain

  Colin’s Quest, Book One,

  Brodie’s Gamble, Book Two

  Quinn’s Honor, Book Three

  Sam’s Legacy, Book Four

  Heather’s Choice, Book Five

  Nate’s Destiny, Book Six

  Blaine’s Wager, Book Seven

  Fletcher’s Pride, Book Eight

  Bay’s Desire, Book Nine

  Cam’s Hope, Book Ten, Coming next in the series!

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  STEADFAST

  Eternal Brethren, Book One

  Military Romantic Suspense

  SHIRLEEN DAVIES

  Copyright © 2018 by Shirleen Davies

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  For permission requests, contact the publisher.

  Avalanche Ranch Press, LLC

  PO Box 12618

  Prescott, AZ 86304

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

  Book design and conversions by Joseph Murray at

  3rdplanetpublishing.com

  Cover design by Sweet ‘n Sassy Designs

  ISBN: 978-1-941786-89-5

  I care about quality, so if you find something in error, please contact me via email at

  [email protected]

  Description

  He’s secretive and commanding. She’s having none of it.

  Steadfast, Book One, Eternal Brethren Military Romantic Suspense Series

  Caid “Wrath” McCord never anticipated being tapped to lead a deep cover Navy SEAL team. Never one to shirk his duty, the transition from sea-loving warrior to president of an undercover motorcycle club is as smooth as a ride on his beloved Harley. Nothing interferes with his devotion to his men and their missions…until he meets a fiery, mysterious, motorcycle-riding woman who has all his senses on high alert.

  Cara Mortensen considers herself a survivor. With three older brothers, she became a fighter at an early age. Following the death of her SEAL husband and the discovery of his hidden life, starting over in Liberty Lake is a welcome change. No one knows about her past, which is how she wants to keep it. Except she can’t shake the determined president of a local motorcycle club, a man who could be perilous to her life as well as her heart.

  Even as walls between them begin to tumble, dangers exist which threaten not only Wrath and his men, but the woman he can’t push from his thoughts. Only his steadfast determination will keep her safe and in his life.

  Can he shelter her from danger and his secret life without losing the trust she so fiercely guards?

  Steadfast is book one in the Eternal Brethren Military Romantic Suspense Series by best seller Shirleen Davies. It is a stand-alone, full-length novel with no cliffhanger and a guaranteed HEA.

  Book 1: Steadfast

  Book 2: Shattered

  Book 3: Haunted

  Book 4: Untamed

  Visit my website for a list of characters for each series.

  http://www.shirleendavies.com/character-list.html

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Books by Shirleen Davies

  STEADFAST

  Prologue

  Coronado, California

  Navy SEALs West Coast Command

  Lieutenant Commander Caiden Isaac McCord stood ramrod straight, arms at his sides, a slight twitch in his leg from an injury during his team’s last mission. Recovery and rehab had gone as planned. Every member of his team waited for their next mission. Had been for several frustrating weeks.

  The order requesting Caid report to headquarters couldn’t have come too soon. They needed to get back in the game, doing what they did best instead of trying to keep their spirits up on a long slice of beach, no matter how beautiful.

  “Lieutenant Commander McCord?”

  Turning, Caid nodded at a young petty officer.

  “Admiral Grayson is ready to see you. If you’ll follow me.” He waited for Caid to acknowledge before walking down the hall at a brisk pace, stepping aside before double doors. Opening one, he motioned for Caid to enter, closing the door behind him.

  All his senses went on alert at the other men in th
e room. He’d met Admiral Grayson on several occasions. The two men in suits weren’t new to him, but their presence stunned him. One was the Secretary of the Navy. The other, Director of the FBI.

  Caid executed a crisp salute. “Sir.” When Grayson returned the gesture, Caid dropped his arm.

  Greeting him, the admiral introduced Caid to the other men. Something about the way they looked at him, their features hard and bleak, made it clear he might never see or hear from them again.

  His thoughts slid to the next mission, certain he’d be told it would be a difficult assignment from which no one would be expected to return. The last wouldn’t be voiced, the sentiment conveyed by body language and hard stares. The implications weren’t unexpected given the commitments each man had made when entering the SEAL family.

