Snake Eater - The Bravo Boys - Book Three

SNAKE EATER

THE BRAVO BOYS

BOOK THREE

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THE BRAVO BOYS can be read as a stand alone series even though it is a continuation of THE SPECTER SERIES stories and takes place in the same ‘universe’..

If you are interested in reading more of my works, please check the following series order:

THE SPECTER SERIES

1. Hunting for Honey

2. Feilds of Clover

3. Broken Hearts & Coup D’etats

4. Secrets of Summer

5. Lace & Leather

6. The Colt & The Cobra

THE BRAVO BOYS

1. Killerwolf

2. Tigerlilly

3. Snake Eater

SOLDIERS OF FORTUNE

1. Red Reaper

SPECTER SHORT STORIES

•Halloween Special - ANGELMAKER The Southside Slayer

•Christmas Special - Dasher & The Dancer

•Valentine’s Special - Hellfire

1. Alfa

2. Bravo

****

Logan Nash

The irritating sounds of boots squeaking on the shiny tiled floor of the office lobby begin to grate against my already aggrivated nerves as I check the time on my shiny titanium watch for the umpteenth time to see the second hand ticking slower than ever.. Forty goddamn minutes she’s kept me waiting..

I fucking hate waiting..

When Iris Santiago had called me asking to interview for a confidential contract at Specter, it hadn’t taken much convincing to get me to agree.. The lioness has a reputation for getting what she wants and the fragile balance of our relationship didn’t seem worth it risking be y rejecting her offer..

Not yet anyway..

But now, with every extra minute I wait, I begin to wonder if it was a mistake trusting her..

An uneasy tension begins to tighten in my neck as the seconds pass by, my skin crawls and a familiar, claustrophobic urge to get the fuck out of this place begins to choke me.. This place is like a corporate prison, a jailhouse for beurocratic zombies who have no issue with following orders, enslaved to their moral ambiguity and arrogant ambition..

Fuck this place.. And fuck Iris for bringing me here..

I’m caught tugging at the Windsor-knotted tie around my neck uncomfortably when the door opposite the waiting area swings open and the spymaster herself appears and the fierce eyed woman waves me in.. I take a deep breath rising to my feet, hoping for the best, that this isn’t all a big set up and SWAT isn’t going to storm the building to cuff me and drag me away.. But still, I am fully prepared for that to happen..

Any day now.. Any minute.. Any second..

“Logan.. Sorry to keep you so long.. Please, come in..” Iris smiles tightly.. Its been a couple years since I’ve seen her and she’s just as attractive as I remember, polished in all white and diamonds like some kind of classic Hollywood starlet.. Tall, blonde and beautiful, the woman sure has aged in grace and while she might have twenty or so years on me.. I have to admit, I’d still go there..

I wager a bet any red blooded man would agree..

“You’re worth the wait Rissy’..” I wink with a wry smile of approval and she smirks back at me with the roll of her hazel eyes..

“And you are incorrigible, Mr Nash..” She quips, taking my flirtations in the good humour I intend as she steps aside, allowing me to brush past her into the office..

A new suspicion thrums through me when I gaze around to find an ambush,the room filled with faces I recognise.. Archer West; Former Marine turned Iris’ go to guy, her one man tactical team.. Ellerie Devereux; Specter’s second in command and a former FBI special agent who I know to be more deadly than a dagger.. Hunter Paxton; former Marine turned CIA operative, the rouge if her rag tag team..

And lastly.. A woman I have never seen before, so drop dead gorgeous that she almost has me biting my own tongue..

Fuck me.. Who is she?

The unknown beauty is dressed in tight black leather that clings to her rounded hourglass curves.. Two golden chain earrings set with dark green emeralds glitter under the office lights.. Sure I notice that they are expensive, but not before noticing the way they dangle by the gentle slope of her neck, framing her soft, delicate features..

‘Army Barbie’ is the first dumbass thought that pops into my head..

Though looking at her, I’m dead sure it won’t be the last.. She’s the kind of woman who could make a man stupid..

