Thankfully he had moved on to the right territory.

  “You have a gift, Clary. One that I had no idea was even possible, but just working with Terk has opened up a world that I didn’t know existed. Now I realize that your powers are almost on the same level as Terk’s.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. I honestly have no idea what to say to you, but you have a special gift, and I would never keep you from your job. I’m sorry it took me some time, but I didn’t even know you. Even now I’m still—what do they say here?—gobsmacked about it.”

  At that phrase, she burst out laughing. “Well, that’s one way to think of it.”

  He grinned at her. “I don’t know about that, but I do know that we need some time together to figure out who and what we are. More important, what we are to each other,” he explained. “I feel like I already know who you are on the inside, but I really don’t know a whole lot about you—like your favorite foods and your favorite colors and your favorite music.”

  She closed her eyes and opened the connection that had always existed between them. “How do you feel about that?”

  He stared at her in surprise and repeated, “Mozart?” Then he stopped, looking at her in awe at what she could do. “So, you like classical, huh?”

  She burst out laughing. “Anything else you feel like we don’t know about each other?”

  “I feel like, … in a way, that I can’t live without you.” Then he stopped and stared at her. “Does that make sense?”

  “It does in our case,” she noted. “When I said I had to go deep to save your life, I meant it. But by letting myself go deep, I also had to give of myself, and then, when you didn’t seem to even want the gift there waiting for you—”

  “Shhh.” He’d reached out and placed a finger over her lips. “I was an idiot,” he murmured. “You can’t hold it against me.”

  She looked at him in surprise. “Why not?”

  “Because I wasn’t myself,” he said automatically. “And now I’m really looking forward to the future, figuring out what we can do and how this all works.”

  She laughed. “Sounds like an experiment.”

  “Nope, not an experiment,” he disagreed. “How about a homecoming?”

  At that, her breath caught in the back of her throat. “You know that … sounds pretty decent,” she said in a soft tone. “Something I’ve always wanted …”

  “What?” he asked. “A homecoming?”

  “Maybe more like a partner.”

  “I don’t think either of us ever really expected to get a partner like this,” Brody stated, as he leaned over and ever-so-gently lifted her chin and kissed her on the lips.

  At first, he was just testing the waters, as if figuring out who this person was—who was already half of his heart. “It’s such an odd thing,” he murmured. “I know so much, and yet I don’t know anything.”

  “It’s called the age of exploration,” she murmured. “We have lots of time to fill in the blanks.”

  “Maybe, but some of the blanks I really want to fill in right now.” And he gathered her up in his arms, and this time he kissed her passionately. Instead of just testing the waters, he let go of any reservations.

  As in, all or nothing.

  The heat was intense, like a fire running through his veins—a passion that flew through them. And there was also the sense of rightness, the sense of coming home.

  She opened her arms, then she opened the door between their thoughts a little bit wider, so he could feel the feelings flowing through her, as they always could when she was connected to him.

  He pulled back in astonishment. “Oh my God.” He then lowered his head to kiss her with so much passion and so much enjoyment that she realized he was finally getting the message.

  This really was the extent of their merger, all the raw passion and power and energy available to them. All they had to do was reach out and make it happen. But it had to happen on an energy level; it couldn’t just happen on the physical plane.

  He was absolutely submerged in a sea of emotions, showing absolutely no hesitation, as he swept her up and quickly stood her on her feet and threw back the blankets. By the time he turned back around again she stood before him, naked.

  He stared at her in shock. “That’s much better. … I don’t know how you managed to do that so damn fast, but I’m impressed.”

  “I don’t know why, since I dressed pretty simply.” She stepped forward and quickly pulled his T-shirt up over his head. “Besides, I didn’t want to waste time.”

  Again he paused, then looked at her and shrugged. “If you knew this was coming, and you didn’t run, I’m good with that.”

  She chuckled. “Why would I run? My heart has always known where it belongs.” He sucked in his breath, and she saw the emotions working on his features, as he tried to control himself. “Again you’re trying to control something that you can’t control because it’s already loose. Let it be free here.” And she tapped his heart.

  He groaned and wrapped her up in his arms and proceeded to show her exactly how he felt. Not that she needed additional confirmation, since it was so very wonderful to have the same emotions flowing through her. It was like they were one and the same.

  Finally she felt them merge, until there was nothing left to distinguish one from another. As he slowly entered her for the first time, he whispered, “I’ve never felt anything like this before.”

  “And you probably won’t ever again,” she murmured, holding him close.

  “This isn’t just special,” he said, at a loss for words for a moment, “it’s magical.”

  “Maybe it is,” she agreed.

  “I didn’t think it was possible.”

  “I don’t want to talk right now. We’re both here. It’s perfect. I want this to be just us.”

  When he entered all the way, her body arched beneath him, and she cried out, in pain and pleasure. He was already moving, taking her to the next level, quickly pushing her toward the edge. When he followed her, gasping and crying out, she whispered, “What’s the rush?”