  “Have a seat, McCord.” Grayson waited until the others sat down. “Caid, this is an assignment unlike any I’ve ever given.”

  Caid’s senses skyrocketed at the use of his given name. Few people within the Navy ever used it. More often, he’d be addressed as Lieutenant Commander, McCord, or Wrath, the name bestowed on him soon after graduating BUD/S training, the hurdle all crossed before being ushered into the small brotherhood of Navy SEALs. In truth, it was the same nickname his two brothers called him when they were growing up on the McCord ranch.

  “What we’re going to be asking of you, what I’m asking of you, is far outside normal channels. If you choose not to accept the assignment, you’ll never speak of it outside this room, and it will not impact your career. Which, I might add, has been stellar.”

  Clearing his throat, a vein in Caid’s neck pulsed. “Choose, sir?”

  A humorless chuckle cleared Grayson’s throat. “Not the usual protocol, I know.” Reaching to a corner of his desk, he picked up a thick envelope, sliding it to Caid. “Read through this, then we’ll talk.”

  A sliver of unease ripped through him. Pulling out the contents, he began to scan the pages, his eyes widening enough most wouldn’t notice. He knew Grayson would. An ex-SEAL, solemn and unflappable, he led with a commitment and intensity Caid envied, hoped to attain before leaving the Navy. Which, as he finished flipping to the end, might come much sooner than he ever envisioned. Sliding the pages back inside the envelope, Caid sat back, not sure where to begin.

  “I’m certain you have many questions. That’s why these men are here. The three of us are the ones who developed the idea, fought for it, and obtained approval. If we don’t have the answers, they aren’t available—at least not yet.”

  Caid’s gaze moved quickly between the men before landing back on Grayson. “May I speak freely, sir?”

  Grayson’s features softened. “I wish you would.”

  Caid tapped the envelope with his index finger. “Sanctioned or unsanctioned?”

  “Both,” the FBI Director answered. “Over the years, Congress has sanctioned certain activities, which are included in what you’ve read. They are unaware of what we’re discussing and aren’t likely to sanction the structure or methods of this assignment. Two other people outside of this room know what we’re doing. The vice president and my highest ranking senior agent-in-charge. There is a chance more may have to be dialed-in as we work through all the details.”

  Details. Caid had become used to the majority of details being sorted out before receiving orders. But this was far outside anything he expected.

  The Secretary stood, his back ramrod straight as he walked to a wall. When he slid back a panel, Caid’s eyes locked on a chart with his name in the top box. “You have full authority to select the men under your command. From any of the existing teams, West or East Coast. The admiral and I will cover your selections with their current commanding officers. Tell us who you want and they’re yours.”

  “I assume, sir, they will have the ability to accept or reject the opportunity without repercussions.”

  “No repercussions, McCord.” Grayson didn’t take his gaze from Caid. “We want men committed to this, willing to face the consequences.”

  “Consequences, sir? I won’t go forward with this unless there’s complete immunity from charges. And I want it in writing.”

  The director sat forward. “I’m not sure—”

  “Done,” the secretary interrupted. “What else?”

  “I don’t know, sir. This is an unexpected detour in what I saw as my future in the Navy. I’ll need a few days to consider.”

  “Understand this, McCord. If you accept this assignment, it may not be a detour. This may be the final path in your career. You have forty-eight hours.”

  Jaw clenching, Caid stood. “Understood, sir.” Tucking the envelope under an arm, he saluted and turned to leave, stopping for an instant at Grayson’s voice.

  “You can ride a motorcycle, can’t you, Commander?”

  Chapter One

  Liberty Lake, Arizona

  Three years later…

  Caid “Wrath” McCord kept watch on the nondescript dark van as it rushed along the empty back road. The Eternal Brethren Motorcycle Club’s president didn’t allow himself any measure of satisfaction as the vehicle moved closer to the trap.

  In front of and behind the van rode several club members, ostensibly guarding the counterfeit product inside. In fact, they were guiding it into the hands of the FBI. It had taken months to gain the trust of Drago’s Demons Blood, one of the most prolific transporters of counterfeit and other illegal goods.

