Wicked Force Read online

  Wicked Force

  By Sawyer Bennett

  A Wicked Horse Vegas/Big Sky Novella

  Introduction by Kristen Proby

  Wicked Force: A Wicked Horse Vegas/Big Sky Novella

  By Sawyer Bennett

  Copyright 2019

  ISBN: 978-1-948050-58-6

  Published by Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or establishments is solely coincidental.

  Book Description

  Wicked Force: A Wicked Horse Vegas/Big Sky Novella

  By Sawyer Bennett

  From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sawyer Bennett…

  Kynan McGrath has just joined The Jameson Group, a security organization handling everything from covert military operations to providing protection for high-profile celebrity clients. As second-in-command, Kynan has the authority to accept or decline any mission. But when a stunningly beautiful pop princess walks through the doors, Kynan knows he’ll do anything to get closer to her.

  Joslyn Meyers is on the brink of super stardom, but with fame comes a level of attention she was never prepared for. She’s even less prepared for the gorgeous, tattooed, British bodyguard her mom has hired to keep her safe.

  When Kynan escorts Joslyn to her hometown of Cunningham Falls for a benefit concert, it becomes clear that the threat to Joslyn’s heart is more real than any physical threat to her safety. But when Hollywood comes calling, will the pop princess and the wickedly hot Brit be able to preserve their relationship? Or will the force of their differing worlds drive them apart?

  About Sawyer Bennett

  Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released multiple books, many of which have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists.

  A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina, Sawyer uses real life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

  Sawyer likes her Bloody Marys strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active daughter, as well as full-time servant to her adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or even better, both.

  Sawyer also writes general and women’s fiction under the pen name S. Bennett and sweet romance under the name Juliette Poe.

  For more information visit https://sawyerbennett.com

  For a complete list of books available from Sawyer Bennett, please visit: https://sawyerbennett.com/bookshop/

  An Introduction to the Kristen Proby Crossover Collection

  Everyone knows there’s nothing I love more than a happy ending. It’s what I do for a living–I’m in LOVE with love. And what’s better than love? More love, of course!

  Just imagine, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany, collaborating on the world’s most perfect handbag. Jimmy Choo and Louboutin, making shoes just for me. Not loving it enough? What if Hugh Grant in Notting Hill was the man to barge into Sandra Bullock’s office in The Proposal? I think we can all agree that Julia Roberts’ character would have had her hands full with Ryan Reynolds.

  Now imagine what would happen if one of the characters from my Big Sky Series met up with other characters from some of your favorite authors’ series. Well, wonder no more because The Kristen Proby Crossover Collection is here, and I could not be more excited!

  Rachel Van Dyken, Laura Kaye, Sawyer Bennett, Monica Murphy, Samantha Young, and K.L. Grayson are all bringing their own beloved characters to play – and find their happy endings – in my world. Can you imagine all the love, laughter and shenanigans in store?

  I hope you enjoy the journey between worlds!

  Love,

  Kristen Proby

  The Kristen Proby Crossover Collection features a new novel by Kristen Proby and six by some of her favorite writers:

  Kristen Proby – Soaring with Fallon

  Sawyer Bennett – Wicked Force

  KL Grayson – Crazy Imperfect Love

  Laura Kaye – Worth Fighting For

  Monica Murphy – Nothing Without You

  Rachel Van Dyken – All Stars Fall

  Samantha Young – Hold On

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  Table of Contents

  Book Description

  About Sawyer Bennett

  An Introduction to the Kristen Proby Crossover Collection

  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

  Epilogue

  Code Name: Genesis by Sawyer Bennett

  Discover the Kristen Proby Crossover Collection

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Six

  Discover the World of 1001 Dark Nights

  Special Thanks

  Chapter 1

  Kynan

  Jerico must really want something big from me to spring for such an extravagant meal. It’s not the first time I’ve eaten at The Ledbury but I definitely don’t make it a habit. Trendy Notting Hill fine dining isn’t high up on my list of things that make my world go round.

  But Jerico knows that. He and I have shared many an MRE in the hills of Afghanistan as our country’s military forces combined and worked together to flush the Taliban out. We’re both former marines but Jerico served the stars and stripes and I served the Queen of England. Just as our countries were strong allies, so too were Jerico and I.

  I approach the maître d’s podium and smile at the lovely blonde behind it. “8PM reservation. Jameson.”

  “Of course, Mr. McGrath,” she replies with an elegant incline of her head that doesn’t match the East End, Cockney accent that she tries to hide. “Mr. Jameson is already seated. If you’ll follow me.”

