Tactical Takeover (Brotherhood Protectors Colorado Book 4) Read online

  Tactical Takeover

  Brotherhood Protectors Colorado Book #4

  Elle James

  Twisted Page Inc

  Contents

  Tactical Takeover

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Epilogue

  Breaking Silence

  Chapter 1

  Afterword

  About the Author

  Also by Elle James

  Tactical Takeover

  Brotherhood Protectors Colorado Book #4

  New York Times & USA Today

  Bestselling Author

  ELLE JAMES

  Copyright © 2021 by Elle James

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  © 2021 Twisted Page Inc. All rights reserved.

  ISBN-13: (Ebook edition)

  ISBN-13: (Paperback edition)

  Dedicated to my assistants, Nora and Michelle for keeping up with me and doing all those things I don’t have time for.

  And to my editor Delilah Devlin for jumping on my stories at the last minute to polish them and make them shine.

  And to my transcriber, Kelly, who takes my mumbling musings and makes sense out of them.

  You all keep my head above water and I love you for it!

  Elle James

  Author’s Note

  Enjoy other military books by Elle James

  Brotherhood Protectors Colorado

  SEAL Salvation (#1)

  Rocky Mountain Rescue (#2)

  Ranger Redemption (#3)

  Tactical Takeover (#4)

  Colorado Conspiracy (#5)

  Mountain Madness (#6)

  Free Fall (#7)

  Delta Force Strong

  Ivy’s Delta (Delta Force 3 Crossover)

  Breaking Silence (#1)

  Breaking Rules (#2)

  Breaking Away (#3)

  Breaking Free (#4)

  Breaking Hearts (#5)

  Breaking Ties (#6)

  Visit ellejames.com for titles and release dates

  For hot cowboys, visit her alter ego Myla Jackson at mylajackson.com

  and join Elle James's Newsletter at

  https://ellejames.com/contact/

  Chapter 1

  Sawyer Johnson folded his long, lean form into the airplane seat, his knees touching the back of the seat in front of him.

  Rain splattered the window beside him, the clouds in Denver seeming to sit on the airport.

  Passengers filed slowly past his row on their way to assigned seats. As one man stopped to attempt to shove an oversized suitcase into the overhead bin, everyone came to a standstill.

  After a two-hour weather delay, the crew was eager to get the plane in the air and on its way to their final stop…Colorado Springs.

  After three attempts to fit a fat suitcase into a narrow slot, the passenger pulled it free and forced everyone standing in the aisles to back up to the exit door in order to have the bag tagged and stored in the belly of the aircraft.

  Once again, the line of people moved past him, filling the seats, with the flight attendant urging them to sit and stow their belongings beneath the seat in front of them. She added that the sooner they all were seated, the sooner boarding would be completed, and they’d be on their way.

  After the aisles cleared, Sawyer eyed the empty seat beside him, hoping it would remain empty so that he could move over and let his left leg stretch out into the aisle. Rehab had returned most of its functionality, but long bouts of sitting with his leg bent caused his leg to stiffen.

  The flight attendant moved from the rear to the front of the aircraft, counting souls. When she arrived at the front, she nodded toward the ground crew indicating they could close the hatch.

  A shout sounded from the jet bridge. “Wait!”

  The attendant stepped backward to let a woman with sandy-blond hair race on board.

  As soon as the blonde was through the door, she slowed her pace, ran a hand over her hair and walked down the aisle with her chin up, daring anyone to say anything about her entrance.

  The hatch closed, the attendant checked the lock and lifted the phone. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard. As soon as we’re all seated, we’ll be on our way.”

  The woman checked the numbers above the seats and finally stopped beside Sawyer’s row. She struggled to fit her small suitcase into the overhead bin, and then started to slide into the space beside him. Before she sat, she stopped. “If you want the aisle, I don’t mind switching.” She spoke in a soft southern accent that reminded him of basket of deep-fried chicken and sweat-soaked glasses of iced tea.

  “Are you sure?” he asked, pulling the latch up on the belt to release it.

  “Positive.” She smiled tightly. “I don’t like flying, but it helps if I can see out the window as we take off and land.”

  Using his good arm, he pushed to his feet and stepped past her into the aisle.

  The woman slid into the seat against the window, and Sawyer dropped into the seat beside her.

  He had to loosen the seatbelt all the way in order to chase the other side of the buckle one-handed.

  A flight attendant walked by at that time, reached down, connected the two ends of the buckle and smiled. She didn’t say a word, just moved down the aisles closing overhead bins.

  Heat burned up Sawyer’s neck and into his cheeks. He didn’t like it when people helped him. He had to figure out things for himself, including buckling his own seatbelt using his good hand.

  “I feel bad that I’m the last person on the plane,” the woman beside him murmured. “I hope I didn’t hold us up too much.”

