He's Back!

June 9
International Forces Bar – 2215 Hours

Julie Pinchas stared at Sam Braddock as she stewed. His demeanor tonight so different from two weeks ago. Gone was the timid, shy man and in its place was one who appeared quite comfortable with women. She had been a pariah to men once someone leaked her ranking of men by their chests. She suspected Karla but had no proof. The only one who commiserated with her had been gone for the last seven days, and she had no idea when Murphy would return. Sick of being ignored by all the men, Julie downed her beer and left alone.

Sam sipped his ginger ale and never once noticed Julie, who had stared at him the entire night. He smiled glancing around the table at his brothers … all laughing at Matt's last joke. After a harrowing takeoff, a rough flight, frenetic activity when they arrived at the base, and a five-day hospital stay Sam was glad to be back with his brothers. Dr. Parker told him that his kidneys recovered, mainly due to Patch's early intervention with the bentonite clay.

Though fully recovered, the doctor insisted he baby his insides and avoid alcohol for at least a month. That was fine with Sam, the thought of alcohol after being poison by vodka was off-putting. Tonight, they were here to enjoy and kick back after an intense after-action debriefing with Colonel Sutton.

Sam peered at Blaze and was glad the general didn't make an appearance at the debriefing. If he had, Blaze might've gone through with his desire to put a boot up General Badass' ass. He preferred Blaze to remain in command of this unit … and if he lost control in front of his superiors, they might lose him.

His attention was drawn back to the nurse beside him. He grinned as her hand roamed over his thigh. He put his arm around her and leaned over to kiss her. He didn't feel awkward doing so … back to his old Sinner ways … well, almost. There would always be a bit of trepidation of how a woman would react to his scars. He never wanted to experience the reaction of Julie again, but Julianne had already seen the scarring while he was in the hospital.

He grinned as he recalled the sponge bath she gave him. Luckily none of the guys were around as the event turned into something embarrassing for him. Julianne had been professional, but both were willing, and as soon as he was released and no longer under her care, they hooked up. He learned from both Anastasia and Julianne that not all women were cruel as they saw beyond his scarred exterior. Sam's eyes shifted to Anastasia … now a sister of the heart to all of them.

Well, not sister to all … Ripsaw and Anastasia were now an item … they seemed to click on many levels. Glancing around the table, it made Sam happy to see everyone paired off for the night. They could all use a different kind of undercover op tonight.

He noted Winds speaking softly in French to Angelique. Patch had his arm around Elise, the medical tech, and she wore his t-shirt. Mason and the redhead, Sherry, were deep into conversation about who knows what. Blaze chatted up a supply sergeant from Australia, Samantha Harris. Matt appeared to be enjoying the attention of an American logistics clerk, Lisa Cooper, who loved his sense of humor.

Julianne shifted closer and whispered, "How about we go somewhere quieter? My roommate has late duty tonight." Her hand slid up his thigh and over his crotch. Her intent not lost on Sam.

Sam set his ginger ale down and clasped her hand. Turning to Blaze and said, "Hate to break up the party, but Julianne and I are gonna head out now."

Blaze smiled and nodded. The kid was back in all ways that mattered.

Sam bid the rest goodnight then stood and slung his arm over Julianne's shoulders wearing a lopsided grin as they strolled out of the bar.

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I felt I should conclude this story on FF, so I wrote a very short ending. However, my seventh published novel, GUARDIANS Mission to Rescue Innocence takes the second half of RoMCSB and revises it significantly, adding in tons of new content and providing a more satisfying ending.

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GUARDIANS Mission to Rescue Innocence is now available on Amazon. Search for Laura Acton.

GUARDIANS picks up where SERENITY stopped and provides a glimpse at Brody's death from Brody's perspective. Dan spends some quality time with all his family as his unit brothers surprise him. This is Dan, so even in the fun ... things happen and he has a hero moment.

This book continues with an expanded and highly revised version of the mission in Makhachkala to rescue Dom's girls. You get many new scenes ... such as rounding up the guys before the mission, obtaining the weapons, a special moment between Brody and the abbess, Panin's fate ... plus, plus, plus more. The ending of the book brings Dan back to the present and you get to see Jim's/Patch's bachelor party and some fun and steamy LAN moments. When Dan returns to work, his past and present collide during a protection detail and ... well, I won't spoil it.

At 591 pages, GUARDIANS is so choked full of new content it is longer than PURGATORY (which was the first half of RoMCSB).

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GUARDIANS Mission to Rescue Innocence:

Freed from misconceptions which distorted his life, Daniel Broderick seeks to recapture the innocence of his childhood while celebrating the holiday and new year with family.

Against a backdrop of bright and cheerful festivities, loom the shadows of a dark and dangerous covert mission which threatened to end Dan's life and shatter his fragile soul.

In an inferno of treachery and international intrigue, the Guardians exemplify honor, duty, and solidarity as Dan attempts to rise like a Phoenix from the ashes to reclaim his wings.