Croft Crossfire

1. Auflage 2023
ISBN: 979-8-3509-1880-9
Verlag: BookBaby
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, Band 1, 372 Seiten

Reihe: Crossfire

Crossfire Textile magnate and CEO Peyton Scott-Baird travels to Savannah in the hope of securing an agreement to realize her life-long dream of manufacturing personal protective wear. The last person she expected to meet with is her closest childhood friend-one she had not seen or heard from in seventeen years-following a tragic accident that claimed the lives of their loved ones. For ex-Army Ranger Connor Gallagher, the reunion with his teenage crush is bittersweet, triggering haunting memories of a time when his life was in turmoil. As the newly minted vice president of Gallagher Incorporated, a Chicago-based, family-owned fashion house, he jumps at the opportunity to develop body armor to safeguard his fellow brothers in arms. The reunion is thrown into disarray when a ruthless assassin ambushes them. Their assigned SPNI private security detail, ex-MI6 operative Nia Munro and Gallagher's former teammate and commanding officer, Ewan Kane, risk everything to save their lives. Caught in the crossfire, the group is forced to go dark and on the run. Still reeling from the recent suspicious death of her father, Peyton flees for her life while contending with the unscrupulous vixen who claims to be his widowed wife-and his only rightful heir. Faced with an impossible choice to safeguard her life's work and Scott-Baird Industries, Peyton throws caution to the wind and rushes headlong into the waiting arms of the only man she has ever loved. Connor's sister and renowned fashion designer Brinn Gallagher gets roped into designing the enhanced ballistic wearables. She is inadvertently drawn into the conflict when small time crooks mistake her for Peyton. With her family in the line of fire, Brinn must overcome her own fears and conquer her inner demons to survive. Crossfire is the first book in the Sultry Chicago suspense series. The characters are compelled to come to terms with their shared painful past, finally face the nightmares and secrets that still torment the

Alex Croft has lived and worked in four countries, while traveling to many more. Drawing on life experience and exposure to different cultures, the author weaves aspects of healthcare, humanity, the power of conviction and intrigue into the story lines. Crossfire is the first book in the Sultry Chicago series. A fan of different genres of fiction, the author incorporates elements of suspense, action, adventure, humor, psychology, and romance into contemporary writing to enhance the reading experience.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Croft, Alex

Leseproben

Chapter 1

Looking down at the tablet in her hand, Peyton Scott-Baird reviewed the business proposal she was about to pitch. A mixture of nervous tension and excitement flitted through her gut. She glanced up from the back seat of the tinted black SUV when it came to a stop.

“We’re here, ma’am.” The distinct Irish accent of her big burly bodyguard filled the cabin. “That lady waiting curbside is my colleague, Agent McKenna Davis. I believe you two spoke on the phone.”

Peyton’s eyes fell on the woman in question: early- to mid-forties with intelligent, dark hazel eyes and long auburn hair tied at the nape of her neck. The frilly white blouse she wore matched with a dark-gray corporate pant suit showcased a lithe, feminine figure.

“Davis is an ex-FBI agent and oversees all SPNI operations in Savannah, and, by extension, the whole of Georgia. I’ve only heard good things about her in our Chicago offices.”

SPNI stood for Saint Philip Neri Industries, a well-respected multinational private security corporation named after the patron saint of the U.S. Army Special Forces, headquartered outside of Washington, D.C.

Scott-Baird’s bodyguard, Ewan Kane, was also an SPNI hire and had been working for her for the past nine days. Built like a linebacker, the Irishman sported a neatly trimmed ginger-colored beard that set off his intense blue eyes. They had flown in from O’Hare International Airport this morning, and made a quick stop at her hotel for a shower and change of clothing. In the end, Peyton settled for wearing business casual: black cotton pants and a matching blazer, paired with trendy ebony tinted leather boots. The chosen dressy ruby top highlighted the shades of green in her eyes and red streaks in her curly, shoulder-length chestnut hair.

It’s tricky deciding on what to wear when you need to impress a powerful fashion house executive... especially one you haven’t seen in over a decade.

Peyton wiped her moist palms on her trousers and steeled herself as she collected her laptop bag. Agent McKenna Davis took a stride closer and opened the SUV door for her. She stepped outside while breathing in the fresh Savannah air.

Alert eyes regarded her. “Ms. Scott-Baird, it is nice to meet you in person, and welcome to Savannah on this beautiful Friday morning.”

“Thank you. Is everything set?”

“Yes. You’re in the clear, ma’am. I have an agent inside doing a final sweep and will stay here with the vehicle. Agent Kane will accompany you inside. We have access to transport both in the front and the rear of the building.” When Peyton frowned, Davis added, “It’s purely in case of an emergency, ma’am.”

“I see. Thank you.”

Scott-Baird entered the exuberantly buzzing hotel foyer. Her boot heels clicked on the polished marble floors as she took in the high arched ceilings, sparkling crystal chandeliers, and wide foyer adorned with a decorative fountain. Opulence was the only word to describe it. A bellhop and concierge stood at the ready to serve. No doubt the smiling duo would have pounced if not for the lumberjack of a man walking closely behind her. Peyton steered right to make her way toward the ritzy hotel restaurant where rich mahogany furniture and softly playing classical music greeted customers.