Her striking starlight gaze sweeps over me in doubtful assessment and I’m silently sinking, swimming, lost in them.. A swirling tempest sea of the deepest, navy blue, like the clear night sky.. Her long, glossy champagne blonde hair is tied back in a tight high ponytail with a long black ribbon that falls over her shoulder, tangled among the straight silky strands..

Her bright and creamy honey-toned complexion is mouthwateringly flawless, the only markings in her skin are those there on purpose.. Delicate inky nautical themed tattoos of ropes and anchors creep up and over her right arm as a sleeve would, peeking out across her collarbone from beneath the low cut of her shirt that - while I try to resist glancing down at, I fail miserably - - shows off her full, perky tits..

She gives me a polite, yet formally rigid nod forcing my focus back to her mouth, “Sup?” she asks casually as she narrows her eyes on me..

Well I’ll be damned.. I feel like I’ve been punched right in the gut by her presence, I’ve never come across anybody so damn magnatising before.. A force of her own, her energy draws me in, its like I’m in a parallel universe, staring at what appears to be literal perfection incarnate..

Nobody is that fucking gorgeous.. It’s impossible.. She’s stunning, and I am officially intrigued..

Who the hell is she?!

My blood rushes to life and my pulse throbs a warning..

No.. No fucking way..

Whatever kind of sick honey trap this is, I wont be falling into it.. At least that’s what I tell myself..

“Sup..” I wink back, throwing her a friendly smile to which she only narrows her eyes even further..

Safe to say she isn’t interested in me one bit..

Ah well, can’t blame a guy for dreaming..

“Logan.. This is Marine Sergeant Shelby Quinn.. Shelby has just returned from her fifth tour of duty and is set to be discharged with honors.. Shelby, meet Logan Nash.. Logan works in the tech sector, specialising in.. Well let’s say; security, acquisitions and trade..” Iris makes her introductions and I snort at her somewhat glossy description of who I am and what I do.. She makes it sound as though I’m not a criminal.. Which I most definitely am..

I guess foremost the few who know me would probably call me a hacker.. Which would be a fair assessment.. That and a whole bunch of other titles that go along with that.. From consultant to thief to fence.. Its safe to say I operate outside of the law, and well beyond the authorities ability to track, let alone prove..

Hell, there’s no sense in my being humble about it, I’m the fucking best cyber analyst there is..

Which begs the question.. What the fuck am I doing here at at Specter, a private security firm that has connections to just about every government agency that has me on their hit list?

Well not me exactly.. I know how to cover my tracks.. Anybody who chases me ends up with the same name.. A name that leads them absolutely nowhere.

The screen name Z3R0..

But Iris.. Well she’s smart.. Too fucking smart..

A few years back I got stupid.. Set on getting a revenge that should have long been left in the past, I had taken up a vendetta against the people who’d destroyed my life..

It wasn’t supposed to be anything crazy.. Just a few missing millions from some offshore accounts redirected to untraceable places, no big deal..

After Iris pulled all my records and figured out where I’d come from, she had everything she needed to figure out my involvement and confirm my identity..

For some reason she never gave me up.. Never turned me in.. And so, I had been slipped neatly beneath her thumb..

Exactly where she wanted me..

Iris scowls at me, flicking her eyes over to Shelby expectantly as if insisting I play nice.. Whatever, I’ll roll with the politics at this point, anything to find out more about the sexy Sergeant..

“It’s a pleasure to meet ya, Sergeant Quinn..” I extend my hand respectfully to her and she glances down at it, looking almost surpised that I would offer a handshake, before clasping it in a firm grasp and giving a stiff militant shake..

Yep.. Shes a fucking Marine alright..

All business.. No pleasantries..

Sure and commanding, she owns the room with her confidence..

A terrifying woman.. Terrifyingly hot..

“You too, Mr Nash.. I’ve heard so much about you..” She casts an assessing gaze over my neat, tailored charcoal grey suit.. I can’t tell if it is appreciative or not.. But I sure want it to be..

“Only the bad stuff, I hope..” I turn to take the empty seat beside Shelby as Iris rounds her desk taking her place..

I motion to the others standing around the room with the wave of my hand as I settle into a casual pose, folding my ankle up to rest over my knee.. “So these guys just here to watch, Or--?”