  The mission they’d been given was a long-term, yet simple operation. Gain the trust of the Blood, and assist in the transport of the gang’s illegal goods. The Brethren needed to identify the suppliers at one end and the Nevada buyers at the other, record as much as possible, and forward what they’d learned to Grayson, who would pass the data to the FBI.

  Wrath spoke into his radio. “Five minutes to drop, Ghost.”

  “Roger.”

  “Watch your six, man. I don’t trust Drago not to interfere.” Wrath heard a rough chuckle.

  “No one trusts him. Out.”

  Moving his binoculars, Wrath recognized Rock and Fargo. A second van rolled behind them, followed by Tracker and Gunner. Two vehicles filled with counterfeit clothing, shoes, and over-the-counter medications.

  The shipments from suppliers in Mexico were brought across the border by the Demons Blood, transferred to the Eternal Brethren, then transported to buyers in southern Nevada. From there, they were distributed throughout the western United States. In this case, however, the product had been estimated at over half a million dollars and would be intercepted by the FBI. They and the Eternal Brethren had been working on the seizure for months and the mission looked to be almost at an end.

  Tracker’s voice broke the silence. “We’ve got trouble. Three vehicles coming up behind us, about a hundred yards back. Closing fast.”

  “Roger.” Wrath changed channels so everyone involved in the mission could hear, including two men in each van. “Three vehicles approaching. Consider to be tangos. Ghost, Fargo, Rock, move back with Tracker and Gunner.”

  “Understood.” Ghost slowed, letting the first van pass, then the second before joining the other four at the back.

  Wrath raised his binoculars again, spotting the SUVs. Arrangements had been made for the FBI to drive unmarked cars for the mission. Instead of standard issue, they drove customized models designed to appear older but containing the latest electronics.

  “Vehicles are friendlies. Repeat, SUVs are friendlies. Continue to drop location.”

  The vans, followed by the five bikes, drove through open gates leading to a huge warehouse. Racing forward, tires squealing, they entered the cavernous building, large garage doors closing behind them. A moment later, the SUVs pulled in front of the building, unmarked FBI agents exiting, guns drawn, each man circling for any sign of a threat.

  An instant before Wrath began to lower the binoculars, he spotted movement outside the high, cyclone fence surrounding the warehouse. Blinking, he looked again, seeing what he f
eared. He opened the communication line again, voice hard and loud.

  “Tangos approaching from three sides. West, south, and north. Repeat, tangos approaching from three sides. Go, go, go!”

  A warehouse side door opened, agents hurrying to back themselves inside an instant before gunfire split the air. Returning fire, they slammed the door shut.

  Wrath watched as the attackers cut through the fencing, automatic weapons continuing to fire as they moved toward the warehouse. All wearing black, they stalked toward the building from three directions, not flinching at the returning gunfire blasting through the few windows.

  He yelled into the radio. “Six tangos each side. Eighteen total. Repeat, six tangos each side.”

  Before he could provide more information, grenades flew out the windows, exploding around the shooters, taking out half of them. A few seconds later, another round was released, killing many of those remaining. The survivors turned and ran, one dropping with a bullet in the chest, the others escaping through the openings in the fence.

  Mounting his Harley, Wrath cautiously took the winding road down the hill. Unable to go any faster due to the ruts, he pressed the limits, anxious to get to his men, praying there’d been no casualties.

  Reaching the outside gate, he pushed the comm button. “Clear and secure.” An instant later, the gate slid open, allowing him to ride inside before it closed behind him.

  Dismounting, Wrath drew his 9mm, making a slow turn, gun raised in front of him. At the sound of footfalls, he swung around and lowered the Glock, not holstering it. He’d made the call about the area being clear and secure. Still, letting his guard down never occurred to him.

  “Who were they, Prez?” Ghost joined him, scanning the area the same as Wrath while their men checked the bodies, removing weapons.

  “My guess is they’re a rival gang of the Demons Blood. They saw the transfer and followed us, hoping to steal the goods before we reached the drop spot.”

  Ghost lowered his weapon. “Everyone inside is okay. I counted six who got away.”

  “Same here.” He looked past Ghost to an approaching agent, glad the Feds hadn’t worn anything to identify them as law enforcement. “Are your men all right?”

  “One grazed in the arm. What did you see?”