  “I been waiting for this for a very long time. And very soon we will do it your way.”

  She chuckled and held him close, wrapping her arms around his neck. She whispered in his ears over and over and over.

  He held her tight. “I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.”

  “Maybe so, because honestly? That is where I found you.”

  He was surprised for a moment, then opened his mouth as if to say something. Instead he shook his head and wrapped her up close. “Nope, I won’t even ask.”

  “Good.”

  “Just so you know, if … if I return there,” he said, “make sure you drag me back. I don’t want to miss one second of our life together.”

  “Ditto,” she said. “You can do the same for me.”

  He held her even closer and whispered, “I like the sound of that.” He kissed her gently on the forehead. “Relax and rest now,” he said. “We have the rest of our lives together. And luckily we have the whole night together, uninterrupted.”

  They closed their eyes and slept, knowing the night was far from over.

  Epilogue

  The trip to Texas was brutal. The flight long, noisy, and tedious, when so much in Terk’s life was on hold. He’d sent out probes, checking on everyone multiple times, and everyone was fine. Even with that reassurance it was hard for him to relax.

  While his brother was at his side, a rare moment for the two of them, it was hard knowing what was coming and what they’d left behind.

  “Have you told them where we are?” Merk asked him.

  Terk nodded. “Yes, but I’ve also slowed the energy going to them, so I’ll call them when we land.”

  Merk shook his head but remained silent; then out of the blue, he said, “You know that, even though I’m used to this, it still sounds bizarre what you’re saying.”

  Not much Terk could say to that. His brother had long been his biggest supporter, but that adaptation couldn’t have been easy. Terk had often wondered if there was something Merk couldn’t tap into or ignored willfully or subconsciously all these years. In Terk’s case, his extra senses dominated. Ignoring them wasn’t even possible.

  “What are you and your team going to do when this is over?” Merk murmured, looking out the plane window. “We’re almost there.”

  “I know, and I’ve spent much of this flight resting, letting the energy flow in the direction it needs to, and it heads to England every time.”

  Merk stared at him sharply. “As in a permanent location? As in the entire team or just yourself?”

  “Yes, as to location and as in the whole team, including all the new members.”

  “And Celia?”

  That was a question Terk couldn’t answer. No one could at this stage. He could see bits and pieces, images that were both dark and intense, yet sprinkled in between softer ones. He knew Celia was important, but the jury was out as to whether she was on the plus side or the minus side. Terk could only hope that, given what he did know, she wasn’t involved in the making of this nightmare. If she was, good luck keeping his son away from him. If she wasn’t involved in that way, then Terk knew the future would get very interesting, very soon.

  The seat belt sign kicked on.

  Merk looked over at him and smiled. “You ready? To meet Celia? To see what the hell is going on at this end?”

  “Always,” Terk murmured, looking at the approaching runway. “And more than ready to end this. Whatever the hell this is …”

  This concludes Book 7 of Terkel’s Team: Brody’s Beast.

  Read about Terkel’s Twist: Terkel’s Team, Book 8

  Terkel’s Team: Terkel’s Twist (Book #8)

  Welcome to a brand-new series from USA Today best-selling author Dale Mayer, where dark-ops SEALs have special senses and skills, needed to solve intrigue, betrayal, and … murder. A series with all the elements you’ve come to love, plus so much more, … including psychics!

  In advance of another major attack, Terk races to Levi’s compound in Texas, where Terk finally gets to meet Celia, the woman carrying his child. Thankfully he arrives in time to protect his friends and new family from another attack, but he’s determined to get to the end of this nightmare that tried to earlier destroy his team.

  Finally meeting this stranger—whose child Celia may be carrying—how could she not be suspicious? But after meeting Terk, she believes he had nothing to do with her pregnancy. Only after some deep conversations, as they peel layer from layer, do possible answers surface.

  When the pieces finally come together into the most probably theory, Terk realizes how simple this whole mess really is. But solving it? … That’s a whole different story.

  Find Book 8 here!

  To find out more visit Dale Mayer’s website.

  Magnus: Shadow Recon (Book #1)

  Deep in the permafrost of the Arctic, a joint task force, comprised of over one dozen countries, comes together to level up their winter skills. A mix of personalities, nationalities, and egos bring out the best—and the worst—as these globally elite men and women work and play together. They rub elbows with hardy locals and a group of scientists gathered close by …

  One fatality is almost expected with this training. A second is tough but not a surprise. However, when a third goes missing? It’s hard to not be suspicious. When the missing man is connected to one of the elite Maverick team members and is a special friend of Lieutenant Commander Mason Callister? All hell breaks loose …

  Lieutenant Commander Mason Callister walked into the private office and stood in front of retired Navy Commander Doran Magellan.

  “Mason, good to see you.”

  Yet the dry tone of voice, and the scowl pinching the silver-haired man, all belied his words. Mason had known Doran for over a decade, and their friendship had only grown over time.

  Mason waited, as he watched the other man try to work the new tech phone system on his desk. With his hand circling the air above the black box, he appeared to hit buttons randomly.