Iris clicks her tounge dismissively, but I already know the answer..

“Ah, I see.. They’re here to watch me..” I hum unenthused..

Iris sighs.. “For security purposes.. Yes.. I have to take every precaution.. You forget I know you Logan.. I know how hard it is for you to pass up any given opportunity..”

I chuckle at her not so subtle jab, glancing over to Shelby, but she seems less than amused and unsympathetic to Iris giving me a hard time..

“Uh.. You’re forgetting you’re the one who asked me to come here today.. I’m doing you the favour, Iris.. Remember? And another thing.. If I was gonna take on your systems, there is no way those three are preventing shit..” I hitch a thumb in her agents direction, “No offence.. You guys are.. Well, you’re fine ’n all.. But I’d hardly trust ya with a passcode..”

I glance at them critically, casting doubt as West and Paxton look to each other in irritation.. Ellerie almost cracks a smile, making her my new favourite of the trio, but forces her composure..

So, I ignore their pointed looks.. Pushing on to prove my point.. “You think I need the keys to walk in your front door? Rissy’, you left it wide open for me.. You should know by now that I’ve already seen everything..”

And I have.. I know how many agents she runs.. Their identities, their addresses, the names of their closest family members and then some.. Hell, I know their damn salaries and socials..

“You had a bagel from Sal’s for lunch today.. Right? How was it?” I fold my hands together pointedly, demonstrating just how comfortable I am beneath their scrutiny..

I know exactly what she had for lunch because she paid for it with her company bank card.. A transaction I tracked to prove this very point.. I couldn’t let Iris hold the upper hand forever.. And I figure for Iris, a stalemate has to be better for her than having me expose her entire operation..

So yeah.. We’re not exactly friends..

But we’re not enemies either.. More like something in between..

Iris clenches her teeth.. “I did, and It was delicious, thank you very much..” She nods for the other three to leave, knowing that I’m not lying and there is no point in their presence.. Begrudgingly they obey in total silence, filing out if the room one by one casting dirty glares in my direction.. “I know you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardise me, or my agents.. Right Logan?”

That was our deal.. And so far I have held up my end.. Iris holds up hers, every time I pull a job and she looks the other way.. It’s a symbiotic relationship..

“Right, Rissy’.. We’re on the same team.. That’s why I’m here, isn’t it?” I lean back in my chair, fixing her with an interested stare..

She rolls her eyes, shuffling through some papers.. “You’re here because I have a job.. And-- though it pains me to say this-- your particular skill set is required.. Shelby, would you care to fill Logan in on the details?”

Shelby throws a wary glance in my direction.. She doesn’t trust me, I can see it in her eyes...

Rightly so.. She shouldn’t..

I’m not exactly what you’d call a good guy..

“Mr Nash--” She starts..

“Logan.” I correct her with a flirtatious smirk and she presses her plump strawberry-gloss coated lips together..

She makes no attempt to assuage me, getting straight to the point, “It is my understanding that you have been able to subvert the firewall of Blackstar Industries systems in the past.. Is that true?”

“Blackstar?..” I frown, feigning disinterested confusion, as though I’m not fucking livid with Iris for sharing details of my past marks with Army Barbie..

But I fucking am..

Especially since that mark happens to be an ‘unofficially’ government sanctioned weapons manufacturer and supplier to some of the world’s nastiest proxy insurgencies..

I’ve cost Blackstar Industries billions in losses over the years.. Forcing them to up their security stakes, scrambling data, blackmailing employees to provide classified clearances, pilfering from offshore accounts.. The works..

Basically, Z3R0 has been Blackstar’s worst nightmare..

And I’m not even close to being finished with them yet..

Not that I’m stupid enough to admit that out loud, or do anything to risk these two fucking up my carefully laid plans.. Instead I give an unaffected shrug, smiling at Shelby like I’ve not a clue what she is talking about, “Never heard of em’..”

After a tense pause, Shelby makes another attempt.. “The thing is Mr Nash--”

“Logan.” I correct her again..

