The Hunt: Cupid (Paranormal Mercenary Corps Book 4), page 1
THE HUNT: CUPID
PARANORMAL MERCENARY CORPS™ BOOK 4
M GUIDA
MICHAEL ANDERLE
This book is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Sometimes both.
Copyright © 2023 LMBPN Publishing
Cover by Fantasy Book Design
Cover copyright © LMBPN Publishing
A Michael Anderle Production
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LMBPN Publishing
PMB 196, 2540 South Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Version 1.00, May 2023
ebook ISBN: 979-8-88541-427-2
Print ISBN: 979-8-88878-393-1
THE HUNT: CUPID TEAM
Thanks to the JIT Readers
Wendy L Bonell
Christopher Gilliard
Rachel Beckford
Dorothy Lloyd
Diane L. Smith
Jan Hunnicutt
Paul Westman
Editor
SkyFyre Editing Team
DEDICATION
To my dad and my sister who told me never to give up. Without their continued support I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am today. I love you both.
— M Guida
To Family, Friends and
Those Who Love
to Read.
May We All Enjoy Grace
to Live the Life We Are
Called.
— Michael
CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Author Notes - M Guida
Author Notes Michael Anderle
Other Books by M Guida
Books By Michael Anderle
Connect with The Authors
About M Guida
CHAPTER ONE
I sat outside on my private balcony at the PMC, reading the Colorado Springs Herald front-page story over and over again. The story featuring me.
On Sunday, former Army General Robert Brooks was found lifeless in his home office. An arrow protruded from his chest, and his safe had been forced open with its contents spilled across the floor. Blood pooled around his body, and the room was in disarray. His wife, Ms. Loretta Brooks, had entered the room moments before to find her foster daughter, Chelby Duncan, standing in the middle of the room with a bow and quiver of arrows.
The Colorado Springs Police Department and the Army Military Police have started a manhunt for Ms. Duncan. She is now considered a person of interest.
Her foster mother last saw Ms. Duncan running toward Silver Spring Park on Sixth and Kingston Road early Sunday morning. She was wearing a white T-shirt, fatigues, and black combat boots.
If anyone knows her whereabouts, they are asked to come forward. A reward is being offered for any information. The police are cautioning the public not to approach Ms. Duncan. She is considered extremely dangerous. If you see her, contact the authorities immediately at Crime Stoppers.
Considered extremely dangerous? If they only knew I was Fae and a purple dragon. That would really scare the pants off them.
I put the paper down and sipped my coffee loaded with cream that had grown cold. The morning sun was cresting over the top of Pike’s Peak, one of the highest peaks in Colorado. Sunlight warmed my face but not my heart. I shoved my hands into my hair. Because of me, the Paranormal Mercenary Corp could be in trouble.
The problem was we had no clue who murdered Robert or why.
The manhunt underway would make our missions harder. I kept thinking about what I should do. Dr. Gould, Jonas, and Brody all said I should work on my glamour and keep a low profile. I wouldn’t be able to go on a mission unless I was able to maintain my glamour indefinitely. Right now, that was out of the question.
There was another way. A way no one here would like.
I glanced down at the courtyard. Like clockwork, Jonas appeared, running around the track. My heart picked up its pace as it always did when I saw him. He looked magnificent with his beautiful long brown hair pulled up into a bun. The sunlight glistened off his muscles, and his thighs moved like pistons. He wore one of his favorite pairs of shorts. They were tight on his hips but flared at the bottom to cover his thighs, and they made my mouth water.
He looked up at me and waved, and I did the same. One of my favorite things to do was sit out on my patio in the morning, drinking coffee and watching him jog. It was dreamy. I never seemed to tire or get bored with it.
I would miss him.
Desperately.
I hadn’t even kissed him.
I would do anything to protect him. My staying here put him and everyone else in danger.
I finished my cold coffee, then quickly showered and got dressed, pushing away what had been looming over me.
As I drew a deep breath, I heard a knock on my door.
“Chelby, may I come in? I know it’s early,” my dad’s voice called.
My heart fluttered as I opened the door and saw him standing there. His bright blue eyes twinkled as his mouth curved into a wide grin, making him look like a beautiful version of Thor from the movies. He was taller than average, and the sun had given his long blond hair a golden hue. He wore faded jeans two sizes too big and an old, worn-out leather jacket that hid his thinness. The Unseelie potion had definitely drained him.
“Hey, Dad.”
He put his hands on my shoulders. Warmth radiated through his palms. “You don’t know how much I like hearing you say that,” he admitted with emotion in his voice.