  “It’s been a difficult day in the airports,” Sawyer commiserated. “I almost didn’t get off the ground in Dallas because of the storms here in the Denver area.”

  “Exactly,” the young woman said. “My flight from Atlanta was over two hours late and barely made it here in time for me to make this flight. I was supposed to have long layover before I boarded the flight for Colorado Springs. And then the pilot almost had to divert to another airport because of the weather over Denver. We went around twice before the ceiling lifted enough for us to land.” She raised the window screen and stared out at the runway. “I hope it’s clear enough for us to get off the ground.”

  “It should be. Going out is easier than coming in under limited visibility conditions,” Sawyer explained.

  Still staring out the window at the rain-soaked airport, the woman sighed. “I just need to get to Colorado Springs. The sooner the better.” She turned to face him. “I’m sorry.” She gave him a crooked grin. “You don’t need to hear me complain.”

  “It’s okay. You’re only echoing my thoughts. I’m ready to be in Colorado Springs myself.”

  She cocked an eyebrow. “Business or pleasure?”

  He lifted a shoulder and let it drop. “Both, I guess. The pleasure part of it is up for debate. I’m going to check out a potential job offer and subsequent move to the area. What about you?”

  Her smile turned upside down. “I gave up a good job in Savannah, Georgia, to come out here. I hope I don’t regret it.”

  Sawyer studied the woman. “You don’t sound pleased to be moving out here.”

  “I kind of had to. My brother landed out here at one of the ski resorts. He’s been living here since late last fall.”

  Sawyer tipped his head toward the rainy window. “Not much skiing going on during the summer season.”

  She snorted. “True. And he’s had entirely too much time on his hands.”

  He glanced her way. “Getting into trouble?”

  She nodded, opened her mouth to say something and closed it when the plane rolled backward. Her hand came up to grip his, and her eyes widened.

  Even though the woman’s grip on his good hand was tight, Sawyer didn’t try to disengage.

  As the plane taxied out to the runway, his seat mate must have realized she was holding his hand, because she let go and grimaced. “I’m sorry. The landing coming into Denver shook me. I admit I’m not looking forward to this short stretch to Colorado Springs.”

  She clutched her hands together in her lap and laughed nervously. “I don’t usually hold hands with strangers.”

  Sawyer was just glad she’d held on tight. He was glad. He could help allay her fears. “No worries.” He held out his right hand. “Since we’re already past the awkward stage of touching a stranger’s hand, I’m Sawyer Johnson.”

  She took his hand. “Kinsley Brothers,” she said. “And thank you for not being offended.”

  “How could I be offended by a nice-looking young woman holding my hand?” After a brief shake, he let go and returned his hand to his lap.

  That brief exchange had sent little bursts of electricity running up his arm and into his chest. He’d never felt anything like it and wondered if it was a residual effect of having had half his body blown up by an improvised explosive
device.

  Since the electrical impulses had happened to his uninjured side, he wasn’t sure it had anything to do with the damage done that had ended the life of his buddy and Sawyer’s career as a Navy SEAL. She was pretty hot and totally desirable.

  Too bad he wasn’t in any shape to ask her out. Though he’d regained much of his physical strength, he had yet to recover mentally. Thus, his reluctance in accepting the job offer from Hank Patterson, the founder of Brotherhood Protectors.

  “Thanks,” Kinsley said. “I appreciate that you didn’t take it the wrong way.” Her eyes widened. “Oh, dear Lord. I’m not going to get you in trouble for that, am I? I mean, you’re not married, are you?”

  Sawyer snorted. “Been there, almost did that. Didn’t work out. So, no, I’m not married.”

  “Whew.” She brushed a hand across her forehead. “Well, for me anyway.”

  “And for me,” he assured her.

  Kinsley shook her head. “Wow, I’m opening my mouth and inserting both feet, aren’t I?” She looked out the window as they lined up on the runway. “I tend to rattle on when I’m nervous or scared.”

  “It’s okay to be nervous or scared when flying. I was always a little tense on takeoffs and landings. It got better with repetition, but I never completely got over it.” He gave her a weak smile. “And I’ve been up hundreds of times.”

  “And it doesn’t get better?” She glanced his way as she chewed on her bottom lip.

  “Not really. I just learned to compensate…think about something else.”

  She laughed without humor. “Unfortunately, everything I have to think about at the moment has me nervous or scared.”

  “Moving to another state, starting a new job…I get it. Change can me unnerving.”

  Her hands twisted in her lap. “And I’m doing it to be closer to my brother. I’m afraid he’s into something he shouldn’t be.”

  “How so?”

  The plane’s jet engines revved, and the pilot let off the brakes. Starting slowly, at first, the aircraft rolled down the runway, picking up speed quickly. Rain pounded against the wings and windows.