  It’s no chore following the blonde who is wearing a simple black but well-fit dress through the restaurant. I keep my eyes pinned on her arse as we weave our way through tables set with the finest china and crystal available in London.

  I almost run into the back of the woman when she comes to a stop beside a table that could hold four but is set for two. My gaze regretfully leaves her backside and I focus in on my buddy, Jerico Jameson, sitting there. He smirks at me, no doubt probably having watched me ogle the woman as we walked his way.

  “Here you are,” the hostess says, and I give her a nod of thanks.

  Jerico stands up as she pivots to leave and holds his hand out to me. I grip it hard, not to crush
it but to pull him to me for a quick half-hug where we mutually pound each other on the back. We last saw each other over a year ago at Camp Leatherneck in the Helmand Province. I was shipping back to the Royal Marine base at Bickleigh Barracks, home to 42 Commando, where I’d served for the last six years.

  When I’d left, Jerico was heading back out with his unit for more reconnaissance operations to locate insurgents. We’d, of course, stayed in contact and I was more than thrilled when he called to say he was in London and wanted to get together.

  I release Jerico and he grins at me. “Did I detect you getting a little soft under that suit coat?”

  Snorting, I unbutton said suit coat and pull a chair out to take a seat. “Let’s hit the gym tomorrow and compare bench presses, mate.”

  Jerico laughs and sits down opposite me. “You actually look real good, Kynan. Civilian life agrees with you.”

  I snort again because it most certainly doesn’t agree with me. While I knew I didn’t want to stay in the military anymore, I also have come to realize that I don’t want to continue working for my father’s luxury car dealership. While joining the family business is a fine way to spend my time until I figure out what the fuck I want to do in life, I’m not going to make a career out of wiping dust off Aston Martins sprawled across the showroom floor.

  “I take it you’re not enjoying life as a car salesman,” Jerico ventures and then raises his hand to get a waiter’s attention.

  “Yeah, not my life’s ambition,” I admit but say no more as the server approaches.

  Jerico orders a scotch and I order a beer. When we’re alone again, I ask him, “And what have you been up to since you got out?”

  Mostly we stay in contact via email with a few calls in between. I know Jerico officially got out of the marine corps just a few months ago, but I wasn’t sure what he’d been doing since.

  “It’s funny you should ask,” he says as he leans casually back in his chair, placing one forearm on the table. “Because I’m here to offer you a job.”

  My eyebrows snap upward. “What kind of job?”

  Jerico shoots me a sly smile. “I thought we’d shoot the shit a bit and catch up on each other’s lives but if you want me to jump right in…?”

  I’m not one to waste time. “Let’s not wag off. Tell me what you got.”

  Expression turning serious, Jerico leans forward to put both arms on the table. “I’m starting up a security services firm. I have some financial backing and you’re the first person I’m offering a job to.”

  I study him for a moment, noting the way his dark green eyes are unflinching as they stay pinned on me. “Security services can mean a lot of things. Give me a little more detail.”

  Jerico shrugs. “Could be something as simple as protection services or security consultations.”

  “And something as complex as...?”

  He shrugs again but I don’t miss the twinkle in his eye. “Contract work for the government.”

  “Whose government?” I press.

  “Yours, mine, someone else’s,” he says nonchalantly.

  I can read between the lines. He’s talking covert operations for hire by agencies like the CIA or MI6. That could be rescues or assassinations or any number of things in between. While I don’t need him to spell out those details to me, I do need to be assured we’re on the right side of things.

  “What are your hard limits?” I ask him.

  Jerico looks genuinely hurt I’d ask such a thing. “I won’t take candy from kids if that’s what you mean.”

  I just stare at him.

  There’s a flash of white teeth as he laughs at me. “Only white hat stuff. Saving people, helping to fight terrorism.”

  That I could work with.

  “We only assassinate really bad guys,” he adds.

  That gives me pause and he must see it on my face because he raises both hands up in mock surrender to indicate he’s done teasing me. “The only government contracts I’m interested in are ones in which we’d be joining up with special ops forces. Things that are sanctioned by our governments and where they might need extra support. Those bring in high dollar compared to the risk. But honestly, I want to build the company up with a lot of domestic type of work. Like I said, security services, armed protection. Stuff like that.”

  “And I’m the first you contacted?” I ask him, and I’m not sure why that’s so important to me. I know Jerico has worked with a lot of high-level military during his short career as a marine and probably has a lot of mates he’s closer to than me.