She briefly spoke with and then followed the maître d’ past an assortment of dining patrons to the rear of the expansive area. Her eyes searched the room. This plush carpeted section had the tables spaced farther apart, offering more privacy, and a spectacular river view.

The headwaiter walking in front of her inclined his head and gestured to a seat on her left. “Madam.”

“Peyton?” Those spoken words were tentative.

Scott-Baird turned and froze. Gray eyes framed by bewitching, dimpled cheeks and short coffee-colored hair beamed at her. Dressed in a pair of black khakis, an olive-green button-down shirt, and elegant blazer, the man before her was the picture of sophistication.

“Goodness, it is you! Now, there’s a sight for sore eyes.” He pushed his chair back and stood.

Her face lit up. “Wow. Connor Gallagher. You are literally the last person I expected to see here today. I thought your sister or possibly another executive team member was coming.”

Peyton tensed as the giant of a man barreled toward her. Strong arms embraced her, as it had been seventeen long years since they had last seen each other. He tucked her under his chin in a welcoming hug. Her body finally relaxed against his. A hauntingly familiar scent of what was distinctly Connor Gallagher mixed with a hint of sandalwood enveloped her.

Pulling back, he gave her a lopsided grin. “My mother is so sneaky. She also led me to believe there would be a senior executive meeting with me. I did not expect to run into the new CEO of Scott-Baird Industries. Congratulations, by the way; your company has received the highest industry accolades.”

“Thank you... I wish it was under happier circumstances, though.”

His voice softened as he tugged her close once again, “I’m so sorry to hear about your father’s recent tragic passing... I know he meant the world to you.”

She blinked back a tear and nodded against his chest. The past five weeks had been hell in putting all the mangled pieces together—and keeping such details out of the press. He held her a few moments longer before stepping back.

“It has been far too long. Last time we met, we were both rangy teenagers.” His warm gaze roamed over her. “You look... amazing.”

Peyton swallowed back the lump forming in her throat as she took in his broad shoulders and handsome face. “So do you... We both lead busy lives.”

He pulled out a chair for her. “Please, have a seat.”

“Thank you... Sorry for being late; there was a traffic debacle on the way over.”

Connor sat down in the seat beside her. “I’d hardly call five minutes being late. Plus, don’t tell anyone, but I only arrived here two minutes ago myself, and I’m staying over at this hotel.” A grin formed on his lips. “A kid pushed all eighteen buttons as I entered the elevator, and I’m booked into the penthouse suite.”

“The little treasures. Don’t you just love it when that happens?” She smiled. “So, Connor Gallagher, you finally took the plunge, and are now working for the family business. You always spoke about breaking out of the mold and becoming a publisher. Is that what you ended up doing?”

“You remember well. No, that was my seventeen-year-old self’s dream, at least for a little while... I joined the Army instead, became a Ranger.”

“Really? I hear the training is extremely harsh, that only a select few make it. You always rebelled against authority—against rules you felt were unfairly imposed on others—at least, you did when we were still neighbors.”

Their families had lived right next door to one another for years. Peyton and Connor had attended the same kindergarten and continued through the same schools. He was a constant in her life from a very young age. She had even skipped a grade and ended up in his class. They were inseparable, the best of friends, until her father suddenly sold their family home filled with too many painful memories following her mother’s unexpected death, and moved them across town.

“Why did you join the military?”

“After that horrible December day... I wanted to learn the necessary skills to protect what’s left of my family.”

The last time Peyton had seen him was at his father’s funeral, the day after she had laid her own mother to rest. Her bandaged arm and shoulder were supported in a sling while Connor was hobbling along on crutches, with his leg in a cast. They both still bore the scars from the same car accident that claimed their parents’ lives.

Even now, she had the occasional nightmare, reliving that moment the out-of-control van skid on black ice and collided head-on with theirs while exploding glass shards speared into her upper arm. Jerking awake to the sound of metal crushing and the horrified screams that tore from her throat while scorching flames licked at her, was traumatizing. The smell of seared flesh had been indelibly burned into her mind. She swallowed hard; watching the life leave her mother’s eyes would haunt her forever.

Since she was sixteen, Christmas has always been bittersweet, overshadowed by the death of the one person who was most influential in shaping her life.

Peyton gave him a sad smile and reached to squeeze his hand. “I get it. That day changed everything.”

He nodded grimly and intertwined his fingers with hers; their shared sorrow an unbroken bond. Struck by grief, Scott-Baird’s father had shut down emotionally and moved them into a hotel until he found a property far away from the neighborhood steeped in memories of the ghost of his dead wife and the dream life they once had. Not only did Peyton effectively lose both her parents that December, but she also lost her best friend; the very man now sitting beside her.

Long moments passed before she said, “Which begs the question of why you left the Rangers.”

Connor tensed and pulled his hand from her grasp. He looked out at the river for the longest time, and just when she thought he was not going to answer, he said, “Four months ago, there was a stalker targeting my family. My sister got hurt... What good is my training if I cannot protect my own family; the people I love most?” He shifted in his...