She actually growls.. “Ughh.. Anyway.. The thing is, I don’t really give a shit who you are.. Or who you think you are.. A whole lot of people, good, innocent people are going to get hurt without your co-operation--”

I hold up a hand to stop her.. “Sargent Quinn, good, innocent people get hurt everyday.. And who I am, is not some mercenary gun for hire..”

I give her a pointed stare, framing her as exactly what she is.. She can sit there and play hero Marine in her head all she wants, but if she is working for Iris, she’s just another soldier of fortune, and I won’t sit here and allow her to act like she is so superior.. As far as I am concerned Iris and her agents are just licensed criminals.. They’re no better than me..

She opens her mouth, but I don’t bother to wait for her response..

Why the fuck should I?

I don’t owe these people shit..

I rise to my feet, adjusting my cuffs with a curt nod.. “You shouldn’t have called me for whatever this ‘job’ is, Iris, I’m not interested.. See that this doesn’t happen again, ’cus I don’t appreciate being whistled in like a dog..”

Having said all I had come to say, in letting Iris know she can’t control me and that she doesn’t own me in the least, I stride out the office door, leaving it open behind me as I head for the exit, irritation grinding away in my guts as I mutter under my breath, itching at the collar to escape..

“Goddamn.. The arrogance of these fucking people..”

“Mr Nash!-- Logan!.. Logan, wait!” Her pleading voice calls to me as I step into the elevator, turning to see Shelby running down the corridor, her illuminated midnight-moonlight eyes pleading with me, desperate and almost afraid..

‘No.. Don’t do it.. Don’t you fucking do it dumbass’; is the sentiment I repeat to my own weakening resolve..

Fuck!

I stick my polished black leather wingtip out, stopping the door from closing just as she reaches it..

She puffs a little, stepping into the elevator doorway putting a hand up to hold them back..

“Yes, Sargent Quinn?” I ask coldly, putting out more negative energy than even I thought I was capable of..

She looks me right in the eyes with determination, not backing down, her clear resolve unwavering.. “I’m sorry, okay? I was being a bitch back there, but you’re not exactly making this easy..”

“Heh, for real?.. How the fuck is your shitty attitude my fault?.. You had a pitchfork up your ass from the second I walked in the door, Barbie..” I lean forward, pressing the button to take me down to the reception and away from this place, but her presence prevents my departure from Specter’s uptown offices..

I really don’t want to be here..

I gotta get out..

“Barbie?” She blinks.. “Whatever -- Listen, you’re right.. Just give me five minutes to explain everything.. Please..” Her voice is soft and sugary, and I already know she is playing me..

I hesitate to reply, humming thoughtfully.. “Hmm..”

“Please, Logan.. I need your help.. I need you..” She almost moans the words, dulcet and damsel-esque..

She’s a fucking professional alright.. I can see why Iris is looking to recruit her, because confronted by a charm like Shelby’s, no man stands a chance..

Goddamnit..

Even though I know it’s a lie, my name on her lips, those ripe ruby lips, and the way she says those words ‘I need you’, has me caving.. Crumbling..

“Five minutes.. But not here.. I gotta get the fuck out of this place..” My skin crawls and my teeth itch as I motion for her to get out of the way of the elevator sensors..

She nods without pause, stepping into the confined space with me and bringing the sweet scent of honeysuckle with her before letting the doors slide shut, confining herself in the tight space with me, “Okay.. Thank you..”

I scowl, disappointed in myself, and thoroughly impressed by her, all in one sweet and sour sensation.. “Don’t thank me, Barbie, I ain’t agreed to nothing, and it’s not likely, no matter how hard you bat those pretty lashes..”

She scrunches up her nose at the word ‘pretty’, as though it hits her ear like nails on a chalkboard before she smiles at me,a sweet and appreciative glow that warms the frigid tension between us and makes it real hard to ignore the burn in my chest..

Or the flow of blood that rushes below my belt..

I don’t like this, she is already taking the upper hand away from me and she knows it.. What the hell am I doing?!

“No.. You will help me.. You’re a good guy, Logan.. I can tell..” She states confidently..

Fuck me..

She has no idea just how wrong she is..