  Mason held back his amusement but to no avail.

  “Why can’t a phone be a phone anymore?” the commander snapped, as his glare shifted from Mason to the box and back.

  Asking the commander if he needed help wouldn’t make the older man feel any better, but sitting here and watching as he indiscriminately punched buttons was a struggle. “Is Helen away?” Mason asked.

  “Yes, damn it. She’s at lunch, and I need her to be at lunch.” The commander’s piercing gaze pinned Mason in place. “No one is to know you’re here.”

  Solemn, Mason nodded. “Understood.”

  “Doran? Is that you?” A crotchety voice slammed into the room through the phone’s speakers. “Get away from that damn phone. You keep clicking buttons in my ear. Get Helen in there to do this.”

  “No, she can’t be here for this.”

  Silence came first, then a huge groan. “Damn it. Then you should have connected me last, so I don’t have to sit here and listen to you fumbling around.”

  “Go pour yourself a damn drink then,” Doran barked. “I’m working on the others.”

  A snort was his only response.

  Mason bit the inside of his lip, as he really tried to hold back his grin. The retired commander had been hell on wheels while on active duty, and, even now, the retired part of his life seemed to be more of a euphemism than anything.

  “Damn things …”

  Mason looked around the dark mahogany office and the walls filled with photos, awards, medals. A life of purpose, accomplishment. And all of that had only piqued his interest during the initial call he’d received, telling him to be here at this time.

  “Ah, got it.”

  Mason’s eyebrows barely twitched, as the commander gave him a feral grin. “I’d rather lead a warship into battle than deal with some of today’s technology.”

  As he was one of only a few commanders who’d been in a position to do such a thing, it said much about his capabilities.

  And much about current technology.

  The commander leaned back in his massive chair and motioned to the cart beside Mason. “Pour three cups.”

  Interesting. Mason walked a couple steps across the rich tapestry-style carpet and lifted the silver service to pour coffee into three very down-to-earth-looking mugs.

  “Black for me.”

  Mason picked up two cups and walked one over to Doran.

  “Thanks.” He leaned forward and snapped into the phone, “Everyone here?”

  Multiple voices responded.

  Curiouser and curiouser. Mason recognized several of the voices. Other relics of an era gone by. Although not a one would like to hear that, and, in good faith, it wasn’t fair. Mason had thought each of these men were retired, had relinquished power. Yet, as he studied Doran in front of him, Mason had to wonder if any of them actually had passed the baton or if they’d only slid into the shadows. Was this planned with the government’s authority? Or were these retirees a shadow group to the government?

  The tangible sense of power and control oozed from Doran’s words, tone, stature—his very pores. This man might be heading into his sunset years—based on a simple calculation of chronological years spent on the planet—but he was a long way from being out of the action.

  “Mason …” Doran began.

  “Sir?”

  “We’ve got a problem.”

  Mason narrowed his gaze and waited.

  Doran’s glare was hard, steely hard, with an icy glint. “Do you know the Mavericks?”

  Mason’s eyebrows shot up. The black ops division was one of those well-kept secrets, so, therefore, everyone knew about it. He gave a decisive nod. “I do.”

  “And you’re involved in the logistics behind the ICE training program in the Arctic, are you not?”

  “I am.” Now where was the commander going with this?

  “Do you know another SEAL by the name of Mountain Rode? He’s been working for the black ops Mavericks.” At his own words, the commander shook his head. “What the hell was his mother thinking when she gave him that moniker?”

  “She wasn’t thinking anything,” said the man with a hard voice from behind Mason.

  He stiffened slightly, then relaxed as he recognized that voice too.

  “She died giving birth to me. And my full legal name is Mountain Bear Rode. It was my father’s doing.”

  The commander glared at the new arrival. “Did I say you could come in?”

  “Yes.” Mountain’s voice was firm, yet a definitive note of affection filled his tone.

  That emotion told Mason so much.

  The commander harrumphed, then cleared his throat. “Mason, we’re picking up a significant amount of chatter over that ICE training. Most of it good. Some of it the usual caterwauling we’ve come to expect every time we participate in a joint training mission. This one is set to run for six months, then to reassess.”

  Mason already knew this. But he waited for the commander to get around to why Mason was here, and, more important, what any of this had to do with the mountain of a man who now towered beside him.

  The commander shifted his gaze to Mountain, but he remained silent.

  Mason noted Mountain was not only physically big but damn imposing and severely pissed, seemingly barely holding back the forces within. His body language seemed to yell, And the world will fix this, or I’ll find the reason why.

  For a moment Mason felt sorry for the world.

  Finally a voice spoke through the phone. “Mason, this is Alpha here. I run the Mavericks. We’ve got a problem with that ICE training center. Mountain, tell him.”

  Mason shifted to include Mountain in his field of vision. Mason wished the other men on the conference call were in the room too. It was one thing to deal with men you knew and could take the measure of; it was another when they were silent shadows in the background.