Read Special Forces: Operation Alpha: Awakening Aubrey (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Jack 'Em Up Book 7) for Free Online Page A

a wonder. After spouting off words hot enough to melt my panties, he eased into friendly conversation while we ate and I found myself comfortable enough to tell him more about my dreams of owning my own shop.
    “I’m thinking of calling it Red’s.” I used to hate the nickname when Blake and the guys gave it to me, but I quickly learned it was their way of showing affection so I’d embraced it.
    Jude glossed right over that. “So, you just wanna do straight-up auto shop stuff, or are you going to get into restorations, too?”
    Something inside me softened at how he automatically believed in my dream, as if it was a given. “I’ll probably start with basic automotive maintenance and repairs, then as it grows, move into more stuff. If it grows.”
    “Of course it will.”
    I nodded my appreciation as I finished the last bite of tamale. “You were right. That was delicious.”
    “I know, right? Almost as good as Mom’s.”
    “Tell me more about her.”
    He sipped his drink as his eyes took on a faraway look. “She’s great.” His dimpled grin was adorable. “Pushy, but great. Our dad left when I was six so she had to work extra hard to keep us afloat and off the streets. She worked as many as three jobs at once just so we could have new winter coats and my sister, Bianca, could get dance lessons.”
    “She sounds wonderful.”
    “She is.” He bit his tongue as he seemed about to say something more. I fantasized he was thinking about me meeting his mother.
    Too soon. Too fast. Too everything.
    Slow down, Aubrey.
    I killed that particular line of thought and instead told him about home and my mom’s cooking, which was sadly not anywhere near gourmet, but I never starved.
    “Any brothers or sisters other than Rachel?” he asked.
    “Rachel has an older brother, Weston, but we’re not really close. He’s had a hard time with our parent’s relationship. And I guess Jesse, too. He’s become like the big brother I never had. He’s taught me so much about cars and life.”
    “Any good life lessons to share?”
    My gaze drifted out the window to the horizon that seemed a million miles away. I debated how much of Jesse’s history to share. I didn’t want to spread his private business around, but then again, he’d never kept his past a secret. I met Jude’s eyes. “Jesse was in prison for several years for assault. He was on parole when he and Rachel got together.”
    Jude’s face was slack with disbelief. “Rachel . . . the lawyer, right?”
    I laughed. “That’s the one. They knew each other in high school. Mad crush. Unrequited love, and all that. To hear her tell it, she was just waiting for the chance to snatch him up. His past didn’t matter to her.” My eyes dipped. “I guess that’s the power of true love.”
    He said nothing for several moments and I finally peered back up. His expression was thoughtful as he gazed out at the same horizon I’d been studying. His voice was whisper soft. “I guess you can find a whole lot of life lessons in that if you’re willing.”
    I agreed. I had no idea about the angry, wounded Jesse that had nearly killed a man, but I knew the Jesse who had emerged a better person and I found myself gushing about how much I loved him and how perfect he and my sister were together with their growing family. “I can’t wait to meet their new baby in a few weeks.”
    Jude’s entire body loosened and lit up like a lightbulb. “How awesome.”
    It was awesome. I told him about their daughter, Avery, as he paid the bill and led me out of the restaurant.
    “Do you have to get back to the hotel right away?”
    “No.” My voice was breathless with the unexpected change of topic.
    “Good.” He opened my door and waited for me to slide inside without elaborating.

Seven
    Jude
    We left Mamacita’s and headed south. I really wanted to take Aubrey to Stillhouse Hollow Lake, but it was too dark. Instead, I took her to base. I tipped my head at my buddy, Jones, who was