Tears stung my eyes. “You’re looking so good.”
He smiled sadly and lowered his arms. “Getting used to not being a lab rat. I’d still be back there if it wasn’t for you.”
I closed the door. “What are you doing here?”
“I thought I’d take you to breakfast.”
I bowed my head. “You know I can’t leave the PMC. There’s a manhunt on for me.”
“No, I wouldn’t take you off the campus. It’s not only the humans looking for you. You have a powerful dragon enemy, one we haven’t uncovered yet.”
I frowned. “So, you want to go to the cafeteria?”
“It’s Saturday and pretty early, so not many people will be there. Is that okay with you?”
I shrugged. “Sure.”
We left my quarters and headed toward the elevator. The hallway was empty, and I swore I heard soft snores drifting from behind closed doors. Dad was right. Most everyone liked to sleep in on Saturday. It was one of the only days we could.
“What’s Dr. Gould doing?” I still had a hard time calling him grandpa or grandfather. It was so surreal to discover all these family members hiding in plain sight when I always thought I was an orphan and abandoned.
“He’s deciding what to do. He read the paper, and he’s not happy.”
I sighed. “No, it’s not good.”
He clutched my hand and squeezed gently. “You’re safe here. They won’t be able to find you.”
I wasn’t so sure. Sector Nine looked like they’d been defeated, but they were like a hydra. Cut off one head, and two more took its place.
When we got out of the elevator, the lobby was a ghost town. Exactly like my hallway had been. Dad opened the door for me, and I stepped outside, inhaling the sweet pine scent of the air. I glanced at the courtyard, but Jonas was gone.
We headed in silence toward the cafeteria. It always opened by six a.m., even on weekends and holidays. I breathed in the aroma of frying bacon. My mouth watered at the smell, but my stomach swished uneasily. Lately, every time I made hard decisions, my gut did belly flops.
This one was a doozy.
The morning sun warmed my cheeks, but not the rest of me. I knew what I had to do, but it terrified me and turned my insides icy cold.
Dad glanced at me as he pulled open the cafeteria’s glass door, a hint of concern in his eyes.
“You seem to have something on your mind, Chelby,” he noted as we stepped into the empty room.
The cafeteria was still and silent, apart from the clatter of utensils and dishware in the kitchen.
I avoided his gaze and cleared my throat. “I just need some coffee.”
He gave me a skeptical look but kept his doubts to himself. “Then let’s get you some.”
We meandered through the cafeteria line. The cooks had outdone themselves with pancakes, scrambled eggs, and crispy bacon, but French toast with blueberry compote looked like exactly what I needed.
Dad stacked his plate with a colossal breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy, and pancakes.
I flashed him a teasing smile. “Hungry?”
He chuckled and shook his head. “Hey, you try being a lab rat, eating nothing but whatever crap they stuck in your veins.”
I put my hands up. “Point taken, Dad. Let’s go sit by the window.”
He shrugged. “Wherever you want. Lead the way.”
I wound my way toward a table by the window.
“It’s so pretty outside.” I put my tray down and looked out the window. The pines and aspens stood tall and proud in the courtyard. The aspen leaves were beginning to turn from a vibrant green to golden hues. Fall was always my favorite time of year. “I’ll be right back. I forgot to get some coffee. Do you want some?”
“Sure. Black.”
I headed back for coffee. As I was filling a cup, someone came around me. “Good morning, beautiful.”
I glanced up to see Jonas. The morning sunlight streaming through the window illuminated his handsome face, and my heart skipped a beat. “Hey, Jonas.”
He glanced at my dad seated at the table, his gaze focused on us. He stabbed his pancakes forcefully, as if angered by their presence on the plate, and furrowed his brow into a deep frown.
“Is this a private party, or can I join you?” Wariness echoed in his low voice, almost as if he was afraid of my dad.
I gave him a reassuring smile. “Of course. Please do.” I picked up two cups of coffee, one for my dad. “Grab your plate and join us.”
“Okay. I’ll see you in a minute.” He disappeared into the kitchen as I headed back to our table.
Dad glanced up as I placed his cup in front of him. “Thank you.” He gestured with his fork toward Jonas in the kitchen. “So, I take it he’s joining us?”
I sat down and looked over the rim of my cup as I sipped my coffee. “You don’t like Jonas?”
He shrugged. “From what Will says, he’s got quite the reputation of leaving a river of broken hearts wherever he goes.” His gaze met mine with an intensity that made me feel he was staring into my soul. “I don’t want you to get hurt, that’s all. Brody’s much more stable and would be loyal to you if you let him.”