  Yet here he is in London buying me a fancy dinner.

  “Your experience in human intelligence is a plus, but you’re the first I asked because you’re the one I’d trust the most with my life,” he tells me, and then pulls an envelope out of the inside breast pocket of his suit coat.

  Leaning forward, he hands it across the table to me at the same time our waiter returns with our drinks. Jerico picks up his scotch but I ignore my beer as I break the seal and pull out a document titled “Offer of Employment.”

  I take my time to read it, noting that the salary and benefits far exceed what I could make working at a luxury car dealership. But the risk is greater too, so most of the money is considered hazardous duty pay.

  “That offer to you is confidential as I’m not offering those same exact terms to other recruits,” Jerico says blandly. “But—”

  “But I’ll also be the first you’ll call up for something dangerous.” I finish his sentence as I fold the document back up and slide it into the envelope. Setting it down on the table, I pick up my beer and take a sip. “It’s a good offer. Great even.”

  “Yes, it is,” Jerico agrees.

  “Where are you going to have your main offices?”

  “Vegas,” he says and I blink in surprise, because I figured he’d locate closer to Washington, D.C., if we were going to be doing contract work for the government.

  Jerico chuckles. “Seriously, Kynan... most of the work is going to stay domestic. It’s not going to be uber exciting stuff. Trust me, after you have to guard some pop diva princess for a few days, you’re going to be begging me to send you on a dark op. The truth is though, it’s a higher return on investment to build up a volume of private security work with less risk to us.”

  “Then why do contract work at all?” I ask him.

  Jerico shrugs and gives me a sly grin. “Because that money is very, very good and I’ll personally need something to combat the boredom of protecting pop diva princesses.”

  I turn back to the issue of being headquartered in Vegas as it’s not my favorite place in the world. “Why Las Vegas?”

  “Because my first private contract I have in place is to upgrade the security on three major casinos owned by a large consortium,” he tells me. “It’s enough money to completely fund startup expenses and salaries for a full five years. The project will take months and the tax breaks are really good.”

  “Damn.” I blow out a low whistle of appreciation. “How did you score that? You’re not even in business yet.”

  “Let’s just say the CEO of the consortium owes me a huge favor.”

  I cock an eyebrow at Jerico. He can’t leave me hanging like that.

  He grins. “I served with his son and had an occasion to save his life. His dad is eternally grateful. But I had to put in a legit bid on the project and compete with some other security firms. Still, it was the boon owed to me that pushed the odds in my favor.”

  I take a moment to consider what I’ve learned. A damn good offer of employment that lets me do what I’m good at. While I didn’t want to serve in the Royal Marines for the span of a life career, I did love the work. And while private security might be as dull as selling luxury cars, I can read enough between the lines with Jerico. We’re going to have some jobs that are going to pay insanely well and will satisfy our need for adrenaline rushes. I’m an admitted adrenaline junkie and this sounds right up my alley.

  “I
hate Vegas,” I tell Jerico and he snorts. I can’t help but laugh. “But I like your offer and I’ll gladly accept. When do you want me to start?”

  Jerico’s face lights up with relief and I truly understand just how much he must respect my abilities. “As soon as you can, buddy. We have some casinos to fortify.”

  I pick up my beer and hold it out. He does the same with his scotch and we tap the glasses against each other.

  “Cheers, mate,” I tell him with a smile. “Here’s to a great new adventure for us.”

  “Cheers,” he replies and tips his glass back.

  Chapter 2

  Joslyn

  The last lingering notes fade away and the applause is instantaneously thunderous. My arms are stretched high in the air for a victorious moment, one clutching the wireless microphone and the other waving to the crowd. The relief that I pulled off another successful show pulses through my body.

  It’s funny how that fear never goes away.

  Every time I step onto a stage, I’m terrified of being a complete failure. I have nightmares where my voice sounds like a frog croaking or I get paralyzed by the bright lights as people just stare at me. I have no clue if all people in show business feel that way, but it’s the total downside to my career.

  I bring my free hand to my mouth, touch my lips to my fingertips, and blow the kiss out to the crowd. The cheers get louder and I take a low bow.

  Another kiss to the crowd.

  Another bow as I bask in their appreciation just a little bit longer.

  Then I exit stage right, waving to the crowd and beaming my smile at them as I depart.

  When I’m finally out of sight, the smile slides off my face and my legs turn to jelly. The adrenaline rush having been expended, I’m as limp as a noodle.