  Kinsley reached for the armrest, encountered his hand and gripped his fingers so tightly, Sawyer worried she’d cut off the circulation.

  The nose of the plane tilted upward. In the next second, the craft left the ground and rose into the air.

  When they encountered the sky’s ceiling, the plane bounced and jolted as if the clouds they’d entered weren’t fluffy puffs of spun sugar but more like hard speed bumps.

  Sawyer wasn’t sure how she did it, but Kinsley’s grip tightened.

  While gaining altitude, the plane tipped to the right, away from the mountains, making a wide turn to head south toward their destination.

  They hadn’t completely finished the turn when the plane encountered a wind shear and plunged a couple hundred feet in less than a second.

  Women screamed, and men cursed. Loose items were slung around the interior of the cabin.

  Kinsley let go of Sawyer’s hand and hooked her arm through his, burying her face against his shoulder. “We’re gonna die.”

  “No…we’re not.” Sawyer clamped her arm beneath his and let her burrow her face into his shoulder. “We’re going to Colorado Springs, and we’ll arrive safely.”

  The captain’s voice came over the loudspeaker. “I’m sorry folks. We just got word from the Colorado Springs airport. They’re getting hammered by a hailstorm right now, and the wind is pushing another front through in the next thirty minutes. We’re circling Denver International Airport to land. The agents at the gate will work with you to get you onto the first flight out in the morning.”

  A collective groan sounded from the passengers.

  Kinsley chewed on her bottom lip, her eyebrows forming a V in the middle of her forehead. “I need to get there as soon as possible.”

  Sawyer stared out the window at the heavy clouds. “You do realize it’s only an hour and a half drive, don’t you?”

  She glanced his way. “Is that all?”

  He nodded. “Look, I don’t want to spend a night in Denver any more than you do. If there are any available, I’m going to rent a car and drive down tonight. You can ride with me if you like.”

  “For that matter,” her eyes narrowed, “I could rent one myself.”

  “You could,” he agreed. “If you were planning to rent a car when you arrived in Colorado Springs, you might as well do it here in Denver.”

  “Is that what you were going to do… rent a car in Colorado Springs?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “Not actually. I had someone coming to pick me up at the airport to take me out to where I’ll be staying temporarily.”

  “Then it doesn’t make sense for you to rent the car. I should, and you can ride with me. Unless you prefer to be in control.” She cocked an eyebrow.

  He held up his hands, grinning. “I don’t need to be in control. But you should let me pay half.”

  “That won’t be necessary,” Kinsley said. “I will be keeping the rental for a while. I have it planned into my budget for this trip.”

  “I’d take you up on the offer, but I’m going further than Colorado Springs. I’m headed for Fool’s Gold, on the other side of the mountains from the Springs.”

  “Wow, me too. I’m going first to Fool’s Gold.”

  He frowned. “Why Fool’s Gold?”

  She nodded. “It’ll be my jumping off point.” She glanced at her watch. “I’ll have to stay the night somewhere.”

  “Do you already have a room?”

  She shook her head. “No. I figured I’d find one when I get there.”

  “I understand Fool’s Gold is a small tourist town. I’m not sure how many hotels are out there. You might end up going back to Colorado Springs to find a decent place to stay the night.”

  “I’d really like to be in Fool’s Gold tonight, if at all possible. I need to find my brother.”

  “You don’t know where he is?”

  As the plane landed, Kinsley turned off the airplane mode on her cellphone and brought up an image of a map with a blue dot in the center.

  “I have an app on my phone that allows me to find my brother’s cellphone. The boy carries it with him everywhere.” Her eyebrows descended. “At least, he used to carry it everywhere.” She held up the map for him to see. “That blue dot is the last place the application found his phone.” She drew in a shaky breath. “That was a week ago. I haven’t heard from him since.”

  “Could he have lost his phone?”

  She shrugged. “Maybe. But he would’ve found another way to contact me. He promised to check in with me every other day.” She brought up her text messages and handed it to Sawyer. “This is the last message I got from my brother.”

  He glanced down at the words on the cellphone screen.

  You know the group I told you about that I joined out here? I think I made a mistake. Only now that I’m in…I’m not quite sure how to get out.

  Sawyer’s hand tightened on the cellphone. “That doesn’t sound good.”

  Her lips pressed into a thin line. “Tell me about it. That’s why I’m on this plane, headed to the mountains. I don’t know where exactly he is, but I have to find him.”

  “Where are your parents? Do they know what’s happening? I assume they’re still alive and would like to know what’s going on.”

  She gave him a slight smile. “They’re on a world cruise and aren’t expected to return for another two months. I’d hate to bring them back, and I’m not sure I know how.”

  “So, you’re on your way to the mountains to bring your brother back on your own?” Sawyer shook his head. “What if he’s mixed up with one of the anarchists’ groups? You’re not…” He waved a hand.