I didn’t want loyalty right now. If I wanted that, I would have gotten a cocker spaniel. I kept those thoughts to myself and focused on cutting my French toast into tiny bites.
Jonas came back with a plate loaded with almost every breakfast food imaginable. “Good morning, Mr. Gould.” He sat next to me, and I caught a passing glimpse of apprehension in his eyes before the smile returned to his face.
“Morning,” Dad muttered, but he didn’t look up as he concentrated on swirling around his biscuit in the gravy.
Well, this was going to be a pleasant breakfast. What exactly did my uncle tell my dad that put him on Team Brody? I liked both Brody and Jonas. That was the problem. Lately, I’d been favoring Team Jonas.
None of that mattered right now. I had to protect not only them but everyone at the PMC. My team, Dr. Gould, my uncle, and Dad had all become my family. I wouldn’t let anything happen to any of them.
I took a deep breath and glanced between my two grumpy men, knowing their moods were about to get a lot darker when they heard what I had to say.
Then all hell would break loose.
CHAPTER TWO
No time like the present.
Time to start World War Three.
My heart thumped wildly against my ribcage as I swallowed and steeled my resolve. I sat up straighter and cleared my throat. “I’ve come to a decision.”
Dad placed his coffee mug on the table and scrutinized me, raising an eyebrow as if he was certain I was about to make an outlandish suggestion.
Jonas dabbed his lips with his napkin and leaned forward, giving my Dad an unspoken plea for patience. “What decision?”
I cleared my throat again, hoping my voice wouldn’t betray my fear. “I’m turning myself in to the police.”
Dad’s jaw dropped, and his eyes widened in disbelief.
Jonas spit out his coffee, splattering the white tablecloth. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “You’re going to do what?”
“I can’t put anyone here in danger. It’s the only way to keep everyone safe.”
Dad shook his head gently as though he was trying to reason with a petulant child. “Chelby, they’ll arrest you. We won’t be able to protect you.”
I lifted my head high. “I know, but I’m innocent.”
Jonas grabbed my shoulders and tightened his grip on my delicate flesh, making me squirm in pain. “No!”
Dad slammed his fork on the table and gave Jonas a you’re-walking-on-dangerous-ground glare.
Jonas immediately released me, his face flushing with anger and embarrassment. “I mean, we’re not going to let you do this.”
I looked into his angry eyes. “You don’t have a choice.”
Jonas scoffed. “Yes, we do. We won’t let you.” Skepticism laced his voice, along with a hint of desperation.
I sighed at his refusal to take me seriously. “Jonas, I’m a purple dragon. You really can’t stop me if I want to do something.”
He tossed up his hand. “So, you’re going to fly as a dragon to the nearest police station and turn yourself in.” His voice trembled with anger and sarcasm.
God, he was going to make this difficult. I shook my head slowly. “No, of course not. I can escape the PMC as a dragon, though.”
Dad rubbed his forehead. “Chelby, there are other ways to prove your innocence. You need to give us a chance to find the best one.”
“Dad, I know you and Jonas both mean well, but that will take time. Which we don’t have.”
“I don’t understand how there isn’t time,” Jonas replied. “We have plenty of time.”
I pushed my plate away. “You don’t know that, Jonas. Sector Nine knows the PMC’s headquarters is somewhere at Pike’s Peak. They’re going to be even more vigilant, and that will make it difficult for teams to complete their missions.” I lowered my head. “I can’t have that. I just can’t.”
Jonas clasped my hand and squeezed it gently. “Sector Nine’s secret base was destroyed. You saw what it was like at St. Mary’s Hospital. No one survived.”
I wiggled my hand free and crossed my arms. “That location was destroyed. It doesn’t mean Sector Nine was destroyed.”
“That doesn’t mean you have to offer yourself up like a sacrificial lamb,” Jonas grumbled.
I gritted my teeth, determined not to waver. “I’m not. I’m doing what’s right.”
Dad remained quiet, but his lips curved down in disapproval. “When do you plan on doing this?”
I didn’t falter. “Today.”
Jonas’ eyes widened. “What? You’re kidding.”
“No, I’m not.” I grabbed my tray. Without another word, I headed for the dishwasher. Fury rushed through me.
As I turned, I crashed into a solid wall of muscle. Dr. Gould’s barrel chest and towering frame seemed like an impenetrable barrier. He glared with an unfathomable expression in his blue eyes and held me in place with a firm yet gentle grip on my arm. I glanced at Dad and Jonas, wondering how they got to him so fast.
